Mix & Match Album - Foundations

Have you taken a close look at the Mix & Match 6 x 8 album?  They are so wonderful and I think the size is perfect for your personal scrapbooking management philosophy - seriously.   I plan to savor the development of my personal album, so today is only a a post about the foundations that starts with a "Simple Story."

For a special album like this with so many journaling elements, I felt inspired to share a very personal story about myself and how I plan to use this album to document a big change in my life . If you look closely, you can read how my story begins in the photo.

As you can see, I have not begun to decorate the cover yet - still in the package - and it may not be decorated for a while, because I really want to see where this book leads me before I commit to the design.  So, blank it shall stay for a bit longer until I figure out a concept.

I'm having some trouble commiting to the full design, so I took one of the Documented 4 x 6 journal elements and typed up what I think is a good beginning and paper-clipped it to the front of the first chipboard divider.  That way I can change it up later or add it to a special pocket.  I probably need to go back and embellish, but like I said, I want to see where this journey leads me and for this project, I am more concerned with getting the story out, before I embellish.

This is the beginning of my story!  There are going to be some big changes in my life as soon as I finish up this current school year, and I want to document how I feel right now, since the school board just approved my sabbatical last week.

One of the things I would love to have  more time for in my life is to write.  I am an English teacher and it seems like I read so much of other's work and don't always take the time to really communicate my own thoughts.  This album/book is going to change all of that.  I have the typewiter and am looking forward to banging some keys just to get it all documented.

This is a photo of me from a few years ago, before my life got so busy with my job and my family and I were moving at a slower pace.  I want to get back to that feeling of calm and contentment.  I am anything but calm right now - though I tend to hide it well.  I think scrapbooking provides a creative outlet that allows me to deplode from how crazy and stressful my life is at work.  However, as of June, 2012, that is all about to change.

Still getting the hang of using a typewriter again.  You would think it was like riding a bike, since it was all I had in high school and college, but alas, I make more mistakes than I would care to admit - which the computer hides beautifully.  Thank goodness for correction tape. 

As I said above, I fully plan to go back and embellish my album, but this is a foundation and I want to enjoy the development of something that will be so personal.  I hope that many of you adopt this album and system to document something very dear to you, even your everyday moments.  I am so excited to continue mine.

Materials:

Have a wonderful and creative day!

Comments

[Tracy]

Looove and the journaling with the tyewriter!
Look forward to seeing more.
oxoxo

[Guiseppa Gubler]

Oh Liz...this is amazing! Thanks for sharing this:)

[Betty]

Love Love LOVE! Thanks for sharing it and I want to start immediately...

[Rosann]

Love the idea! I keep trying to talk myself out of getting one of those ( only because I have MANY other projects) But I LOVE those albums!

[ava]

great demonstration to stimulate all the crafters to start an album like you have.... thanks for sharing and motivating all of us
ava

[cari Locken]

Oh wow Liz! This is going to be an incredible album. It already is!!

[Shellye McDaniel]

simply wonderful, Liz! I'm so ready to try this...thanks for sharing with us!

[Gypsy Chaos]

You have an awesome husband! I hope you take advantage of every day you have, and you learn some amazing things about yourself and your life.

I am so curious - I see a light impression of "It's not the journey", etc on the top of your long text page. Was that intentional? How did it end up there?

[Liz Qualman]

Hi Gypsy -

That sentiment about the It's not the Destination, It's the Journey was pre-printed on the Mix & Match paper and I thought it made a good choice as the first page of my album.

:) Liz

[Laura C Michigan]

Oh this is so cool. Now I KNOW I have to get one of these. Now to find them. I'm in LSS desert where I live. I hate paying shipping. I'm hoping maybe Archivers?

[Cecilia Coleman]

When are the albums shipping to stores?

[Michelle]

Liz,

Thanks for sharing such a personal part of your life. It reminds me a bit of myself... I decided a couple years ago to go back to school, but it cost my family more than I ever anticipated... Due to heath reasons, I had to drop out of my last course & decided not to go back this semester. I want to go back, yet...

Looking forward to hearing more about where this journey of yours leads you!

[tanya hughes]

thank you so much for sharing so honestly...i too am faced with such a decision...and i have bought two of these albums without any idea of what to do with them until now.
i too am a teacher (English/Italian)
i was looking for some inspiration and boy i sure found it...
is there somewhere i can follow you - do you have a blog where you share your journey?
good luck
all the way from Tanya Hughes in Perth Western Australia
xx

[sylwia]

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