Happy Scrap-versary to me!

A layout I did for a challenge in 2010.

I'm the person who can remember what happened on a particular date 20 years ago, but I can't remember what I did last weekend. For example, I started scrapbooking in the month of September, 1998. I know that because my daughter was 2 months old when the obsession began. I wanted to make her a baby book that was different than the traditional book you can pick up at Hallmark. I'd heard of scrapbooking but I thought it was dumb. Who wants stickers, decorative borders and crazy shapes in their photo album? (ha!)

One day I received an advertisement in the mail for a baby book "kit of the month" club. I was intrigued. The first package included a nice baby themed 3-ring binder (which I still have), a journaling pen, adhesive squares, journaling prompts, patterned papers and stickers for $15, which I thought was a great deal. I signed up and my new obsession arrived a few weeks later. Too bad it didn't include any instructions. I was forced to figure out on my own what to do with the box of stuff they sent me. I ended up checking out Michael's, A.C. Moore and JoAnn's. I quickly discovered my local stores have better selections and prices on supplies so I cancelled the shipments after a few months.

After we hooked up to the internet at home in the year 2000, I discovered the online world of scrapbooking through message boards, swaps, sharing layouts and shopping. Thank you, World Wide Web, for introducing me to all my computer friends! I've learned so much from them! Online shopping also helped fuel my addiction until my favorite local scrapbook store opened in town 6 years ago.

My scrapbooking anniversary is this month. I've been scrapbooking for as long as I've had my daughter.

Holy crap, I've been scrapbooking for 14 years!

I took a little break in 2010 and 2011 but other than that, scrapbooking has been my thing. It was my first real crafting obsession. I don't see myself ever giving up on it completely. It's also pretty cool that the little person who inspired my hobby is now my scrapbooking buddy.

This is the first layout I ever did. I think it's pretty horrible but I will never, ever change it. This is my baby girl and me, 14 years ago.

And this is my baby girl and me today (taken last month at the Yankee Candle flagship store). Do we look like mother and daughter? People tell me we do but I don't see it.

Emily, age 14, and me (holding a Whoopie Pie scented candle!).

Do you scrapbook and how long have you been doing it? I still like to do techniques that are considered old school. Are there any older techniques you'd like me to feature on my blog? Leave me a comment and let me know!

Click the button below to check out some of my older layouts at scrapbook.com, then don't forget to come back here!