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3 Simple Things to Do

Have you ever returned from an adventure packed trip with a
suitcase full of memorabilia? I have and the chaotic mess
overwhelmed me. It is actually possible to return from a
memorable vacation organized and prepared to scrapbook.
The only item remaining on your “to do” list is ...

Use one compartment of the expanding file folder for a
single day of the trip to contain brochures, ticket stubs,
postcards, and other memorabilia. At the end of each day
take a few minutes to journal the events of that day. Be sure
to incorporate all of the senses: sound, smell, sight, and
touch.

When you arrive home and print your pictures, you are ready
to place memorabilia and accompanying stories in your
scrapbook!

Let’s recap the list:
1. Pack a journal or notebook to jot down notes about each
day’s events.
2. Pack an expanding file folder or plastic zipper bags to
hold each day’s memorabilia
3. Print pictures as soon as you return home

Note: Instead of a notebook use colorful note cards or
journal boxes for journal entries and place them on
scrapbook pages with the photos and memorabilia.

Creative Memories Products and Photo Processing
                  Mining for Memories

stories. Play like a professional journalist and grab a video camera, recorder, still
camera, and a notebook. Record a video of a relative telling his version of a family
story then tape another family member’s version. Several years ago my niece
recorded each of my siblings telling their version of a family Christmas tradition
involving chocolate-covered-cherries. I couldn’t believe how differently we each told
the story: we had all experienced the same event together. Our individual perspective
is what made each story unique.

Involve the entire clan in your quest for gold by creating a competition such as oldest
photograph, most romantic love letter, or a game of Mystery Photo. Incorporate a
display of artifacts at the reunion, careful to protect documents in plastic sleeves.

Since relatives don’t typically lend their priceless memorabilia a family reunion offers
the perfect opportunity to photograph their stash. Take a portable scanner, copier,
and laptop to copy images or take a break and head to a local business that provides
copying services. Take special precautions handling fragile documents or play it safe
and have the owner handle the documents for you.

Collect nuggets of information by creating and distributing forms for gathering vital
statistics, family group sheets, and other desired data. Prepare family members by
sending letters in advance advising them of your goals. You may want to request they
bring specific items such as family Bibles, old letters, birth and death certificates,
marriage certificates, genealogies, old photos, newspaper clippings, and military
records.

When you return home put your storytelling and scrapbooking talents to work by
creating digital scrapbooks recounting the reunion and a second storybook for
historical data. It’s guaranteed to be the following year’s main attraction. Digital
albums and individual digital pages can be created using Creative Memories
StoryBook Creator Plus software ($59.95).
When gathering supplies to take to a crop or weekend
scrapbooking retreat, plan the pages you’d like to complete
first. Plan a second project in the event you complete the first
project sooner than expected. Bring only the supplies you will
need to work on your chosen pages.
Pack lighter by leaving albums at home: take only refill
pages. Telling Your Stories Scrapbooking Retreats offers tools
such as larger trimmers, punches, Cricut™ and cartridges for
public use. Leave your tools at home with the exception of
ones you will primarily use such as: a paper trimmer, corner
rounder, and scissors.

If time permits before the event, plan and layout pages on
cardboard or plastic guides* (the same size as an album
page) including photos, memorabilia, mounting paper, and
embellishments. Stack the page layouts in a storage box last
page first so that the top layout is the first page to be
completed. This process saves times and allows optimal
album planning.

Make a list of supplies you need to purchase for your planned
pages. You can purchase Creative Memories products online
or from a craft store. The important issue is for the products
you are placing in your albums to be acid-free and photo-
safe. The ultimate goal is for the time and investment spent
creating these priceless books to last for future generations to
enjoy.