
Resolution #3:
Chronicle your memories.
Guest Blog post by Elise Blaha Cripe
Chronicling your memories in 2011 doesn't have to be overwhelming and you definitely do not need to stock up on a lot of materials. Here's a simple idea to stay on track and keep your adventures in one place.

Purchase a small 4x6 photo album. This one shown is from Kolo, but there are oodles of options in different sizes and thicknesses.
Commit to taking photos, whether it's with your fancy camera, your phone or the photobooth option on your computer. Every month or so, get a few of your favorite photos printed.
Keep a document on your computer or in your photo for writing down what you're up do. Simple things like "addicted to pomegranates" or bigger things like "bought a dog!" are all you need. These are memory joggers so at the end of the month you remember what was going on. The goal is to get both the photos and words into your small album. Below are a couple ideas for how to do that.

Add your text onto a simple sticker and place it right onto the photo or on the plastic sleeve protecting the photo.

Slip your photos into one side of the album and add a piece of cardstock with your printed or handwritten words in to the other.

Write or type your text on paper and cut into strips that can be layered right on top of the photo.

Add your strips of text on top of patterned paper to add more embellishment to the book.


If you have a few different photos of the same event that you can't bare to leave out, tuck them behind another photo in the album OR use decorative tape to add extra pages to the album.
Of course, you could get much more creative with this project and add embellishments and fill bigger albums with so many more photos. (See more ideas for minibooks here.) But I have found that with new years resolutions it's sometimes much better to start small and simple. It's easier to stick with it and not get discouraged if your project is manageable.
Photos are awesome. Photos combined with your thoughts and memories and even better.
Happy 2011 and happy creating. elise
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