I absolutely love the process of creating layouts with colorful papers, embellishments, and photos. It brings me joy that I can have fun capturing memories that may otherwise be forgotten. It makes my heart happy when I see a completed layout and I want to share this passion with all of you.
Along with the craft of scrapbooking, or "scrapping" as my family affectionately call it, I want to share with you the therapeutic benefits this hobby can bring. You will learn throughout my posts and layouts, that life has not always been kind to me – to the point I almost gave up this hobby when my two year old son was diagnosed with a serious neuromuscular disease. I went into a deep state of depression and grief. The life I had imagined living and scrapbooking vanished. I figured I would finish scrapbooking my younger son's first year, and then put away my scrapbooking supplies. However, God used this hobby to help change my perspective. As I was half heartedly creating a layout, I felt God showing me that despite his physical challenges, my son was smiling and happy. He was loving life like only a toddler could, and I began to count my blessings.
Scrapping became my therapy. After troublesome doctor appointments, when I would come home discouraged and overwhelmed, my husband, Dave, would take the boys and tell me to go "scrap it out." That became his mantra when he saw me stressed and battling depression – go scrap it out. Looking at the photos and preserving our families’ memories was a powerful way for me to count my blessings and change my perspective from one of grief to gratitude.
Four years later, my amazing husband was killed in a car accident, and I was put to the test once again. Would I choose to see and count my blessings, or focus on the horrific pain? I could almost hear Dave’s laughing voice telling me to go, “Scrap it out.” So that’s what I did. While I scrapped my loss and grief, I've also scrapped the joy as God brought me a wonderful new husband, and two precious step-daughters. Our family scrapbooks overflow with more laughter and joy, than tears and sadness.
I’ve been scrapping since I was a teenager, but for the last decade, I’ve been scrapping with the purpose of counting my blessings, and what a difference that has made in my life.
So whether you’re new to scrapbooking or an experienced scrapper, come join me, as we discuss all things scrapbooking, and preserve your memories while counting your blessings!
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