Years and years ago, Chatterbox .... remember them ???....
use to hold a competition called "making it meangingful".
I will never forget the year Vanessa Reynes entered.
It wasn't her design, or choice of product that captured me,
it was the theme of her entry.
Vanessa decided to dedicate her book to her little girl, so that if she or her husband ever weren't around, (I mean you seriously don't know what is around the corner) her daughter would have a book to go to, for advice during the main events of her life.
Vanessa's book had letters hand written from her and her husband, for her daughter's 18th, 21st, Wedding and 1st Baby. I remember thinking, if I ever have children, I want to create one of these book for them. Well, 10 years later, I finally got to catch up on that promise
And even if Mark and I reach the ripe old age .... just the thought of her reading these letters - by herself, is so precious to me.
Letters to my Children, is a class that I am teaching at Seriously Scrapbooking over 2 workshop style classes. I have used Grand Revival fabric to cover my old book cover .....and covered the inserts with fabric too. To pages are made out of bazill and punched with either Martha Stewart or Fiskars Punches.
The envelopes have been home made either through the cricut machine or me just tearing open an envelope and tracing around it to obtain the shape. Having a laser chipboard machine upstairs at the shop is extremely handy for custom cutting the titles I needed.
So here it is ...... the front of my book .....
Clear Plastic Envelopes I bought from Officeworks and inserted as pages into the book ....
My fav. page .... 1st Baby, how sweet is this ....
My 18th Envelope Page, using Sweetness from Pink Paislee ...
Advice on Love .....
and Affirmations for life's little unexpected up's and downs
I am still to add some photos and of course the letters from Mark and I.... but I know it will be something that Emma treasures in the years to come. Now I just have to make another book for little Madi.
I have to get off the computer as I have some SERIOUS scrapping to do. Over at the Color Room, we have some REALLY exciting events coming up, our 50th Palette and our 1 year anniversary. You have to check it out. More details coming soon.
Thanks again for visiting.... I read and appreciate each and every one of your comments xo
PS ..... Just wanted to share ..... Featured Project of the Day at 2 Peas ..... How Nice ....
I wish I lived in SA, I would love to take that class! Congrats on the 2peas spotlight, you totally deserve it the book is stunning and such a great idea!
Posted by: Amanda | March 16, 2011 at 06:49 AM
Too funny Steph!!! I've been working on one of these books for the past couple of years too. (-: I saw the book that Vanessa Reynes created, and had exactly the same reaction as you. I knew I had to create one for each of my girls. I just haven't gotten as far as you though, lol!!! So now I have no excuse, I have to get off my behind and get them finished. Yours is truly beautiful and inspiring. And a big congrats on the feature at 2 peas - well deserved. Big hugs, Jules.
Posted by: Julianne McKenna-De Lumen | March 14, 2011 at 09:27 AM
That book is soooooo beautiful!!! Absolutely stunning!!!
I love the colors and the sweet pages.
Hugs
Posted by: Synnøve Vågsether | March 14, 2011 at 08:56 AM
Wow, Steph!! This is such a neat and heartwarming idea! I am totally in love with your gorgeous design too...Those little plasic envelopes! How awesome is that?!! Beautiful class, beautiful idea...Just love it!
Posted by: Ivana Camdzic | March 14, 2011 at 05:41 AM
Congrats on the 2peas feature...finally to see an amazingly beautiful project featured there...lol! Fantastic work as always! Hugs ~Gerry~
Posted by: Gerry van Gent | March 12, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Wow this is awesome Steph and what a great idea too simply stunning i'm sure they will tresure this book.
So hearfelt.Take care Kerry xx
Posted by: Kerry Murray | March 12, 2011 at 04:54 PM
Stunning book Steph! Everything in it is beautiful and love the fonts you are using here too ;)
love,jaz
Posted by: jaz | March 12, 2011 at 02:20 AM
Hi Steph, this is one "TO DO", I am inspired. I want to make a book now,
Posted by: wendy kwok | March 12, 2011 at 01:51 AM
Love, love, love!! This is gorgeous!! And what a fabulous idea....... definately something for my to-do project list. Thanks, L
Posted by: Lara | March 11, 2011 at 08:32 PM
Oh my this is so beautiful Steph. What a gorgeous keepsake for your daughter and an absolutely precious idea.
Posted by: Linda L | March 11, 2011 at 07:33 PM
This is just stunning!, breathtaking!, I wish I could do this class. Your layouts are a work of art and I love following your blog to see what beautiful works of art you come up with next. Have a lovely weekend, Chrissy
Posted by: Chrissy Williams | March 11, 2011 at 06:07 PM
GASP Steph ohhh my your book brought tears to my eye such a wonderull idea and such amazing artistery you do wonders with papers sweetie just gorgeous!!
Posted by: malin | March 11, 2011 at 05:49 PM
Oh gosh, that is such an amazingly thoughtful idea. So heartwarming! I'm sure these will be very precious albums to your both daughters. They turned out gorgeous! Really, you must be one of the sweetest moms in the world!:)
Posted by: Romy | March 11, 2011 at 05:24 PM
What a stunning idea. Too bad I didn't live closer to do your class. I'd love to make one for each of my kids .
Posted by: Ros Davidson | March 11, 2011 at 05:22 PM
This is indeed beautiful. I also started this a couple of years back..just advice and my thoughts on life etc..Its a really cool idea!
Posted by: Nadia Cannizzo | March 11, 2011 at 01:36 PM
This book and what it represents is so perfect. I know your daughters will cherish these books for the rest of their lives. What a thoughtful gift for your children...and the book itself is so elegantly beautiful. TFS!
Posted by: Amy Baldwin | March 11, 2011 at 01:01 PM
What a beautiful, heartfelt, treasure!!!!!! Since my boys...wait! ...young men are grown now....a different spin would be to a grandchild. Don't have any yet! .... but what a wonderful gift to them for the exact same reason,..... OR a baby gift! Sooooo many possibilities!!!! Thank you for the inspiration! :)
Posted by: Dara Lynn Hale | March 11, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Wow Steph, this is just stunning. IM sure your girls will really treasure these with all their hearts.
Nic xxx
Posted by: Nic Wood | March 11, 2011 at 12:38 PM
WOW! What a gorgeous idea, love it. Your book is stunning. xx
Posted by: Sar W | March 11, 2011 at 12:14 PM