Julie Campbell
School is out for the year and I’ve been looking for new ways to document my boys’ summer. I’m realizing more and more how fast time flies by, and I want to capture those memories before it’s too late.
Instead of locking myself in my craft room and scrapbooking the day away (Ha! I wish!) I decided to let my kids fill their own memory books this year. It’s a great way to get kids involved in paper crafting and it’s fun to see things from their point of view. It’s also a fantastic way to use up those paper scraps that you’ve been saving for a rainy day!
I started by collecting scraps of paper that coordinated well with each other and were masculine enough to keep my boys’ interest. For this project, I used Echo Park’s This & That Charming collection and Kaisercraft’s Technologic collection. I also pulled together several parcel tags, library cards, envelopes, and other bits and pieces.
Once I had a good assortment, I scored and trimmed my paper to size. I wanted each page to be a different size to give it additional visual interest. I scored the ends of my tags and envelopes as well and then stacked all of my pieces together, matching them at the center score line. I machine stitched the pages together, using a backstitch on both ends to hold the pages securely together.
The small tag tabs that peeked through the pages became the perfect base for adhering tiny pockets to the memory book.
To give the books a little additional stability, I adhered a Studio Calico FabRip to the binding. I added a few stickers and my son’s memory book was complete!
The great thing about these books is that they can be customized for anyone! After finishing my boys’ books, I decided I needed to make a couple of books of my own. These books can be made in minutes, and they make great gifts as well!
How would you like a jump start on creating your own memory book? One lucky commenter on this blog post will receive the Echo Park This & That Charming collection that I used above.
All comments must be received by Friday, June 1st at 5 pm MDT.
Julie Campbell, Paper Crafts Go-to Gal
Love the project. Echo Park is one of my favorite co. This collection is fun.
I love this idea! I’ve made the memory books out of paper lunch bags, but I love this idea! My son has many things planned for this summer. I’ll have to make him one to keep his memories in! Thanks!
Great to see masculine colors for a change. Good way to keep boys interested.
what a fun idea!
thanks for a fabulous give away, I love, love love Echo Park!!!
Love the “This and That” collection from Echo Park. Just realized that I like Echo Park alot, but have never gotten any of their papers! Your Memory Book project was great and I want to give it a try myself. Thanks for the inspiration and chance to win it.
Oh, I love this idea of sewing all of the different size papers together. So much fun!! I love that Echo Park kit too. So many possibilities!!
Thanks for the chance to win!
xoxo, Christine
I LUV the Memory Book….the papers & odds & ends make it truly visually appealing!! I’d luv to see a lil girl’s version of the Memory Book…..Great job!!! …and thanks for the oppty. to win some goodies.
Great idea and nice paper for boys.
Oh I’d like that for sure! Love your idea and might adopt it for us! Thanks for the inspiration!
I LOVE this little album! Pinning it for future reference!
I love the colors in this collection…thanks for the chance to win!
What a handsome packet of goodies and papers to enjoy while keeping memories of one’s happiest life. The colors evoke warmth. I would love to win this treasure trove.
Super cool idea!
Carol B
ciaoitalia2007(at)gmail(dot)com
Cute idea. Love the way you used the small tabs for the extra pockets. This line of paper from Echo Park is a great color combo.
Such a clever idea, and you make it look soooo easy!
Thanks for the chance to win!
What a fabulous way to use up papers, get children involved, and document special events that are most meaningful to them!
Thanks for the chance to win – this collection looks great! Neat idea on the memory book.
thanks for the chance to win!
LOVE that your boys will be putting into their funky-cool memory books stuff that’s special and important to them so, as you say, you’ll get their point of view. And I love the way you “built” it- so interesting! Way to go, Mom!
I cannot believe you shared this memory book today! I was thinking of making one for Friday’s post on my blog! LOL! Great minds think alike:)
FUN! LOVE the fab strip on the binding!
This is a great idea. I wonder how many pages you can stitch together? Love the different PP and sizes! TFS!
This is a very nice project. I think ill make one for my girls to keep as their smash book. Ive never tried or seen Echo Park paper in person,thanks for the opportunity to win some.
Oh, I love this paper collection and that mini album is fabulous! Always love to see projects that are masculine or gender neutral!
Totally love it! I love hand-made books! TFS!
I would love to try and make memory books for all of my grandkids. I am sure they would treasure them.
What a wonderful idea! Thanks for sharing how to make it, and for giving us a chance to win and make our own. Thank you
fun fun fun! love the books and the paper. we’re making file folder books today at the library
This is a great collection. It’ll be perfect for masculine anything crafty that I would create!
I’ve thought about taking SC’s “Pieces of Me” class and I love this idea for making the book!
I love this paper pack! Thanks for the chance to win!
OMG – how cute!! I love this idea!! I want to make one too!
That is such a great idea – especially getting them to fill in the books themselves – I must try that for my grandchildren. Love that paper too.
I love your memory book. Thanks for the chance to win!
That memory book is SO cute! I love how you put it together–and that paper collection is fantastic!
What a great kid friendly project. Color coordinated and ready to go, but they still get to make choices. Love it!
You mak these look so fabulous and easy! I’m gonna have to give it a go. LOL!
It is so charming, love it
This is a great idea! I’m looking forward to trying this project. Thanks for sharing!
I love this idea, it’s so cool..thx for sharing
What a FAB idea!!!! Love, love, love. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love the assortment of papers, they were bright and the backgrounds catch your eye. Very interesting way you put the papers together by using different sizes and how you added pockets with which to store small memorabilia or items of interest, then stitched them all together with the sewing machine. The finished book is one that anyone would love to have. A handmade book is so much more and will hold a special place in your heart and thoughts. Thank you for sharing, Linda
Your book is beautiful and I love the colors and patterns. My son made a scrapbook the summer after kindergarten that is priceless, and I think it’s time to get him to do it again. Thanks for the inspiration!
What a GREAT idea! I know I have enough scraps to do this for my boys! Thanks for the inspiration, as well as the opportunity to win a great paper packet!
What a wonderful idea. I may just have to lift it to use with my granddaughter. TFS and for a chance to win this giveaway. God Bless
So much fun! Thanks for a chance to win the EP collection… I {heart} it!
This is a great idea for the kids to keep them excited about their summer days and also to keep them busy! And I like that it’s small so I can even make one for myself!
I love Echo Park. Thanks for the chance to win!
I just love your memory book! You are so creative. Thanks for the inspiration AND the chance to win a fab collection.
Great project, love all of those pockets! Love this collection! Thanks for sharing.
Katie B.
would love to get my son involved in paper crafting. He does a great job with cards for the grandparents but beyond that he’s not too interested. Maybe having papers that are more masculine would help. This project is beautiful, hope your son fills it with great memories.