What are the things you most remember about a person, place or thing?

In Story Starter by Lynn Como

If a picture is worth a thousand words …. then what are your thoughts worth?

Have you ever had a flashback or something that triggered a past moment in time?  How about something you tasted that reminded you of mom’s cooking?  Or a certain smell or scent that brought back a precious memory?   We all have moments like these but haven’t really explored how to put it down on paper, or found a way to express something sentimental or thoughtful with only ONE photo.

Well, now you can!  Sit back and have a cup of tea as I share how I used our newest product line, Story by Stacy to capture important moments to me.  Using the booklet and following the simple program outlined, it was pretty easy to get started.  Everything is complete in one kit (you can add the stamps separately … see all the details way below).

This was a fantastic trip of the senses and mind.  A chance to gather many recollections of special feelings and moments in time. My precious memories ‘of the senses’ of my mom.  As I share this story with you, remember it can be anything you want to share that helps you uncover the “journey in the journaling” with photos to support your subject of a person, place or thing.

I chose this book cover, black with white polka dots and added my own ribbon and charm on the side.  There are 4×4 page protectors sewn into the book so overall the book is 5×5 and 3/4″ spine.  If you want to, you could add 4×4 or 2×2 flip flaps (I added a few).  Adding photos is easy to do and you don’t have to use a boatload.  You’ll see as I share it below ….

I love the sentiment on the left (it’s stamped from D1786 Quotable Words.  The arrow, hearts, “I Love You” are from D1784 Colorful Texture stamp set).  I did have a plethora of feelings and thoughts, and many, many memories about ONE person … my MOM.  I found this small photo and love it!  This is where I grew up on Staten Island above the Bridge Tavern.  My mom loved to always look her best!

I chose to use “I Remember …” to start many of my pages.  Sometimes the photos were not of the best quality but it didn’t matter.  It’s more about my memories and those that were important to me.

Some of the best times I can remember were of the Jersey Shore and our two week vacations.  I was the youngest of four and things were simpler then but not so easy to pack for. You’ll have to read it …

I used a flip flap to share “the memories we made.”  So many great times come rushing back when you sit and start to remember those special thoughts, places and things.

As the youngest daughter, I got to spend a lot of time around my mom.  I have such fond memories of her getting ready for her day or going out.  Pond moisturizer, curlers, kerchief, teasing her hair, hairspray, red lipstick  …

My mom always wore perfume.  Oh my goodness, you would always find small bottles in her pants pockets, pocketbook, coat pockets.  Her scent was everywhere ….

Totally love this picture of my mom all dressed up for New Year’s (I’m assuming).  She so loved wearing her jewelry … even everyday. You would see her in pearls, large pins, rings, earrings … she loved her ‘bling!’  V neck tops were her main staple with a pin in the center of the ‘v.’

I cannot carry a tune but I loved when my Mom would sing!  My bedroom was right next to the kitchen, so I could hear her loud and clear.  You can read my story below …

I wanted to note some of “the BEST things” … just a few that spoke volumes to me.  She had a wonderful personality and was a caring person.

One of my favorite times and memories was being able to get my mom on a vacation away from the bar.  Well, we went to St. Thomas with my sister Diane and had a wonderful time.  She was thrilled to buy herself a diamond ring (or two!) there.  It was priceless and so deserving and here she is showing it off:

Thankfully, she was there for me when I had my boys. She would come over for a few days after they were born to help me adjust to motherhood.  It was such a great gift of her time.

As you open up both flip flaps, you’ll see my boys loved their ‘Grammy.’  She took such good care of them, played games, out for rides and so much more.  She was the best!

Did you notice the quote card?  That comes in the kit and it’s so true.  It was always the little things  … thoughts and actions  … that meant the most to all of us.

The last page of the album is “created with love by” card and for you to add your own photo.  I decided to use this photo of us dancing in St. Thomas.  She was always available for a great time!  We had so much fun and it was a special memory for me.  And it’s so true … read the saying on the right …

If you could take some time and find your treasured heirlooms, sit down and let your mind wander to the time and place of your subject, you’ll find so many details you have packed away. It is such a wonderful story!  I’m happy to have shared it with you and hope you’ll do the same.

Below are more details as well as products.  If you missed the original post, it’s here:  Story by Stacy

Note from Stacy

Personal stories teach us about who we are and what makes us unique, important, and cherished. The idea of preserving our stories is what draws us to memory keeping, but we often get stuck when it comes to actually adding these stories to our scrapbooks. All too often, when we create pages or projects, we put off the journaling or skip it all together because we’re not sure what to write or how to start.

Today’s blog post comes from our beloved friend, Stacy Julian! Stacy is a recognized leader in the scrapbooking industry. She is the founding editor of Simple Scrapbooks magazine and the visionary founder of Big Picture Scrapbooking. After getting her initial start into the papercrafting world through Close To My Heart, Stacy is coming “home” to combine her ideas and training into the Story by Stacy™ product line! We could not be more thrilled about this partnership!

For as long as there have been human beings, human beings have been telling stories. Stories are how we connect, celebrate, and remember. Stories organize our thoughts, experiences, and beliefs for sharing. Stories are how we pass down personal histories. Stories teach, motivate, and inspire. We understand who we are and what we are capable of because of the stories we tell ourselves. Storytelling is a powerful force for good. I know you know this, but even as memory keepers we can lose sight of the importance of documenting stories—and sometimes we make it harder than it is.

Hello. I’m Stacy Julian.

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I’ve had the pleasure of working in the scrapbooking and paper crafting industry for a very long time and I’m beyond thrilled to be partnering with Close To My Heart on a new line of Story by Stacy™ products designed to help people discover and document their stories. This is my first foray into product design and, while I am having a blast with all of that, what I truly love most about Story by Stacy™ is the education and training that is a part of the products we are developing. I’m so excited to work with Close To My Heart Consultants and to learn from them as we share the joy of preserving personal stories with all of you.

Our very first product and program is called Story Starter. The Story Starter kit is designed to show you how simple it is to access your unique and valuable memories. When we scrapbook, we tend to believe that the story of a relationship, a special place, or a meaningful experience is in the pictures we take, but that’s not entirely true. While pictures are wonderful illustrations, the full story is inside of YOU and it takes just a few minutes to invite it out to play.

best-ever

As you learn and practice the Story Starter process, you’ll be amazed at what you can remember! AND as specific details surface in your mind you’ll be able to pair them with photographs that you might not otherwise choose to use in an album. When you start with the story, the result will be a more genuine reflection of what matters most to you.

With Story Starter, all of these delicious details are then wrapped up in super CUTE mini books with inside pages that can be personalized with playful stamped images.

The whole process is fun and easy, and the finished project is a 100% valuable, and adorable, keepsake. I do need to warn you that the overall experience is addicting in the best of ways. You won’t be able to stop with just one Story Starter kit!

I cannot wait for you to get your hands on a Story Starter kit and workbook, so that you can start telling and sharing your stories in happy, colorful, and very authentic ways!

Story by Stacy Workbook

 

 

 

We love Stacy for her liberating philosophy and simple step-by-step thematic approach that unlocks a person’s creativity and helps them easily create stories out of life’s special moments. 

Lynn Como Close to My Heart Consultant