Topic 3: Scrapbooking!

When the laptop bit the dust, I lost all of my topic ideas, but I just remembered this one while replying to Myrtis' post... 

1.  Have any of you kept a scrapbook of your journey and what have you included? 
2.  If you haven't kept a scrapbook, what you would have been sure to include if you did?

I am looking forward to discovering new hobbies after WLS.  Things to keep my mind on, my hands busy, etc.  Scrapbooking has always been something I wanted to do, so I figure now would be the perfect time.  I may wait to put the scrapbook together, but want to be ready to collect everything of importance along the way.

One of the ideas I loved was Cheryl's that she shared under Myrtis' post...to write down all of your Wow Moments to reflect on.  I am definitely going to include a "Wow Moments" page (or pageS!) in my scrapbook! 

Look forward to hearing your ideas and the experiences of you that have scrapbooked your journey.  Please include anything!  Pages, titles, layouts, etc.   

Shauna,

I knew we were kindred spirits! I wish I had done a better job of it, but I have 'started' a scrapbook. I'm planning to work on it this fall. I'll use a lot of what I have on my blog for it. Having the monthly front, back and profile shots really show the physical progression, but I journaled a great deal and that shows the process. I'll also add in the weight loss tracker and some of the measurement changes.

I am including my reasons for doing this ... That has kind of turned into a kind of WOW page. I had a list of about a hundred different things I wanted to do or change when I lost the weight. I've been able to cross off most of those ... wearing a bikini probably just isn't in the cards ... LOL.

I was also thinking about making it a growing scrapbook, so that it would not only be a journal of my weight loss, but of my life. Maybe there will be different volumes ... Volume 1,The Long Road Home... Volume 2, Learning to Live in a New Place, Volume 3, ... We'll have to see.

I look forward to checking back and seeing what others are doing.

Thanks for the thread,

Barb

****ears perking up***** did someone say "scrapbooking"????!!!
LOL!  That's my hobby, although right now I'm primarily dedicated to scrapping my daughter's childhood.  I have loads of mini albums I'd love to make, cards, etc...but somehow my OCD won't allow me to work on such things until I'm "caught up" with Caroline's pages!   I am documenting my journey, though and figure there'll be time to scrap it when C's pages are complete!
 

Ok, you're barking right up my tree You can check out some of the pages of my scrapbook on my profile pics.  I haven't taken pics of the last 3-4 pictures, but you'll get an idea.

I started my scapbook at the very beginning of my journey.  I love the 8 x 8 size because it's quick and easy.  Do take measurements monthly and include a page that you can update monthly.  After the 6 month mark, I waited to do measurements at 9 months and then I'll do them again at 1 year.  I was not seeing much change so I decided to do quarterly measurements then. 

Now for things I wish I had done differently....

1) better before pics, like Barb said... front, side and back views each month.
2) documented the WOW moments all along.  I plan to go back and do this but it means taking it apart and inserting pages so I'll get to it maybe sometime this fall.  I like 2 page spreads where the papers coordinate so I'll have to make that work as I add pages in.
3) I want to add a "before" list of goals, which should be easy since I have them on my profile here at OH.  And then I want to do a check off type list as I reach each goal.  Again, will have to be incorporated into the existing pages. 

Happy Scrapping!  Alice

I like scrapbooking and have one I started working on several years ago that isn't finished. I am one of those with thousands of pictures in boxes and unorganized and mostly unmarked and I know they need to be saved in some meaningful way.
I think I would like to make a scrapbook of my weight loss journey too. My daughter wants to start taking pictures of me every day starting with the day before surgery so she can animate the progress on the computer some magical way she knows how to do. She's smart with that kind of stuff. The problem is I don't seem to be able to just pull out all my scrapbooking tools without some kind of event happening like a scrap booking party. I guess I like to do this with others around to inspire me.

I like scrapbooking!!!! I have started a weight loss journey book. I do a page a month. I am behind two months though, so I need to get to cracking on it! A few pictures of my pages are in my profile. :)

I plan to do two pages for my six month mark. One page of pictures with my typical information (weight, bmi, inches lost) and one page of reflections of changes and WOW's for the past six months.

Becky

Shauna, you have no Idea of the scrapping, cardmaking, and craft stuff I possess. I just finished making 2 Sympathy cards. I am in the planning stage of my weight loss scrapbook. I have taken some photos but not of every view. (too late for that now) But I do like the idea of including my wow moments. I think I am going to use an 8x8.  If you need any cut outs just  let me know. I have sizzix, big shot, cuttlebug and a cricut expression machine.  I guess craft are my adddiction. OHHHHH NOOOOO!!! I am a CRAFTAHOLIC!!!!!
Maybe we need a scrapbook get together at one of out meetups. I could bring some small dies and die cut machine.  Oh I am excited just thinking of the possibiities.
Myrtis

Shawna,

I did a scrapbook (it was stolen along with a bunch of pictures by the movers, but that's another whole story)... anyway, I did my pictures before, during and after WLS of course, along with Wow moments and writing down what was going on during my life at that time.  I did my whole book with the theme of "the yellow brick road", but it got more colorful as time went on (kinda like going from black and white to color... silly I know.)  It was fun to do and kept me busy...  I don't really scrap any more, no time now that my weight doesn't get in the way of doing other things...  I have a ton of scrapbooking stuff...  I wish you lived closer, I'd give it to ya.  Anyway, all I can say is to take lots of pictures!!! 

Hmmm...  Now you got my mind going... lol!  I may have to start another book with the left over pics I have (not too many but lots of firsts, like when I went parasailing - woooo hoooo!), and now that Rex and I are getting married I can do a wedding book... hmmm  gotta pull my stuff out again and do a little here and there.  Maybe... I'll have to think about it more, I do have lots to do at my house...

Anyway, have a great time!!!  I'd love to see it one of these days!

Ohhh, I'm so happy I posted this topic!!!   

Barb -- The more I get to know you, the more I KNOW we are kindred spirits!

Lisa -- I am really looking forward to going through our many, many photo albums and creating scrapbooks for our children.  Wish I had started early like you have!

Alice -- LOVE your scrapbook!  Thank you for the idea of using 8x8.  I am all new to this and will research before I get going to try to avoid mistakes, but I'm sure some are inevitable.  ha! 

Ann -- I have a HUGE photo project awaiting my attention.  I did well keeping up for about 17 years, but the past 5...yoiks. 

Becky -- Get to crackin!  I'm tellin ya...don't let 5 years pass like me...you'll regret it! 

Myrtis -- I wish I lived closer to ya'll!!!  Whaaa!!!  I can hardly wait to get back to crafting and it would be so cool to have crafting buddies.

Sheryl -- Sounds like you may put all those scrapbooking supplies back to good use after all.  Sorry I got your wheels a turnin!  haha! 

I will try hard to include photos of my scrapbook one of these days, but I probably won't get it started until I'm well underway with my journey...just want to make sure I don't forget to save anything!

Here's my list of notes so far (Barb, you and I are the queen of lists, right?!):
-- Intro includes BMI history, what brought me to considering WLS
-- List of goals, reasons I want WLS; things I'll do when I'm thinner/healthier
-- Note to self about never going back
-- Surgery info; dr., nurses, clinic, hospital, etc.
-- Support info; family, friends, OH.com, etc.
-- My Virtual Model progression for inspiration
-- Photos of the WLS journey; before, during, after; front, sides, back, face
-- Weights and measurements
-- Milestones and rewards
-- Wow moments
-- Favorite healthy foods, recipes, etc.
-- Favorite exercise; photos of our workout room

Thanks so much for putting the majority of these ideas into my head! 

Oh oh oh ...did someone say scrapbooking?  I love it!  As a matter of fact I used to put on a few scrapbook retreats every year.  Haven't been able to do one the last 2 yrs because everyone knows my "spot" now and I can't get in! *L*

I like your list of page ideas and may steal a few. hope that is OK.  I have been taking pics every month but I have not been as consistent w/ measuring.  Thankfully I my ticker here so I can keep track of the weightloss though.

I was hoping to make it to the support group this month but I have to work!  AGAIN!  UGH!!!!  I think I am just going to have to mark off every 3rd Thurs for the rest of the year so I can get there!