Scrapbook Layout / Hidden Journaling Pocket

[@vickiemifflin2854]

Erin, your story really touched my heart. My best friend had tried to get me interested in scrapbooking and I just didn’t think it was something I wanted to do. But as life moves us in many directions my brother died from a massive heart attack at only 47 which was 21 years ago. I wanted to record my memories of him for myself and for his children so I relived our lives together by creating a scrapbook of him. It actually helped me work thru his passing. After that I never slowed down. I just enjoy scrapbooking so much. Thank you for sharing your amazing talent.

[@tinasaucke4238]

Scrapbooking does matter... our memories matter. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Yes it does, I agree 100%

[@rhondapurton-coles6250]

Thank you for sharing about your Brother, Erin, we all have a story behind our smile. It is a gorgeous Layout. 🙏😍

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I really like how you said that, we all do have a story behind our smiles.

[@mariebutler3076]

I like the idea of a lost memories album for all those memories that don't work in our chronological albums. One of these days (months) I need to get started on documenting my older photos. My dad passed away 48 years ago, when I was 20. I need to document memories for my children and grandchildren to have. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I think a long lost memories album is a good solution. I am so sorry you lost your dad so early in life. It’s never easy no matter how old you are but so sad they didn’t get to see us get married and start our our own families. I can relate, and I am very thankful I have pictures and memories of my dad to share with my boys.

[@jenniferscrappincain6137]

I love this with the older photo. I have childhood albums for myself and I put my childhood photos in that album. 😊

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you, that is actually a great idea because the majority of the photos my mom gave me were specific to me, and then the other photos were given to my siblings.

[@carlaking3459]

"As scrapbookers we document everything!!"....thanks for sharing!! I was so intrigued by the hidden journaling spot idea. Just love it. I am one who scrapbooks funerals as remembrances so I get it! Your brother was part of your life story and life is both sad and happy!!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Yes definitely both sad and happy. I scrapbook funerals too!!!

[@paulashealthyliving]

I love that you refer to scrapbooking as "art". I keep calling it a craft but my husband refers to anything I do on paper as art. Somehow it raises it a level in my mind. Thanks for sharing your personal story. I've been doing a mish mash of old photos and there is not proper order. Just the order I do them in. I'm not really happy with it but can't figure out another system.

[@rhondapurton-coles6250]

Scrapbooking IS Art with photos... A photo album is easy to slip photos into... Scrapbooking, also referred to as Artbooking, can take hours of deliberation and deep thought to match colour & shapes, themes, Embellishments to make our photos come to life in a whole new way and to journal our stories. I have always loved the Art of Scrapbooking. 🙏💞

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I definitely think it is art and so important to tell our stories. Your system sounds like it is working for you so that is a win!

[@dianeshaw2433]

Thank you Erin for reminding us why we scrapbook. I started my first album when my parents passed away - 9 months apart. Telling their story really helped with the feelings of loss. Then I just kept going and love this hobby.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hi Diane, that must’ve been so hard for you to lose your parents especially so close together. I am sorry for your loss. Scrapbooking is very therapeutic, and can really help us work through the grieving process by focusing on the happy stories and memories. I am glad you kept going with this wonderful hobby.

[@eleanorhora8563]

Very sweet layout. We do document sad things in our lives as well the good because that is part of life. Love the colors in that paper collection. Thanks for sharing❣️

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much, Eleanor. Yes, it is therapeutic to document it all.

[@heidirees9647]

Scrapbooking the difficult memories can be therapeutic and/or provoke the sad emotions. I lost my best friend in 2018 and I haven’t started on preserving her photos because I don’t want to ugly cry. But I know it would help me remember her and the happy memories I have of her. Beautiful layout and ideas! Love the embellishments behind the picture to journal!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am so sorry you lost your friend. I know how much its helped me to document photos of my dad when he passed away. It is never easy though. Hugs to you and I hope you have lots of wonderful photos of your friend.

[@thescrapbookingstohr]

Thanks for sharing and reminding us why it's so important to preserve our memories of loved ones. Another beautiful layout!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much and I agree, it is so important!

[@ellengates4005]

Love how you added a journal box on the back of your "picture area". Clever, clever. Thank you.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you! It is such an easy way to sneak in the journaling.

[@marysatterfield5981]

All of our stories are a part of who we are! Important to document the happy and sad stories. ❤️

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Yes I agree, happy and sad, they are all part of our story.

[@tammyhagon865]

I love watching your videos and hearing your stories. Hugs and prayers for your loss. No matter how old the memory, documenting is so important. My grandson is lucky enough that we had 5 generations. My grandpa died shortly after his 4th birthday that was spent with gramps. My daughter's were also 5 generations with my great grandma on other side. Love that they knew her. We are very blessed to have this way of celebrating our memories.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you for your kind words Tammy. That is so special your grandson was able to have spent time with your grandpa. I’m sure you have amazing photos from his fourth birthday of the two of them.

[@karenharman6459]

Erin...you haven't changed a bit! Thanks for sharing how you are doing your hidden journaling...that's a great idea! And a great page to have that journaling about your brother.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Karen! The purple dress doesn’t fit anymore but I will take that as a compliment 😃

[@mariajacobson2994]

Oh my goodness--the paper pack is made for your precious photo! Beautiful layout--you are so blessed with the gift of design.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much! I couldn’t believe how much the paper looked like the background in the photo. I love it when it works out so well.

[@springchick28]

Another amazing layout, Erin! Including the memory of your brother with this beautiful picture is a wonderful idea. I like how you tucked this personal dedication behind on a tag. Thank you for sharing, and I’m sorry for your loss. ❤️ Monika

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you for your kind words Monika. It is both a sad and happy memory all at the same time and I’m so thankful for this wonderful hobby to document the stories.

[@pattih3256]

I'm sorry about your brother. That must have been so hard for your family. It makes layouts like these even more special as they bring honor to those we love and have had the blessing to have loved while on this earth.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you for your kind words, I’m glad to have this photo preserved and in the album.

[@starrdustmemorieswithdiane934]

Wonderful layout of you and your siblings Erin! Thank you for sharing the story of your brother and am so sorry you lost him at a young age. Don’t feel bad if it brings the tears. We never forget! I lost my first husband in a tragic mid-air collision in 1990 when my son wasn’t quite 3. Twenty years later when Nathan was 23, he was drunk, on the highway, went off the road and rolled his Explorer. He was ejected and doctors felt he landed in some trees as he didn’t sever his spinal cord, but it was “overstretched” leaving him paralyzed from waist down. He almost died in the accident. It was January in Michigan, he was found face down in the snow breathing 2-6/minute and paramedics when they got there had to do CPR. Not sure how long Nate laid there but likely at least an hour as kids at the bar said he left around 2:30am after they tried to get him to give up the keys. State trooper got to the scene at around 3:45am after someone called in that lights were shining up from the road in the ditch. He suffered a severe brain injury…..left frontal lobe, left ventricle along with a bruised brain stem. Shearing injury to boot. Doctor thought he would be in a vegetative state the rest of his life…….he’s not. His speech is somewhat affected and he does have some deficits with arms….. more left than right. I had to make the decision for back surgery. They placed a foot of rods in his back to stabilize the T4-T8 fractures. He is lucky to be alive. As he says, “had this accident not happened, I likely would have been in prison”. He was a very angry young man. We adopted him at 2 days old. He has a different set of genes and not having a father to help ”bend” him in a better direction didn’t help. But….he is alive and a better mindset today at almost 36. Finally! PTL!!!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am very sorry for your loss. Your son sounds like an amazing person being able to find the good and a positive side of surviving such a horrific accident.

[@starrdustmemorieswithdiane934]

Thanks Erin! He’s having surgery this morning for an I&D of a right lateral calf wound with bone scraping….osteomyelitis. 😫. Wounds both lateral calves. He doesn’t let staff turn him at night and I guess his feet flop to the side. As a nurse, I know the importance of turning every 2-3 hours. But they’re dealing with a stubborn man! 🙄. He was pretty stubborn as a kid. 🤣. Anyway, he told me yesterday he had to be here at 9:15am. Nurse at desk said he didn’t have to be here till 10:30am. Nate said they (the facility) didn’t tell him the time changed! I could have slept another hour! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@barbarapattyson2432]

Thankyou for sharing and reminding us all why we do this wonderful hobby..as we age our memories are important good and sad memories. I started scrapbooking after I lost 3 of my parents(2 were in-laws) one right after the other…scrapbooking helped me heal and I’m thankful now for every photo and memory

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am so sorry for your loss, that is a lot to endure. Scrapbooking is wonderful for healing those wounds and working through the grief. Any time I am feeling sad or sentimental I look at the album I made after I lost my dad and it brings me a lot of comfort.

[@susanascraps]

I keep an album specifically for these kinds of layouts. It’s very random and they’re not in chronological order. It’s just a spot for these precious photos and the stories to bring them to life. I love this kind of album not only so that I can remember the people I’m documenting, but also so that I can share my memories of people I love who are no longer here with my children.

[@gailduvall]

Hi Erin! Another beautiful page. 💕My albums are strictly chronological. Mainly because I am a lazy person, and it is the easiest way!😂 But seriously… it is a lot easier to find pages afterward, if they are in order of date. Have a good week, everyone! 🌈

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Gail! Yes chronologically does make it easier to locate the photos and for the most part that is what I do also.

[@sharonmcspadden7336]

Love your layout, I’m partial to the owls. Nobody understands why we do what we do and why we document things, good or bad. This is a wonderful way to preserve your memories of your brother. Thank you for sharing🥰

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much Sharon, I like the owls as well. I thought they were really fun addition to the paper pack.

[@lauracattron5246]

The sad memories are having d to document, but so important for future generations ♥️♥️ I do love purple and it is hard to incorporate with boys! But I have lots of pictures from high school ❤❤

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

It is so important to document these memories. I agree, purple is hard to use with boys. I am excited to tell you there is a very masculine paper pack coming in April perfect for boys! I can't wait to use it.

[@marshamcmullen7845]

Love this layout! Thanks for sharing the story of your brother. Many of us have similar stories to tell. ❤

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Marsha and yes, I know you are right, there are so many with similar stories.

[@ibfeebs]

Thanks for another beautiful layout. I started scrapbooking when my mother passed away. Its been quite the therapeutic activity for me over the years. A page like this about my siblings would go in my "People We Love" album, in a close to chrono sequence. I use the Stacy Julian system; albums are categorized into People (All About Us, People We Love) Places (Home, Florida, Non Florida Travels) & Things (Gatherings, Things We Do) . Thanks again for sharing your amazing creativity and your heart.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am so glad you enjoyed the layout. You’re the second person who has shared Stacy Julian’s system. I really do you like the idea of the “people we love” album, that is a great idea. I am sorry for the loss of your mother. Scrapbooking is very therapeutic and I’m so thankful we have this creative outlet.

[@heidihigginbotham2783]

This is an excellent layout once again but I am indeed crying. I am sorry for your loss Erin.😭💜. Feeling sad for your mother too.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Heidi, time heals wounds and no parent should ever have to experience such a loss.

[@crchekouras]

Wonderful page. Great tip on using the flip flaps for hidden pockets. Had not thought of that. Thanks, Erin!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you and you are most welcome!

[@hoodie427]

Sometimes scrapbooking can be therapeutic. When I first started scrapbooking, I did a whole album of old family photos. I'm sorry for your loss - I also lost a brother to a car accident (he was 19, I was 23), and somehow, I never have done a page dedicated my memories of him. You've inspired me to do exactly that. I also often scrapbooking out of order, and have a D-ring album that I just plop them in mostly in the order in which I scrapbook them, but eventually I will create dedicated albums when I get enough of a theme, or I will start an album of random layouts but in chronological order. Just haven't gotten around to that yet and my D-ring is getting quite full so might be time to finally do it.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Audrey, thank you for your kind words. I am so very sorry for your loss. I know there are so many of us out there with similar stories. I’m glad you were inspired to create a layout dedicated to your brother.

[@ellaconner9452]

So pretty! Love the colors and glad you used the circle paper ❤️. TFS

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you so much! The circle paper just seemed to be a better pattern for the layout.

[@denisejames855]

Lovely layout, Erin. I have a " Family" album for these older photos. I separate my pages into family groups and a "Friends" album. I have one for Mum in her single years and also for Dad then as they became fewer once married they go into the family one. These are all chronological with the album.. It works for me .

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hello Denise, those are great suggestions for organizing your albums.

[@tawnyaroberts7028]

❤❤❤❤❤ raw and real, 😢❤ sad and what a blessing, beautiful

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Tawnya, I’m so thankful for this creative outlet.

[@katistamps]

Love this layout. Precious memories!💕

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thanks so much Kati, I’ve really been enjoying scrapbooking these older photos.

[@westflerchinger]

A beautiful layout. I was so sorry to hear about your brother. I am currently working on baby and toddler photos of my son who died at age 40. It is certainly bittersweet to revisit and document those times.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you and I am so sorry for your loss, it is bittersweet indeed.

[@maryshelton4998]

I put my pages like this in what I call friends and Family, it’s pages that are just random pictures that don’t go into my yearly books, ones of me and my siblings when we were growing up and other family ones. I’m so sorry to hear about your brother, but it has given me an idea my baby sister die when she was young and I’ve done pages on me and her but haven’t journal about her story so that’s what I’m going to do. Thanks Erin for sharing yours with us.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Mary, I am so sorry for the loss of your baby sister, that must’ve been heartbreaking. I am very glad you are inspired to tell her story and I like your suggestions for organizing older photos.

[@AllieAtkinson]

Beautiful layout and touching memory, thank you for sharing! I follow Stacy Julian’s Library of Memories system, so this would go in one of my people I love albums.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you! I like the idea of a people I love album, great suggestion.

[@valhallalivingyxe4585]

Love the layout. You were wondering about what we do with our random layouts. I have a miscellaneous album which I leave on my coffee table in my living room. It is a great coffee table book.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Excellent suggestion. Having it on the coffee table is nice so people can actually look through the album.

[@JessicaDipzinskiThePaperHeart]

I'm so sorry for your family's loss! ❤ Your question about where to put these throwback layouts is one I was wondering myself recently. Since my grandma passed, my dad has been going through old pictures and giving random ones to me. I'd like to start preserving them, but I'm not sure what I'll do with the pages!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Jessica. There’s lots of great comments on how people are organizing their older photos. I kind of like the people we love idea. I’m going to continue to add mine to my long lost memories album, and when it gets full I will start breaking them into micro categories.

[@rondaladuke6106]

Aww, what a sweet photo! I'm sorry about your brother! I have 4 Brothers and we lost the youngest one of ours! When I scrapbook pictures like this, I just put them in an album called my family! There is no particular order to them. Like you, I just randomly find them, and get them on a page and into the book!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hi Rhonda , thank you for your kind words. I am so sorry for the loss of your brother. I think it is important to just get those photos into an album wherever they happen to land.

[@louisebrislane6607]

A really beautiful page but then I love mauve & am wearing the summer pants today that match the background of your page. I couldn't believe it when I saw your unveiling of this catalogue & there was my summer pants!! So of course I bought a pack without the owls as I am not partial to owls with their heads looking like that!! I have been scrapbooking for over 15 years & I have my albums set up as a mauve coloured album called, My Story in which I document anything that has to do with me. Then I have an album called, Family Tree which documents anything to do with the history of my family, the rest of my albums start with my marriage, then the birth of my children. I then have a later one called Growing Years, that shows the photos taken of my kids & home. Then life finished with the break up of our family. Later I started individual albums of each one of my grandchildren which will pass onto them, Also an album called Weddings in which I document all the weddings of my siblings & any weddings I have attended down through the years. Now I am starting an album for my great granddaughter that when finished will go to my grandson to keep along with his own album when it is finished. Finding photos is always the hardest part of any collection. So I will have more of my g/g/daughter than anyone else thanks to today's technology. She is four years old now & I probably have more than 500 photos so far in my computer as they upload from their phones onto a family page where I can download them from.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hi Louise, I absolutely love when you saw this paper pack you thought of your mauve summer pants. That is perfect!!! I really like your categories for documenting your memories. There are certainly a lot more photos now than from before cell phones and digital cameras. I did not get my first digital camera or cell phone until my boys were already kindergarten age. I can only imagine how many photos I would have had the technology been available to me sooner.

[@Melsstampingallery]

Scrapbooking is art and can be very cathartic as well ❤💖 I have tons of older, vintage photos and I went through a phase where I was documenting quite a few of those. I place them in an album of vintage photos, (the ones that actually MAKE it into an album that is! 😂😂) not in any particular order either…. TFS Erin, this is a sweet layout ❤

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

It is very cathartic. I like your idea for vintage photos. Many have suggested a “people we love” album and I like that option too.

[@cindycreel3711]

I love your videos.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Thank you Cindy I am always glad to know you are enjoying the videos

[@barbaraf6226]

I started scrapbooking in 2009 and started with an album titled "2009 and Before" (not very original I know). I have albums for each of four granddaughters, one album for twin grandsons, a trip out West to NM and CO, our Caribbean/Costa Rica/Panama cruise, and yearly family albums which are chronological.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Great ways to organize your albums. It’s a system that works for you and that is the most important factor.

[@iwannadreams3620]

Scrapbooking became my therapy after my mother suddenly passed away 16 years ago. It has kept me from losing my marbles. I absolutely love this idea of hidden journaling. There are times you need to write down special details but, not for everyone to read it . I love all your layouts . I feel honored to see your cherished photos & to be able to hear the stories behind them too. Has the CTMH T-square ruler been discontinued ? Everytime I look it says out of stock . Thanks in advance for your reply.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am terribly sorry for the loss of your mother. Scrapbooking is so much more than playing with pretty paper and I am glad it has been helpful for you during difficult times. The T-Square ruler is expected back in April. It should be sticking around for awhile, it is very popular.

[@iwannadreams3620]

I'm sorry for the loss of your brother. Thank you for your reply and the information.

[@JaymaMalme]

I love your layout and what a sweet way to tell the story of your brother. I like how you have an overflow album, I don’t have a way to store older pages. I did one layout where I used baby pics of my daughter and then pics of me as a baby as an insert between the pages with the same theme. But I haven’t actually scrapped older photos that don’t fit with a current album. I’d like to, though!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

One day when you’re all caught up, you can get back to those older photos. But wait, we keep taking photos so will never be caught up 😂 I feel like the right paper pack comes along, and you will know it’s time to document them

[@PunmasterSTP]

Hidden journaling pocket? More like "High art that's very nice to look at!" 👍

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am so glad you think so, thank you!

[@ginaconrad9765]

Wondering how thick the acrylic pieces are? Looks like they have a great price for them compared to some of the other brands on the market.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

Hi Gina, I measured them and they are 1/16 of an inch

[@scraparoo60]

I have found myself wondering the same thing, what do we do with the old photos that don’t go in a yearly album? I haven’t figured it out yet, so I am eager to see what others are doing?

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

There have been lots of great suggestions, including places we’ve been and people we love for categories. I suppose I will lump all mine into one album until it gets too full and then I can break it down into separate categories.

[@tinasaucke4238]

I was thinking you could have reused that flip flap adhesive strip you cut off as your "reinforcement" adhesive on your pocket in place of the red tape..?? Is the red tape stronger than the flip flap adhesive backing? I know the flip flap adhesives really stick!

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

You know, I didn’t think of that but excellent idea. I am sure it would do the trick, they are plenty strong.

[@virgietime2scrapagain79]

What a beautiful tribute to your brother ❤️ I love all your ideas. You give me and others great inspiration. I don't have "a long time ago" family album. But I think you just gave me an idea/Incentive to start one...thank you!!!

[@tinasaucke4238]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin Actually, now that I think about it, that adhesive piece off the flip flap isn't double sided.

[@janbrandt3739]

❤️

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

🥰

[@gretacarrick5934]

If I were given a photo from my childhood right now, I would choose either to put it in my finished childhood album or the heritage album I am working on. Would never put a 60s photo in a current album.

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am thinking that way too. Now that I have enough older photos I am moving them to their own album and as it gets full I will break them into categories.

[@desiraelevraea4622]

what die cutting machine do you use?

[@CraftyConceptswithErin]

I am currently using the Gemini Junior electric die cutting machine. I wanted an electric because of the amount of diecutting I do, I got tired of cranking the handle all the time. Close to My Heart has a machine several of my crafter friends highly recommend. If you don’t care to have the electric model it has a lot of adjustable settings so you can really fine-tune the pressure to fit the different dies you may be using. erinjacobson.closetomyheart.com/retail/Product.aspx?ItemID=15720

[@desiraelevraea4622]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin thank you for getting back to me so quickly! Have a great weekend!!

[@desiraelevraea4622]

@@CraftyConceptswithErin Hi Erin would you suggest the gemini junior over the original gemini? I did get the gemini but it is quite heavy and larger than I thought it would be. Thanks for your help.