Begin to record what surrounds you
Noticing and recording our personal worlds
Last week in our premium newsletter we shared some thoughts and tips about how it is the details that surround us in our everyday life that warrant as much attention and deserve recording just as much as the ‘red letter’ days.
Here’s a link to the post in case you missed it . . .
Also, although we (ie Rachel and Lynn!) often feel like two peas in a pod, we are at quite different stages of life. In Lynn’s case, she started creating photobooks when her daughters were young and was kept busy documenting nearly every moment of their lives.
Those days may be gone, but there is still plenty to photograph and to document in her new life - such as this mid-century find on Facebook:
Even with young school-aged children, and her focus on documenting their lives, Rachel has always been a strong advocate for capturing the small, everyday details that often go unnoticed and she started scrapbooking before she had children.
When scrolling through her camera roll, she looks for those quiet moments—personal and significant to her, even if they might seem insignificant to others.
This approach adds an extra layer of intimacy to pages. Her layouts often feature hidden symbolism or journaling that reflects the emotions and memories triggered by each photo and why they are personal to her. It’s just about noticing the little details around you that make you feel alive.
Such as this sweet little bug house on a tree that she wanted to remember . . .
Whilst on an Autumn holiday and taking a walk around the nature centre with her family it was the little extra details of the surroundings amongst the trees that caught her attention.
The documentation of regular routines can be interesting to look back on in years to come so don’t shy away from photographing them even though they may seem mundane now.
You may not feel as though you want to scrapbook these moments right away, but you may want to later as when we look back on photos in retrospect those little moments can feel more significant, waypoints if you like.
With this photo, in the moment, the school run in wet weather felt like an uphill struggle and a chore that’s repeated every single day to Rachel but she snapped this photo of her rain boots and umbrella anyway.
In several years when her children are all grown up and not at school anymore this layout will serve as a little reminder of those days and those feelings of togetherness through these routines.
Our friend San, who shared her thoughts and photos last week about recording the little moments and details, however mundane, has made a powerful page about how walking and NOTICING made a big difference to her wellbeing.
So, whatever your stage of life, and however busy or quiet that life may be, I am sure you can find things to photograph, record and ponder.
We’ve been using the ‘Begin’ Project Kit, which was gifted to premium subscribers several weeks ago, and is now available at The Lilypad and Oscraps.
Included are 104 individual elements, 21 papers in both square and letter size orientations, along with printable sheets and 3 bonus printable collage papers - making it perfect for both digital and hybrid projects.
PS Remember, the project kits are released for public sale several weeks after they are shared with premium subscribers here. One months subscription costs less than the cost of the kit in store. Subscribers also receive premium articles which include deep dives and process videos of our creative processes + creative prompts associated with the current project kit. Subscribers also have special access to join chats and share inspiration.
If you are tempted to upgrade your subscription, you will be able to access the March kit (‘Emerge’) until March 31, and our exciting April kit will be released on April 6.
But, whether you want to upgrade for the bonus content or not, as always - thank you for being here and reading :-)
Lynn & Rachel
Love!!!