Hello!
I haven't blogged about homemade gifts before, but I'm actually not new to this concept of a personalised gift! (Probably down to not having a job and so being unable to lavish expensive gifts on my nearest and dearest)
And here is my latest project, a memory scrapbook for my best mate covering from about a year ago when we met until now. I can't remember why I decided to start this, however I did so ten months ago (a long-time project..)
This was really fun to make! I love art and being creative, and so I think this more turned into something for me to do than a gift for him at times (The times when profusive volumes of glitter became involved for example)
Instead of spraffing about how I did this I'm going to give a little guide on how you could create a scrapbook gift for a friend or family member!
♥ Pick out the Perfect Book. I got an A5 notebook from WHSmith which is ringbound card - It worked out okay but I regret not choosing something properly bound with a spine because I've constantly worried that the card will bend and rip off!
♥ It is easier to add to a Scrapbook as you go along than to look back over large stretches of time and try and remember little things like in-jokes or specific memories
♥ Look back through texts, facebook messages and timeline posts for quotable moments - you probably discussed it somewhere afterwards!
♥ Keep hold of tickets, brochures, travel tickets, and bits and pieces with a story attached (mine includes a button)
♥ Pictures are essential! Though you don't need to make them your focus. You should try and include pictures as part of a story, not ask them to tell it! Be creative with your photos
♥ Equally make sure you have some writing in there! And use your wit
♥ Keep on top of it to keep your focus. I feel I only managed to get to the end of this by continually having something to add and actually doing it! No one likes a load of catch up work! And this got me excited about the next thing to add
♥ Make every page eye-catching! I only got into the habit of this maybe a third of the way in, but it was then easy to find ways to make each page memorable
♥ It doesn't have to be a secret.. I told my friend about this pretty much immediately - and his continual questioning about my progress has helped me keep focus! He's also given me ideas about what to include. Just remember not to show them it until it's done
♥ Pick a specific event/period of time to scrapbook. I decided to make mine focus around the last year of high school and this worked well for me - but you could make one on a wedding, birthday, graduation etc
♥ Think about how you cover it! This is important too. I found New York paper in Waterstones, and so went back a few weeks later and picked up a sheet to use for the front and back covers (New York being a favourite place of his) I then put clear sticky paper over it to make it water and scratch proof
♥ Carefully photograph every page before you hand it over. For me this scrapbook has been my main source of procrastination other than this blog for almost a year! It is difficult to give up something you're so used to having around. So I now have a record I can look at on my computer any time I like!
Okay, so I hope this inspires you to think about a personal gift for a friend! It's a great feeling completing something like this too - and is such a memorable gift to give someone!
Rachael XX
