Book of Me Scrapbook

An awesome way to celebrate who you are is to create a Book of Me. I chose to do this using the A to Z method. Each letter of the alphabet says something about who I am, what I like, what is important to me etc.

It is a really wonderful gift to leave for your children, as they will get a lot of incite into the kind of person you were.

Getting Started

Don’t be overwhelmed by the thought of planning your album! These are some ideas for you to start planning your pages:

Below are some ideas that are great ways of warming up to the “Me” topic.

BETCHA DIDN’T KNOW
Here’s a chance to document some of those little known facts about yourself. Play with it! Make it fun.

TOP 10 (or more!) WAYS TO MAKE MY DAY
Lists are easy ways to warm up to the “Me” subject. Make a list of all the things that are bound to brighten your day. Your list can be descriptive sentences or single words. It’s up to you!! Once you get started, I bet you have a hard time limiting the list to ONLY 10.

TOP 10 PET PEEVES
Who says your scrapbook has to be seen through rose colored glasses? What’s unique about you isn’t only what makes you happy….it’s what burns your hide, too! Use a sense of humor to keep the list from sounding “whiney”.

Other Top-10 List Ideas
• Top 10 Things I Like About Me
• Things I want to do some day •

Genetic Pieces of Me

We all inherit different traits from our parents and grandparents. Each person is a mixture of the people who came before him or her, and has a specific genetic "recipe" made up of specific "ingredients" from each parent and grandparent. Almost at birth, a child is described as having "her mother's eyes" or "his grandfather's nose." Some traits may skip a generation, appearing in you and your grandparent, but not in your parent (e.g. you and your grandmother may have a talent for drawing, but your mother can't draw at all).

Using a photo of yourself (or your child, or your husband, etc), draw an arrow to each of your features and write down the person you think you got that feature from. Facial features include your hair color, eyes, eyebrows, nose, cheekbones, mouth, chin, freckles, ears.

Be sure to also include a list of your traits other than facial features (e.g. artistic interest, athletic ability, mathematical skill, scientific interest, a love of reading, etc.) and write down which parent or grandparent each trait may have come from."


Journaling Challenges
I know…I know…many of you see the word “journaling” and shudder in horror. “I’m not good with words” or “I just don’t know what to say.”
For some people, journaling is a talent they can take to levels of art. Good for them! But the majority of us aren’t Hemingways. Journaling is a skill that needs to be exercised and polished. Get yourself a journal that feels good in your hands, find a writing utensil that you enjoy using, and just write. About anything. Nobody else needs to see it. Just make lists, if you like. The point is to exercise your journaling muscle and get comfortable with your own, unique style.
Following are some interesting journaling prompts. They may or may not ever make it into your Book of Me. The purpose is to get you reflecting and then get your writing.

•My favorite hobbies/interests – when and how did you start?
•What does your name mean? (www.namestusa.com/index.html) Do you think it fits you? If not, what name would your choose for yourself?
•Complete this sentence: “I am good at….”
•What does success mean to you?
•Complete this sentence: “I want to be remembered for….”
•Think of someone you loved who has passed away. Now make a list of the questions you wish you could ask them. Really take some time with this. When you are done, study this list. Notice something? Some day in the all too near future, someone will be wondering those questions about YOU! Answer these questions about yourself in your journal!
•If today was your last day on earth, what would you like your children (or your husband, or your friends) to know about you?
•If you won the million dollar lottery, how would you spend it and who would you spend it on?
•If your house was on fire and you knew all of your loved ones were safe, what items would you try to rescue from your home?
•Read a poem and write your reaction. It can be prose or poetry; in the same style as the poet, commenting on it, or a parody of it.
•Go to your bookshelf and pick out 5 to 10 books (either randomly, or select books). List the titles and authors, then journal about what these books say about you. Why are they on your shelf? What did you learn from them? How have they influenced your thoughts, beliefs or actions? Was your life different after you read it? Were any of them a gift? Why did the person give you the book? You could also do a layout on books on your child(ren)'s bookshelves.
•Do you really know what others think of you? Write an essay describing how you believe others view you. Then, read it to a trusted friend and ask what he or she thinks about it.
•Create a journal entry that details the one aspect of your life that you would not want to change. Continue the entry by writing about what would happen if that factor did change.
•What is something about you that always surprises people?

Jumpstart your Book of Me!

Consider these questions when looking through these word lists:
© How am I …..?
© What is my greatest ….?
© What is my favourite ….?
© What was my most memorable ….?
© How do I experience …. in my life?
© What/who does …. make me think of?
© What makes me ….?
© Who have I done this with/to/for?


All About Me Pages

The Beginning Of Me
- What month/day/year were you born?
- Where were you born?
- What's your horoscope sign? What's your sign under the Chinese calendar?
- What are some misc. facts from the day/year you were born?
- What does your name mean?
- Were you named after someone? Something?
- Did/Do you have any nicknames?

The Baby/Child Me
- What were you like as a child? Your personality?
- What were your firsts?
- What was your favorite food? Least favorite?
- Did you have a favorite toy? Do you still have it?
- What were your favorite things?
- Who was your best friend? Are you still in contact?
- What is your first memory?
- Where did you live?

The Teenager/Young Adult Me
- Were you rebellious?
- What were your favorite things? Least favorite?
- Who was your best friend? Are you still in contact?
- Where did you live?

The Adult Me
- How are you different from the teenager/young adult you?
- What do you wish you knew then what you know now?
- When did you realize you were an adult?
- Were you happy about it?
- Where do you live?

The Loving Me
- Who is on your family tree?
- Do you have someone you consider family who really isn't?
- What is your fondest memory with each of them?
- Do you talk with them often?
- Does your family have any traditions?

The Friendly Me
- Who is your best friend?
- Who else do you consider a friend?
- Do you talk with them often?
- What do you enjoy doing most with them?

The Animal Lover Me
- How many do you have now?
- Have you always had a pet?
- What are their personalities?
- What do they like? Dislike?
- What other pets would you like to have?

The Qualities of Me
- What are your best qualities? Your worst?
- Do you have any talents? Fears? Allergies? Bad habits?
- The Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual me
- Do you have any physical strengths? Any weaknesses?
- Do you have any emotions strengths? Any weaknesses?
- Do you have a spiritual side?

The Day To Day Me
- What is a typical day in your life like?
- What are the little things that bring you joy?
- Do you wish it were different? How? Why?

The Educated Me
- What school(s) did you go to?
- Did you like school?
- Did you do well in school? Do you wish you had?
- Who was your favorite teacher? Least favorite?
- What was your favorite subject? Least favorite?
- Were you involved in any activities; athletic, academic, or extracurricular?
- Were you elected anything; Prom Queen, Class President, Most Likely To Succeed, etc?
- What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you achieve it? Why or why not?

The Working Me
- What is your current occupation?
- What was your first job?
- What other jobs have you had?

The World Around Me
- What are your opinions of the world?
- How has it changed since you were young?
- What historic things have happened in your lifetime?
- How are things different from your parents generation? Your grandparents?
- What other things do you want future generations to know about yours?

The Traveling Me
- What places have you visited?
- What places would you like to visit?
- What method of transportation do you prefer?

The Likes of Me
- Examples include: color, movie, song, TV show, car, holiday, food, desert, drink, store, restaurant, charity, quote, joke, book, guilty pleasure, season, game, animal, place, celebrities, smell, instrument, flower, material, kind of music, etc

The Dislikes of Me
- Examples include: color, movie, song, TV show, holiday, food, season, place, actor, actress, singer, band, smell, material, kind of music, meanness, racism, rudeness, stupidity, annoyances, etc

The Entertained Me
- What movies do you enjoy watching?
- Would you rather renting or go to a theater?
- What TV shows do you enjoy watching? What channels?
- What songs do you enjoy listening to? What genre?
- Who is your favorite celebrity? Would you want to meet them?

The Seasoned Me
- What are your favorite things about each season?
- What are your favorite things to do each season?
- Is there something that makes a season special for you?
- Do you dislike a season? Why?

The Winning Me
- What would you buy if you won the lottery?
- Where would you go?
- What would you do?

The Wishing Me
- What 3 wishes would you make for yourself?
- What 3 wishes would you make for others?
- What 3 wishes would you make for the world?

The Scrapbooking Me
- Why do you scrap?
- What do you like most about it?
- What are your favorite supplies? Techniques?
- What's your process?
- Where do you find inspiration?
- Where do you find your supplies?

The Hobby/Collector Me
- Besides scrapbooking, what else do you enjoy? Why?
- What is your favorite thing about it/them?
- Where do you find inspiration?
- Where do you find the materials for it/them?
- Do you collect something? What? Why? How is it displayed?
- Are you a pack rat?

The Unique Me
- What is your clothing style?
- What things amaze, puzzle, and intrigue you?
- Do you like playing or watching sports?
- Are there any more misc. tidbits that make you you?

The Daring Me
- What would you attempt to do if you knew you wouldn't fail?

The Memories of Me
- What memories do you have for the pictures you don't have?

The Different View of Me
- How do other people view you?
- What do they have to say about you?
- What do they think are your best and worst qualities?

The Future Me
- Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
- What are your hopes, dreams, and goals for the future?


The following [was sent] to me...the second half would make an interesting album/page with little/no pictures and lots of journaling.

Charles Schultz Philosophy
You don't actually have to take the quiz. Just read the email straight through, and you'll get the point (an awesome one) that it is trying to make!

Take this quiz:

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do?

The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you.

Easier?

The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.

Now go scrap 'U’

Check out the Book of Me Mini-Album