97 Years Young

Well, today is my Grandma's 97th birthday. I am so lucky to have her in my life. She has taught me so much over the years. This has caused me to reflect on all the memories I have of her both as a child and as an adult. We have done lots of family mementos over the years in celebration of the Tallman's.




We had a Tallman Family Cookbook that took my dad 10 years to produce. Sorry Dad had to say it! We love it and use it ALL the time:)

  For my grandma's 95th birthday, I ordered a HUGE family tree poster and cut out leaves for each of the 75 aunts, uncles, cousins and their children. Emily, my sister-in-law, helped arrange and write the names on the leaves. All the birds are grandma's children (my aunts and uncles), the dark green leaves are her grandchildren (my cousins) and the light green leaves are her great-grandchildren. I used my bigshot to cut out all the birds and leaves.

Then, Emily took the handmade version and digitally recreated it for our entire family so they could have their own copies. I love it and have a copy hanging in my hallway.

My son passed out on the couch
 as I am writing this post....awww!

Also for her 95th, I compiled family memories and pics of each family. This was quite a task but well worth the effort. By far this is one of my favorite scrapbooks ever!

Click here to view this photo book larger

This is what I sent her for her birthday. I am working on a Reunion photobook so that will be a belated birthday present ;) Gotta love birthdays that never end. Lisa Bearnson has her own photobook collection and till September 30th they are on sale. Go check them out > click here.

This is what I sent her for the time being. I took all our professional photos and put them in a 4x6 album.

I used the tags from the post here & stapled
ribbon to the top and wrote sentiments
on the back to my grandma.

I love how the ribbons peak out at the top!

Since I didn't have exactly enough pictures, I printed quotes that I have downloaded from different blogs. I feel like the quotes bring added interest to the album and reflect feelings that are unsaid in the photos. 

Here are some of the blogs where I downloaded quotes: Becky Higgins, Hello, Good Gravy!. I will post more links as I find them !

Happy Birthday Grandma! I soo wish I was there with you to celebrate. We love you so much! 

Digital Deals!! $$

I like to dabble in digit scrapbooking as I see deals. The best way to get deals is to sign up so you get the email specials. I have been starting on my Christmas planning/shopping. I hope to make a majority of my gifts this year. I find that it means so much more to everyone AND it is usually cheaper! Here are are a few of my favs - click on the red bold to visit their websites.

So when I got this email from Paper Coterie advertising their new memory boxes for 40% off, I knew someone I knew would be the lucky recipient for Christmas - ADD TO CART! Here is a sample from their website. Can't you just picture Kyle's shining face on the front?

Here are the samples of my projects: [left to right: Journal, Coilbound, Tagbook and Coilbound]

Lisa Bearnson also has a digital photobook website. I have done the October book and have a Family Reunion book in progress for my Grandmother's 96th birthday in September. She is offering 40% off all photobooks till September 30th. Plenty of time to start creating your book! She has all the major life highlights covered: Wedding, school, baby, Year in Review & Family...check them out!

Here is a page from my book. I just love the colors! 

Coupon code is: school40 

I have also used My Publisher - the My Mini. It is 20 pages contained in a purse [or wallet] size brag book for those proud parents. And the best part? It is $2.49!!!! Whhhaaatttt????? Yes AND right now they are buy one get one free [or buy 2 get 2 free]! Cute little surprise in the mail for someone special. 

I made this one for Doug and I. LOVE Them! Easy peasy ;)

So what are you waiting for? 

It's okay to go digital.....

When Kyle came into our lives I realized that it was more about absorbing the moment and documenting than worrying about making everything from scratch. I have turned to digital sites not only for the convenience but also because of the deals!!!! Shutterfly rewards me often with free books, mugs, photos and cards all the time! It is just easier to design one book and order multiple for grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. Here was Kyle's first year book. I had so much fun making it and boy has he changed!!!!! I have other books on my Shutterfly Sharesite click here for more inspiration. Over the next week I will share other digital sites and deals that they currently have going on as well! 

Click here to view this photo book larger