Keepsakes ~ Session Seven Finale

For our last session I want to talk about two fun ways to display memories of your kids.

  

To this day on my parents bedroom wall, are silhouettes of my siblings and I.  They have always fascinated me.  My parents bought them on a trip to Disney when we were young.  

A couple of years ago I started seeing how-to's on the internet for making silhouettes so I decided to try it out.  It took a bit of trial and error and some hubby help, but here is the result - sorry for the flash.

(If anyone wants instructions let me know!)

What I remember most from my own childhood are family trips.  I still love to travel and really enjoy taking the kids along.  

I have plans to buy a map so that we can track out the routes we've driven.  I'm thinking the map will go in this frame and sit on this easel - hopefully in our dining room post reno.  

I'll let ya know when I get it put together.

I am feeling a little sad about the kids going back to school.  As much as I love routine I will sure miss them!

The days are long and the years are short.

I have found this to be especially true this past summer...a really important reason to display your keepsakes and keep your memories alive!

Keepsakes ~ Session Six

The truth is I am a pretty quick purger when it comes to the papers and crafts that get brought home.  If something is particularly special to one of the kids we put it up for awhile, but there is just so much volume with four kids that I cannot possibly keep every single item.  

However, there are certain little things that are special to me and so those I store on a ribbon bulletin board right above my desk.  

I have plans for a larger board because this one is often too crowded.  I'll post the new one when it's done.  

What sort of items are on there you might wonder?

"Look Mommy, I drew all the horny ones."

Sofi's sweet thank you note.

The first person Cate drew for me.

Jake gave me a butterfly necklace at Christmas because I used to give him butterfly kisses.

It's hard to choose what to keep and what you can part with.  Pick a board with ample room.  As time passes you may find that some items stay on always, while others can be rotated with new treasures from your little bunnies.

Keepsakes ~ Session Five

I owe a big huge smooch to my friend Wendy Sherk for the idea to store the kids' paperwork in binders with clear plastic pocket pages.  You know, the report cards, swim results, class pictures and prized projects from school?

I had been using these scrapbooks, which involves attaching everything with glue, tape, or staples.

Why Shannon?

What can I say?  When you know better, you do better.  The pockets are genius.  You can overlap stuff, remove it, see it easily and fit a tonne in.  They are easy to store and it is simple to add a second volume or more pages as needed.

Keepsakes ~ Session Four

Not everyone is big on purchasing school photos, but it is something that I have chosen to do.  To this day my siblings and I are hanging on my parent's bedroom wall...photos from every year, each piled one on top of the other in our own frame.  It's fun to have a consistent record of how you looked year to year.  

Here are my kids.
Cate's of course is not a school photo...I am sure that Life Touch is happy with me for making sure that you know this was not their photography.

Along with them I have displayed a little keepsake that I have of each of the kids.  I got the idea from Martha Stewart to do a hand tracing of their baby sized hands.  So for each child, I traced their hand at 5 weeks.

 It was really easy and only costs for the frame but makes a cute reminder of how little they once were.   If you missed the 5 week mark, just choose whatever age they are at.
(Unless it's 21.)

Choose a place in your home to hang photos that you can change up once a year to keep a visual record of your kids' growth.

Storewatch: Anthropologie

Welcome to my very favourite store!

It is hard to know where to begin. 

First let me apologize for choosing another store that you have to travel to...but hopefully some of you still have summer destinations to reach.  Be sure to add in a visit!

Before I tell you what I love about Anthropologie, let me tell you what I do not shop there for. 

Clothes.

And it is crazy because they have gorgeous clothing and accessories...but my love for Anthropologie begins with art.

They are famous for their creative window displays and use of unique materials to decorate their stores. (All of the next five items are decorative only, not for sale.)

Look what I found in this Minneapolis store - a picture made purely of paint sticks dipped in paint, then attached to a canvas.

A chair made of radiators and more paint sticks.  

Check out the cutlery lamp and beautiful flowers in the front windows.

I also find the way they display their products so inspiring and beautiful.

Scarves in baskets attached to the wall.

Aprons hooked on bent spoons.

Teacups stacked in a vintage shelf.

I love the windows on the wall and these beautiful pieces of old furniture.

Another cool teacup display!

It is a treat to visit a store and leave inspired with home decorating ideas without having to spend a penny.

But, spend I do.  Because the products are so charming and unique and sweet.  

Have a look...

An amazing selection of fantastic knobs and hangers!

The sale room!!

Drool.  Drool.  Drool.  

It is not an inexpensive store so I have been collecting favourite items over time.

Like what, you might ask?

 Measuring cups, measuring spoons and of course, the knobs.

Strainer and timer.

Berry basket and butter dish.

 Tea towels.

Some S's.

My fantastic vase and cutie egg crate.

And a couple of items still waiting for their post reno homes.

For the basement.

For the den.

Our family's motto...waiting to be planted and put on den shelf.

I do so hope you'll drop in to an Anthropologie store for a visit.  

For locations check here:

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/help/store_locator.jsp