Perfection Is Something I Will Not Attain

I took pictures of a book I made for my mother today to share with you. My sisters, (Karen, Kathleen, Tara, Beth) and I, all went to Florida this past Mother's Day with our mother. Mothers getting time to be with their mother - now that is a blessing, right? My intention for this book was to make a memory of the trip for my mother.


Here are some rules I employ when I make a book:

1. If I make a mistake, it is not a problem. This makes it human.
2. I use my own handwriting. It's not perfect, but neither am I.
3. I take pictures not just of each of people, but of things that remind us of the place. Signs on the street, places we go to (also b/c I have a horrible memory) - things that signify the venue.

I build a book, the opposite way I think a lot of people do it. First, I make the book. Second, I put all the papers and embellishments in it, without ANY idea where I will put the pictures. Last, I put in the pictures. It is amazing how this system has freed me up to get a book done quicker, and with a happier result. I would struggle before to get everything right. To get things in chronological order. To do everything correctly. I would obsess about finding just the "right" paper to put with the "right" picture. And what I did not realize is that I was putting obstacles in front of myself from getting the job done, since I was so worried about not getting it done, but getting it "perfect."

Here are some examples of some fun things I have learned to add to books, that make me happy. Hope they make someone else happy too.

I love to make pockets out of old envelopes and stick a picture inside that the person has to open.
I think it makes it eXtra special.

I enjoy adding postcards and writing a "pretend" message.

I am glad I got this picture, because my mom did this quite a bit - picked a gardenia and left the bloom in a bowl of water for all of us to enjoy. Remembering to take pictures of things.

Sometimes pictures that are not the most flattering, having something really special to say.

And pictures of places - restaurants, whatever, help me chronicle the time better.

Building pockets is one of my favorite things to do.

Here is a page with a folded note that you can open to write a message.

And here is the type of thing I write on the inside.

Remember. . . All you are doing is creating a memory. Everything about that is perfect already.