The Story Of Sibling Friendship

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Dream Team

12×12 Layout

This layout’s journaling quotes a conversation with my children and includes my own thought-responses. It reads:

Trinity: “I feel good now that Aiden is at school with Blake and me. Everyday I’m always so excited to see him at the front afterward.” (warms my heart)

Blake: “Me, too!”–Sweet! And no wonder I always find you two with him and his kindergarten class. You 3 are such great friends. Aug. 2008.

How The Photos Tell The Story

When I saw the first photo of Trinity and Aiden that you see above, I immediately saw a big sister who watches over her little brother. Her arm leaning against the post almost feels like she’s got her arm around Aiden.

And do you see the slight difference between the picture of the three of them, compared with the one I used for the Daddy Documents layout? In this one, Aiden’s head is leaning on Blake’s side. These may be small details, but they’re details that communicate.

How The Design Visuals Tell The Story

This layout is very different in style from the previous two I’ve posted this week. It’s not because I suddenly changed moods or because I got inspiration from a page in a magazine. It’s because the story is about love, support, closeness, and friendship. The older two siblings are expressing maternal-like feelings toward their baby brother. And that calls for a more feminine design than the other layouts I’ve posted for the Back-To-School series.

Let’s talk about the specific elements that reflect the mood for this story. The red and pink polka dot flower peeks out from the children, bubbling over with joy (don’t the three embellishments look like they’re bubbling up from the flower?).

The loops of ribbon that cradle the golden flower a little lower on the page suggest ties of friendship– lives intertwined.

The colors keep it lively and energetic (these are kids…we can’t get too serious here!).

The birds, both on the background paper and in the epoxy sticker, suggest a bigger bird looking after a baby.

Paperclipping Pick: A Current School-Related Product

Dedra and I found this white strip of school-lined, scalloped edge paper when we were shopping together last week. We both bought one. But I’m going back to get more.

It’s wonderful! Creative Cafe, by Creative Imaginations, manufactures it. It is 12 inches long. You probably can’t see it in my photos, but it has the elementary notebook paper lines with the dotted line in the middle. It’s perfect for a school-related layout, but will work for any other subject, as well.

So far, I have four layouts related to the kids starting school this year. I have one other I want to do. Can you imagine me trying to fit all those different thoughts and experiences into just one layout? Or, can you imagine me not even telling those stories because all I could think of was, “Your first day of school this year?”

How many of our stories will disappear forever because we don’t notice their uniqueness? Scrapbooking can be so much more than decorating around photos. For me, it has become a reminder to be more aware and to show myself and my children who we are.

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  • I've loved this LO since I saw it in Flickr.

    Great job, great kids, love that girl!!!
  • This is perhaps one of my most favorite Noell layouts ever! It's soooo pretty. The colors, patterns and journaling are so very pleasing. And the crocheted flower with its rich yet subtle coloring, perfect touch. Btw, did you crochet it?
    Blessings,
    ~Toni~
    p.s. Trinity is such a cutie. They all are, but I'm sure Blake doesn't want me to describe him as "cutie", lol. More like handsome dude.
  • I did not crochet the flower. I was lucky to find it on clearance at my lss for half off. I have crocheted in the past (very basic stuff) and really enjoy doing it--it's something I've been meaning to take up again for scrapbooking purposes.
  • I really like how you did the journaling on the scallop border. Lots of great details make this a wonderful layout.
  • Sandy
    This is a great LO Noell. And love the bird background paper, do you know who makes it?
  • Basic Grey makes that paper. Isn't it cute?
  • Soooo sweet. What a great story... different, fresh style. The bird paper is so fun!

    "Scrapbooking can be so much more than decorating around photos. For me, it has become a reminder to be more aware and to show myself and my children who we are."

    It seems to be all about the process, eh?! Love the outcome, but it can mean so much more. Love this hobby!

    Have a great weekend, Noell!
  • scrapbookbabe
    Some layouts just "speak" to me...this is one of them. Great capture of this moment in time!
  • Thank you. This is my favorite layout right now--a nice blend of colors that I love. I was really happy to be able to get some girliness in there in a way that also feels very me. A nice breakthrough for me. =)
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