"You don't think", said Himself cautiously (taking a step backwards to what was just beyond an arm's length away), "that it's a bit ...". Something hovered in the air.
"A bit ...?" I enquired politely, trying to keep a smidgen of ice out of my voice, as I dried the cup.
"Well, you know ... late. After the event. Quite a lot after, actually", he added, nodding in the direction of the small book, papers and camera on the kitchen table. He warmed to his theme. "I should think it's about, oh, six months ago now." There was just a hint of smug. In Himself's world, projects are always delivered on time.
"Luckily", I replied, "we don't do 'late' in the scrapbooking world. No such thing. We don't even worry about 'finished'". I stared him straight in the eye, hoping I sounded convincing as I carefully folded the tea-towel lengthways. "Argh!" he cried, in mock-horror, riffling through a couple of the pages. "Process, not product? Oh dear!" Management-speak: he knows I hate it and nimbly leapt out of the way and into the table as the end of the tea-towel flicked the hem of his jumper. By the time we'd picked up the book, papers and tripod off the floor, there was contrition (him), mollification (me) and a pot of tea on the go as we alternately turned over pages or held the camera steady to produce these ...
"Happy memories!" he said with a satisfied sigh when we finished dipping in and out of the stories, fishing for photos in the pockets and got to the big family photo on the final page. "Funny, isn't it - reading all about it again makes it seem as if it happened just yesterday". His eyes crinkled at the corners. "No such thing as 'late', is there ..."
So despite its appearance half-a-year after both the holiday and the Ali Edward's Scrapbook On The Road class which helped me back into memory-keeping, I hope you find something to enjoy in it too ...
You’re right! No time limits allowed! Your project looks wonderful, lots of good memories there! Did you make your book?
Posted by: SueTR | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 12:57 AM
Yes, definitely no such thing as a time limit in scrapbooking otherwise I’d never do any! Looks great. Did you print the pages then bind it all together?
Posted by: Melissa | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 07:29 AM
I haven't scrapbooked a single page since October 2017. I realised it is because the deaths of three cousins within one year had stopped me in my tracks. Especially as one of them was the closest I have ever had to a brother. In the last week or two I have felt a little glimmer of mojo, just trying to break through so I should be doing the last of 2017 and all of 2018 just as soon as I move the cr...... stuff off my crafting table. So obviously I am not late, we are never late at scrapbooking we just need longer to think about some pages than others
Posted by: Ladkyis | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 08:55 AM
I think getting it done in only six months is pretty impressive! and how fun to revisit a fun week in the summer now that it's winter. well done!
Posted by: Mary | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 11:33 AM
Himself would be horrified to learn that I haven't finished baby books for my daughters who are now 25. If we had to finish everything "on time" we'd never get anything else done. Unless Himself enjoys eating frozen tv dinners and wearing dirty clothes? Well done you for finishing within 6 months of the trip and such a pretty finished project!
Posted by: Cheri Andrews | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 01:41 PM
I would have to give up scrapbooking if there were time limits! I caught up with my Project Life pages last spring, and am now nearly as far behind again. I'm finally working on a photo book of our trip to Istanbul which was six years ago come May. Fortunately the photos were editing and organized ages ago. Your pages are beautifully designed. It's always a pleasure (and inspiration) to see your work!
Posted by: Karen Walker | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 01:51 PM
No time limits at all in scrapbooking, in fact leaving a gap between 'doing' and 'recording' gives you chance to relive it all over again! Lovely pages!
Posted by: Debs | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 02:22 PM
It's perfect & of course there's no such thing as late! And it's definitely so much FUN to read back through the memories as re-live them again - that's one of the best things about scrapbooking, isn't it!
Posted by: Melissa Gross | Saturday, 19 January 2019 at 03:56 PM
The journal looks marvellous from here and you're so right about scrapbookers never being late with projects!
Posted by: Ruth | Monday, 21 January 2019 at 10:54 AM
What a wonderful book you have created. You always are so creative. That is the whole point of scrap booking, to look back & re-sample the feelings, the memories. I do believe that the creative journey is never on a timetable. So glad you feel the need, the urge, the juices flowing again to create timeless masterpieces.
Posted by: Mary-Lou | Monday, 21 January 2019 at 11:35 AM
Definitely no time limits - you have a different perspective when you look back at a completed journey/adventure. So I value both those done in the middle of the chaos, and those after the ripples have settled down.
Lovely!
Posted by: Missus Wookie | Thursday, 24 January 2019 at 07:18 PM
Looks like a wonderful keepsake! I'm just getting to my trip from April 2016 - loving reliving it. Thank goodness I kept a journal of the trip - or it *would* be too late.
Posted by: Esther Andrews | Thursday, 24 January 2019 at 10:57 PM
Scrapbooking is a bit like time travel and my craft room my T.A.R.D.I.S
Posted by: Jan | Wednesday, 27 February 2019 at 07:16 PM
You are so wise, funny and talented!
Love your book and good on you!!
xx
Posted by: alexandra sirugue-macleod | Friday, 15 March 2019 at 04:06 PM
Hehe... so glad you educated Himself! But, surely he's learned by now, that he shouldn't tangle with you? He must be a thrill-seeker, who thrives on domestic danger!
That is a lovely book of memories. I do love how you have made it too - pockets with text, photos not all in the same format, all the colour. It's so carefully planned - a miniature work of art.
Posted by: Liz Gillum | Friday, 17 May 2019 at 12:31 PM
Yes, late does not exist in journaling and making scrapbooks. I have bags of brochures, tickets, and paraphernalia from years back. Some may never find themselves in a book, others (photo heavy trips) have become printed coffee table books rather than hand made. I love the style and lay out of the book you made here, as always it has your unique style and beautiful design. A book to go back to time and time again.
Posted by: sandie | Thursday, 27 June 2019 at 11:41 PM