I was born a scrap-booker. I didn’t know it but that’s exactly what I was doing when I spent my summer holidays cutting things out of magazines, collecting tickets and postcards and taking photographs galore. I had a separate scrapbook for all things related to my favourite football team Aston Villa, my holidays in Germany with my sister and the Olympics. I would pretend I was a magazine editor and put together a “publication” every week made up of my favourite cuttings and stories and sometimes I illustrated them myself.

When I went on holiday I’d collect everything and stick it in a scrapbook. Receipts, tickets, paper bags, they are all kept for posterity. In those days the scrapbook was a cheap affair consisting of thick, recycled grey paper which was very absorbent and very dull. Scrapbooking today of course is a multi-million pound (or Dollar) industry and I love saving my memories with lovely papers, flowers, embellishments, ribbons, buttons etc etc.

However, anyone who is a serious Scrapbooker knows that it takes time. Lots of time. Each page is a work of art and is meticulously put together. I find that if I focus on a scrapbook, I don’t have time to record daily memories so when I discovered Smash! booking I couldn’t wait to start! This is what SMASH-ing is all about;

“SMASH from scrapbooking specialists K & Company is for moments and musings that stick. If you love to journal, collect sketches, tickets, old photos, cards, snippets, lists, dreams, recipes… then a SMASH folio is the perfect way to bring together your story and create a wonderful piece of art that goes wherever you do. A brilliant collection of matching stationery includes sticky notes, mini pads for jotting, calendar accessories, decorative tapes, bookmarks, dividers, handy 2-in-1 sticks that are both a pen and glue, and more. SMASH books and accessories are ideal for ongoing projects and events , journaling your travels, a customised daily planner and diary, or simply recording and reflecting on your everyday inspirations. See it, love it, stick it…SMASH it! Part journal, part sketchbook, part scrapbook – SMASH is irresistible!”

When it came to deciding what theme to have for my first SMASH book I got stuck! After all that. There is so much I want to do but it was all jumbled up in my head until I thought that my first attempt would be a book of inspiration. It will be something I can look at when I need a laugh, a smile, a bit of encouragement and endorsement and to help me carry on regardless.

So, I am in the process of sorting out all my inspirational quotes, pictures, poems etc for my first book. I can do this around my neice’s wedding scrapbook and other projects and refer to it periodically for support.

I will let you know how I get on but if anyone has done a SMASH book already please let me know how you got on (pictures very welcome!).