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Your crepe paper flowers can have meanings just like the real ones. Make your flowers and look up what the meaning is for your flower and add a tag that tells the receiver of the flower what is in your heart. This is a good way to let loved ones know your true feelings or maybe even someone that you would like to make amends with and give them a nice surprise by sending them something you have made, make some crepe paper flowers and send a message.

These are some of the flowers I found the meanings for and some of the flowers we thought you might like to know the meaning of so you can use them, when you make your crepe paper flowers and then you can give your flowers with meaning.

Here is a list of some of the flowers and their meanings:

Amaryllis: This flower means radiant beauty, and the beauty emanates from the inside and flowers outward as you can see when making these beautiful paper flowers. This is a beautiful winter flower make some for Christmas time weddings.

Anemone: With this flower you can send a message of hope, because it has a meaning of soothing calm as overcoming adversity and anxiety. Make paper flower anemones to add calm for you, and then send a bouquet of them to someone whose life is in turmoil. It can also mean anticipation.

Aster: The aster represents patience, so if you want to thank someone for being patient with you in a trying time or if someone needs your patience make him or her a bunch of paper flower asters. The aster is also the flower for the month of September.

Carnation: These flowers represent the best qualities of pride. So make some crepe paper flower carnations that you can be proud of and give them to the one that you want to know how proud you are of them. This is the birth flower for the month of January.

Gladiolus: The gladiolus was originally given to victorious roman gladiators, which was the reason for the name. So through the years the gladiolus has become known for its strength. So make some of these beautiful crepe paper flowers and put them in your home to show your strength for whatever comes in life. Then make some and give them to someone who has been victorious in something they have accomplished in their life. The birth month for this flower is August.

Hyacinth: The hyacinth has come to symbolize love over long stretches of time. So when someone you know has an anniversary after several years of marriage then make them a bouquet of these beautiful flowers and give them this beautiful arrangement to show them how much you admire them for the time they have endured together.

Hydrangea: This radiant flower symbolizes earnestness. The hydrangea can be a symbol of anything from joy to grief. So maybe someone has had a baby make them a blue hydrangea for a boy or a pink one for a girl to congratulate them on their new arrival or maybe someone you know has had a loss of someone or something so make a paper flower hydrangea in blue to tell them how sorry you are to hear of their loss.

Iris: The iris has many meanings such as faith, hope, wisdom, royalty, and passion these are but a few of what they can be used for. They are beautiful flowers that can be made in about any color to show what you feel. The paper flower iris is a beautiful addition to any bouquet. This is the flower for the month of February.

Lily: The lily represents a wish for happiness, excitement, and prosperity. Make crepe paper flower lily bouquets and send them to someone that you are wishing to be happy or to have a lot of prosperity in their lives. This birth flower is for the month of May.

Orchid: The orchid has become the symbol of beauty, wealth, and love. Send a beautiful paper flower orchid to the one you love to show them how you feel about them and that you also took the time to make a beautiful paper flower orchid just for him.

Peony: This is the flower of romance and prosperity and it is regarded as an omen of good fortune and a happy marriage. These flowers can also contain a special message from a secret admirer so if you receive a bouquet of peonies from someone without a name you will know what they mean.

Rose: The rose traditionally is a symbol of love, but the different colors impart a little different meaning for each one:

窢Red rose: Is known for love and romance and a great way to say “I Love You.”

窢Pink rose: These are a symbol of grace and elegance. This is a way of expressing your admiration of someone you care for.

窢Yellow rose: A yellow rose brings a feeling of warmth and happiness as a feeling of friendship toward someone.

窢White rose: This represents innocence and purity and is associated with marriages and new starts.

窢Orange rose: Orange roses bring on a meaning of passion and excitement with an expression of a fiery romance.

窢Lavender rose: This beauty is a perfect sign of enchantment. Traditionally used to express feelings of love at first sight.

Hopefully the meaning of these different colors of roses will help you to decide what color that you will make your crepe paper roses and for the one you will be sending them too.

Sweet Pea: This beautiful sweet smelling flower has come to represent travel. So if you know someone that is taking a trip you might want to make him or her a bouquet of sweet peas to send along with them.

Tulip: It has long been a renewing hope of spring, and the tulip is a lovely sign of light and hope. Make paper flower tulips when it is dreary and send a bouquet to help brighten up someone’s day.

These are just some of the flowers and there meanings, so if you want to send a message to someone why not make some paper flowers and send them along with a short message to tell your loved one or friend what you are feeling today. This will also help you to figure out what your own feelings are while you are making these beautiful flowers, and it will also give you time to think out what you really want to convey with these beautiful crepe paper flowers.

Collectors focus their collections on a wide array of antique bells. Learning more about the different varieties of antique bells can be found out by participating through the American Bell Association International, Inc.

Any avid collector wants to know more about the history of all types of antique bells and also any collector who is considering starting a collection of bells. The most reliable way to learn about the history of bells is through the American Bell Association International, Inc., because this valuable organization has the ability to provide any collector with a wide range of information concerning all types of antique bells.

This marvelous organization even has a number of local groups that can also provide collectors with an excellent opportunity to gain more knowledge about antique bells. In fact, they have chapters in the United States, Argentina, Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Great Britain, India, Israel, Norway, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Switzerland, Turkey, and even Uruguay. Members who belong to the American Bell Association have the opportunity to join their local clubs, which is a terrific way of networking with other collectors of antique bells. These meetings also give collectors the advantage to learn more about antique bells and even better ways to buy, sell, and trade all types of antique bells.

Most of these meeting have special times set for member to socially interact and they also provide more structured segments that will include presentations and discussions. These meetings will also have a special time for displaying different antique bells and time set aside for collectors to buy, sell, or trade their antique bells. During the presentation period there will be either an expert or a member that will share valuable information with other members on subjects that are related to collecting antique bells. The goals of club are discussed during the discussion time, while during the display period members are offered the opportunity to share a variety of bells from personal collections.

When a collector is considering selling some of their antique hand bell from their collection there may be several factors to consider. The collector should figure out why they are wanting to sell their bells in the first place, because some collectors will sell their bells to make a potential profit or the bells may not actually be an important part of their collection. No matter what their reasoning may be the collector should take into consideration whether selling the antique bells are the best option.

Once the collector has made their final decision about selling a bell out of their personal collection, then it is extremely important that they create the most accurate description as possible. Another step may be have the authenticity of the bell verified, if it has not been already, which will provide potential buyers with the most accurate information available to enable them in making a more informed decision when attempting to purchase the bell. It will also help the collector if they price the antique bell more appropriately, which will ensure that the bell will sell for a fair price. Of course, if the price of the bell is set too low then the collector will miss making a higher profit, and if the price is set too high, then the collector is going to have difficulty selling the bell.

There is a wide variety of model train software available for your model train hobby. From layout packages (both two dimensional and three dimensional), to scenery generators, to scale calculators, you can find useful software for many aspects of the hobby. This software varies in price from free to hundreds of dollars and if you shell out your hard earned cash, you want to make sure you can take advantage of all of its functionality. In order to do that, you need the right hardware to run the software on, print the output, and perhaps even share the output with others. Here are some suggestions to help you get the most out of your model train software.

First, your computer. As with other computer programs, you will find software available for both PC’s and MAC’s, so the type of computer will probably not be an issue. Second, you will need a fast processor and enough RAM to run some very graphics intensive applications, so buy the best you can afford. Don’t be too concerned if you can’t afford the latest and greatest though, because in almost all cases, that is not necessary. As with any graphics program, a large display is always useful. Fine detail and less zooming in and out are the advantages here. Again, buy the best you can afford, but don’t be worried if it is not the best available. Data storage is another consideration. You’ll want to think about whether or not you want to store your data on the installed hard drive, a DVD, memory stick, or some other format. This will depend on how portable you want the data to be, how much data you plan on having, and how much money you have to spend.

A printer is another piece of hardware that is very helpful. You will want to be able to look at the output of your program as you build your layout, and carrying a piece of paper around is much easier than carrying a computer around. Some features to look for in a printer are price, pages per minute, cost of replacement ink or toner cartridges, and paper sizes that the printer is capable of. Large paper sizes make printers cost more, but they are very useful when printing out large layouts. Smaller paper sizes will work, but may require either taping together several sheets of paper to see the entire layout, or a very strong magnifying glass if you want to see the details printed out on an 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper.

Sharing your data with other model train hobbyists may also be something you want to do. A connection to the internet may be the most simple way to share data through email or an ftp site, but you can also consider removable storage to if your fellow enthusiasts are local. Consider how fluent you and your friends are with computers when making this decision as well.

Model train software is a valuable addition to your hobby. Make sure that you think about this software and its requirements the next time you purchase a computer or other component to ensure that you can take full advantage of the features it offers.

Avid collectors have such passion about their particular areas of interest that is hard to imagine how anyone can NOT be a collector of something. But, some areas of collecting can take on another dimension that goes beyond just another acquisition. In the world of autograph and historical document collecting, acquiring a significant historical document is truly a surreal experience. For example, most of my family members are not collectors. However, when I first showed them a Presidential Appointment signed by Abraham Lincoln the excitement transcended to non-collectors. I recall watching several “jaws drop” as they gazed at this magnificent piece of history.

Similar to this experience was when I posted a copy of a historical letter from Admiral Hyman Rickover discussing the recent loss of the USS Thresher. Now, to the average person there are no stimuli invoked by the mention of Admiral Rickover or the Thresher. HOWEVER, to a US Navy veteran, especially a veteran Navy Submariner, the hair stands up on the back of the neck as they read such a letter. So, I recently posted this chilling letter to my 400 member submarine group and the response was what I expected. Most of them were not collectors of autographs or historical documents, but this letter induced special reflective memories.

“In 1963 Admiral Hyman Rickover, the “Father of the Nuclear Navy”, sent his usual sea trial report to shipyard executives and politicians. However, this would be no typical letter as Rickover addresses the recent loss of the USS Thresher. It is a chilling account of what happened just a few weeks earlier on April 10, 1963. This is the Original letter in my personal collection. Even though I collect and sell rare historical memorabilia and documents, I have always maintained this in my own personal collection. Fellow submariners can only imagine the horrific fate our brave young brothers endured.”

So, here is a good example of how and when non-collectors can relate to the passion of collectors.

Model horse photo contests are based on achieving the most realistic looking photo. It sounds like a simple task. How hard can it be to take a picture of a Breyer horse?

Actually, it can be pretty tough. Some of the best photos look so much like photos of real horses it is hard to tell you are looking at model horse toys. That level of realism is not easy to achieve. It requires a lot of thought, planning and preparation. Here are 5 keys to winning photo contests with model horse toys.

1. Use good, natural light, and focus carefully. If you shoot outdoors, the lighting is almost always good and you do not need to invest in special studio equipment. You should however, use a camera that allows you manual control over shutter speed and f-stop and focus. Even very basic digital cameras these days offer some manual controls. Focus is usually automatic, unfortunately, except on high-end SLR versions. You want an f-stop of about 4, so as to sharpen the model and dull the background slightly. Carefully hold your model up to the light and turn it in different directions to determine which light angle appears best. Set it up on the footing at this angle.

2. Be sure the footing and any props are fully in proportion. Anything out-of scale significantly mars the photo. Although you are shooting outdoors, avoid sitting the horse on a surface that will betray its small size, such as real grass, or a picnic table top. Sandy or bare soil is usually a good option for a Breyer horse in a halter photograph, with a bit of green fading off in the background ok. You can carry your own personal bag of footing with you. This could be sand. Or some brands of fine kitty litter work nicely as well. Once you’ve chosen a good location for the shot, pour down a nice layer of footing and place your horse. Once you are done with the shoot, simply scoop the footing back into your bag and you are good to go.

3. Be sure the horse completely fills the frame, so that viewers can appreciate the details. Allow a very small margin around the edges just so nothing is cut off and the picture looks nice. But a very close-cropped shot is more impressive. With a digital camera, if you shoot too wide, often you can crop the photo afterwards and still have a nice result. It is recommended to shoot on a high enough resolution so it won’t get blurry later if you need to do some editing.

4. Even though you are working with horse toys, you want to shoot at the horse’s level to achieve a life-sized impression. Set the horse on a table or yourself on the ground so that the camera is on level with his elbow or withers. This creates the illusion of realism the judges are looking for.

5. Avoid distracting backgrounds. Judges are looking for a clear, crisp outline of the horse’s silhouette. Look for a solid color that contrasts with the horse’s body color. If you can position the model horse toys so the blue sky functions as the background, that’s perfect. Otherwise, choose something that is as solid as possible. Man-made objects such as cars and buildings can be a problem, mostly because they destroy the illusion the model is life-sized. A distant car that appears very tiny can be permissible, if it looks like it belongs and is the same scale as the horse.

A great place to get started photographing your Breyer horse toys is taking halter photographs. This means the horse is alone with no props, or that he’s photographed with only the halter and lead. Of course, these tactics will work with any model horse brand. We recommend Breyer horse toys because of their quality, availability and overwhelming popularity among hobbyists.

Keeping these tips carefully in mind as you work should put you in the running for a contest placement or perhaps even a winner. With practice and persistence, you can take the blue ribbon!

Learning how to make bracelets doesn’t have to be a daunting task. There is a lot of web sites online, offering recommendations and instructions. There are several different strategies for making great looking bracelets. With some beads and some basic information it could be a fun and easy process, to make your own, one of a kind bracelet. The first thing you need to do is to decide what you want your finished product to look like. You may have a glance at bracelets in shops, markets, and in photographs online to see what sort of style, colours and materials are available for you to make this call. You might decide that you want a snug fitting bracelet, decorated with blue crystals, or perhaps your favorite bracelet will be a hanging design with turquoise glass inlay.

The point to remember is that you are only limited by your own imagination. Be as creative as you would like to be! When you have a general idea of how you want your finished bracelet to look, then you can begin learning how to make bracelets and it’s time to jump in the vehicle or on the bus and take the ride to the closest craft store. We can assume that you have selected to make a beaded bracelet and you know what sort of thing you would like to achieve. You know what it is you’re going to need from the store, and do not worry, this is one of those crafts that doesn’t have to cost a large amount of money. Okay so you reach the store and venture your way within, and you know that the most significant thing you need to obtain are the beads for your bracelet.

Ensure that you get beads that are pre-drilled as this may save you heaps of time and mucking around later in the method. Also, when you’re choosing your beads remember that you’ll need roughly 24 x 8mm beads to make a seven inch bracelet. When you have chosen your beads, you’ll need to purchase the material you’re going to use to string the beads together. For bracelets, it might appear that the general public favor is to use the elasticized rope, instead of wire. It is more flexible, and permits some movement in case you finish up snagging it on something when it’s complete. If you’re creating a bracelet which will ultimately dangle on your wrist, then wire isn’t going to give you that feel or look.

Now, while we are still on the topic of beads, though you will find this in the tools section, you’ll need a little pair of beading pliers, a beading needle, and some super glue. Ensure you take a look at the directions to make certain you are getting excellent value. Often a $20 pair of pliers will be little better than a pair that cost just $10. Now you’ll need to get your clasps. Most stores will stock a big variety of clasps, but as most experienced folk will counsel, the barrel clasps are best for bracelets. They’re frequently the simplest and actually the most typical clasps for beginners. You are now well on the way to knowing how to make bracelets. When you have all of the materials you want, you are all prepared to start to make your bracelet. Select an area which has great lighting, where you won’t have any distractions.

The very first thing to do is to cut the twine or wire an inch longer than the length you need for your bracelet. When you have cut it, secure one end to a clasp and put the beading needle on the other end of the rope. Sort out your beads and start sliding them onto the twine in whatever order you want. When you have finished threading your beads, secure the half finished end of the twine with the other side of the clasp. Bracelet complete! Now you can see how straightforward it is, the world is your oyster. Get more creative and you can make bracelets twenty four seven.

There are two types of figures in the market namely figurines and action figures. Figurines are usually tiny, sculpted and colored to represent a movie character or superheroes icon that does not have any moving part on the body. The very small size is ranging in between 6mm to a larger 152mm. Figurines larger than that would be categorized as a statue. Figurines are often being mould on a base such as the famous plastic green army to assist them with a firm stand.

Action figures are a small size character made of plastic redesigned to represent many famous characters from movies and cartoons. These figures come in many different styles and poses for collector’s view before it was sold successfully to a buyer. All action figures must have a body part that moves especially on the head and arms to be able to strike a different pose together with the accessories that comes together with certain models such as the backpacks or weapons. Some action figures are built together with its costumes and accessories or otherwise the external clothing such as cape or robe will come separately.

Action figures collection are amazingly fun and a rewarding hobby that could make a man feel like a young boy again. It is like a celebration of love for your favourite TV show, movie or comic books. It can even turn into a financial investment as the value of these figures increased tremendously on the collectible market. Many people collect action figures with a purpose. Perhaps they are searching for a character that reminds them of their childhood memories. This purpose can be an expensive one but finding the one that you yearn most is greatly satisfying. Or maybe some people simply adore the craftsmanship on these figures that they only collects figures with exceptional sculpts design. This purpose could add up to a very beautiful collection each time a new figure comes in.

Many have been wondering where they should start to look for these collections for the latest design and the best deal. Online research on action figures websites and forums are the best initial start in getting more details. There are also many great places that sell these figures such as toy sections of local stores, websites that specialize in only figures, flea markets and garage sales. Some sellers might be selling off their unwanted old figures but you will never know if that is a vintage figure that you have been looking for.

Once you have your collections in place, it is important to plan on how to display all your figures for your viewing pleasures. Furniture stores would be the best place to get a beautiful cabinet or shelves with glass doors to display action figures in a specific location at home or even work place while it also keeps the figures from falling all over the place. Otherwise, consider using a bookshelf will work just perfectly.

If you’re into Barbie dolls, then you might as well familiarize yourself everything about Barbie. A brief but intensive knowledge about Barbie, her history, and her makers will definitely help you in you pursuit of becoming a Barbie collector.

Barbie was designed and created by Ruth Handler based on a “Lilli doll” and was marketed as a “teenage fashion doll.” The full name of “Barbie” is Barbara Millicent Roberts born of George and Margaret Roberts of Willows, Wisconsin.

She is said to attend Willows High School in Willows in Wisconsin and Manhattan International High School in New York City. She was introduced in March 9, 1959 by Mattel, Inc. at the American International Toy Fair and from then on, Barbie became the best-selling doll in the world.

Barbie holds a pilot’s license and known to operate commercial airliners when she is off duty as a flight attendant. Because of her job, Barbie is known for having lots of friends that are of ethnically diverse and social circle that include the Hispanic Teresa, African-American Christie and Steven (Christie’s beau), and Kayla. But among these, the most popular companion of Barbie is her long-time boyfriend, Ken Carson, who followed her debut in 1961.

Aside from her love for flying, Barbie also loves animals, thus, she has 38 recorded pets like cats, dogs, horses, panda, lion cub, and a zebra. Known for her modern and lavish lifestyle, Barbie owns convertibles, trailers, jeeps and other expensive vehicles under her belt.

BEYOND THE DOLL

Aside from the lovable collections of Barbie dolls that were created and launched over the years, fans of Barbie couldn抰 just get enough of her, thus, many of them created various stuff that are related to the doll. Some of these are merchandise, mementos, movies, and other souvenir items.

But among these, the most popular thing that was invented because of Barbie is the dress up Barbie doll game. This game has become popular to young girls and even to those girls who are young at heart.

Dress up Barbie doll game enables the player to dress up Barbie in trendy clothes with marching hairdos. This game also lets you dress up your choice of Barbie doll and lets you have an interactive experience with other players.

Aside from letting you dress up Barbie in any fashion you want, this dress up Barbie doll game also lets you change the color of the doll’s hair, lip, and cheeks. If you want to change everything, you can easily reset the game by manipulating the buttons.

The dress up Barbie doll game can be downloaded with minimum requirements such as supported OS Windows 2000 or Windows XP. You can also share it by sending it via funny messengers.

As the hearts and flowers of Valentine’s Day begin to make an appearance and we realize that Spring is still a month or two away, a little romance in our lives is more than welcome. As knitters, we can take heart in knowing that our favorite source of knitting material, the woolly sheep, not only provides us with a wonderful fiber to knit but also with some whimsical do’s and don’ts in the romance department.

Remember a mother’s warning about the wolves in sheep’s clothing? Even though they always turned out to be the fun guys. Were these Casanovas the proverbial “black sheep” of their families? Although, if the truth be known, it was only because the fleece of these “black” sheep could not be successfully dyed that contributed to their status as outcasts and had nothing to do with courtship skills. We were advised that it would be much better to flatter a steadfast “dyed-in-the-wool” character with the long, amorous glance of a “sheep’s eye”. And what ever you do, don’t act like a “bunch of sheep” – plodding mindlessly along with the latest trends perhaps wearing a mini skirt too short, appearing to be “mutton dressed up as lamb” and attracting the wrong sort of attention.

Knitters have enjoyed a love affair with wool fiber for centuries as it has woven its way in and out of the history of world cultures. Inscribed seals in garments from Babylonia indicate that wool trading was in full swing in 4000 BC. Romans prized their sheep and its “golden fleece” by washing, oiling, and combing their flocks several times a year to ensure a lustrous wool. King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain borrowed against tax income from sheep revenues to finance the voyage of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. In 18th century England, nobles were required to kneel on a woolsack, while proclaiming their allegiance to the crown as a reminder that the power of the nation was dependent on the successful production of wool.

We don’t need a history lesson to tell us that we love this fiber so. Just as much as wool forms a protective coating against heat and cold for lambs and sheep, we enjoy the same benefits when wearing a wool sweater. The surface structure of wool fiber allows for air to be trapped on the surface and since air is a poor conductor of heat, warmth is not allowed to escape. Wool is not only a good insulator, it is durable, lightweight and comfortable. It’s ability to absorb moisture very slowly, contributes to wearing comfort as it does not cool the body by allowing moisture to evaporate from the fabric. It can absorb up to thirty percent of its weight in moisture without feeling damp to the touch. Wool also absorbs dye with abandon giving us the opportunity to knit with yarn in unlimited color ranges.

Wool may be the perfect fiber but we are not always the perfect hosts. Wool sweaters, when properly treated, remain in our wardrobes for years which also provides many opportunities for the inevitable spills and snags. Wool garments should be rewarded for their longevity with special care when washing, drying, and storing. Wash with a wool soap and allow to dry flat. Do not hang sweaters on hangers and empty pockets before placing in storage in order prevent bulges and sags. Tuck in a moth repellent or cedar blocks among your woollen garments.

Wool will give you hours of knitting pleasure, keep you warm and comfortable. New fibers, fancy interlopers may come and go but wool is true blue, tried and true. Our love of wool is here to stay.
Copyright Maddy Cranley 2007.

This is the second part of a two part article about scrapbook page ideas for your baby album. You may also want to read “Scrapbook Ideas for Your Baby Album – Part 1.”

Baby’s First Bath

As soon as the “belly button” falls off, it’s time for the first real bath. In addition to taking pictures of your baby in the cute, little bathtub, be sure to take one of him/her all swaddled in the hooded towel after the bath is over. And in your journaling you can write about how old your baby was and his/her reaction to the bath.

Baby’s First Trip

Whether it’s a day trip to Grandma and Grandpa’s house, a weekend getaway or even a full blown vacation, baby’s first trip is a significant milestone to preserve. Regardless of where you go on this first trip, your baby will encounter many new new sights, sounds, smells, people, etc. Journal about how your baby reacts to these new and different surroundings.

Baby’s First Solid Food

The first time your baby tries solid food is a fun event to capture in photos. The facial expressions are priceless. Things to journal about include what the food was, how much your baby ate and your baby’s reaction. When your baby is older, take some pictures of him/her feeding himself/herself pasta with tomato sauce. A messy tomato sauce face is quite a sight!

Baby’s First Tooth

Although a toothless grin is absolutely adorable, it is exciting to see that first pearly white poking through. Once it’s visible enough to be seen in photos, take some great close-up shots for your scrapbook album. Note in your journaling the date the tooth first poked through and the date the photos were taken.

Baby’s First Step

While it’s often difficult to capture your baby’s very first step on camera, you’ll certainly get lots of photos of those very early steps. Try putting them in sequential order – from letting go of the furniture to taking those wobbling steps to landing on a diapered bottom – to show your baby’s progress across the floor.

Baby’s First Easter

Depending on how old your baby is for his/her first Easter, here are some ideas for what to include in your scrapbook album: dyeing Easter eggs, visiting the Easter Bunny, going on an egg hunt, opening his/her Easter basket, finding eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny, and preparing/eating Easter dinner.

Baby’s First Mother’s Day/Father’s Day

The first Mother’s Day/Father’s Day with your baby is, of course, very special. And you’ll certainly take lots of photos of Mommy/Daddy with Baby. In addition to journaling about how you spent the day, it’s interesting to journal about what you were doing and feeling on the previous Mother’s Day/Father’s Day. Maybe you were pregnant and received gifts from your baby-to-be. Maybe you didn’t have any idea that you would be a parent in a year. Either way, it’s fun to reminisce about what a difference a year makes.

Baby’s First Halloween

Depending on how old your baby is for his/her first Halloween, you may or may not put them in a costume. If they’re in a costume then of course you’ll take lots of pictures of them all dressed-up. If they’re very young, putting them next to a very large pumpkin makes for an adorable photo. Remember to include pictures of your pumpkin picking trip, too.

Baby’s First Thanksgiving

On our Thanksgiving pages we often journal about what we’re thankful for. Of course, as new Moms we’re most thankful for our new babies. Journal about the “little things” you’re thankful for – how your baby tightly holds your pinky when you feed him/her, the way your baby smells after a bath, the sound of your baby’s giggle when you make funny faces, the peaceful feeling of rocking your baby to sleep, etc. – to make these pages extra special.

Baby’s First Christmas

There are so many memories you’ll want to capture in your photos – getting the tree, trimming the tree, Christmas Eve, Christmas morning, favorite gifts and more. I’ve written another article called “Scrapbooking Your Christmas Memories” that has lots of suggestions for things to include in your scrapbook album.

Baby’s First Snow

If you live in a cold weather climate, your baby’s first encounter with snow makes a fun page for the album. Even if your baby isn’t old enough to play in the snow, you can bundle him/her up and go outside so he/she can see the snow and feel it on his/her face. Some things to journal about on this page are the date of the snowstorm, your baby’s age, what you did outside (e.g., pulled your baby in a sled, built a snowman), and your baby’s reaction to the snow.

Other Photos

Undoubtedly, you have lots of baby pictures that aren’t part of a specific event, holiday, milestone, etc. It can be hard to come up with ideas for how to categorize them. Here are some page/title ideas to use for your “every day” photos: Month (e.g., March, August Days), seasons (e.g., Spring Time, Winter Days), Sweet Girl/Boy, Play Time, Having Fun, Silly Sisters/Siblings, Peek-a-Boo, Cute as a Button, Busy as a Bee, Laughing and Smiling, Say “Cheese”, Mommy’s Little Girl/Boy, Daddy’s Little Girl/Boy, Apple of Mommy’s/Daddy’s Eye, Memorable Moments, Friends and Fun, “Look at Me!”, Miles of Smiles, Precious Moments, and Movie Star (photos wearing different pairs of sunglasses). Also, if you have a nickname for your baby, that can make a cute page title.

Baby’s First Birthday

In addition to the standard pictures – singing Happy Birthday, blowing out the candles, eating the cake, opening the gifts, posing with party guests – take a picture of your baby right after he/she wakes up in the morning on his/her birthday and another one right before going to bed that night. That way you can put just these two pictures on a separate page and focus your journaling on how your baby spent his/her first birthday, from waking until bedtime.

The Perfect Ending

If you still have your baby’s hospital hat (you know, the adorable little hats babies wear right after they’re born), put it on your baby’s head and grab your camera. Although it will look pretty funny stretched out over the head of a one-year old, it makes quite a poignant picture. Put just this photo on the last page of your baby’s first year album, and you’ll have lots of room for journaling about the amazing year that has passed since you welcomed your baby into your life.