Finding forgotten little gems

My mom and I got into scrapbooking about the same time

and as I was looking in some really early albums, 

tucked into a "cutting edge pocket page" for back in 2002.

I came across this gem.

 Mom always made sure there were pictures - (I was

usually not paying attention or busy) so there she was

grabbing snaps all around on Christmas, holidays and 

just ordinary times and she created and 

gifted me this little mini album.

 However, the reason I got emotional was not about the photos

it was about the fact that she put this little album

together and it has her handwriting on it

and her thoughts.

 Funny thoughts.

Not real deep journaling and I'm okay with that 

because just getting mom to write something was like pulling teeth.

So here's my question.

How often do you look back and go through your

early stuff. 

Had I not been on a mission to look back in photos

to find some information I would've missed this

(because I had forgotten I had it - as I have

about 40 albums of mine on my shelf and I have

about 12 more of her albums in safe keeping).

I also found to my delight and annoyance (because I'm competitive that way)

 she had pictures and information I didn't have and she didn't

share and it was such a treasure trove and a connection.

My mom passed a few years after she created this gem and her

other albums which I have actually paged through

(not very often now) because they are stored, and love the

comfort it brings because there are times when I miss her beyond a lot

and I feel blessed I have this piece of her.

Sweet little frames

Made the perfect Christmas gifts.

M's has them for $1.50 -

can't been that and they're the perfect size
for little quotes.

I used different project life cards

added some sentiments

from the millions of stamps in my possession

and tossed a couple of hearts in

because I could.

Pink and gold color combination

I love this color combination that came in my new

Studio Calico kit, and had the perfect

embellishments too from the Paper Issues Swag Bag.

Love the gold and black rubons from the swag bag

and rubbed them in strategic areas on the page.

I tried to use the entire package (a Wilna trick) on the page

but they didn't all work out.

 And the gold doilies are perfect.

I whacked them up in order to make them stretch across

the page and accent the photo of the beautiful flowers.

 But the best part is the note.

As a parent you always wonder if you did right by your kids

and its nice to have validation - especially

when life throws some curves about.

 Love how the page turned out and it is

actually the "journaling" or note that takes center stage.

I find it refreshing that I used this color combo

and it wasn't on a heritage page.

Thanks favorite eldest son - you made my day!