Why not think back to your childhood and make a scrapbook like we used to do then rather than the fancy 21st century version?

That sounds like a wonderful idea!!! I would google the idea and search images of things that would suit you best. There are so many crafty people out there to give good tutorials, etc. I use it a lot for looking for projects, etc.

This is a great way to help the grieving process. My niece did one of her late sister as a gift for their mother, She said it really helped her. Best of luck. Hugs Shirley

Jan, those new-fangled scrapbooks are really expensive! I'd try various Dollar-type stores for cheaper ones, and cover it with something you can embroider that would be meaningful to Ben's life with you. Perhaps you could also get some heavy cardboard to make the covers out of, and cover them with embroidery. You could do as someone below has suggested, make an "old fashioned" scrapbook. We made covers like that, and now that heavy cardstock paper comes in the 12 x12" size, you could just punch holes, use those hole re-inforcers, and tie it together with something like string, or perhaps a pair of Ben's old shoelaces! You could get really creative without spending a fortune on all those "ready-made" stickers and papers, and I think it would be far more meaningful in the long run. Perhaps you could even make some of the "pages" out of fabric, pieces of shirts or other clothing that he loved, pieced together like a scrappy quilt, on both sides, and with a little light felt or stabilizer in the center, you could quilt it, and write with fabric pens the "story" of each piece you use. Also, possibly instead of an actual "book", you could find an appropriate sized box to hold the individual pages, because if you had more three dimensional memories a book might not close as well. You could treat the box to a wonderful quilted covering of pieces of his favorite clothing, blankets, etc. Best of luck with this project, I think it could be a really healing, happy thing to do for the both of you! Hugs, Marji

Jan you can come down and peruse my supplies for anything to work with your project.

I've worked with quite a few children who have lost a loved one, and helped them to make a "memory box". Something like a largish shoebox can be covered with paper (or fabric) and then relevant items can be stored in the box. Why not have one of these and a scrap book? Marjialexa's suggestions below are wonderful.

Jan you have some excellent suggestions. Following through from others comments. I use large A 4 ring folders a lot. I have put 2 links to the type I am mentioning. These can be covered in fabric You could print your own fabric which you could create from pictures of Ben or his favourite characters like Elmo and Kermit. This could also be embroidered on to. There are many images via google that could also be used to create one of page bases. . You could even create your own book from scratch deciding the size of each page and then create its own binder. The ideas are endless. You are going to have a wonderful time making this for you and your family.

One of "my moms" one of my favorites - of two darling little girls I taught, used to sell Creative Memories and she is putting together a getting started kit for me. So.... with your wonderful creative ideas to make it Ben-personal, and some from other friends, I think I am on my way! I'll need some little FSL animals - like forest animals. But, I am going to do his quilt first! In the meantime the coffee table in the living room is going to be the staging place for scrapbooks! Oh Boy! But, I really don't want another hobby. .....

What wonderfully creative Cuties we have...so many excellent suggestions...I know that it will be a treasure for sure when you are done...Hugs & Smiles...

I do scrapbooking also. The most important thing to remember is be sure all the paper, etc is acid free. Otherwise, the sky's the limit. Your Creative Memories friend has started you off great! (My wedding pictures were NOT in acid free pages & they faded something awful!) So many stores carry things now...from Dollar stores to high end stores! Have a sweet time with all the memories you are saving! AND let us see it after you are done!!

If you have a friend with a Brother Scan n Cut, you could borrow it for long enough to cut some of those Kermits and Elmos out of fabric - it will even cut really tiny designs. Amazing. Love the plaid shirts idea - how about as picture frames for each page or backings for various pictures so that it looks like a frame? How about a cake or slice of cake for the cover? Hang in there sweetie. Memories will surround you.

if you use the 3-ring binder idea, page protectors are great to protect pages that have special items such as ribbons & buttons. you'll be surprised how many smiles you will find.

I'd guess that in your design library you have designs that you know He would have liked, why not stitch some of those out and trim around them & use like a sticker?

There are soooo many sites that will allow you to upload pictures to pre-made photo pages...they are already laid out for scrapbooking ...You can make calenders and all kinds of things

Hello, my go to place is Hobby Lobby if you have one. They put their scrapbook pages on for half price a lot, like every other week or so. Also the album and the pages. Their letters and stickers also go on half price a lot. That is only time I buy them. I also print out a lot of pictures from the computer to use on my pages. Good luck and have fun! It is addicting for sure!