Meet the 2012 Design Team: Melanie Ritchie

Please tell us a little about yourself, your family, your background…To the people that love me the most, I’m a mommy, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. I’m a SAHM with sweet and exuberant little kiddos. I have an extremely supportive husband. I’ve been into art all my life and scrapbooking for over 10 years. I’m a designer and an avid scrapbooker. It is important for me to seek out beauty in the world.How did you become a scrapbooker or memory-keeper? I’ve always collected memories. As a child I made scrapbooks of stars (ex. Michael J. Fox & Ricky Schroeder circa 1984). I typed out a family “newspaper.” I kept lists of books I read, jokes I’d heard, favourite items. I kept diaries well into my 20s. I made my first scrapbook album as a gift in 2000. I can’t imagine not documenting my life in some way.

How would you describe your scrapbooking style? Free-spirited. I love colour, whimsy and lots of pattern.

When do you scrapbook? How much time do you spend on this activity during a typical week? When don’t I scrapbook? After the kiddies are in bed I get to work. I used to average 4 layouts per week but now with designing in the mix that number has dwindled. Hopefully I’ll get more done soon!

What is your favorite way to capture the journaling part of your scrapbooking? I jot down notes all day long so I have something to trigger my memory when I’m at my computer. Sometimes I just write a line or two. Often I make a block of journaling that sits next to or under a photo. I try to use a legible font.

What story from the past do you most wish had been documented so you and/or your family could enjoy it now? When I was a teenager I wrote down the names of all my friends and family in a notebook. The goal was to write down everything I could think of that related to each person. I never completed it and regret it. Such a shame! What a treasure trove that would have been!

What is your favorite source of scrapbooking or design inspiration? I love store galleries to see how other people are using a particular kit. I still read paper scrapbooking magazines to see techniques and trends. I guess I’m old school! I drool over the eye candy that is Pinterest.

What is your favorite part of scrapbooking/memory-keeping?

1. It makes me happy. It is challenging and fulfilling.
2. I’m collecting my personal history to pass on to my kids.
3. It gives me clarity on my life and purpose as I reflect on the events in my life.

What do you find the most challenging about scrapbooking/memory-keeping? Time. There is always a layout waiting to be made but there are only so many hours in the day.

How has your scrapbooking changed since you first started? (or has it?) Now that I’ve switched to digital, I’m much more efficient. I actually complete layouts! I have hundreds now. I’m better at journaling. It was always important but I found it intimidating. I wanted to get every word just right and ended up saying very little. Now I just write what I feel. It is like I’m talking with an old friend.

Please share one piece of advice on how to capture everyday real life memories for others new to scrapbooking and/or memory-keeping… Be true to yourself. Don’t try to create or write what you think other people want to see. Mention the facts in your journaling but infuse them with your feelings. While it is necessary to set the scene by mentioning that a particular photo is your house, it is important to explain why you’re compelled to scrapbook that photo. What is the meaning? What makes your house a home? What were you experiencing when the photo was taken? A few meaningful words will make a real difference in telling your story.