About me.....
And how www.emmas-memories began ...... !!!
In 2006 with George & Charlotte & Jamie, born in September 2006
The Horrors in December 2008 & Me getting old in January 2009.........
Where the idea came from .........
When my son was born almost 7 years ago, I was quite overwhelmed with the response from my friends and family. I was one of the first amongst my close friends to 'reproduce', and my husband and I were innundated with well-wishes from people far and wide. We received cards, letters, phone calls, text messages, e-mails, bunches of flowers, not to mention the presents ..... it was quite amazing. I had not realised how strongly people react to a new life. I am a bit of a hoarder, I admit, but I am not a very organised hoarder. So I kept all of these 'well-wishes' on a window sill in our study! The pile grew and grew and eventually I decided that I would like to file them away somehow. A standard photo album with pockets or sticky sleeves was not appropriate since everything was different sizes. So I looked at scrapbooks, but they were either too flimsy or had ghastly covers! I knew exactly what I wanted - a hard back simple book with a cute cover, preferably with his name on, with plain card pages for me to stick things on and write things on ..... so I thought, why not make one myself?!
That is where the idea was born ...
George's Album.... The First Album
lI must admit that I was very pleased with how my son's album turned out. By this point, my daughter had arrived on the scene - just one year and 7 days after my son's arrival! So I made one for her too! A couple of my friend's admired them, and asked me to make them one. And from then on it was word of mouth. I attended a few local craft fairs which were helpful in 'getting my name out there', and I haven't looked back since!
.....and it really was that simple .... I have always loved crafts of all descriptions, in particular cross stitch, all of my designs have progressed from there. Each time I discover a new craft, then I try to design an album using that new skill! I love it! People ask me where I find the time with such a young family. The answer is simple - I cannot bear to sit around now doing anything. When they sleep, I get going!
(Plus I have a fabulous Mum who helps out when when things get a bit busy!)
The only thing I feel I need to apologise for is my website. I am NOT a web designer!!
But my intention is that you can see examples of what I have done, and hopefully I have succeeded in that!!
A Milestone Birthday Album
The first Birthday Album I made was for my own Mum. She was 60 not so long ago and I wanted to give her a present to remember. Her friends and family are widespread across the globe, so a party was out of the question. I decided to put together an album of well-wishes from as many people from her life as I could contact. I stole her address book overnight, and 4 months later I was able to present her with her gift. I stitched her name, age and birth date on the front of the album, decorated with small pictures of things unique to her in her life - her love of France, wine, her grandchildren and her favourite flower. She was so delighted that I thought other people may like to do something similar for someone special in their lives....
And so the Milestone Birthday Album was born!
A Holiday Memory Album
Morna is my best-mate from my University Days.....oh how long ago! When she came back from Australia she told me in great detail everything she had got up to! In the knowledge that she was coming to visit me two weeks later, I hastily jotted down every highlight she mentioned about her trip. She has always been a great photographer and adores reliving memories of the past.......how many bottles of wine we have drunk reminiscing!!! Anyway, I knew she would appreciate something as truly personalised as this. So this album depicts (clockwise from top) a snorkle & fish she saw on the Great Barrier reef, the yacht she cruised the Whitsun Islands in (dahleeng....!!!), sunglasses & a Father Christmas Hat since she spent Christmas Day on the beach, the Sydney Opera House where she went to an opera, the Sydney Harbour Bridge that she climbed, the Blue mountains (look closely to see her abseiling the mountains!) & the wine she tasted in the Hunter Valley, the camel she rode in Dubai on the way out there and the koala she cuddled. Wow!!
Truly personalised and something I hope she will treasure for a long time to come!
And so followed:
Wedding Anniversary Albums
Wedding Albums
Hen & Stag Night Albums
Christening Albums
Graduation Albums
Prom Albums
Guest Books
Children's Special Colouring Books .....
etc.........
...........you name it, I designed it!
And I have thoroughly enjoyed designing and making them all!