• About
  • Social Media
  • DIY
  • Holidays
  • Travel
  • Lifestyle

Staying Home Sawyer

Real Life Living on a Real Life Budget

DIY

Chipboard Album

4.14.2014

Baby Boy Scrapbook Chipboard AlbumWe have a friend having a baby…okay we have FRIENDS having BABIES. Babies are everywhere, let’s be honest. I think since I’ve turned 27, babies are springing up faster than Wal-Marts. As long as none spring up here, I am A-Okay!

My real hobby is scrapbooking. I love to make books for my friends weddings and/or  babies. However, when they all started having babies, I couldn’t keep up. So the ones that reproduced first got lucky. The rest get stuck with something like this, a chipboard album. These are still really cool gifts, just don’t let the person getting this see the 20 page books I’ve made for the first to the finish line!

You used to be able to find chipboard albums all over the place. You can still find them at Michaels, and really any size and shape works. If you can find pre-packaged chipboard with paper and stickers, that’s even better! For the one pictured, I had to use a razor to cut each circle out. I started with a blank chipboard album (circle), and a paper pack for baby boys. That made it easy, all the pages matched, so I could add them all together. I used Modge Podge to adhere the paper to the base, and then used a razor to cut along the edges. I then just decorated each page, and tied ribbon around the clip holding them together. I also used an ink pad to distress the edges (because I am not perfect at rounding the edges, and it hides little mistakes well!). I used my paper pack and cut out the embellishments from some of the fun pages.

The best part about this album is that it’s easy to make, and is easy for your recipient to finish! They just have to put in their photos, and they’ll have an adorable little memory book of their baby! Or in our case, an adorable memory book for photos of our fat cat!Baby Boy Scrapbook Chipboard Album

Share this:

  • Email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
  • Print (Opens in new window) Print
  • Tweet

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Previous:
Snapple!
Next:
Oprah!
About Me

About Me

Hi Mamas! My name is Shauna, a 30-something (big emphasis on the 'something') new mama and wife living in Southern California. I've become a Stay At Home Mom to Sawyer, and I would do it forever if I could! I'm originally from Wisconsin and am a total Cheesehead! I'm here to share DIY's, travel tips, and baby stuff I'm sure!

Follow Us on Instagram!

stayinghomesawyer

I remember when my oldest was little and someone t I remember when my oldest was little and someone told me that she NEEDED to go to preschool or she’d never catch up. I feel the same way today that I felt then, six years ago. My daughters never NEEDED preschool. Is it a good option for some parents (or the only option for others)? Yes. Is it BAD? No. But kids don’t NEED it. They need outdoor spaces, they need playgrounds and parks and beaches. They need free play with neighbors and friends and family. And yes, if none of those are options, of course preschool is not a bad idea, but can we stop pretending kids that don’t go are going to be irreparably harmed?
There’s just something about that second child. Th There’s just something about that second child. They pick up everything so quickly. They’re unstoppable. They want to do everything and they want to do it now. 

Second child life.
The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so The day my husband looked at me and said, “I’m so glad we have daughters,” I just about melted. Because like most men, he always envisioned a son. Someone he could pass his useless sports knowledge to, someone he could play mediocre golf with. Maybe someone to watch the hockey playoffs with (that doesn’t complain like I do). 

When we found out our second girl was coming, he famously said he watched the pink smoke hoping it would turn to purple and then blue. The first thing out of his mouth after he really digested it was, “now I have to pay for two weddings.”

And then one day, not long after the second came along, he realized why he’s a a girl dad. Because he couldn’t be more perfect for them. And they are exactly what he needed.
After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’ After seeing the beauty of this world, I just don’t see how there’s any other option. God’s beauty is in everything, and sometimes I feel sad that I’ll never be able to see it all.
My husband and I never thought we’d be the homesch My husband and I never thought we’d be the homeschooling family, but here we are. What started as a few things here and there that we didn’t like, exploded into not liking much of anything in a traditional school, and liking just about everything about homeschooling. 

So now, here we are, on a random weekday, exploring our city. Picking up shells and learning about science. Meeting new people and gaining new friends. There’s so much more than doing lessons at home (although those happen too, don’t worry). There’s a whole big word out there to explore.
I have this theory. I think that as women, even wh I have this theory. I think that as women, even when we are done, we never really feel “done.” I think it’s innate. It’s biological. We were designed to procreate. We were designed to mother. When all of that is over, REALLY OVER, it’s a sad moment. It’s hard to accept. It’s hard to move on.

If you had asked me years ago if I would feel like this, I would have told you, “absolutely not. I’m done.” But when a woman gets to a “certain age,” it feels hard to accept. 

How do you feel?
The secret is out… I don’t spend more money than The secret is out…

I don’t spend more money than most. A party at a trampoline park is about double (if not more) expensive than this. A party at a park with a jumper? More expensive. It’s not about the money, it’s about the prep.

I spend months in advance planning for my parties. As soon as my girls decide on a theme, I take off (and we don’t do theme switches once anything has been purchased). My biggest money saving tip is to try to get the theme MONTHS in advance. I’m literally planning my daughter’s October birthday party already! 

So for those of you wondering, you absolutely CAN do fun parties on a budget. You just need a little more effort, and a little more time. 💕
There’s something about watching your child experi There’s something about watching your child experience the world for the first time that changes you.

The way they slow down, the way they notice everything…it makes you realize how much you’ve been rushing past.

I’m trying to remember that these aren’t just her firsts, they’re mine too, in a completely different way.
Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a sp Growing up in the Midwest made seashells such a special thing. It meant vacations at the beach, time with family, hot summer days. 

Now, watching my babies collect their own seashells, holding tight to the “BEST” ones, makes my heart happier than I ever could have thought. It’s the little joys.
Follow on Instagram

 

Whatcha Looking For?

Recent Posts

  • Dalmatian Party
  • 14 Things I Love About You
  • Purple Minnie Mouse
  • Surfing Into 6
  • Welcome 2 Quinn’s Cabana

Categories

  • Birthday's
  • DIY
  • Holidays!
  • Home Decor
  • Lifestyle
  • Parenting
  • Party Planning
  • Products I Love
  • Travel
  • Uncategorized
  • Wedding
2026 StayingHomeSawyer. All Rights Reserved. Design by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2026 · YOON Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

 

Loading Comments...
 

    %d