Think Beyond Blue
Oh, the world is filled with these little nuggets of half-truth. If you know any kids (of either sex), then you know that some girls hate pink (I do), and some girls are slobs (I am). And as you’ll see in the following layouts, some boys are neat (Melanie Louette has one), and some boys like to dress up (like Sarah Klemish’s son). Nonetheless, we mothers of boys often forget to scrap the softer sides of our sons.
So I asked four boys-only mommy friends to create non-traditional “boy” pages, and I created one too. Together, we prove that there’s much more to our little boys than what meets the eye.
Think Pink
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Supplies: patterned paper (October Afternoon) • stamps (Stamping Bella, 7 Gypsies, Hero Arts) • ink (black distress, Versamark) • punches (EK Success) • eyelet (We R Memory Keepers) • brads (Daisy D's) • mini alphabet stickers (Jenny Bowlin) • twinkle stickers (Amuse) • mini paper clip (Tim Holtz) • embellishment metal (Making Memories) • font (Arial Narrow) • 12 x12 layout by Séverine Di Giacomo |
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Séverine created this page as an ode to her son’s favorite color: pink. She is not only documenting his love for the color, but also recording how pink became his hue of choice. She used lots and lots of pink in this layout, but the end result is not at all “girly.” And really, who doesn’t love a man (boy) wearing pink?
Just in case your French is as rusty as mine (sorry, mom, for not paying attention in school) here’s the translation:
“There are always exceptions to the rule, pink for girls and blue for boys… and it is not true at all for you. Quite the contrary; your favorite color is pink! Since you were small you have said it loud and clear, and you make sure everybody knows it! If I remember correctly, it all started with the ‘pink tutu.’ (And I have to clarify that, no, we did not buy you a pink tutu, you had a fabric Frisbie with a hole in the center and your favorite game was to make Zoé laugh by putting it around your waist and saying it was a pink tutu.) The myth was born: Loan’s favorite color is pink! From that day on, each time you had to choose a color for a project, you chose pink… a school box painted pink, and even a CD case turned into a pink pig! At school, all your friends know about it and the fact that you like pink has certainly helped bring you popularity, which you don’t mind at all! So vive la vie en rose!”
Mr. Mary
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Supplies: cardstock (Bazzill) • patterned paper (American Crafts, Scenic Route) • letter stickers, flower (American Crafts) • corner rounder punch (Creative Memories) • scalloped border punch (Stampin' Up!) • ink pad (Tsukineko) • pen (Sanford) • small gems • Mary Poppins graphic (downloaded from the Internet) • 8½ x 11 layout by Barb Wong |
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When Barb’s son James was a bit younger, he was really into musicals. He loved Mary Poppins so much that he made himself a entire MP getup using just paper and tape. Just look at the pattern of the carpetbag and the flower stuck in his hat! And people say boys don’t have an eye for details. This kid is a crafting genius, and clearly a future fashion star.
Hair Matters
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Supplies: patterned paper, rub-ons (American Crafts) • 12 x 12 layout by Melanie Louette |
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Yes, it’s true, a lot of boys are not into bathing or grooming. But then again, my sister (a mom to only girls) tells me that her girls are not into cleanliness either. I hope that’s not genetic. (I do want to put it out there that I bathe, floss and brush my teeth, and wear clean clothes. Daily!) In this layout, Melanie talks about her youngest’s penchant for not only cleanliness, but for grooming and wearing fashionable clothes. Hooray for a boy—or anyone, really—who cares about how he looks.
Oh Boy, a Bunny!
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Supplies: patterned paper, tag, big alpha stickers (The Girls’ Paperie) • small alpha stickers (October Afternoon) • gems (Heidi Swapp) • clip (Making Memories) • pearl (Kaiser Kraft) • 12 x 12 layout by Sarah Klemish |
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Sarah created this soft and pretty layout about her son’s love for dressing up. When someone mentions “dress up,” most people think of girls in tutus or princess outfits, but let’s not forget about boys in capes or bunny suits (very popular in my household, too). Notice how she used soft colored papers to convey how sweet her son looks in that bunny costume. To balance out the femininity of some of the papers, Sarah worked in just the right amount of blue, green, and red.
Sew What?
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Supplies: patterned paper (Basic Grey) • red paper, flair (American Crafts) • sewing thread • 12 x12 layout by Linda Barber |
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My middle son, Jett, loves to sew. He likes dreaming up stuffed creatures and making them. He also designs clothing for other stuffed animals. It warms my heart that he loves to sew. I didn’t push it on him; his desire to craft sprung from watching me sew, just like mine was born from watching my mom create. My mom’s mom is also a great crafter, so this is a tradition for us. But that aside, I really like that my son is learning a skill that at first may seem girly, but truthfully, it’s just very useful. (Note: I tried very hard to not use sewing puns in this paragraph. I hope you’re sew proud of me!)
So, take a break from scrapping the mud-filled, noise-making, go-go-go, stinky side of your men and create a layout or two to document your son’s (or hubby’s or nephew’s or grandson’s or boyfriend’s) softer, calmer, and maybe even slightly pinkish side.
Coming Soon
We just convinced you to break out of your typical groove and create some non-traditional pages for your boys. Want to take it a step further? Watch for Ella’s Essential Guide to Scrapbooking Girls, available in late August, and see how may of the ideas you can adapt to even the most rough and tumble boy you know!
Or you can wait (on the edge of your seat, of course) for Ella’s Essential Guide to Scrapbooking Boys, coming in September. This must-have eBook features the work of Linda Barber, Kelly Goree, Wendy Smedley, Celeste Smith, and Georgana Hall (who are raising 14 strapping sons in total).