All of us have things that have become "tradition" in our family. It could be as simple as the routine that your children go through every night to get ready for bed, or as complex as getting the whole, extended family together for Thanksgiving dinner. Either way, these moments make your family unique and should be preserved on your scrapbook pages. My family picks apples each year in September. Then, we come home and make an apple pie (destined each year to be the only home-made pie made in our house all year long). Apple Picking Pictures make great scrapbook pages, however, take the time to consider what routines or traditions your family has. Snap some photos to document these moments and include the story in your scrapbook.

The Ludens Go Apple Picking: Layout materials - Cardstock Sticker words and Weathered Cardstock background papers from The Paper Loft.

Technique Tip: I used sand paper to lighten a section of the background paper and then printed my journaling right on the page in that area. This kept the page simple and added to the weathered look that went great with the photos.

Traditions Memory Triggers:

1. Go through your calendar over the last year and think about what things your family does every Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter.

2. Look in your daily planner, and consider what routines your family has each month, week, or day.

3. Does your extended family do something special to celebrate holidays? Birthdays? Weddings? New Babies? Or other important events?

Create a Simple Scrapbook -

Family Traditions would make a perfect Simple Scrapbook. Purchase a small album and fill the pages with things that make your family special. This book will become a family treasure. By keeping it simple you may even be able to complete this album in a weekend.

• And The Fans Go Wild - Pam Talluto’s family members are united by their enthusiasm for the Detroit Lions. Pam created an album to record the experiences that reinforce this bond. It will inspire you to create albums about your family's passions.

• What Is a Simple Scrapbook? - When you’re ready to create a simple scrapbook, start with this formula. Answering these nine questions will help determine the purpose and format for your album. For reference, keep this formula in a handy place as you gather your materials, design and create pages, or add future updates.

• Family Cookie Scrapbook - Need a family reunion idea that’s easy, fun and sure to be a big hit? Host a cookie contest! Family members of all ages are bound to enjoy this activity of tasting and sharing, and you can make it even more memorable by creating a small scrapbook of photos and cookie recipes. You’ll not only have a great reunion keepsake for each family to take home, but a collection of favorite recipes at the same time!

The Christmas Story: Page Design by Jennifer Schmidt: "Every year my Dad reads a story to the Grandchildren when we get together for Christmas. I wanted to capture the looks on the kid's faces as they listened intently to the him read."
Layout Materials: Wire from Artistic Wire, Letters and Paper from The Paper Loft, and red mini-brads from Scrap Arts.

Have you tried it?

If you try out this scrapbooking idea, come share your layout with us on the About Scrapbooking Forum.