My Daughter's Notebook: A Different Approach

For my youngest daughter's Birthday, we decided the best way to create a Birthday Wall for her this year would be to put it in a book--a binder notebook to be exact. This would be a wholly different approach to a wall spread, but it worked out very well.

I used colored construction paper to fit in the binder, punched holes in the pages and prepared layouts based on different preferences in various categories, from music to books to favorite foods.

She's a Spanish major in college, thus the Spanish language is prominent throughout the pages which she adores. 

She has a college-focused blog, By Hannah Joy, where she talks about her college experiences as well as beauty and fashion, which she has a lot of fun with. That inspired this page. 

It was fun compiling images suitable and then trimming them out and putting colored triangles on the corners for a scrap-booked look. I used two primary colors and used them to contrast each other which looked really cool.



I especially enjoyed creating a front page with birthday banner throwing some colored dots on for a confetti look.

I think what I loved most about this notebook approach is that I was able to use a similar approach that I use in my art journal, using matte medium for adhesive. The only disadvantage to this is once the items are glued down, you can't rearrange them!

But, interestingly enough, she prefers the notebook and wants me to continue that approach in the future.

I chose an image of keys to the car for an ending statement since she got her driver's license this summer!

So, there you have it! I hope these visuals have inspired you to work on one for your child's birthday.
You can also check out my e-book that gives you the full story and great ideas for wall or notebook collage.

Here are a few ideas you can use if you choose to present the Birthday Wall in notebook fashion:

Include at least 5 categories for different subject matter
Use at least two colors for contrast and visual effect
Use colored construction paper or card stock for the pages
Trim to size
You're better off preparing too many pages rather than too little (I had a few left over)
Matte medium makes a great adhesive, but you can use regular glue as well
Cut triangles for corners on your images which gives it a finished look
Don't be afraid to try your own ideas; your creativity is just waiting to be expressed!
HAVE FUN and your child will enjoy it.

Showing your child how much you love them by creating this collage style visual will be remembered and treasured for many years to come!

Rebuilding the Blocks by Sarah Herring

As we celebrate 10 years of our family tradition, The Birthday Wall, my eldest, Sarah, wanted to share a new view on The Birthday Wall in connection to the time she spends playing blocks with her son, somewhat of a life analogy for the meaningful message The Birthday Wall so many times contains with her being the recipient, as well as creator of one for her son now too. Enjoy!

Rebuilding The Blocks

By Sarah Herring

A decade ago my Mother invented a birthday tradition called, "The Birthday Wall." 

In short, it's a wall of choice, created and decorated of special moments, favorite songs, sayings, movies, books, celebrities. It includes unforgettable nicknames and personalized sentiments.

Friends and family are warmly welcomed to participate which makes the Birthday Wall even more special and unique. It's a rewarding version of my own personal holiday. 

The Birthday Wall is a bit like building and re-building blocks for me. 

When I'm creating a "masterpiece" from building toy blocks with my son, I build, edit, revise, and re-build each creation to best connect with what he likes and what matters to him.

It's symbolic of his baby steps and stepping stones.

In parallel, The Birthday Wall does the same thing, starting with the basics. Over the years it has become more complex and relates exactly to my interests, hobbies, talents and ideas, right where I'm at.

The Birthday Wall says goodbye to one year and hello to the next one, refreshingly, artistically, with inspiration. 

It grows with me. It's never boring. It's always exciting. It brings out who I really am and nurtures the child inside me. 

The Birthday Wall defines validation, originality, refreshment, nurture, acceptance, new ideas; loving your child to their core. 

It is what helps me define the entire year: my goals, aspirations, progress, expectations, and dreams for the future. It's also something priceless I have passed down a generation to my own child. 

There are no limits to The Birthday Wall's creativity, meaning and purpose. 

From young to old, It is a perfect present for anyone, in all of it's dimensions. 

Cate Russell-Cole, Author and Teacher, Shares Birthday Wall Treasure

My good friend, author and writing teacher, Cate Russell-Cole, has kindly shared her appreciation for The Birthday Wall and it's wonderful benefits for your child in sharing their story.

That's really what The Birthday Wall is: it's a story of your child. A Clear Visual Representation of what your child means to you and how much you appreciate who they are and what they love.

And the story is beautiful!

Create your child's story on their Special Day.

Raggedy Ann and Andy Adds Whimsy to a Celebration

When I was a child, I had my room decorated with Raggedy Ann and Andy. I just loved those dolls and everything that came with them. That's why when I saw this party theme, I just had to share it with you!

Abby Snyder has twins, boy and girl, who just celebrated their first birthday, and she shares her party prep story with how she came up with her theme idea, where she found many of her decorating ideas, and also displays several adorable photos to showcase the party and her twins' fun that day.

Abby actually hangs a picture banner by the fireplace that reminded me of The Birthday Wall family tradition I have used to celebrate my daughters' birthdays for nine years. Perhaps her display will inspire you with ideas for your child's next birthday wall.

I love the whimsy Raggedy Ann and Andy creates with such a fun, lovable theme. You can create one too, with a custom created Birthday Wall for your child.

Celebrations: Give Them a Choice!

When we plan a celebration for our child's birthday, we may run into an unsatisfactory situation such as described by Sharon DeVellis with her two boys. She shares her experiences with birthday parties, the cost involved and where to have one in her post, Birthday Party Alternative.  She decided to give her boys a choice of party or family time. She shares their activities and what choices they made with memories in the making.


Our kids know what they like and they know what matters to them; when we highlight these all-important aspects of our kids' lives, creating that birthday wall becomes all the more meaningful and satisfying for them and for you.

It's the Little Things: Celebrations

It truly is the Little Things in life that can make moments and life experiences special and memorable. Whether it's using special dishes, instituting a family tradition that touches the heart, or doing something out of the ordinary just because, Kelle Hampton shares in her post, Celebrate: Hallmark how she makes the most out of the littlest things. I was inspired when I ran into this wonderful representation of what celebrations are really about and how we can make life special for whatever reason that comes to mind.

Our birthday celebrations is our house come with a visual collage to showcase what matters to that special birthday person. It's often the little things that matter to that person that show up the most, whether it's something they say or something they love that might otherwise go unnoticed. The Birthday Wall is the perfect visual to present such an important aspect to an individual and why they are so special to you.

Happy Birthday To You! (My Childhood Memory)

A birthday is that one special day of the year that is dedicated to the child born to celebrate their uniqueness, their growth, and their place in their family and the world. 


I always looked forward to the celebration of my special day, especially since it coincided with the country's celebration of freedom, Independence Day, giving my day an extra "kick" with the evening's display and powerful booms of "those rocket's red glare, and those bombs bursting in air." 


In my younger years I would so desire to see those colors that I would cover my ears to tolerate the overly loud noise, even when I could feel the re-verb in my chest. 


Mom always made me to feel as if those colorful displays were just for me--to celebrate my special day. She would also enhance the occasion with the thematic colors of red, white, and blue, whether on my homemade birthday cake with blueberries and strawberries for the visual of the American Flag or with the ribbons and bows on my gifts. 


On my 12th birthday, the setting for my celebration was my all-time favorite summer hang-out, Terrace Lake (now defunct), where I could swim, swing and play on the monkey bars and eat BBQ chicken and potato salad. 


I won't forget the gift, that large rectangle shaped box, that became my treasured possession, filled with supplies and books on how to draw animals and other things: My First Art Kit. I loved to draw; so that gift from Mom just validated me as a budding artist and it thrilled me just thinking about using the pencils and other contents to create and express myself. 


I believe one of the best ways to make a birthday memorable is for a child to be shown how special and unique they are, showcasing their interests and talents and what makes their personality sparkle.


When it comes to my own two daughters, I have had a fab time celebrating their birthdays through a colorful, visual display of their personality and interests through image, text and color, collage style on the wall. It never disappoints to see how much such a display validates and boosts their self-esteem. 


And that's what birthdays are really for. And what is a birthday but a fabulous memory-in-the-making that will last a lifetime. 


I wrote today's post as part of the Wow-Women on Writing's "Everybody's Talking about Favorite Childhood Memories" mass-blogging event celebrating the release of Finding Emma by Steena Holmes (http://www.steenaholmes.com/). Steena is a woman who believes that 'in the end, all things succumb...to the passions of your heart'. Steena's life revolves around her family, friends and fiction. Add some chocolate into the mix and she's living the good life. She took those passions and made them a dream come true by pouring her heart into each of her stories.  


Finding Emma  has quickly become a bestseller. Proceeds from each book will be donated to The Missing Children Society of Canada - an organization dedicated to reuniting families. Visit http://www.mcsc.ca/ for more information. 


If you comment on today's post on this blog or any of the others participating the "Everybody's Talking About Favorite Childhood Memories" day, you'll be entered to win a signed copy of Finding Emma!


To read Steena's about childhood memories and view a list of other blog participating in the "Everybody's Talking About Favorite Childhood Memories" day, please visit The Muffin (http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/).