My amazing husband, Brad, turned 50 in August and I had some grand ideas about how to celebrate the occasion. Hubby, however, vetoed all my magnificent ideas, opting, instead, to spend a low-key day with family at his sister’s nearby home. I still wanted to give him something to commemorate his 50 years on planet Earth, making this birthday stand out, if only a little, from others.
Unfortunately, I was stumped.
Then, it dawned on me…I would make my husband a scrapbook filled with memories from his first 50 years of life. Being a scrapbooker, such a project is right up my alley, however, there were a couple speed bumps in that alley. First, I had packed away about 75% of my scrapbook supplies, because we are preparing to list our home for sale and relocate 1000 miles away. Second, this brilliant idea occurred to me only 7 days before my husband’s birthday.
I had only 7 days to sort through bags and boxes containing fifty years of photographs, certificates and other paraphernalia, and then create a special keepsake from that memorabilia…and I had to do so without him knowing!
Thankfully, I was able to work on my project during the day, while Brad was at work. I would set up my work station as soon as he left in the morning, and hurriedly pack my supplies away when I knew he was on his way home. I’m sure he wondered why the heck nothing was getting done around the house.
It was a massive undertaking and I finished…2 hours before Brad’s birthday dinner.
50 years of memories makes a large scrapbook. The album is 12.5″ x 15.25″, 3.5 inches thick and weighs in at 9.5 pounds.
I kept most of the pages very simple because I didn’t want excess embellishments to take space or attention away from the photographs…
…and because I was little pressed for time.
When I did want embellishments, I turned to Google and my computer graphics program.
The original 2-inch photos on this page had handwritten descriptions on the backs, which I scanned, printed and attached next to their respective pictures.
I was pleased with the vintage look of the black photo corners, unfortunately I ran out and a new order wouldn’t be delivered in time. Even using the corners, I went through about a dozen adhesive runners, affixing all the photos to cardstock.
Brad participated in a lot of activities and clubs when he was younger, and he kept quite a few cards and certificates.
For these little cards, I used a ScrapRack Trader’s Twelve page, which is an awesome double-duty product from Totally-Tiffany.
I used standard 8.5 x 11 sheet protectors for these swim certificates.
High school graduation – I scanned the diploma but that is an original announcement card.
A picture of Brad and me from 1987 (!)
A poem Brad wrote me when he was away at college.
More scans of important certificates and clippings. He didn’t have very much from his college years, which is probably a blessing-in-disguise.
Our wedding on the beach at Siesta Key.
Check out the amazing subway printable of events from 1968 that I found. I also asked Brad’s parents and siblings to write him a letter with their favorite memories together. His brother sent an email, because he couldn’t be with us to celebrate.
These are the letters from his parents, his two sisters and his teenage nephew. They read them aloud after dinner; it was lovely. I must admit, I’m rather proud of myself for the this letter idea. *high fives self*
I still need to create layouts for the letters with pictures of their authors, to finish off the album.
In the end, hubby had the day he wanted, and had a happy birthday. That is all that truly matters.
What a wonderful gift and what a monumental task to complete in only 7 days. What a keepsake for later years!
The thoughtful gifts are always the best. Happy 50th birthday.
That events from 1968 printable is so cool! What a sweet treasure he has (you) and will have (the scrapbook) for years to come.