This is my completed "42 to Me at 21" scrapbook layout.
Take a look at my process for making this scrapbook page:
It is a 12x12 layout and It will have journaling on the back. And yes I did use an original photo from 1991. I did take several photos of the photo just in case anything weird happened to this layout - since that photo is the only copy.
That was my real hair color (the one I'm trying to duplicate now) and I was something like a size 6 without a wrinkle on me. And I totally remember that keychain of mine that's on the desk - and that 3 hole punch - OMG I use it at work even now and it has my named taped to it - and it still haas that same little piece of paper taped to it - 21 years later! wow. See, cropping out details isn't always a good idea.
I picked some random odds and ends 6x6 paper pack left overs from the new Amy Tan and Dear Lizzy lines from CHA Winter 2013 - I got them a week or so ago at Whim So Doodle and I've been using them like crazy, I think these are two of my most favorite lines ever. Ok, actually add in the Maggie Holmes from Crate Paper line in there too - I am just in love with all of it.
I did look at some other photos before deciding on this one of me when I was half the age I am now; this one seemed to fit so perfectly into that negative space from where I had done some misting of something else earlier today. Also the story of me being 21 fit in with some conversations and experiences I had today and this will remind me of that.
Then I thought it might be fun to add a photo of me from today since I had just returned from the store where I bought American Crafts Thickers (lots of them); sandals and two giant hats: see some things never change - I loved hats then and still do now. Perfect - I printed out that photo after I did a screen capture and then added it to the page.
And then I probably went overboard with lots of sparkly epoxy stickers, but I thought the 2 doilies were perfect (even though they broke the "rule of threes").
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And here's what I plan to print out for the backside of this layout:
A Letter to Myself at 21 From Myself at 42:
Hey you, beautiful you. Yes, if you are wondering, you are beautiful - trust me - I still have your image burned into my memory and brain and when I look in the mirror and don't see your fresh faced smile and amazing body - yes, amazing - if you only knew -- well, it shocks the system a bit to see me in the mirror at 42. There are wrinkles and pimples - pimples I never had in my teens or 20s! (so not fair!) And I have an everyday and over the years battle with the scale, I try on pants that I'm sure will be too big and they end up being too tight - I know what to do to get it back to being something that at least resembles me at 21 but at 42, well, its just really hard to get the momentum going; but I do still try everyday. I'll probably look back at my 42 year old self when I'm 84 (God please let me see 84 and beyond) and think about how beautiful I was now - but its hard to see that in the mirror at the time; know what I mean? Yes, I know you do.
Many of your dreams came true. You did meet the love of your life but it was someone you could not imagine when you were 21 - but 4 years from this photo, you would meet him and life would never be the same - its a good life. You are loved and you love your family. Those somewhat angst ridden single years weren't all that bad - even if you did spend them with your nose in a book most of the time.
I wish I could tell you to spend more time with your Dad and your Grandparents, that they wouldn't be around forever; but I'm not sure you would have listened - you had adventures and travels and things to do. But just maybe you would have (or will listen to yourself on this same type of thing now).
A couple of warnings: Credit Cards and Law School Loans are brutal to pay back - use as little as possible. Art is a passion, spend more time on it - don't put it on the back burner. Travel more before you have kids because afterwards, well, its a whole lot more difficult. Don't over do it on running; but do take a ski trip as often as you can. Stay away from people who give you a bad gut feeling - trust your gut, you are almost always right about people. Don't get too serious - you'll want to do that when you become a young lawyer - and don't tell people to call you "Kathryn" because you think it will make you sound older - it will stick and will never feel completely natural even though it is your given name - your name in your heart is Katie and always will be. But really, everything turns out totally awesome, so don't worry about these warnings too much - its all good.
I wish I could also say 1. buy waterfront property now and sell it around 2005; 2. I wish I could give you some winning lottery numbers or tell you to invest in microsoft or apple or facebook when it gets invented.
I will say it is comforting to see you in a big hat and to know that just today I bought a great big hat, some things never change. Simple Pleasures - go after then then and now and ENJOY TODAY - then and now.
From Katie at 42; 3/1/13
