A year ago January I was in Las Vegas attending CHA and was most thrilled to be there because I was finally going to be able to meet some of the ladies from Simple Scrapbooks. I’d been working with the magazine for a while on a very unofficial basis (an assignment here an assignment there) but I felt like I knew them already. Angie and Wendy were the first ones I ran into at the show and it was a lot of fun! Wendy spent so much time with me, made me feel so welcome and wonderful! She is just the sweetest that way. We sat down to eat quickly at one point and amongst our conversation she happened to ask me “So if you were to write a book what would it be about?”
I am fairly certain I hesitated for a looonnnggg moment because I hadn’t really given it that much thought – I mean me, write a book? I just hadn’t really entertained the possibility. But I felt like I should have some sort of answer for her so I told her about this mini album I’d had in the works (mostly in my mind) for some time about my life and contrasting the wonderful picture perfect moments with the very real – not so picture perfect ones. I had the whole thing planned out with different sections – each a play on the word ‘REAL.’ I thought it was so clever. 😉
Next thing I knew Wendy was phoning Lin Sorenson. We were meeting her where? Brainstorming? A book? Wow. So we gathered together in a corner of the convention hall and had a little meeting on the floor and that’s where the whole thing got started.
An official book proposal, many book maps and conference calls later Real. Life. Scrapbooking. was on it’s way to becoming a real life book!
I’ve been a scrapbooker now for over 6 years but before I am ever a scrapbooker I have always been a wife, a mother, a wiper of noses and cleaner of messes first (sounding familiar to anyone?) However un-glamorous my life may be, that’s just how it is. I am not a scrapbooking celebrity, I have no fancy custom built scraproom. Unlimited funds to spend on the latest scrapbooking must-haves is not a reality here. I don’t even have that much time to scrapbook with two active kids running around.
And I am perfectly ok with all of this.
I have simply found the ways and the means to fit scrapbooking into my little reality in whichever way I can. Making the time, making the most out of my supplies, taking shortcuts. Whatever it takes because scrapbooking is important to me for so many different reasons. Finding the ways to fit scrapbooking into your real life while at the very same time celebrating that very real and very wonderful life is really what this book is all about.
In the book I discuss the why, what, and how of real life scrapbooking. By remembering the real reasons you enjoy scrapbooking so much and letting those reasons drive your creative energy. By letting go of unrealistic expectations and focusing on scrapbooking in a way that is both real and simple. By paying attention to the little things around you and finding inspiration in even the most ordinary of places and scrapbooking about your reality – the good the bad and everything in between.
Each and every page/project in this book is all of the above:
a) practical
b) realistic
c) simple
It’s just how I work. It’s how I have to work in fact, when trying to balance my real life responsibilities with this hobby I love so much. I’m so excited for you to see the book…there’s only so much I can tell you without just reading you the entire thing but there is so much more in there…you’ll just have to take my word for it!
Rebecca Cooper is a 42-year-old wife and mother of four from Alberta, Canada. As a photographer, crafter, author, and blogger, she finds joy and fulfillment in celebrating everyday moments. She loves to read and eat chocolate, and is a firm believer in afternoon naps. Rebecca shares her family’s adventures, photo tips, simple craft projects + more right here at Simple as That.
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whoa….
i am totally excited about this book now.
like, i’ve just been so happy for YOU that all of this has been going on…
and now i’m happy for ME that i get to read this book sometime in the near future!!
sounds amazing, rebecca.
🙂
you rock! I’m so excited for this book, I know it’s going to be amazing!
Hi Rebecca
Just a little congrats from Australia :o) I didn’t realise you were Canadian til a little while ago (I spent a year there on exchange when I was in high school so it holds a VERY special place in my heart!)
Anyway, congrats on the new baby (I’m ‘due’ 31 August with my second) and of course on the new book. Sounds fantastic! I guess we won’t get it here for ages tho… :o(
Just thought I’d stop lurking and say G’day :o)
Kylee
I CANNOT wait to get my hands on your book, Rebecca! So exciting!! It sounds so awesome and I know it will be! Congratulations! 🙂
I CAN’T WAIT!
What a wonderful philosophy and a wonderful introduction to the book! Even without the insight into the book, I would would have purchased it. But I don’t think it’s on pre-order just yet, is it?
I LOVE Canadians (one of my best friends, who is like family to me, is Canadian too) so you had me won at just that! 🙂 But I also totally LOVE your photography and your amazing talent! I cannot wait for the book. I loved reading this post. Thanks for sharing. So excited to get my hands on it as soon as I can. Congrats!
I have been a Rebecca Cooper fan for awhile. I’m not sure when you started doing layouts for SS or contributing to special issues…but your work stands out to me and inspires me. Your philosophy and style has helped me define and expand my own…There are many artists out there, but not all seem to see what I see or understand…Thanks for being real. and helping me make my scrappin’ real and a real part of my life. I am highly anticipating your book…
I *can’t* wait!
Seriously…..I have never anticipated a scrapbooking “book” as much as I am yours!
So excited 🙂
I love scrapbooking books but more than anything I love the ones that are simple and realistic. I’m not a great one for loads of embellishments, I don’t have loads of time (I have 3 children) and I just want to enjoy it when I can. I look forward to this book coming out now, it sounds just up my street! Thank you.
c a n n o t
w a i t!
s o
e x c i t e d!
this is going
to be amazing.
thinking of you & hoping you are feeling well.
What a great opportunity for you! I’m so excited to get my hands on this book! Congrats Rebecca!
soooo excited to see it! 🙂
I am sooo psyched for this book to come out!! You rock… plain and simple… you nailed it 🙂
Rebecca, I have never met you and am still just a “scrapbooker wanna-be” but your words in this post inspire me and make me want to do more then just read about scrapbooking. Don’t get me wrong, I am sure I will get your book, but this time instead of just reading another book about this amazing hobby I will also start to act on this amazing hobby. I am also from Alberta (Calgary) and I hope to sometime soon be able to book a photo session with you for my family…
Cate Proudfoot
I cannot wait to get my hands on your book! You are so real, girl! 🙂 Your book is going to be absolutely fabulous! Now how long do we have to wait? ha ha
I cannot wait to see it! CONGRATS!!! I come over to your blog often…lurk, sometimes post..always enjoy! You will create an amazing book I’m sure. I will be on the waiting list!
Can’t wait can’t wait can’t wait! Until the book hits the shelves………………..congrats!
I am so looking forward to buying your book!
everything you just said, that’s why you were asked to write a book(and because of your amazing talent, of course). Can’t wait for the book!
I can’t wait!!!
Wow it sounds PERFECT!!!! Can’t wait ti get it!!!
This sounds WONDERFUL! I can’t wait. I love your art! You deserve great things Rebecca!
I’m lucky enough to know rebecca & can attest that this girl is REAL. Everything about her is REAL. The marshmellows on the floor, the little scrap space scattered with kids toys, the busy wife managing kids, husband & everything else. Thank you Rebecca & Simple Scrapbooks for getting it so right this time. It isn’t about having the fancy scrap space or the latest embellishments, it’s making scraping simple enough that anyone can do it and fit it into their life. Can’t wait to see your work. You are remarkable.
Hi Rebecca,
Just got forwarded your blog by a scrapbooking friend as I’m expecting no. 3 in October too! My due date is 13th, but the date I’m giving myself is 7th.
AND even more cool is you are writing a book about real life scrapbooking. No Scrapbook studio, no time – I can totally relate 🙂
Just spent the weekend with Stacy J in Watford London, so am on a big ScrapHappy high.
Enjoy your pregnancy and I will enjoy waiting for the book 🙂
Rebecca, Sunny London 🙂
I. Can’t. WAIT!
oh i love you!
you keep it real 🙂
so excited for the book!
and i remember meeting you for the first time at that same CHA 😉
wow – that’s great! can’t wait to see the book!!
Hi Rebecca… 🙂
Just wanted to tell you that i totally can NOT wait to get this book…
So excited for it, and for you!
Congrats! 🙂
Very exciting stuff going on in your life right now huh? Not sure if we will see your book in South Africa but you can be sure I will make a plan! Your philosophy is what grounds scrapbooking, keeping it real, simple and affordabel is what its about.
Good for you!
You rock and I’m so giddy about the book!
It looks just fabulous. I’ve got to get my hands on this one!
🙂 Very excited for you! CAn’t wait to see it.
I can’t wait, sounds great! Will get it as soon as it comes out, I love your stuff!
That sounds like my kinda book. Congrats! 🙂
Wow, so exciting for you! It’s amazing how a small idea can churn and turn into something wonderful. It’s funny, I have just started a small (very small at this point!) business but started out much like you. I look forward to all that the future may hold for my venture and it’s stories like yours that fuel my fire!
Lara
(come check out my blog, sweetbrierscraps.blogspot.com)
I can’t wait to see the new book. It seems like forever since I’ve read your blog. sorry bout that! HA!..I work a full time job outside of the home and then have 2 little ones at home that keep me on my toes. Congrats on your third! Yea for your family!
out of curiousity..do you have any pictures of where you do scrap??
thanks!
I find this no surprise. I have always been drawn to your work since I first saw you on 2peas. I will be the first to pick this up. Congrats.