Why Memory Keeping Matters: A Fresh Chapter in My Creative Kitchen

A mini-vacay has a funny way of hitting the reset button. Stepping away from my craft table for a weekend gave me the clarity I didn’t even realize I needed. I came home with river water in my shoes, a tan on my nose, and a spark in my heart that I just can’t ignore: it’s time for a fresh chapter here in the StampinBuds kitchen.

The Spark That Started It All

That spark started at a family celebration in my husband Rafe’s hometown. We were there to celebrate his cousin’s daughter turning 30 and her husband turning 40 — a double birthday party postponed from the year before.

At some point during the day, gifts were exchanged — old photos from a grandmother to her grandson, and a beautiful photo album given to the birthday girl. That moment — seeing the gift of memories — made my scrapbooker heart so happy.

But as the day went on, the conversation shifted. We started talking about the things the older generation saves and hopes to pass down… and how often the younger generation doesn’t want any of it.

And then the friend of the birthday girl, a young mom herself, said something that stopped me cold:

“My mom has tons of stuff she wants me to take when she passes — including her old photo albums — and I don’t want any of it.”

The Pit in My Stomach

It was like the air went out of my lungs. Here I was, more than 25 years into this industry, with shelves of albums and a career built around preserving memories… and for the first time, I wondered if what I do even matters.

And while I’ve been in this business for decades, it’s really only been in the last few years that I’ve gotten serious about building a legacy for my girls. Their albums are nowhere near “finished” — far from it — but filling them with stories, notes, and little pieces of my heart has become my number one goal.

Because those albums? They’re my way of saying: “I was here. You were loved. And this is our story.”

Why Photos Alone Aren’t Enough

Later that night, back at the house, I admitted to Rafe’s family that her comment had really gutted me. Because here’s the thing: I loved looking through my mom’s photo albums growing up. They weren’t fancy — just photos tucked into pages — but I knew the stories behind the pictures that had me in them.

And that’s what memory keeping gives us: a chance to pair those photos with the stories, perspectives, and love that would otherwise fade or get lost along the way.

It’s not just about paper and glue. It’s about preserving moments that matter — the big milestones and the quiet in-betweens — so that when our kids and grandkids flip through those albums someday, they’ll know who we were, what we valued, and how deeply we loved them.

From Scrapbooking to Memory Keeping

That moment at the river made me realize something: what I do isn’t just “scrapbooking.”

It’s memory keeping.

Because this isn’t about trends or pretty pages. This is about capturing a life well-lived — the laughter, the tears, the messy moments, the quiet notes of love.

Moving forward, that’s the language I’ll be using here on the blog, in my newsletter, and everywhere I share: memory keeping. Because it’s the truest description of what we’re creating together — and it’s what I want to help you do, too.

My Heart for This Work

I’ve been incredibly inspired over the years by Stacy Julian, Ali Edwards, and so many other leaders in this industry. But here’s the truth: I’m not trying to be the next Stacy or Ali.

I’m just Shannon — a wife, a mom, a Mimi — who wants to flip her business upside down and help others on a much more personal scale.

I want to make new friends. I want to help you find the stories in your photos. And I want to be the kind of inspiration that feels within reach — someone you can email, learn from, and grow alongside as we capture our memories together.

Your Invitation

If you’ve ever felt the tug to get your photos off your phone… if you’ve ever worried that your stories might fade with time… or if you’ve ever wondered where to start, you’re in the right place.

And for my card lovers out there — don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten you.
Starting in September 2025, I’ll be sharing a new card design every week. These will be perfect for sending thank-you notes, encouragement, or just a sprinkle of handmade happy mail.

So, while memory keeping will be my main focus moving forward, there will always be space in the StampinBuds kitchen for a little cardmaking magic (and maybe even a few other creative projects). Because let’s be honest — making and sharing something handmade never goes out of style.

Together, we’ll make memory keeping simple, meaningful, and — most of all — fun. Because your life deserves to be celebrated, and your stories deserve to be told.