"Then & Now" layouts can be doubly interesting in that they give us a chance to reflect on the past while processing the present. And who doesn't enjoy seeing older photos side by side with newer ones? These kinds of pages give us a chance to compare and contrast, and to tell a deeper part of our stories. Today we'll take a look at a batch of pages created with this theme; be sure to scroll to the bottom for Day 2's giveaway as well! Giveaway closed.
Shannon, Jill and Amy Heller took on the "Then & Now" topic this month. We love the pages they came up with!
From Shannon:
See Supplies & Coordinating Video
"A 'Then & Now' layout doesn't have to span a huge amount of time. With kids big changes happen in just a few short years....or even months. I know we will get a laugh out of this layout when he's 18...what a comparison layout I'll be able to do then!"
Shannon goes on to give some ideas should you decide to scrap this kind of layout too. She says it could be "...a picture from waaaaay back, or just recent enough to notice a change. Maybe you could do a layout about your weight loss, a child's vocabulary improvements, from dating to married life, or from married to single, hair styles of past & present, or maybe you have a piece of clothing or furniture that is still being used 'then & now'!"
From Jill:
"Then and Now" layouts, combining photos from the past with those from the present, offer us a chance to reflect on change over time (and sometimes, on what remains the same). For this layout, I paired a wedding photo with our most recent family photo, and as I looked at the two photos side by side, I thought about all that has happened over the last fourteen years, and how much the love in my life has not just endured, but has also grown.
I selected the accents on the page to mirror the "Then and Now" theme, combining neutral papers and accents that had an aged, vintage, "then" feel, with brighter, more vibrant, "now" colors. I also incorporated items with a homey feel."
From Amy:
"This is a project that I created for my beautiful daughter. It's a play on the theme of Then and Now.
I see a lot of myself in my little girl when I was her age. When things don't go according to plan, or as she believes they should go, she gets very frustrated. This was much more of an issue when she was younger, but there are days, for instance on this one, when we went sledding, when everything falls apart for her in an instant.
I tend to scrap as a method of writing love letters in a sense, to my kids. I used this opportunity with my pictures and journaling to let her know that she can miss out on so much if she lets things bother her to such a degree that she gives up. I wanted to show her that I know how hard it is to "let go" of having things perfect and just go with the flow. My husband and son are much better at this. While the focus is on her in the center of my page, I took an image where she and her brother were having a ball sledding, getting along and having fun, to illustrate how much more fun she would have if she chose to decide to let some things go. It's a bit of a sideways twist on Then and Now, but it was something I really want her to visualize for herself in years to come. :) "
The Garden Girls are not the only ones scrapping this theme! We took a peek through the gallery and found these other awesome examples:
The journaling in this layout by Kelly Goree emphasizes the changes in her son. She begins every sentence about her "little" boy with "then," and uses "now" when describing the present for her growing son.
We can't tell if Jody planned this, but how amazing that she captured her daughter in the exact same pose? By converting her kindergarten and middle school graduation photos to black and white, she further reinforces the similarities between the two photos. Lovely!
The enlarged black and white photo next to a smaller one in color adds additional interest to this clean and elegant page by beszteri.
Sheri Mae compares her ninth month of pregnancy with a photo of her and her nine month old. Could this page be any more precious?!
This theme doesn't have to apply only to our scrapbook albums. Why not try recreating a photo by directing your subjects to pose in the same way? Including the original print like Stacey Sattler did here makes it extra fun!
We hope you enjoyed today's post on themes! Each month the Garden Girls take on a seasonal theme as well as any other fun topics they decide to sign up for. Keep checking back for more!
Now on to today's giveaway, we'll be giving away a $10 gift certificate to the Two Peas store to one lucky commenter! Giveaway closed.
You have through next Sunday the 18th at 11:59 pm CST to leave your comment. One comment per person please. We'll draw and announce the winner next Monday. IF you're viewing this on Two Peas, you'll want to be sure to comment here on our Typepad post. And don't forget yesterday's giveaway is open through Sunday as well. Good luck!
Today at Two Peas:
* It's Tuesday! Each week on this day the Two Peas digital designers release a new batch of digital kits. See the 17 new kits here!
* Kitty shares what products are new and hot in her Weekly Warehouse Walk video. See the video here!
* Deal of the Day: 50% off Tim Holtz stamps
Lovely theme. I always get tripped up on this when it comes to digging through old photos...
Posted by: Nirupama | 03/13/2012 at 10:24 AM
Love then and now pages! These are all gorgeous :)
Posted by: Allison Waken | 03/13/2012 at 11:28 AM
These LOs are gorgeous! Alc99999
Posted by: Amanda Counce | 03/13/2012 at 11:47 AM
I love the idea of now and then pages. I will have to try a couple. The garden girls have done a great job as usual! sdcowgirl.
Posted by: Johnna Sengdara | 03/13/2012 at 11:53 AM
Great layouts! I love then and now layouts!
mellierc
Posted by: Melanie C | 03/13/2012 at 12:16 PM
Love all these layouts!!!
Posted by: soapHOUSEmama | 03/13/2012 at 12:21 PM
Love all of the layouts and photos showcasing past and present. It’s the epitome of scrapbooking.
Posted by: Susan Ward | 03/13/2012 at 01:16 PM
What a great giveaway! Thanks for a chance to win =)
Posted by: Marie / Legojenta | 03/13/2012 at 01:20 PM
Then and now is a great idea...in fact, I was giving this some serious thought for my son's grad layouts from high school...just getting to the cap and gown photos and thought..what about his grad photo from kindergarden? or his dad's grad photo (which we would need to get help restoring)..or both? Just so fun! Thank you!
Posted by: Candy | 03/13/2012 at 01:22 PM
I want to try the then and now photo that has the same subjects holding the original. What a cool idea!
Posted by: Mary in IL | 03/13/2012 at 01:36 PM
Great theme you've highlighted here. I got some great ideas.
Posted by: Jennifer J | 03/13/2012 at 01:38 PM
Loving the Then & Now pages. Great inspiration. And thrilled with the new blog - so much easier to keep up with! :)
Posted by: Sarah C. | 03/13/2012 at 01:58 PM
I love this type of page,but haven't tried one yet. Add that to the to-do list! Thanks for the inspiration.
(aworkman)
Posted by: Andrea | 03/13/2012 at 02:49 PM
Gorgeous work! Always such great inspiration at Two Peas!
Posted by: Jean Marmo | 03/13/2012 at 03:11 PM
Hi there! Great post with Then and Now layouts! Thanks for the generous giveaway, too!
Posted by: Anne Gaal | 03/13/2012 at 03:11 PM
Wonderful layouts and an inspiring theme. Can't wait to try this one.
Posted by: Mary Tilman | 03/13/2012 at 03:49 PM
Love the then and now idea. I must give it a try with both my children.
Posted by: Sandra | 03/13/2012 at 04:21 PM
Great ideas!
Posted by: Ann T | 03/13/2012 at 04:56 PM
All these layouts are great inspiration. Thanks for highlighting them!
Posted by: Gina M | 03/13/2012 at 05:51 PM
I love the idea of then and now layouts. I am really hope for a then and now layout soon of my weight loss. Its a good goal to work towards.
Posted by: Meredith Kneece | 03/13/2012 at 06:13 PM
Great ideas for bringing together my older and newer photos...love the theme Then & Now.....thank you everyone.
Posted by: Debs | 03/13/2012 at 06:17 PM
I love then and now pages! They are so fun. :)
Posted by: Cassie P. | 03/13/2012 at 07:11 PM
Wow....some great ideas here! thanks!
Posted by: Ellen | 03/13/2012 at 07:30 PM
I love the Then and Now layouts!! Love this blog!
Posted by: Lisa C. | 03/13/2012 at 07:40 PM
Then and now is a great idea! I just did a layout with photos of my son when he was three, and now he is 42 so I will definitely have to do a then and now ofr him! Love the blog! joyebr
Posted by: Joye Brown | 03/13/2012 at 07:54 PM
Love the then & now theme! It makes me want to sort through my own baby pictures and do one of these!
Posted by: Ari Choquette | 03/13/2012 at 09:09 PM
This is a fabulous idea.
Posted by: Christy | 03/13/2012 at 09:41 PM
These are beautiful layouts!! Thanks for the chance to win.
Posted by: Shari P | 03/13/2012 at 10:52 PM
Beautiful pages, great inspiration!
Posted by: Andrea | 03/13/2012 at 11:14 PM
LOVE the BEAUTIFUL PAGES!! I LOVE seeing all of the fun details and ideas!! THANKS for sharing and have a FABULOUS WEEK!! =)
Posted by: Larissa Heskett =) | 03/14/2012 at 12:33 AM
Beautiful then and now layouts, inspiring me to do my own! :)
- StoryAngel
Posted by: Caroline | 03/14/2012 at 07:30 AM
hmmm.....I've never done a then and now page....I might have to try! Thanks for the inspiration, and the chance to win!
Posted by: Katie Gelbaugh | 03/14/2012 at 08:40 AM
Love this idea....I was actually just contemplating something similar while looking through some of my photos from growing up....and pairing them with someone of my girls' photos.
Posted by: Miriam Prantner | 03/14/2012 at 10:21 AM
Great layouts!! Now I want to do a Now & Then layout...
Posted by: Pamela Willams | 03/14/2012 at 11:14 AM
Great theme and one that I fail to do enough. I rarely scrap with photos of myself but this would be a great idea I could incorporate for my next foray into self documenting!
Posted by: Alexandra | 03/14/2012 at 11:15 AM
LOVE the idea of using a large clear ampersand as a clock!!! Brilliant!
Posted by: Sonia | 03/14/2012 at 11:17 AM
I love the detail with the little buttons and stiching. Very nice and the color is perfect.
Thanks for the opportunity to win a gift certificate!
Posted by: Heidi | 03/14/2012 at 11:18 AM
Love the new blog and all the gorgeous layouts posted!
Posted by: rebecca keppel | 03/14/2012 at 11:22 AM
Love, love, love the theme, great inspiration.
~Jill
Posted by: Jill in Frisco | 03/14/2012 at 11:26 AM
Great theme. Love the last photo.
Posted by: zgagi | 03/14/2012 at 11:27 AM
Then and now LOs are the bomb. As a chronological scrapper I don't do them enough, thanks for the prompt.
Posted by: CJ Johnson | 03/14/2012 at 12:05 PM
What a great idea. I especially love the wooden buttons and the contrasting photos.
Posted by: Patti Robb | 03/14/2012 at 12:08 PM
Just found you! I'm enjoying all the great info, inspiration, and products! :)
Posted by: Cheryl | 03/14/2012 at 12:10 PM
I love the now and then layouts and I have created a few of my own for my children. However, I really like the idea of taking a new photo with the kids holding the old photo.
Posted by: Rebecca | 03/14/2012 at 12:17 PM
Awesome pages.
Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Lindsey | 03/14/2012 at 01:01 PM
Gorgeous layouts!! I can always count on 2Peas for inspiration!
Posted by: Margie Visnick | 03/14/2012 at 01:07 PM
Fab and creative pages, thanks for sharing us!!
Posted by: Mabel M | 03/14/2012 at 03:23 PM
All of these pages are great!! I love this theme and can think of a few photos I've got that could easily fall into it.
Posted by: Machelle Nelson | 03/14/2012 at 03:35 PM
Beautiful layouts everyone!
Posted by: Jaci S | 03/14/2012 at 03:49 PM
I love the idea of the older children holding the photo of their younger selves. Cool.
Posted by: KellyO | 03/14/2012 at 04:24 PM
Loving some of these layouts....I did a then and now layout about my family....I love this theme idea...you can have a lot of fun with it!
Posted by: Shilo Miles | 03/14/2012 at 04:56 PM
cool topic of then and now, or yesterday and today. comparing the old and new... it's not something I would have thought to do, so caught up with documenting the everyday!
Posted by: linda | 03/14/2012 at 04:56 PM
Love the then and now themed layouts. Its fun to see how much has changed over time.
Posted by: ShawnaW | 03/14/2012 at 05:15 PM
Beautiful pages! I've never done this theme before - adding it to my 'to do' list!
Posted by: jennifer | 03/14/2012 at 06:20 PM
Wow! Not only gorgeous layouts but great article and thoughtful ideas for journalling. Keep up the great content!
Posted by: Gina Ames | 03/14/2012 at 06:40 PM
Great concepts and product use. LOVE THE NEW BLOG!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Nikki M | 03/14/2012 at 06:49 PM
i did enjoy the post, and am enjoying the new blog so far!
Posted by: tammy b | 03/14/2012 at 07:38 PM
I love this theme! It is perfect for old photos that I never scrapped! Thank you for putting these ideas in the blog!
Posted by: kristi | 03/14/2012 at 07:42 PM
what awesome ideas!
Posted by: Mandy Szeto | 03/14/2012 at 07:44 PM
Love the new blog! Thanks for the great inspiration and chance to win :)
Posted by: Melissa S | 03/14/2012 at 08:17 PM
Such inspiring work! I love "Then and Now" layouts. The theme can be used for so many different things. Thanks for the chance to win! My 2peas name is ChristinaCollins.
Posted by: Christina Collins | 03/14/2012 at 08:25 PM
The layouts are amazing. I love the inspiration I always get when I come to Two Peas.
Posted by: Sherry Eckblad | 03/14/2012 at 08:51 PM
I love Now and Then Layouts. I did a layout with a photo of my husband holding our daughter in front of our Christmas tree and another photo taken twenty years later of him holding our first granddaughter in front of our tree. One of my favorite layouts.
two peas name Miss Kathy
Posted by: Kathy R | 03/14/2012 at 08:55 PM
Love all the variations of Then & Now layouts! I've done ones of my daughter & I at the same age(s)- since she could be my twin! CyndeeBK
Posted by: Cyndee K. | 03/14/2012 at 09:12 PM
Wonderful ideas as always!!
Posted by: Kelly | 03/14/2012 at 09:25 PM
wow, $10.00 that would be great.
jppudge is my user name.
Posted by: Penny Pudge | 03/14/2012 at 09:38 PM
Nice layouts!! Thanks for sharing them with us :)
My 2peasname is bckwml.
Posted by: katkat | 03/14/2012 at 09:38 PM
How fun! I love the layouts! (and thanks Wilna for the heads up on this new blog)
My 2 peas name is *pink*
Posted by: ruth tacoma | 03/14/2012 at 09:48 PM
comparing two periods of time is a great idea! lovely pages everyone. my 2peas username is juliehearn
Posted by: Julie H | 03/14/2012 at 09:52 PM
Wow I am SO inspired to try this out! This idea has officially been added to my to-do list.
Posted by: Beatrice | 03/14/2012 at 09:55 PM
i can't wait until my niece grows older so i can do then and now layouts of her. :)
Posted by: elly | 03/14/2012 at 10:13 PM
Love all of the layouts!! The Garden Girls are so inspiring... I just wish I had time to scrap! I bookmarked these for future reference, though :)
Posted by: Monica Blain | 03/14/2012 at 10:32 PM
I love making Then & Now pages. They tell such a great story! Thanks for sharing all of these....I love the idea of taking a current picture, while holding one from the past.
Posted by: Sara B. | 03/14/2012 at 10:44 PM
I love Then & Now pages. There are such a variety of ways you can use the theme.
Posted by: Hollybeth | 03/14/2012 at 11:07 PM
Sweet layouts - thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Kirsten J | 03/14/2012 at 11:44 PM
Yay another blog to follow!!!! I'm kinda new to scrapbookng but I love all the helpful videos y'all post! Thanks!
Username: chelseaaa46
Posted by: Chelsea | 03/15/2012 at 12:37 AM
:ove the then & now layouts!
Posted by: Pam | 03/15/2012 at 12:47 AM
Love the Garden Girls...all fabulous, talented designers. I get so much inspiration from them-keep up the good work! username: crazy48fan
Posted by: Cheryl S. | 03/15/2012 at 12:50 AM
I will now be searching through old photos to see which ones we can recreate. Thanks for the idea!
Posted by: Angel Koch | 03/15/2012 at 02:58 AM
Great projects!!! Thanks for the chace to win this giveaway!!
Posted by: Sabina | 03/15/2012 at 03:23 AM
love love love
Posted by: KristineS | 03/15/2012 at 05:13 AM
Great layouts! Thanks for the inspiration!!
Posted by: Monique Liedtke | 03/15/2012 at 05:22 AM
Getting lots of inspiration from those layouts and ideas!
Posted by: SusanB | 03/15/2012 at 05:52 AM
OMG!!! Love those layouts!!! Just what I needed to start the creative juices going!!! Thanks for sharing and keep them coming!!!
anelsie
Posted by: Anelsie Ramos | 03/15/2012 at 06:36 AM
I love all these LOs. Beautiful!
Posted by: Kathy Wade | 03/15/2012 at 08:37 AM
Just found the new blog... off to explore!
Posted by: Jennifer C | 03/15/2012 at 10:48 AM
Love the then and now pages...I need to do more of those!
Posted by: Mel H | 03/15/2012 at 11:08 AM
Just amazing!!
Posted by: April W | 03/15/2012 at 11:36 AM
I absolutely love that picture at the end of the post...what an amazing idea!
Posted by: Jacqueline R | 03/15/2012 at 11:51 AM
love this new blog! scrappinwhenican
Posted by: lararead | 03/15/2012 at 12:08 PM
Love then and now layouts! Such a great variety, too. tfs.
Posted by: glee | 03/15/2012 at 01:30 PM
WOW! I love this theme! Such great pages ladies - you all rocked this! I am IN LOVE with Sheri Mae's page - what a FANTASTIC idea! So cute! Can't wait to be a part of your new blog :-) x
Posted by: Kerys | 03/15/2012 at 01:36 PM
Then & Now pages are what scrap booking is all about, to me anyway...;)
Thanks for the chance to win!
Posted by: Jenni Calma | 03/15/2012 at 01:40 PM
Love these layouts!
Posted by: diana thompson | 03/15/2012 at 02:01 PM
Great layouts, and I love the idea for the then and now pics of the kids.
Posted by: Amy Coose | 03/15/2012 at 02:04 PM
I like this idea because I come across old photos of me and my SO! Would be fun to see how we've changed!
Posted by: pegg | 03/15/2012 at 02:46 PM
How cute is that 9In and 9 Out project???
Posted by: Vicki J | 03/15/2012 at 03:12 PM
AWESOME layouts. I love those type of comparison layouts. Great job ladies.
Warm smiles
Janet
cherrypicker
Posted by: Janet | 03/15/2012 at 03:13 PM
Cool fun layouts! Thanks for the new blog!
Posted by: Mindy Stell | 03/15/2012 at 03:37 PM
Love the layouts! thanks for bringing inspiration every day! crazeedi73
Posted by: Diane Standish | 03/15/2012 at 03:42 PM