Introducing The Keepsake Collection
My husband has been lugging a huge bin around for his entire adult life.
Scratch that. When we first met, he had TWO huge bins filled with memorabilia from childhood. His mother saved everything: his 2nd-grade report card and his half-filled baby book, every team picture, a comic book or two, his childhood art - from preschool all the way to high school. Every award he was ever given. Every ribbon he ever won, even if it was 8th place. God bless him. God bless her.
But the bins were heavy and stuffed and rarely opened.
When we first moved in together, he decluttered as only a newly-in-love man would. I think we’d all agree, there is no greater way to show me love.
But his CD collection and his memory bins were off-limits.
A few years into things, on the precipice of yet another move, he agreed to look through the bins. And by God, he decluttered his memories into one singular bin. It was a big deal, you guys. I was astounded. It was a feat.
So imagine my surprise when he emerged from the basement last spring and said that, if I wanted to photograph his memorabilia, he would recycle and/ or toss it the rest of it.
It was like he knew I created albums, turning clunky memorabilia, crumbly kid art, and chaotic collections of photos into stylish albums. It was like he was paying attention, and - way for it - thought I was on to something. That perhaps highlighting memories in sleek, simple albums strategically displayed on shelves, easily accessible to flip to when ‘ere you want, was worth it. That maybe these albums made more sense than those massive bins that were never thought of and rarely even opened.
It took several rounds of sorting. First, he decluttered all the junk. Then, I went about photographing all the items, not to mention, all his art. This guy has talent! And to see the evolution of his preschool art to the sketching he did in high school - I mean, what an arc of a story! I couldn’t make his art album fast enough.
And he is not alone in this. Lately, people have been bringing me their childhood art collections and memorabilia, not their kids’. And I love it. We are solving a percular predicament.
The predicament: many adult children are gifted bins such as these, stuffed with stuff from their childhood that they don’t value but their parent could not pitch. So they are handed it, and while they don’t value it or even want to look through it, they have a dilemma. If their parent held on to it for so long, maybe they should too. Perhaps this grown child now has children of their own, and they, like their parent, struggle to pitch their own kid’s papers.
So, the bin finds a new home, taking up space but doing no one no favors.
The albums are a solution. But then my friend, the artist Meghan Barich, approached me and took the solution a step further. Meghan proposed that, after I photographed the art, she then took the memorabilia collection and, using her mixed media skills, turn it into a one-of-a-kind mixed media art piece worthy of a spot on a wall (or on our mantel, as it were).
Enter The Keepsake Collection. We take your bins of childhood artwork and transform them into a beautiful mixed-media art piece and a custom memory album—both ready to bring joy, nostalgia, and energy into your home.
Our process captures the essence of each piece while reimagining it for the now—whether that’s in a one-of-a-kind art piece for your walls or a curated album to revisit again and again.
What is included
One [1] Keepsake Album:
This 8x6 album features 21-30 carefully selected pieces of childhood art. As with The Emerging Artist’s Album, Less is Maura photographs, edits, and layouts an album that tells a cohesive visual story. Add-ons are available. Customization is a strong suit!
Curation: Not sure which pieces to choose? Maura’s eye for storytelling will help curate the best of the best.
Entire Digital Collection: Want a digital copy of every piece of artwork? No problem!
Larger Album: Prefer a bolder size? Upgrade to an 11x8.5 album for a grander presentation.
More Pages: Is 21-30 pieces too limiting? Are you a maximalist memoriy maker? I SEE YOU and I got you.
One [1] Time Capsule Collage
Meghan combines painting, collage, and the energy of each artwork to create a stunning, custom piece (available in 12"x12" or 20"x20"). Choose a cherished drawing, handwritten note, and/ or color palette to bring a sense of playfulness and harmony into your living space. Customization options include a consultation to shape your unique keepsake, as well as:
Framing: Add a custom wood frame, stained or painted to suit your space.
Personalized Focal Point: Highlight a treasured sketch or signature that makes the piece distinctly yours.
The Process
As with all things at Less is Maura, we aim to keep it simple.
Fill out an Intake Form.
Meghan + Maura will reach out to sort any details before sending an Agreement to sign, including a $100 deposit.
Gather your memories and pass them off to Meghan + Maura for an artwork dropoff and consultation where you can chat with us to personalize your project.
Less is Maura will photograph and edit all pieces of art, then lay out an album. You will receive a link to the digital collection of photos, as well as a digital copy of the album for your review!
Once Maura has photographed the art, she will pass it along to Meghan, who will then get to work designing your mixed media masterpiece. You will be able to preview this piece of art and provide feedback as well!
Your artwork and album are delivered, ready to brighten your home.
Meet Meghan
By now, you probably know a bit about me, Maura. But I wanted to wrap up this blog by introducing you to my collaborator, Meghan, in her own words:
“For me, my collage art journey began in childhood when I instinctively turned to paper and pen to express my inner world. Over the years, this passion evolved through creative writing, journalism, and a lifelong journal filled with doodles, ideas, and collages. Each snippet, scribble, and scrap forms part of a larger tapestry—a full life story and the ultimate “collage.”
Today, my work blends unique found papers, from coffee sleeves and posters to maps, letters, and concert tickets, to create dynamic expressions that carry the past into the present. These mixed media pieces celebrate life’s cherished moments by layering elements that capture personal history, travel, and special occasions.
Imagine a custom collage from an epic road trip, where vintage finds, street posters, and snapshots tell a vibrant story—or a wedding shower collage that captures memories wrapped in ribbons and colorful paper, now preserved in art rather than landfills.
For me, collage is about embracing life’s diversity and celebrating its unity, inviting each piece into a meaningful composition that connects us with memories and with ourselves.”
Isn’t she a delight? I love her intentionality, I love collaborating with her, and I’m so excited to share The Keepsake Collection with you.
