Today's the day that Colour Chronicles turns eight.
Eight years.
When I write that down, it feels both impossible and completely believable at the same time.
Because in some ways it feels like yesterday that I was sitting at my kitchen table with an idea for a book I wished existed.
And in other ways, Colour Chronicles has become such a huge part of my life that it's difficult to remember a time before it.
It Started With My Daughter
Like many good ideas, Colour Chronicles began with a problem.
My daughter was three years old and bursting with personality.
She was chatty, funny, curious and completely herself.
Every day she seemed to say something that made me laugh, stop and think, or desperately wish I could bottle that moment forever.
I remember being convinced I would never forget any of it.
After all, how could I?
These moments felt so important.
So unforgettable.
But as the months passed, I realised something.
I was already forgetting.
Not the big milestones.
The little things.
The funny phrases.
The favourite things.
The tiny details that make up the fabric of childhood.
And those were exactly the memories I wanted to hold onto.
Creating The Book I Couldn't Find
When I went looking for a childhood journal, I couldn't find quite what I wanted.
I didn't want a book that focused only on milestones.
I wanted something that captured personality.
A book that recorded not just what a child did, but who they were.
A place to write down favourite things, funny sayings, dreams, quirks and memories.
A book that included the child's own voice as they grew.
And so, The Book of You was born.
Eight Years Later
What began as one book has grown into a collection of journals designed to celebrate childhood, family and connection.
Over the past eight years, Colour Chronicles has grown from an idea into a small independent publishing business trusted by thousands of families.
We've introduced:
- The Book of You
- The Baby Book of You
- The Book of Me & You
- Beautiful gift sets and keepsake boxes
- Six colourful cloth-bound editions loved by families across the UK and beyond
But whilst the products have evolved, the mission has stayed exactly the same.
To help families capture the stories that matter.
The Greatest Privilege
One of the most rewarding parts of running Colour Chronicles has been hearing from families.
Parents sharing completed pages.
Grandparents gifting books to new babies.
Children answering questions in ways that make everyone laugh.
Families creating traditions around filling in their books each year.
There are so many memory books in homes across the country holding stories that would otherwise have been forgotten.
And that feels incredibly special.
Because whilst I created the books, it's the families who bring them to life.
A Thank You
Running a small business isn't always easy.
There have been challenges, mistakes, lessons learned and more than a few late nights.
But there have also been moments that I never could have imagined when I first started.
Every order.
Every review.
Every kind message.
Every recommendation to a friend.
Every family who chooses one of our books.
They all matter.
So as Colour Chronicles celebrates its eighth birthday, I want to say thank you.
Thank you for supporting a small independent publisher.
Thank you for choosing meaningful gifts.
Thank you for valuing memories, stories and childhood.
And thank you for allowing Colour Chronicles to play a small part in preserving the moments that matter most.
Here's to the Next Chapter
Eight years ago, I simply wanted a way to remember the little things.
Today, that mission feels more important than ever.
Because childhood still moves too quickly.
The little details still fade.
And the story of childhood is still one of the most precious things we have.
Here's to eight years of Colour Chronicles.
And here's to many more stories yet to be written.
With love,
Ruth Sturdy
Founder, Colour Chronicles
Little people. Big personalities. Beautiful stories.