Scrapbooks, as we know them today, started many centuries ago, in the form
of Common place books, friendship albums, photo albums,
journals, diaries,
scrapbooks, and now web home pages. Today, you can find a scrapbook club
in almost any town that you go to. People
love to get together with their friends
to scrapbook. Everyone has a different motivation for doing a scrapbook. I’ve even seen families
do a Family Recipe Scrapbook.
Why? Why do so many people around the world love to scrapbook? I’m sure that there are literally hundreds
of reasons….but here are some of the more popular ones.
1.) To Protect your Photos: If you are careful and store your photos in archival-safe
albums your family, friends and future generations can enjoy them 30 or even 60 years down the road. Isn't this reason enough
for launching your family history preservation mission?
2.) Showcase and Record Memories: Your children and future generations will
appreciate the time you have taken to record the memories you have shared together. Make a Journal or simple caption next to the photo.
Scrapbooking doesn't have to be expensive either. The important thing is to get your photos out of the box and into books where people
can see them and enjoy them. You'll go through so many things in your life, and if you missed out recording these precious memories,
"once it's gone, it's gone".
3.) Organize your photos and mementoes: Disciplined scrapbookers have their personal memories, mementoes,
and photos organized in a way that will preserve their quality. Imagine how just a bit of water could damage your precious memories
beyond repair. Storing your photos in acidic envelopes or boxes can damage their quality, as well. The safest place for these precious
items is in an acid-free box or scrapbook. The more organized you are the more that you can accomplish. If your stickers, stamps andembellishments are organized, You can easily sneak in a page with a unique layout at one sitting, while your child is napping or away
at school. Imagine the smug satisfaction you feel when you see a completed page. This is empowering and makes you believe that if
you can do this, you are capable of doing more.
4. Record the "firsts” and Preserve the “Can’t throw it away” items. If you have a
baby or small child, you know how quickly the time speeds by. And you know the importance of recording your child's first laugh, first
tooth, and beyond that, to the first date, the first car, and on it goes. You can also preserve the sentimental value of those can't-bear-to-throw-away
concert tickets, handmade cards, menus, buttons, etc into the scrapbook.
5.) Socialize: Scrapbooking keeps you connected to
people, events, places and experiences that thread together the ups and downs of your life. Expand your social circle by joining a
club near you, and making new friends. Besides having fun, you'll be learning new tips and techniques from these scrapbooking enthusiasts!
Scrapbooking
is a way that you can express you creativity and have fun with all the Stamps, Stickers and Embellishments. But how hard can it be
with scrapbooking? By mimicking or in scrapbooking term "scraplifting" some layouts that you've seen somewhere, and then adding in
your own cutting, pasting, and writing, you’re done! Within minutes, you now hold in your hands a unique piece of your own artwork.