The Art of Scrapbooking

The Art Of Scrapbooking 

photographs glued to pretty paper, requiring little skill, many scrapbookers draw on fairly advanced techniques and pull in techniques from other arts. Scrapbookers paint, assemble their own embellishments, draw, doodle, sew, create items out of clay, attach eyelets (or grommets), staple, sand, emboss, and more in their scrapbooks. Because scrapbooking draws on such a diverse set of skills, many scrapbookers quickly learn to shop outside of the scrapbooking section of a store, too. Respondents use not just the scrapbook store, but also the hardware store for sources of supplies.

Scrapbookers may be artists in that they draw on skills other artists use and produce scrapbook pages worthy of being displayed outside of a scrapbook. Scrapbooking may be an art, but scrapbookers are not going to starve for their art. Industry workers note that the economic turmoil beginning in 2008 impacted their business. One industry worker states:

scrapbooking comes under crafting and that’s something that people spend their discretionary dollars on. It’s not a necessity. So people have to cut somewhere and they’ve found that a lot of them are cutting on their craft budget that becomes a little more difficult for us.

Shortly after this interview, this store owner closed the doors to her business. Even though scrapbooking is very important to people, it is still just a hobby and as a hobby, it is an extra.    

Industry workers are much more likely than scrapbookers to discuss scrapbooking in terms of art. Scrapbookers, however, do not seem to see scrapbooking as always being art. For example, respondents point out how some of the stuff in the magazines is “really artsy” in comparison to what they do or that they are also artists in addition to scrapbookers, suggesting scrapbooking is not art. Another respondent describes scrapbooking as “an artistic way of displaying your photos,” while others talk about how some of their pages were more artistic than other pages because of the techniques used.

Scrapbooking as art is most clearly articulated when respondents describe what good and not-so-good scrapbooks looked like. Nearly all respondents have difficulty describing a not-so-good scrapbook because they say it is so subjective. Most refer to their early scrapbooks as examples of not-so-good scrapbooks instead of comparing their work to the work of others.

why should you scrapbook ?

Why Should I Scrapbook ?

Why should you scrapbook?

Okay, so scrapbooking is a hugely popular hobby these days. Everyone seems to know someone who does it. And that someone probably has a LOT of "stuff",spends a lot of time on it and seems very creative and talented (which can be somewhat intimidating if you believe you are not that talented or creative). Which then leaves you wondering if this is something you should try, or just leave well enough alone. I believe the answer is YES! Give it a try. Jump right in. Scrapbooking is a worthy hobby and their are many reasons why it is close to my heart.

 Scrapbooking seems to be an overwhelming and difficult hobby, but the truth is that it can be as simple as you make it. You will find instant gratification at the completion of your first page and be inspired to make more. Unlike other hobbies that can take months to complete a project (cross-stitching for example), scrapbooking can bring results in as little as 20 minutes. Even a skeptic should give this hobby a shot, let me tell you why.

                                                                   Why I scrapbook

It's my story, and it's always changing.

So you are considering trying your hand at scrapbooking but aren't sure yet. Perhaps it seems overwhelming. Maybe you think you aren't creative enough.... or maybe it seems to be too expensive or too time consuming. And yet, something continues to draw you to it. That something is your story. Everyone has one, but who is telling it? Scrapbooking is a very beautiful and fun way to tell your story. It is a way to get your life down on paper in pictures and words. If you aren't telling your story, who is?

Your life is a story, and you are the storyteller.

Life changes....constantly.

I wanted to share some very special pictures with you to try and give you a clear idea of why I scrapbook. The picture above is my mom and I and is the front page of a memorial album I recently made about her. She passed away suddenly, and unexpectedly in September of 2008 at the age of 57. That picture was taken in July of 2008, the final time I saw her alive. What a blessing it was to have had that time with her, to have taken all the photo's I did, and now to be able to complete a memory book of her, for my children.

You see, I have 4 boys, the youngest being only 20 months old. I want him to know his grandma, to remember her, through the stories I share. Her story, her memory is kept alive, through my and my efforts in scrapbooking. That is the purpose of scrapbooking....capturing your life's history, life's story, life's memories, to share with others. Again I ask, if you aren't scrapbooking your story, who is going to remember it?

Life changes quickly, and memories fade.

Remember all the little things that make life beautiful

We've all heard it said "Life goes by so fast," or "Where did the time go?" or even "Enjoy your children, they grow up so fast." And the thing is, all of these phrases are true. Life does speed by us. Things change quickly, and memories fade. But you can keep your memories alive in a scrapbook. No matter how simple or how elaborate you make your photo books, the main thing is that your memories are right there for easy recall.

10 Reasons why you should scrapbook

10 Reasons why you should scrapbook 

The number one reason to scrap your pictures is.....*drumroll* to preserve them! Yes, by using acid-free materials including page protectors and the proper glue you can preserve your cherished memories for generations to come.

Second, if your heritage is important to you, you will want to naturally preserve your photos for this reason.

Your children and grandchildren will appreciate being able to look back at where they and their ancestors came from! This is the third reason you should scrap.

It's a hobby! Scrapbooking has become one of the hottest arts and crafts hobbies in America. You can combine so many different elements in your layouts. You can use paint, metal, plastic, buttons, beads, ribbon, cloth, wire and sooooo much more!

The fifth reason to scrap is....it's FUN! You can get together with your girlfriends and have a scrap party or a crop. Lots of pizza, gabbing and, of course, scrapping!

Use scrapping as a vent for healing. Sometimes scrapping difficult memories can let you cope with the situation a little easier. I've scrapped a painful miscarriage, looked at the photos, cried, relived the memories, but when I was finished I felt much better. Sometimes people need this type of healing. It's kind of like chicken soup for the soul.

Seventh....You can be as creative as you want to be. Being creative can give you a sense of pride and healthy self-esteem, especially when others comment on how beautiful your work is!

You can finally get rid of all of those shoe boxes in your closets or under your bed and get organized! Getting organized helps me to stay focused and on task, especially with my two youngin's running around!

How about a ninth reason? Brush up on your photography skills! Learn new ways of taking great and memorable pictures that will capture the moment and tell the story.

The final reason for scrapping.....they make fantastic personal gifts! It does not have to be a huge 30 page album. A mini-album will do the trick and the person who gets it will appreciate how much thought and creativity you have put into their wonderful gift!

So, now you have at least ten reasons to scrapbook, so get out those photos and go for it! Most importantly, have fun with it