Scrapbooking: Is It For Me?

Your best friend and neighbor are now using vocabulary that you don't understand - scrapping, crops, layout. You may be wondering what strange new cult they have joined but after seeing some of their photo scrapbook albums you begin to wonder if this is something you should check out.

The scrapbooking craze has been sweeping not only our nation but several countries for the last 10 years, yet some of you are still holding out. It costs too much. It takes up too much time. I'm not creative enough. However, with all the new supplies and techniques there is sure to be one that fits everyone who is willing to give it a try.

One last question you may ask is why SHOULD I do it? Why should I become a SCRAPBOOK DIVA? Well, in this article I will present some of the reasons to create your very own photo scrapbook album. Whether you choose traditional scrapbooking (handmade from paper, scrapbooking supplies and tools) or Digital Scrapbooking (layouts or layout elements generated from your computer), consider these attributes when deciding to take the plunge.

Don't you love finding old letters or journals from days gone by? Everyone wants to know about their past. Why not leave this gift to future generations -- a pictorial, narrative history of you family. Or maybe you have all of those old letters and family pictures of your ancestors - don't wait another minute to get them in a safe environment and create a family heirloom!

Children learn more when they can see an example. Pictures of you celebrating Christmas will teach them that the traditions you have today are the same ones you had as a child. This helps the child relate the concept of family and traditions.  Create one album that is just for holidays or one for each holiday and add to it every year.  Display your album during the holidays; children and guests will love looking through the scrapbook at holidays past.

Children who do not live close to other family members can keep connected with them through pictures so grandma who lives a thousand miles away is real to them, making the visits mean even more.  Children can also learn about aunts, uncles, or cousins that they do not get to see very often and will give them a sense of belonging to an extended family.

I am so thankful for all of the scrapbooks I have depicting my daughters at each phase of their life. It means even more to me now that my oldest daughter passed away after a car accident three years ago. It's still bittersweet to look at the albums but I am so happy that all of those memories are preserved and each picture sparks more memories.

You never know what tomorrow will bring, whether it's losing someone you love or someone you love losing you. What a gift!

In addition to chronicling your or your child's life, why not tell the story of your faith. Regardless of your spiritual beliefs, you can create works of art in scrapbooks that celebrate the twists and turns of your spiritual journey, the things that have made you who you are today. By sharing these stories, you can enrich the life of someone else; and isn't that what life is all about, sharing our lives with each other?  Faithbooking, as it is called, has become a favorite of many devoted scrapbookers.

It's been three years since I have lost my daughter after a car accident. One of my goals is to create a Tribute Album celebrating her life. She had an amazing, although short life (19 years) and I know that others would be blessed and encouraged by the person she was. I'm not to the point yet that I can do this emotionally, but time will enable me to.

Have you lost someone close to you? What better way to celebrate that special person's life than creating a photo scrapbook album all about them?

I hope that I have given you some ideas and insights into the world of scrapbooking.  I am very passionate about it; not only has it enriched my life by preserving my memories but the creative outlet is a very stress-relieving activity.  I hope you will give it a try!