While many think it's a new obsession, in reality it is the traditional form of preserving
family memories -- newspaper clippings, photos, mementos and family history.
The difference today is that the
market for scrapbooking encourages each individual to be creative in the themes and
layouts they use.
Gone are the large black or white pages; now colored and textured papers can be chosen to
enhance the photos and lovely themed stickers and other creative ideas are woven in to
create a truly 'one-of-a-kind' memory album.
So, where should you start?
There is no limit to the types of themes you use in your
scrapbooking. Whether you choose to highlight a specific event or you are composing a
large, family album, the choice is up to you.
Family
Album Themes
For
personal use you may choose to create a family album. Each occasion can be given a theme;
seasons, holidays, family reunions, sporting events, etc.
If a family album is too big to tackle, consider creating a
scrapbook for each child. A babies 'firsts' including their first lost tooth, a lock of
hair, baby booties, even a newborn diaper are excellent additions to a baby scrapbook.
Awards, Graduations, Certificates and other documents can be added or inserted into
protective covers as a means of showcasing and storing important information for your
child. Include photos of your child with school friends or sports clubs - even try
obtaining signatures from them for posterity.
Individual Album Themes
Some scrapbookers like to create small albums as gifts or as an
alternative to a family style album. Ideas like a babies birth, graduation, marriage or
other momentous occasion can be selected to give the new parents (or grandparents), new
graduate or new couple a unique and lifelong gift.
You can easily make a small gift with a 'brag book' accordion
style book. Find or purchase coordinating stickers, stamps or found items to make the
album's theme more tangible. For a wedding scrapbook include items like a wedding
invitation or newspaper announcement which will be cherished mementos. Paper doilies, gift
wrapping paper, lace and pressed flowers can be used to embellish the layout along with
store bought stickers or other additions.
Selecting Themes from Memories
Scrapbooking is more than a hobby, it is a way to preserve
precious memories. Your photo album documents but does not provide sentiment. Scrapbooks
provide you the medium to impart feelings, be it with quotes, items or simply your
creative layouts.
Your
scrapbook will preserve those feelings in a way that can be stored and shared with friends
and family, now and in the future.
You do not have to choose themes just because they are common or
can be purchased in a pre-packaged format. Choose the memories you feel are worth the
extra effort to preserve in a scrapbook, and then determine what the theme should be.
