What is Scrapbooking?
Scrapbooking in its earliest form was a way to blend ephemera, memorabilia collections and journaling. People have been scrapbooking since printed material became available to the average person.
As of August, 2006, the commercial scrapbooking industry celebrated 25 years of existence, as started by Marielen (pronounced "Mary Ellen") W. Christensen of Keeping Memories Alive, the world's first scrapbooking store (which then had a different name), headquartered in Spanish Fork, Utah, USA, in 1981.
In the United States, Scrapbooking as a hobby has taken off in recent years, possibly in part because of its first commercial website. Another reason may be the strong social network that scrapbooking can provide. It is now a multi-billion-dollar industry with a large number of companies creating scrapbooking products. Across the world, "scrappers" or "scrapbookers" get together and scrapbook at each other's homes, local scrapbook stores, scrapbooking conventions, retreat centers, and even on cruises. Scrappers share tips and ideas as well as enjoying a social outlet. The term "crop," a reference to cropping, or trimming, printed photographs, was coined to describe these events. This hobby has in the US surpassed golf in popularity: one in four households has someone playing golf; one in three has someone involved in scrapbooking.
Scrapbooking is not only a hobby to create a place for one's keepsakes, but also has become a popular way to make gifts for weddings and other special occasions. Many people opt to make their own gifts of scrapbook art, while others hire a Professional Scrapbooker. There is plenty of online help for those who wish to go it on their own, while those with less time need simply do a google search for scrapbookers in your area.
Scrapbooking materials
The most important scrapbooking supply is the album itself, which can be permanently bound, or allow for insertion of pages. There are other formats, such as mini albums and accordion-style fold-out albums. Some of these are adhered to various containers, such as matchbooks, CD cases, or other small holders.
Modern scrapbooking is done largely on 12"×12" or 8½×11" pages. More recently smaller albums have become very popular. The most common new formats are 6"×6", 7" x 7", or 8"×8".
Basic materials include background papers, photo corner mounts (however, there are many more choices than just photo corner mounts - zots, sticky dots, glue sticks that are acid-free, etc...), scissors, art pens, and mounting glues (like thermo-tac). More elaborate designs require more specialized tools such as die cut templates, rubber stamps, craft punches,stencils, inking tools, eyelet setters, heat embossing tools and personal die cut machines.
Various accessories, referred to as "embellishments," are used to decorate scrapbook pages. Embellishments include stickers, rub-ons, stamps, eyelets, brads, chipboard elements in various shapes, alphabet letters and ribbon. The use of die cut machines is also increasingly popular; in recent years an electronic die-cutting machine, similar to a printer, can be connected to one's computer to cut any shape or font.
One of the key components of modern scrapbooking is the archival quality of the supplies. Designed to preserve photographs and journaling in their original state, materials encouraged by most serious scrapbookers are of a higher quality than those of many typical photo albums commercially available. The majority of Scrappers insist on acid-free, lignin-free papers, stamp ink, and embossing powder, and pigment based inks, which are fade resistant, colorfast, and often waterproof. Older "magnetic" albums were not acid-free and thus caused damage to the photos and memorabilia included in them.
In addition to the collection of photographs, tickets, postcards, and other memorabilia, journaling is an essential element in modern scrapbooks. More than just dating photographs, contemporary journaling is often reflective and story-like, or can take on a more reportive tone. Whatever the style of journaling that the scrapbooker chooses to implement, journaling is considered a priority in the completion of a scrapbook layout, second only to the photographs themselves. The importance of journaling lies in the fact that they provide an accounting of family histories that may otherwise not be preserved.
Journaling
Journaling is the term that refers to the writing that describes, explains, or accents the photographs on a scrapbook page. Many consider journaling one of the most important elements of any scrapbook. There exists a love/hate relationship between scrappers and journaling, although capturing cherished memories is the desire many have difficulty expressing themselves or simply hate their handwriting. Journaling is a personal choice and it can describe the event, the photographs, or relate feelings and emotions. Additional ideas for journaling include song lyrics, quotes, poems. Handwritten journaling is considered best by some scrapbookers, but in this digital age, many people journal on the computer and print it onto a variety of surfaces including vellum, tape, ribbon, and paper.
How to scrapbook
There are no hard and fast rules to scrapbooking as it is considered an art form. Typically, the more creative and resourceful the person, the better the page. Some prefer pages where the photograph is the central element and embellishments are minimally applied, others include a variety of embellishments to add to the design. This is a personal choice, each can be effective and create stunning designs. Embellishments may include small, two-dimensional items such as ticket stubs from the theater, love notes from a special someone, or newspaper clippings. Items such as brads or eyelets can be used instead of tape or glue to adhere pictures or papers or be used decoratively. Additional elements may include stickers, quilling, decorated die cuts and flowers (punched, dried, and artificial).
Generally, the focus of the page is the photograph or photographs. It is best to stick with one to three good photos when starting out. The page is then decorated and embellished with items only limited by the creator's imagination.
Some of the basic scrapbooking tools include:
* Acid-free scrapbook albums
* Acid-free and lignin-free papers
* Acid-free tape
* Acid-free glue
* Archival marker or pen
* Scissors, or some cutting instrument
* Photographs
With the popularity of scrapbooking growing daily, there are more and more resources available to the amateur and professional scrapbooker alike. Digital scrapbooking is in its infancy, but shows great promise as the medium of the future for scrapbooking enthusiasts. Scrapbooking can be very easy for anyone who wants to give it a try. Acid-free and lignin-free products are encouraged to prevent the pictures from turning brown.
{Source: Wikepedia}