Let’s scrapbook! It’s National Scrapbook Month! It is time to gather up your supplies or acquire new ones and get creative with your memories. Here are 10 great reasons to get out those pictures this month and get scrapbooking!
One – With time memories fade. Pictures are a way to remember those precious moments in time. Let’s face it, many times we forget where pictures were taken or who they are of. Was that cousin Maude or Jane? Scrapbooking gives us the memories in pictures and in journaling. Years from now you and those you love will see the picture, read the words and experience the memory all over again without having to wonder.
Two – Preserving Family History. There are events in our history we want to preserve forever. Weddings and births, graduations and baptisms, family reunions and anniversaries, these are all things we want to preserve along with the little everyday events that happen. We all have those boxes of photos stashed away, each photos and memory fading more with each passing year. Scrapbooking helps us make a record of and save all the important events in ours and our family’s lives. We create scrapbooks which will be passed down from generation to generation.
Three – Sharing Stories and Thoughts. Scrapbooking brings out our journalist sides. It helps us to tell stories. We can share stories of an event in pictures alone or with our written words. We can share how we felt at that very moment. Looking at a picture is only part of the story. Hearing the emotions and thoughts behind the events adds depth.
Four - Creative Outlet. Creating scrapbook pages is creating art. We like to be able to express ourselves in various ways. You can give two people the same pictures and supplies and you will end up with two different pages. Scrapbooking is a creative outlet. It helps the person express themselves and their individuality.
Five – Social Interaction. There is nothing like sitting around with friends and sharing a good cup of coffee or tea and chatting about memories or ideas. Take it just a step further and you have a group of friends sitting around with pictures and scrapbook supplies, sharing memories and ideas for preserving the moment and building new memories. You can even join a scrapbook club and make new friends with similar interests. Scrapbooking is about social interaction and sharing. Even after your scrapbook is complete you share it with others.
Six – Stress Relief. Many of us are stressed. Day to day life can leave us stressed and anxious. We all need to find outlets for stress. Scrapbooking can be a stress relief in many different ways. Scrapbooking helps us look back at happy times with friends and family. Creating art is a very good method of stress relief. Knowing our memories are now organized for future generations gives us joy and peace of mind. They are no longer stuffed in a photo box hidden out of sight, but graciously displayed giving us a sense of accomplishment.
Seven – Great Gifts. It is often said the best gifts are handmade. What better handmade gift than one with a memory of a wonderful moment attached? Scrapbooking talents can transform precious memories and ho-hum pictures into beautiful displays of artwork. Scrapbook gifts are truly gifts from the heart which become keepsakes of future generations.
Eight – Connecting. Like they say, no one is an island. Scrapbooking gives us the connection to family and friends. Sometimes, all our children have are pictures of relatives. Help your children connect with long-distance relations. Make a family scrapbook and have everyone contribute photos and memories. Bringing out your scrapbook and sharing it with others makes the connection even sweeter. It’s a wonderful tradition.
Nine – Challenging. Scrapbooking is an ever evolving art form. As you learn new methods and skills you will see yourself grow as a scrapbook artist. You can take my classes or join in on crops.
Ten – Organization. Many of us long to be more organized. Organizing our photos and memories can be part of organization. We all have those boxes of photos stashed away-somewhere. Do you even know where they are? Scrapbooking can help you organize those boxes. Scrapbooking will help you create an organization method of collecting and presenting all your precious memories.
Scrapbooking is a craft form which has really come into its own in the past decade. We now have great supplies which will help us preserve our family photos and memories. Gone are the days of yellowed pages and sticky albums. We now offer our Stampin’ Memories’ products that help you create quick and easy pages which are appealing and safely preserve your photos.
These are only 10 reasons you may want to scrapbook. Take a look at your photos. With each memory you will find more reasons to scrapbook, sons, daughters, moms, dads, sisters and brothers, the list of reasons go on.
The biggest thing I enjoy about my new Kindle is I can read from anywhere. I like to snuggle up in a corner by the fire or outside on the patio. I can read without my arms getting tired or my eyes straining. I can hold the Kindle in my left hand or my right hand. It’s just perfect in any body position, sitting up, laying down. Now to get my college books published in the new Kindle format.
When you feel inspired, you feel better about yourself in general. Self esteem is something difficult to come by in these times. Starting a creative habit, such as stamping or scrapbooking, in your home or with friends, will help your develop positive self esteem and self image in various ways. The first time I created a handmade card and gave it to my friend, she just thought I was the most creative person in the world. I still remember the big smile on her face and the affectionate hug. That’s how I got started in sharing what I know and love about rubber stamping.
Images (C) 1990-2008 Stampin' Up!(R)
