Why I love scrapbooking

By:Abby Ross

Why do you love scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking? Until last May I didn’t even know what scrapbooking was.
My older daughter was about to graduate from high school, and I thought it would be nice if I could put something together for her graduation, so she could take it to college with her.
“A scrapbook,” I thought, as I headed off to Wal-Mart to see if I could find what I called a scrapbook.
I looked in the photo and stationary aisle and couldn’t find a thing, asked, and was directed to the craft section. Huh?

I found a whole section of scrapbook things, from albums to paper to die cuts to punches, and was immediately overwhelmed. A woman was shopping in the section, and I asked, “Do you do this?”
Indeed, she did, and told me, in a few short sentences, what I needed to get started.
I went out with an album, some paper, a (too small) cutter and some acid-free glue. It all fit in a reasonably-sized bag.

That was the start of what was to become an absolutely perfect hobby for someone who loves crafts, reading, writing and photography.
Poor Sarah Kate. She never did get her college scrapbook because I was promptly and thoroughly hooked.

Oh, I did do some pages, but I couldn’t bear to give them up. They became the first entries in my first scrapbook, which has now stretched to three…one for the family, one for me and one for our theater and music events. I have no illusion that these will remain the only three.
I enjoy scrapbooking for so many reasons. It gives me the chance to revisit my children’s childhoods. It lets me use my artsy side, and gives me something to do with all those boxes of photographs I’ve taken over the years.

It has encouraged me to do something I should have done years ago: start putting my own memories together for my children and grandchildren.

It takes me no less that a day to do each page. I’m not a quick scrapbooker. But looking back over what I have done gives me such pleasure that I know I will be with this hobby for a long time.
One more thing: I have met some of the most delightful, creative people from all over the country, right here on the message boards.

Scrapbooking is truly the hobby for anyone, whether they are young or old, or whether they want to do something truly elaborate and artistic or just preserve memories in an attractive way.
And to think, I found it on a craft aisle at Wal-Mart.

Tomorrow at dMarie Daily: Why do I like dMarie.com?, by Linda D.