Why do I love scrapbooking?

By:Amy M.

For someone who is completely addicted to scrapbooking like myself, I would think this is an easy question to answer, but it isn't. I love scrapbooking for so many reasons. First and foremost, it's such a creative outlet for me. I have always loved to color, cut, glue, create. I have also always loved my pictures. My DH has always wondered why I take so many pictures. Now he knows. I have rolls and rolls of developed film in my scrapbook just waiting. I have rolls and rolls of undeveloped film in my kitchen cabinet just waiting. I have memories every day just waiting.

I had always enjoyed looking at my pictures before I started scrapbooking. They were a reflection of myself and what I wanted to remember in life. But when I found scrapbooking, even in the early days of glue sticks, crayola markers, and decorative scissors, I found a way to really put my mark on them. I could add what I felt or why I loved that outfit, or why that plate of food was significant. I could write down the date, the occasion, the people present. I have 3 children ages 10, 8, and 5. A few years ago I came to the realization that I would NOT always remember things. I would think, "How will I ever forget that???" But I do. It's scary to think that a memory could be lost forever. But through my efforts they won't be. I am writing the story of my familiy's life through my eyes. And they love to read it. I often find my 10 year old DD laying in our office reading my albums. She will confront me on getting new pages done because she is ready for new material. My 8 year old DS loves to laugh at himself and his silly ways and he does that through my albums.

OK, so that's the mushy stuff. Here is the second reason I love scrabooking - the supplies available!! I have more paper, stickers, die cuts, computer software, templates, and punches than anyone should! My DH teases me that the LSS comes to me when they are out of stock! I cannot stop! If I see something new in the magazines, I am on a mission to find it! The more the better. Shopping for the new things is the best!! I love checking the internet for "what's new" because dMarie usually has it before the stores do! I just love it! If I am down or sad, I shop for scrapbooking stuff. I am insane about it! To find something that matches the exact theme I am looking for is better than a good meal at a fine restaraunt. It's better than new clothes or new shoes! If I have extra money, I want to spend it on scrapbooking. If I don't have extra money, I still want to spend it on scrapbooking! It's a disease. But it's one that is worthwhile.

I will say it again - I am writing my family's history. Maybe people will look at it when I am gone, maybe they won't. By then, it will be larger than an encyclopedia set! But, it's here for me now. It's here for my children. I would love to have the story of my childhood in writing. I don't. But my children do, and that's what it's all about!

Tomorrow at dMarie Daily: Scrapbooking...My New-found Passion, by Anne CJ