Scrapbooking - A Life Changing Hobby

By:Teresa N.

I remember the first time I heard the word “scrapbooking” and asked “What is that”? A good friend excitedly explained how she was organizing her photos, placing the pictures in albums with cute stickers, “diecuts” and “punches”. I thought she was speaking a foreign language! She showed me her album, which I admired with lots of “oohs” and “aahs”, and immediately added “I’m not that creative”. To every objection I gave, she eagerly gave me an answer to lure me into the world of scrapbooking and eventually I agreed to go to a “crop night” at a friend’s house.

WOW! I was overwhelmed and spent several hours just looking at all the options, perusing idea books, admiring albums and thinking this is too much work and I just can’t do it. That crop night was three years ago and since then I have had the opportunity to fall in love with scrapbooking. It is now me who can’t wait for the next crop night and who excitedly seeks new products to introduce to my friends. It was my idea to hold an all night crop at my house followed by breakfast at Dennys. My nickname has truly become the “Scrapbook Queen” within my circle of friends.

Scrapbooking provides me the chance to meet new people and to travel to places that I would not otherwise visit. Prior to scrapping, I didn’t take time for me and placed the needs of my family first. Scrapbooking has changed my life by providing “me” time and “girl time”. It is a time to laugh and cry with friends and at the same time preserve some of my family’s best memories for the future. I thank my friend for introducing me to scrapbooking and providing me with the encouragement I needed to get started.

I once read an article that compared today’s scrapbooking craze to the quilting craze of previous generations. I still cherish a quilt that my grandmother made for my father and that he gave to me prior to his death. I can only hope that in the future my children or grandchildren will cherish the many hours I spend preserving treasured photos and memories. However, they will never know the many hours of “therapy” the hobby has given to me!


Tomorrow at dMarie Daily: Loving Artistry, by Nina W.