Scrapbooking involves the art of preserving photographs, cherished items and memorabilia on paper. The practice draws on many other papercrafting techniques and arts to create unique decorative elements that are often accompanied by written journaling.
While scrapbooking has long been an enjoyable hobby, it was popularized in the 1980s by Marielen Christensen of Elk Ridge, Utah. She is credited with bringing the hobby to a wide audience and opened the first scrapbooking store, Keeping Memories Alive. It has continued to be a hobby enjoyed by many people, with the popularity of online blogs and digital scrapbooking helping it to continue to grow.
The basic materials for scrapbooking include background papers (including printed and cardstock paper), a variety of embellishments, a set of scissors, a ruler, a paper trimmer or cutting tool, adhesives (such as glue sticks, liquid glue pens or photo mounting tape) and acid-free archival pens for journaling. Additional tools may include rubber stamps, craft punches, stencils and inking tools.
Many scrapbookers also collect ephemera to use in their albums, such as visiting cards, pamphlets and tickets. These items provide a glimpse into the past and help to illustrate life in a particular time.
While researching family history can be very exciting, it can also become a dry and monotonous task when the results are only a list of names and dates. Scrapbooking can help bring your ancestors to life and give a more human face to their lives.
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