What is Scrapbooking?

References to scrapbooking appear as early as the late 1500's. Diaries, drawings and newspaper clippings reference the happenings of the time. As we fast forward through the years, people record thoughts, recipes, poems and quotes. By the year 1825 the term scrapbook was being heard. In the 1900's scrapbooks contained pressed flowers, newspaper clippings, calling cards, letters, greeting cards, ribbons and locks of hair. A favorite question that is asked - What would you give today to have a scrapbook created by your great grandparents or ancestors detailing their life history and events?

When the camera was invented photos became a large part of scrapbooking and memory preservation. Genealogy, the identification and preservation of family roots gave scrapbookers a new direction. Today, many people research their family heritage and genealogy.

Scrapbooking today reflects the preservation of the family history, events and importantly a story unfolds. These stories, our stories, are important as they provide insight into past generations for the present generation as well as the future generation.

No one has additional time to scrapbook; however, the time you take today to document the highlights of family events will be a wonderful gift for future generations. Anyone can scrapbook, you do not have to be creative, if you can cut with scissors, paste with glue and write with a pen, and you can scrapbook.

Stop in and visit Scrappin' Soul Sister's. Scrapbooking does not have to be fancy and take many hours. Let the staff at Scrappin' Soul Sisters show you the basic methods of scrapbooking and capturing your most import events - your life!

At times, it seems as though Scrapbookers, Stampers and Paper Crafters speak their own language. The following list of terms will assist fellow crafters to feel more comfortable and have a better understanding of paper crafting.

Acid - an object that has a pH less than 7.0; an unstable chemical subs stances that will weaken paper, board and fabric, which leads to yellowing and brittleness.

Acid & Lignin - an object that has a pH of 7.0 or more is said to be acid free. Acid free paper either has the acid removed from the manufacturing process or has been treated to neutralize the acids. Lignin free paper has had the acidic portion of wood pulp removed from the paper making process. Paper that is acid and lignin free is of the highest quality.

Adhere - is the actual process of mounting the photo or embellishment by using double sided tape, glue, photo corners or other means of securing an item to the page, card or paper.

Adhesive - Any adhesive in a scrapbook must be acid free. Options of adhesives include glue dots, glue sticks, liquid glue pens, photo tape and adhesive photo corners.

Cropping - Many scrapbookers choose to crop or cut their photos to remove unwanted background, emphasizing the fore-ground or people and to create fun or unique shapes. Photo's that are incorrectly framed at the time the photo is taken are excellent candidates for cropping.

Embossing - is a simple way to add sophistication to stamp art. This technique produces a shiny raised finish which provides dimension to a stamped impression. Clear powders will enrich underlying ink colors, while opaque powders such as metallics, glitters and solids will produce their own color effects.

Inkpads

Dye Based - are water based and mainly non-permanent. They dry quickly and can be stamped on most types of paper.

Pigment Inks - are thicker, creamier and opaque. Most pigment inks are slow in drying. Drying time may also be effected by the weight and texture of cards stock used.

Embossing Inks - are clear or slightly tinted. They dry slowly and are to be used with embossing powders.

Journaling - is the documenting of photos, events or memorabilia by either handwriting, lettering, dating events or computer typing. Journaling includes the who, what, when, why, how and where. Personal feelings, humorous captions, family stories, poems or, songs are ways to describe the event in the photo.

Remember that a picture is worth a thousand words. Without the words, the memories are not captured and recorded.

Lettering - the creative technique of writing and decorating words, phrases and titles. This technique makes the text an element of page design drawing attention to the words or title.

Memorabilia - the purpose of creating a scrapbook is to provide a place to keep "scraps!" Tangible reminders of people, places and events can include any of the following:

Announcements, Awards, Birth Certificates, Hospital Bracelets, Sonogram Copies, Brochures, Certificates, Children's Drawings, Greeting Cards, Letters, Locks of Hair, Maps, Marriage Licenses, Menu's, Newspaper Clippings, Obituaries, Post Card, Programs, Report Cards, Ribbons Ticket Stubs, Invitations and any other item which corresponds with the memory that is being scrapbooked or journaled.

Pens - a pen or marker used in a scrapbook must be of archival quality, waterproof, fade resistant, non-bleeding and acid free. Pens used in scrapbooking are made from pigment ink, meaning the ink is permanent. Several type of pens include, monoline, calligraphy, chisel point, brush, scroll and gel pens.