What is scrapbooking? There are a lot of people out there that have no clue what this hobby or should I say craze is about. I began scrapbooking when I was a senior in high school back in 1999. It started with those last days of my youth that you have to have memories taken by your camera. I had an abundance of printed photos from high school, church youth group and senior trips and get togethers on weekends. I wanted to treasure these moments so that I can one day look back to these albums and remember my friends and good times.

Scrapbooking is taking an album, (no not a photo album where you insert pictures or adhere them to the horrible glue backing) grouping photos together in themes and decorating them with items that represent what is going on in those photos. You are preserving your memories for others to see and experience through your eyes. By including a journal/ or note about your experience's, people in the photos, funny stories that were told; others can enjoy as well when they look are your pages/Layouts.

I'm not going to tell you what exactly a scrapbook is because it's different from person to person. Most people think of scrapbooking is a collage of events clipped from newspapers, baby shower invitations saved with items from the party or grouping photos with stickers on a page. But, over the years this hobbie has grown in leaps and bounds. It is now important to have everything acid free; you don't want to ruin the photos you try so hard to keep preserved with glue backing photo albums that eat through the paper or discoloration.

Scrapbooking is for everyone who feels the need to be crafty, the majority scrapbookers are female there are a few males out there that take pride in this hobbie. There are all kinds of albums, beginner books, how to's and ideas out there on the internet or you can borrow books from the local library.

I always find my inspiration through friday night crops at my local scrapbooking stores. What a better was to spend a whole night doing something you take pride in with other women or men that share the same interest and ideas! Not too mention you will have help with anything you have questions on provided by others in the crop (group) and the store owners.

Another way to introduce yourself into the world of scrapbooking is host a scrapbook party. If a friend is a consultant for "Close to my Heart", "Creative Memories" or 'Stamping Up!' then you are way ahead. These consultants have been scrapbooking for a long time and have the experience and knowledge on how to start your very own album, including the supplies to get you started.

The photo on the side is the starter kit from Creative Memories. This company has been around since 1987 started by one womens dream to keep photos preserved.

Why not give it a try, what have you got to loose? Nothing, only to gain longer lasting photos, something you can show off to friends and family and listen to the compliments that come flying away. Below are a few sites I visit for inspiration and a group of people who share the same hobbie.

Scrapjazz

Scrapbook.com