(Click on the scrapbook picture to view larger image)

I Could Never Do That!
(Scrapbooking is Easier Than You think)

by Star Geisz

When you consider the above picture, what goes through your mind? Maybe you think “I’d really love to do a scrapbook for our family, but I just don’t have the time.” Or maybe you feel you’re not creative enough. Or perhaps you worry that your energy level would never permit you to complete albums. Or maybe you even feel that the monetary investment is more than you can afford.

The benefits of creating scrapbook albums are many, and vary with your family situation. If you have children, creating scrapbooks about and for them is a way to give them a sense of belonging and value. They know they are special ~ you cared enough to scrapbook about them. If you’re single, scrapbooks can connect you to the people in your life that you love. You’ll have pictures and memories to reminisce about whenever you get together.

You may think that your story isn’t worth telling, but it is. My mother has Lupus, as well as a condition called Torsion Dystonia. This condition causes her head to be turned to one side, and it is only with great effort that she can almost hold it straight. My children know this, but when they look through their scrapbooks and see pictured of my mom and all that she still accomplishes, it gives them a sense of balance (“My life isn’t really that hard!”) and hope (“If Grammy can do all that with what she has to deal with, I can do it, too!).

(Click on the scrapbook picture to view larger image)

One method of creating scrapbooks that is sweeping the album-making circles right now is known as “naked albums.” It takes very little creativity, is cost-effective, and the time and energy are invested in journaling, rather than deciding which sticker is best or what paper works with the pictures.

(Click on the scrapbook picture to view larger image)

On naked pages, the decorations are kept to a minimum: no fancy paper or cute stickers or layered die cuts. You will notice that the focus is on the photos and the story behind them, which is, after all, the reason for creating the scrapbook in the first place. These photos were printed at the developer with the white border. By placing them on pages that aren’t white, it appears that they were matted; an eye-pleasing arrangement with very little time or creativity involved. If you like color, it can easily be added by choosing a colored pen with which to journal. And you have kept the cost at a minimum by not purchasing all the extras.

Be encouraged! You CAN scrapbook! Just keep it simple and you will have a beautiful album, focused on the important things: your photos and your words. It can be done without a huge time or monetary investment. And by working slowly and at your own pace, you can write a lasting story about yourself and your family that can bring joy and hope to those around you!

Copyright © 2005-2007 Star Geisz
All rights reserved.

Author bio:
Star Geisz is the busy mother of four children. She is active in "support the troops" organizations such as ProudPatriots.org.

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