| If you've ever wondered how scrapbooks | | | | Twain, the writer, and Thomas Jefferson, |
| began you're not alone. Most people are | | | | the politician, were both avid |
| familiar with the photo album and | | | | scrapbookers. They kept close journals, |
| understand that once the camera enabled | | | | records, and details of their lives by |
| people to have their own photos, these | | | | creating scrapbooks that displayed |
| photos were stored and organized in a | | | | personal memorabilia. |
| sensible manner. However, scrapbooks | | | | Not only is scrapbooking a step above |
| are a bit more detailed than photo | | | | the traditional family photo album, |
| albums. Scrapbooks also contain other | | | | scrapbooks are also very popular for |
| information, documents, text, and images | | | | those who are involved in genealogy. In |
| than mere photographs. In fact, the art | | | | the past, these scrapbooks were referred |
| of scrapbooking includes using other | | | | to as memory books, and they were used |
| items that are appropriate for the | | | | to document family journeys across |
| subject and displaying them in a | | | | generations. It was only logical that |
| creative and beautiful manner. | | | | these books would contain personal |
| Scrapbooks are much more than photo | | | | information to help explain the nature |
| albums. They have the ability to tell a | | | | of each memorabilia that was included. |
| story, and are comparable to journals | | | | Scrapbooks offer many more advantages |
| with photos. They are true memory books | | | | than traditional photo albums. The way |
| and are very sentimental. I'm sure | | | | scrapbooks are displayed, the ability to |
| you've heard the saying, "Every picture | | | | create books with themes, and the |
| tells a story," well, scrapbooks provide | | | | ability to pour out your own creativity, |
| the room to "tell the story" alongside | | | | heart, and soul into your scrapbook is a |
| the photo. | | | | benefit not provided with photo albums. |
| The inherent wonder and beauty of | | | | Another important aspect of scrapbooking |
| scrapbooks is found in the fact that | | | | is that old photos that are in |
| generations may not only view the photos | | | | traditional photo albums are often |
| as they would in a family photo album, | | | | displayed in paper that contains acid. |
| but have a theme, style, and journalized | | | | Over a period of years, this paper |
| information to help explain the photos | | | | deteriorates and leaves the photos to |
| as well. Since scrapbooks are often | | | | become damaged. It is imperative that |
| customized and designed according to a | | | | old photos are removed from these albums |
| theme, it makes it much simpler and more | | | | and displayed in safe, acid free binders |
| organized for readers to understand what | | | | or papers. Many people are choosing to |
| was taking place in each photo. | | | | replace photo albums with scrapbooks to |
| However, what may be interesting to | | | | not only protect their sentimental |
| realize, is that scrapbooking is in fact | | | | photos, but to combine them with |
| older than photo albums. Before there | | | | journaling and other important |
| were cameras and family photos, there | | | | memorabilia. The popularity of |
| were news clippings, magazine stories, | | | | scrapbooking continues to rise as more |
| drawings, notes, and memorabilia. These | | | | people discover the benefits and |
| items were often arranged and displayed | | | | advantages of using scrapbooks as |
| in books and the art of scrapbooking was | | | | compared to photo albums. |
| formed. It is said that both Mark | | | | |