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Scrapbooking - Why Scrapbook?
Scrapbooking preserves your photographs and memories for decades
to come
by Brandie Valenzuela
More often than not, I meet people who love the look of a scrapbooked
memory album. There are other times though that I meet someone and
they say "Why bother with scrapbooking? I
just put my photo in an album I bought at the store." At one
time, my response was in regards to the archival safety of such
products "bought at the store". Most of the photos albums
sold years ago contained extremely high levels of acid, which end
up destroying your precious memories.
However, today there are many photos albums sold that are acid-free.
But is that the only thing you should be concerned with? Definitely
not. Read on for my reasons why you should create a scrapbook with
your memories:
Memory albums, also known as scrapbooks, allow the story behind
your photos to be told. A photo of a startled child may be interesting
to look at, but isn't it more fun to know that the shocked look
is because her brother surprised her with his new toy snake that
Grandpa bought him?
Memory albums are beautiful. Just like the furnishings in your
home, your albums will reflect your special style. You will be proud
to have your albums on display in your home and your guests will
be in awe of what has been created with your photos.
Memories should be enjoyed and shared. They can't be if they are
shoved in drawers and shoeboxes. Just don't have the time? There
are professional scrapbook artists that you can hire to complete
your albums.
Memory albums last forever. Whether you use your own time to complete
your album, or hire a professional scrapbook artist, there is a
cost involved. Unlike the housecleaner that cleans your home each
week or the mechanic that gives your car a tune-up (although both
are important), a completed scrapbook is a treasure that won't need
to be redone or maintained. Once your album is created, it is done
and ready to be enjoyed for generations to come.
You've invested a lot of money and time in your memories. Because
we want to remember every moment in our lives and the lives of our
loved ones, we spend hundreds of dollars on cameras, film, developing,
and portrait studios. Why would you give the final prints shabby
treatment? Don't take the display of your photos lightly. By creating
scrapbook pages you are giving your memories the treatment they
deserve.
Acid-free isn't everything. Acid-free is a hot new term, and while
it is important, it isn't the only thing to worry about. An album
you find at your local discount store is likely to be labeled "acid-free",
but scrappers knows that the products she uses must also be free
of lignin (its presence in paper aids chemical degradation) and
that they must be archival quality.
Future generations won't be clueless. Unlike photo albums, scrapbooks
allow every memorable detail to be included. Years from now, when
your children's children are viewing the albums that you had created,
they will know exactly how life was for you and your family. You
won't always be there...but with your albums, you really are.
© 2003 Brandie Valenzuela
About the author:
Brandie is a wife and homeschooling mom to three children, who
also works fulltime from her home designing custom scrapbook albums.
To view Brandie's scrapbook layouts and find out more about having
your own custom scrapbook album created, visit: http://brandievdesigns.4t.com
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