Tell me why you scrapbook....

[Stephanie]

We all obviously have, if NOTHING else, one thing in common. We are scrapbookers! Digital Scrapbookers for that matter. We all know what we like to do, but why do you like to do it? Some do it for artisitic expression, some for documentation, and others for various reasons.

For me, it's about remembering events. Its a time capsule for me. I want to document everyday life as well as special times. I want my children to see the things they don't remember. I started paper scrapping and did that for about 5 years until I finally 'crossed over' this past September to Digital. So alot of my pages I will create will be created to look like a paper style scrapbook. Thats just who I am. I'm also very prudent (my pastor told me that prudent is the christian word for anal) about it being in chronological order. The scrapbook has to be that way.

I started scrapbooking because I love photos. I mean obsession. I was the kid at church camp that brought 4 rolls of film for five days. My mom especially doesn't want to look through the family albmus EVER again. I especailly love the old ones of my parents and grandparents. One day I will start a heratige album....

So what about you. Why are you scrapping. Is it about remember your children when they are/were small, or artistic expression?

Tell me why you scrapbook.

[Sandersmr]

I know some people have heard this before, but...

My sister passed away almost 3 years ago from breast cancer. She was 38, and she had a 4 year old daughter (Audrey). She had a list of things she wanted Audrey to know about Mommy as Audrey grew up. Well, my BIL never sent me the list, but I knew a lot of it since she made me read it.

I kept trying to figure out the best way to preserve the memories about Mommy and in the midst of that happened across a magazine that had an article about digi-scrapping. Now, I hadn't ever really been interested in paper scrapping, but this intrigued me. At this time, I started putting together an album for DBF's grandmother's birthday and started teaching myself the techniques - ooooooh that album looks horrible to me today.

I've been seriously scrapping for about a year and a half now. And last year, I finished the Mommy book enough to give it to Audrey. I will continue to add pages as I find more photos.

Now, I scrap to preserve memories - heritage, family events, and especially Audrey since I can fill in for Mommy in that role.

[joannknnrd]

I scrap for the reasons everyone will probably mention. But I also do it because I want to leave something for my children! I take pictures of EVERYTHING we do, from the first pair of laced shoes, choir auditions, best friends, to a new hat (my kids are usually quite annoyed by me)! I love looking at our scrapbooks w/the girls. The lo's tell a little bit of a story and the kids fill in the rest. It's my gift of love to our family! Lol, why do I want to sing "Memories" now?

[Stacey Stehley]

One day I caught my (then 5 year old) son sitting and looking at his baby scrapbook. He looked up at me and said "Mommy, thank you so much for making this scrapbook for me so I can always remember when I was a baby." THAT is why I scrapbook! I also love the artistic outlet it gives me. I always wanted to be artistic, but could never find something I was talented in. When I found scrapbooking, I finally found something I loved and felt good about. I can't imagine life without it now!

[Donna]

One day I caught my (then 5 year old) son sitting and looking at his baby scrapbook. He looked up at me and said "Mommy, thank you so much for making this scrapbook for me so I can always remember when I was a baby." THAT is why I scrapbook! I also love the artistic outlet it gives me.

That's a tearjerker!

[Stacey Stehley]

That's a tearjerker!

Yes, it was!!!! LOL :D But that's a good thing! ;)

[MommySpice]

My reason is very similar to Maggies, except that I am scrapping Joey, so that his little brothers and sisters can know him (when they FINALLY decide to come along). I also do it as therapy. Now I'm starting scrap other events as well...for all of the reasons people mention. ;)

[Nzingha]

for me it is so that my kids never ever once question my love and devotion for them. No day is promised and if it is written i leave this world today I want my children to know my love and passion for them. I want them to know WHY as well, not just that they are mine, although that is a good selling point, but that I believe they are overall great kids.

That it has turned into an obsession and is keeping me awake (right now it is 3am for me) i'm sure they'll remember now as well.

But what gets me is how those little ones have now decided to be my critics "No Mama that looks ugly, put a flower here.. put that there" "That is ok but I like the other one better." Brutal honesty my little ones dish out

[Frani_54]

Why do I scrap...hmmmm

Tough question, I guess for many reasons.....

1. Years ago I always was the one putting the pictures into albums and writing cute little comments under each one. When my husband and I parted ways, so did the album. I lost so many memories. My daughter a few years ago brought me all her pictures from birth through her teen years and I scanned them...I have scrapped a few, but so many of them were not the greatest quality....I'm still planning on scrapping them, just to preserve the memories.

2. I feel the importance for future generations to see where they came from....I have just one or two heritage pictures very few of when I was little, so this has become very important to me....

3. I have always done something crafty, kinda of an outlet for me...so this is my creative outlet...

My husband has says I'm obsessed....he's right....LOL

[Kryss Bourque]

My MAIN reason for starting was my mom. She has thousands of old family photos and they are no way near organised. She wanted to get them all in a book in order so that we and future generations won't forget where we came from. So it all really started as a heritage thing. Then of course inbetween that I started scrapping my children and our life together. I am also very artistic and don't have much room for a studio, if I want to paint, I have to set up on the kitchen table....I did beadwork for a while, but it took up sooo much space...to me this is just perfect to have one bookshelf and a laptop....

and about being obsessed...I don't think that I could give it up....definitely addicted!!!

[rlma]

I started scrapping last June while on maternity leave. So, my primary reason for doing so is for documenting all the important events in our daughter's life. How great will this be for her to look back on? I am not doing a "normal" baby book, but am scrapping one instead.

[Sandersmr]

Kryss - one bookshelf and one computer? One bookshelf, plus one laptop, plus the external hard drive, plus the scanner, plus the printer, plus... at least I don't have to store paper and ribbons and beads and ephemera.