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So, I ask you… do you call yourself a scrapbooker?
Or would you rather be called a “life artist”?
I’ve been doing scrapbooks since my high school days in the 80s. Of course, those were the old-fashioned kind using products that were not archival.
In the 90s, I switched everything over to archival-quality papers and scrapbook albums and tossed those old clunky “scrapbooks” to the curb. I spent many years attempting to create “the perfect” scrapbook pages. I only use archival-quality items, no exceptions. But soon, that became impractical, as there were programs and such that I really wanted to include in my scrapbooks.
At the turn of the century (you know, that one that was supposed to have the world crashing to a halt once the Millennium bug hit.), I lightened up a bit and did my best to spray non-scrapbook friendly things with archival spray to make them last, but I still included whatever stickers and embellishments I felt were cute, rather than always using embellishments that were “safe”.
Today, I have fourteen 12×12 scrapbooks. Each one of them is jam-packed and filled to the gills with my lifetime of memories. I don’t add to to the albums as frequently as I used to, but I cherish my scrapbook albums just the same.
So yeah, I like to think of myself as a Life Artist. What about you?
What Are Your Scrapbooking Goals?
I encourage you to take a few moments to think about your goals with scrapbooking.
Don’t miss this post where Ali discusses what a Life Artist is. It’s a refreshing look at scrapbooking and art — and where the lines cross.
I would venture to guess that anyone who works with a lifetime supply of personal photographs, has memories journaled in the margins of pages, and likes to get creative with fun tools & embellishments is, indeed, a Life Artist.
Welcome to the club.
I'm a lifelong scrapbooker who's been documenting every moment of my life in pictures… for decades! I currently have 171,285 photos saved in 6,034 albums online (backed up in 3 different locations). I switched from old-school photo corners and thick paper binders to archival quality tape and Creative Memories albums after college. To me, there is absolutely nothing better than preserving your life's memories in photographs… and scrapbooks! Then I added rubber stamping and cardmaking to my craft talents… followed by candle making, paper crafts, and other DIY projects. When I'm not crafting, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).
