Scribbles 'n Scraps

I have heard it before, and I am sure it will happen again.

People find out I am a scrapbooker and they say “Oh…that’s that expensive hobby.”

Just once I’d like to respond the way I want, instead of the polite way.

First, there is no price on a memory. Period. It costs nothing to have a memory, to create a memory to remember a memory. Period. Zero. Zilch.

Second, what do you do with all your photographs? I am sure at some point you have gotten a roll of film developed right? Or you have printed your digital prints? Or do you simply store them on your computer so nobody can look at them? I didn’t think so. So why does it have to be expensive.

The way I look at it, you print the pictures, you grab a sheet of paper and you journal. That in itself is a scrapbook page. Yes, it can be costly to purchase all the doodads and embellishments and tools and gadgets and all the other stuff that most of us die-hard scrapbookers just need to have. But you, you don’t have to have that.

You can purchase a package of paper, a ten dollar album from the craft store, a package of page protectors from the office supply section at Wal-mart and an acid free glue stick which also can be found in the same section. There ya go. There’s your scrapbook. Oh, wait. You might need a pen so you can actually write down the memories. And you definitely need the photographs.

That is the definition of scrapbooking. Preserving memories with pictures and words. Nowhere in the definition of scrapbooking does it say “expensive”. Nor does it say, “must include every embellishment, button, piece of ribbon and eyelet that is on the scrapbooking store shelf”. Nope. It doesn’t say that anywhere.

So is scrapbooking expensive? It can be. But not any more so than someone who does any type of craft, someone who collects baseball cards has all types of things involved to protect the cards, someone who creates model cars – again that can be expensive. I could go on and on.

All I ask is that you give it a second thought. You don’t even have to do it, but don’t say its that expensive hobby until you’ve put some time into it. Then you can fairly say its expensive, or perhaps by that time you’ll be addicted and much like the rest of us you won’t comment at all on the cost.

It seems that these days we are so busy sometimes we just don’t know which way is up. With five kids I am constantly running from appointments, to lessons, to school events and everywhere else in between.

We have a vacation coming up, and I have made a pact with myself. If I get at least 10 pages done (that would be 10 two page layouts – so technically 20) then I can purchase a new idea book before I leave. Any suggestions?

I sure hope I complete my personal challenge.

Lately I am lucky if I find time to actually snap pictures. Can you believe that I forgot the camera when we went to the pumpkin patch? Yeah. So as you can see, I’m a bit out of it.

Making time to scrapbook has not been a priority and it really should be. I love the feeling I get looking at a completed page. Slipping it behind a page protector and being able to show it off to my family. I love the feeling I get knowing that those photographs are hiding on my computer or in a box anymore, but are now in a place where people can actually enjoy them.

So wouldn’t it make sense to find strategies for Time Management?

Find Time
You have to make time to scrapbook. You have to steal minutes away from something or somewhere else. Instead of just sitting and watching TV, do some scrapbook pages while you are watching. While the laundry is washing or drying, steal a couple of minutes and complete a page. Get up twenty minutes early. Stay up twenty minutes later. Do it while the kids are sleeping or napping. You have to find the time.

Page Kits
Page kits are an excellent way to get ahead. The best part? A page kit can be assembled while you sit in front of the TV and catch up on your favorite show. You can make dozens and then when you have an extra couple of minutes to scrapbook, you can just grab a page kit and poof you are ready.

Monthly Kits
These are a life saver for many reasons. One, they usually come with everything you need to make at least a few pages. Everything is already coordinated inside each kit. They arrive monthly right at your door. You can use my Monthly Kit list in the links at the top of the page to find one that fits your budget and your style. They are just like page kits and can be taken anywhere and done in just a small amount of time.

Organization
The key to getting pages completed is being organized. Being able to find your items when you sit down to scrapbook, is going to allow you to create far more pages than if you were having to get up every few minutes to look for something. Keep often used items close by. Organize your entire room to work better for you. And when you purchase something new, immediately get home, take it out of the bag and put it where it goes. This sure makes finishing layouts a lot quicker.

So, perhaps if I heed to my own advice, I can actually get some scrapbooking done. Send Scrapbook wishes my way. I’m up for the challenge.

It seems that these days we are so busy sometimes we just don’t know which way is up. With five kids I am constantly running from appointments, to lessons, to school events and everywhere else in between.

We have a vacation coming up, and I have made a pact with myself. If I get at least 10 pages done (that would be 10 two page layouts – so technically 20) then I can purchase a new idea book before I leave. Any suggestions?

I sure hope I complete my personal challenge.

Lately I am lucky if I find time to actually snap pictures. Can you believe that I forgot the camera when we went to the pumpkin patch? Yeah. So as you can see, I’m a bit out of it.

Making time to scrapbook has not been a priority and it really should be. I love the feeling I get looking at a completed page. Slipping it behind a page protector and being able to show it off to my family. I love the feeling I get knowing that those photographs are hiding on my computer or in a box anymore, but are now in a place where people can actually enjoy them.

So wouldn’t it make sense to find strategies for Time Management?

Find Time
You have to make time to scrapbook. You have to steal minutes away from something or somewhere else. Instead of just sitting and watching TV, do some scrapbook pages while you are watching. While the laundry is washing or drying, steal a couple of minutes and complete a page. Get up twenty minutes early. Stay up twenty minutes later. Do it while the kids are sleeping or napping. You have to find the time.

Page Kits
Page kits are an excellent way to get ahead. The best part? A page kit can be assembled while you sit in front of the TV and catch up on your favorite show. You can make dozens and then when you have an extra couple of minutes to scrapbook, you can just grab a page kit and poof you are ready.

Monthly Kits
These are a life saver for many reasons. One, they usually come with everything you need to make at least a few pages. Everything is already coordinated inside each kit. They arrive monthly right at your door. You can use my Monthly Kit list in the links at the top of the page to find one that fits your budget and your style. They are just like page kits and can be taken anywhere and done in just a small amount of time.

Organization
The key to getting pages completed is being organized. Being able to find your items when you sit down to scrapbook, is going to allow you to create far more pages than if you were having to get up every few minutes to look for something. Keep often used items close by. Organize your entire room to work better for you. And when you purchase something new, immediately get home, take it out of the bag and put it where it goes. This sure makes finishing layouts a lot quicker.

So, perhaps if I heed to my own advice, I can actually get some scrapbooking done. Send Scrapbook wishes my way. I’m up for the challenge.

Hey friends!

I know many of you are wondering where all the scrapbook posts went, and why I haven’t moved many of the old scrapbooking blog posts onto this blog much lately, and let me explain.

I got a job writing for families.com and that is where all my scrapbooking and frugal living posts go now. So if you are looking for either, hop on over there and vist me at my blog!

I have also been working on getting the ScribblesNScraps website back up and it is undergoing some changes. But it’s on it’s way and is scheduled to be up and running smoothly by the end of July.

In the meantime, the most current scrapbooking information is now found at families.com and I hope to see you there!

Don’t worry, I’ll still post about scrapbooking from time to time! I promise!

Love, Nicole