What is Scrapbooking

Do you love memory-keeping and want to preserve your loved one's history? Scrapbooking is the art of documenting precious moments in a personalized album. It involves adding and presenting photos, memorabilia, artwork, and other embellishments on the blank pages of a book, box, or card. By decorating the scrapbook album with written descriptions, you can save the cherished memories and connect the story behind them. About 29.4% of US households reported that one or more people over the age of 18 have participated in scrapbooking and memory books for the past year. This blog explores what scrapbooking is, its rich origin, and the main elements that make it even more engaging.

This creative activity of assembling shared memories is also known as cropping, the primary purpose of which is to conserve the recollections for future generations. Many people practice scrapbooking to exercise their artistry and employ innovative techniques to showcase their life events in a visually appealing way.

History of Scrapbooking
To acknowledge “what is scrapbooking” deeply, first, you need to understand where the concept of storing moments on paper came from. Let’s get into the details.

15 or 16 Century Albums
The origin of scrapbooking can be traced back to the 15th or 16th century when it was simply a means of keeping collections in a book. Back then, in England, commonplace books or friendship albums initiated the concept of scrapbooks. 

These books were filled with a variety of content that included poetry, quotations, sketches, and personal reflections. So, these commonplace books laid the foundation for the concept of compiling memories and mementos in a bound format. With evolution, the hobby has become a source of holding family and religious history.

Invention of Photography
The invention of photography takes cropping to another level. It allows individuals with a new medium for capturing and preserving memories. Photograph albums enabled families to assemble collections of photographs to document their lives and travels. So, as the idea spread to a mass audience, the home photographers started assembling their family memories for later.

Modern Era
However, it evolved over time to become a creative outlet for individuals to express their personalities. In the modern age, many enthusiasts are designing digital scrapbooks using computer software. But DIY cropping is still in trend.ResearchGate shows a survey that depicts that the US market for scrapbooking is booming, indicating that the respondents are very involved in the hobby. Through artistic arrangements of photographs, decorative papers, stickers, and other embellishments, creating your own customized album continues to be a beloved pastime.

What are the 3 Main Elements of a Scrapbook
Understanding ‘what is scrapbooking ‘unravels three main elements that should be part of a successful scrapbook. These essentials are discussed in the following section.

Photographs
Photographs represent the moments captured in time. From candid snapshots to professionally taken images, this visual media has the potential to evoke the desired emotions and convey the relevant story.You can add photographs of different sizes and orientations to elicit interest in the layout. They serve as the primary focal point on each page, developing a sentimental connection.

Mementos
Mementos involve any tangible items or keepsakes that hold nostalgic value and excite memories associated with the photos on the page. For example, it may include ticket stubs, postcards, letters, event programs, souvenirs, and any other small items that help enrich the storytelling aspect of cropping. Incorporating mementos into scrapbook layouts adds authenticity and depth that engages with the viewers on a more tactile level.

Journaling
The written content of the scrapbooking that accompanies the photos and mementos is journaling. It can be in the form of handwritten notes, printed text, captions, poems, anecdotes, and journaling cards. The addition of factual details such as dates, locations, and names develops a meaningful connection between the past, present, and future.

Conclusion
In short, the answer to what scrapbooking showcases is that it is a fascinating way to compile cherished memories in a nutshell. These photo mosaics serve as repositories for future generations to treasure. By employing paper supplies, cardstock, decorative material, or self-written notes, you can make your cropping a catch for the viewers.