What is scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking

20 years ago I heard the word Scrapbooking for the first time. I knew English but I couldn't translate this word. That happens with many people. So I need to explain the meaning of it.

What is Scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking is a creative art of preserving personal and family history in the form of a decorated album, often combining photographs, handwritten notes, memorabilia, and artistic embellishments. It's a way to tell stories visually — about people, places, emotions, and special events — while expressing one's creativity through design, color, and texture.

At its heart, scrapbooking is more than just keeping pictures in an album. It's about turning memories into art and creating something deeply personal and meaningful that can be cherished for generations.

Traditional scrapbooking involves creating physical pages using:

Photographs – printed pictures from film or digital cameras.

Paper – decorative and acid-free cardstock or patterned paper.

Embellishments – stickers, ribbons, lace, buttons, and other materials for decoration.

Journaling – short handwritten or printed notes that describe the photo, the event, or the emotions behind it.

Layout design – the artistic arrangement of all elements on the page to create a balanced, visually appealing composition.

Crafters use tools like scissors, cutting machines, punches, stamps, adhesives, and inks. Many also use themes for each album: baby's first year, family vacation, wedding, graduation, or travel adventures.

The Rise of Craft Entrepreneurship

Scrapbooking's popularity has empowered many people — especially women working from home — to start small, independent businesses. We create and sell:

  • Handmade greeting cards and albums

  • Personalized wedding or baby memory books

  • Custom die cuts and paper embellishments

  • Online courses and YouTube tutorials

There are thousands of bloggers and influencers who promote products and inspire others with their ideas.


Why People Love Scrapbooking

It reveals our emotions. It is affordable for everyone. No special skills are needed. You learn by doing and you discover your talents. Many artists have developed their own unique techniques and styles with the time.

It relieves stress. The hands-on, mindful process of cutting, arranging, and decorating can be deeply relaxing. It's a social activity: many enthusiasts join clubs, attend workshops, or share their work in online communities.

I have been in this hobby for 20 years and I have created hundreds of albums. The emotional feedback that I get from my customers cannot be measured or described with words. I am so grateful to my customers who trusted me their photos and memories. The work on the project begins with choosing proper size of the album, style and paper collection.

Popular Scrapbooking Styles

Scrapbooking is highly personal, and styles vary widely. Some popular ones include:

  • Vintage – uses muted tones, lace, and antique-style papers.

  • Clean and simple – focuses on clean lines and simplicity, often with neutral colors.

  • Mixed media – combines paint, ink, fabric, and even 3D objects.

  • Shabby chic – a romantic style with pastel colors, flowers, and distressed textures.

  • Modern graphic – bold patterns, geometric shapes, and digital typography.