Why I scrapbook...

In Ali Edward's ezine today, she challenged everyone to come up with their own personal scrapbooking (or creating) manifesto.

She gave suggestions to finding it and asked us to answer the question: "why do I create?"

I discovered scrapbooking 4 years ago through my good friend, Anita. She was selling scrapbooking supplies at the time and when we had Bible study at their house, I loved looking through her albums. I'd think: "I would love to do this."

So, in May 2003, I dove in, hosted a CM party and haven't looked back. (Well, except during my first trimester when I was pregnant with Sage-- then the very thought of scrapbooking made me feel nauseated. Thankfully, that passed.)

For me, scrapbooking is a lot of things. But mostly, I think, it's telling the story behind the photos in a creative and enjoyable way. I love every aspect of scrapbooking: photographing, cutting, adhering, tearing, embellishing, journaling... When I started scrapbooking, it felt like finally everything clicked and I'd found a craft/artform that I could do and enjoy.

So, for my manifesto, I'd probably say:

1. It's good.
2. Tell the story. (which by the way, can be about the event, or just sharing your thoughts on the subject of your photo.)
3. Use your mistakes to make your layout better.

That's about it for now, but I might add to this later with a little more thought.