Memories for the scrap

Artistically documenting memories

Everyone remembers scrapbooks from when they were kids. But the idea of pasting pictures and other memories into a big book has become an art form among grown-ups, and a highly lucrative business.

When WH Smith bounced back into profit last week, after slumping into the red, it pointed to the trend for scrapbooks as evidence it is keeping up with the times.

Put aside those childhood memories you may have of huge dog-eared books with garishly coloured pages the texture of sandpaper, into which you might stick the odd family snap and scrawl a few words in felt tip.

These days there's nothing remotely scrappy about scrapbooks, which have a designer look and may be elaborately adorned with fabrics, stencilling and all manner of trinkets.

It started in the United States in the 1980s when Montana housewife Rhonda Anderson decided to get creative when arranging her family photos.

She eventually hooked up with a photo album manufacturer and started the company Creative Memories, turning scrapbooking, as it became known, from a pastime into a multi-million dollar business.

Richard and Judy effect

The hobby spread through Tupperware-style home parties, where women would gather to trade tips, show off their designs and buy new papers, albums and embellishments.

Journaling is writing a dialogue of your memories of an event, and runs alongside your photos Sarah Mason, Scrapaholics

Now it's taking root in the UK. Championed by those arbiters of taste, Richard and Judy, there are several UK magazines, internet sites and clubs dedicated to scrapbooking.

Small retailers have moved in on the craze, as have TV shopping channels. With WH Smith's move to trial scrapbooking in six shops, it looks set to grow even bigger.

"It's about family history, recording all your memories, your feelings and emotions," says Sarah Mason, who quit her civil service job last year to start the company Scrapaholic. "If you die, you take all these memories with you - this is about leaving them behind for others to enjoy."

The hobby appeals almost exclusively to women, says Ms Mason, tapping into what she sees as their latent creativity. She has been scrapbooking for four years and laughs when she thinks back to her first page.

"I didn't have a clue," she says.

Overseas franchise

The scrapbooks themselves are a bit like photo-albums. The aim is to make every page a work of art - something that draws on skills in page layout, typography and graphic design.

The cover of Karen McIvor's family scrapbook, with fabrics attached

"There are certain things to bear in mind - the rule of thirds, focal points on a page and colour co-ordination."

Embellishments are also big, and there's no limit to what can be added, from clay mouldings to beads, ribbons and ornamental metal lettering. Scrapbooking companies are always dreaming up fresh themes and paraphernalia to drive the market.

Sarah, with her business partner Karen McIvor, oversees 40 scrapbooking clubs around the country, and they are about to set up their first overseas franchise - in Australia.

Nicki Harvey, a scrapbooker from Bury St Edmonds, in Suffolk, picked up the hobby two-and-a-half years ago, when she wanted to make a present for her mother's 50th birthday.

"It's changed the way I take photos - I take them just for the scrapbook now," says the mother-of-three. "Anybody can do it, at whatever level."

Ms Harvey hosts a fortnightly meeting of scrapbookers where "we sit and natter and work on our scrapbooks. I try to help people, suggest new ways of presenting a page."

She has several completed scrapbooks and spends an hour or two most evenings hunched over her scrapbook.

"Any spare time I've got, which is really sad."

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Add your comments on this story, using the form below.

How many times have you found an old interesting photo, but not known who the people were, where they were, what they were doing, and how they were related to you? Scrapbooking means that those questions are answered.
Jennie, Edinburgh, UK

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby and can be combined with many other interests including photography, graphic design, all sorts of paper crafts and even genealogy. I have been "scrapping" for two years now and have family heritage albums, baby albums and special occasion albums.
Emma Greaves, Sutton, Surrey

I've moved onto scrapbooking in August as a progression from cardmaking. Part of the appeal for me is to make these works of art and NOT give them away, which always broke my heart with my cards. I'm hoping that I create something my children, and even my grandchildren, will one day enjoy looking at.
Jackie, West Lothian

I can vouch for the clubs, I have such a great time and get away from the kids and scrap, talk, scrap some more. It's also got me involved in setting up my own business making rubber stamps.
Kym Bolton, Sevenoaks

As a paper conservator, this is bad news for those who believe their treasured memories will be preserved. The paper, adhesives and decorations used will discolour and disintegrate and damage any documents or photographs kept in the scrapbook. However, it's good news for me and my colleagues, as these will provide plenty of work in 10 to 20 years time. Difficult, time-consuming, expensive work.
Lien Gyles, Matlock, UK

Contrary to what Mr/Ms Gyles says, modern scrapbooking uses acid free papers card and glues (and archival sprays to treat ordinary papers) - so they are unlikely to need the attention of conservators for at least 100 years. Modern photo developing guarantees a longer life than in the past so scrapbooks should look as good to great grandchildren as they do today.
Carolyn Exwood, Tunbridge Wells Scrapaholic Club

I really got into scrapbooking after my child was born. It's a great hobby and such a nice way of presenting photos and other memorabilia. Much better than a flip album.
Jeanette, Buntingford, UK

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