Hi friends! I decided that on Wednesdays in the summer during the Ask a Crafter hiatus I would ruminate on my own craft questions. This week I wonder: Is Scrapbooking dead? What do you think?
I posted this video on YouTube the other day and I was overwhelmed by the response! I have decided that I would film a series of back to basic scrapbooking videos. I need your help, what topics would you like me to cover? Photo printing options, basic supplies, multi-page layouts? Let me know. I want to present scrapbooking as a sustainable inexpensive hobby that can be done as simply or elaborately as you like. If you have any scrapbook questions or problems that you would like addressed please let me know. I want to cover as many bases as I can without being overwhelming. Do you think I can do it? I hope so! Thanks for sharing your input and til next time happy crafting!
The Frugal Crafter Blog 
I don’t think it is dead, I just think more and more people are going digital now.
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I would totally agree with you! I know so many people who do it on the computer now.
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Got a tutorial for that?
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Are you kidding!?!? Of course you can do that!! Since the advent of more digital scrapbooking, and loss of film cameras, I have never been sure how to get my photos on paper. Info on that would be great!
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No, it isn’t dead. But it (keep this quiet, k?) never interested me at all, nada. I am completely into cards and painting and paper arts, just bores me to tears to think of scrapping. I put all our family pics into albums as they happened, years before scrapbooking became ‘a thing.’ And I have better things to do than take them all out and do them over again. My energy goes into cards and learning new techniques to create gifts for others :* Thanks for asking though!!!
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I’m still scrapbooking! I have noticed that the commercial interests that put an overwhelming amount of money into promoting the scrapbooking market are now focusing their attention on quilting. We have no local scrapbooking stores, so I buy most of my products on line, with back up from Joanne’s and Michael’s (I refuse to patronize Hobby Lobby after the latest Supreme Cour debacle). I do have more product on hand than I could use in a life time, and gave up chronological scrapbooking a long time ago. I am an older parent (soon to be 61), with a child of 15. I want to leave behind a record that reflects my love for my precious child, that grandchildren I may never meet can examine and learn more about their mother from. I want my child to have a tangible record of my love for her after I die.
That said, I scrapbook very slowly, and a lot of what I have done is very nontraditional. I am looking for frugal scrapbooking inspiration, and I am finding new sources for that inspiration (which is fortunate, because my days of proliferate spending are over). I just found your blog and really enjoyed it. I would be thrilled if you devoted more time to scrapbooking! I like your style. Hope this helps.
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Lindsay, this is not a comment per se on your essay, but (old lady that I am) I cannot figure out how to ask you a question. My question is – frugal crafter that you are – have you used either sodium silicate of gum Arabic to make a crackle glaze/paint? I would like to be able to make something that is just one step, such as the Tim Holtz Rock Candy crackle. Something with a tiny, crazed china look. I’m so sorry if this is an inappropriate place to ask this question, but I couldn’t find you on Facebook (again, not very savvy in these areas) and wasn’t sure if you’d see the question as a comment on one of your outstanding Youtube videos. Thank you very much. Diane
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I don’t know about one step crackle but I really like Delta crackle medium, you paint a thin coat on, wait 5 minutes and paint an acrylic paint over it, works great and you can use it with any colors. I fin that 1 step products are too subtle for me, I do not have a homemade recipe for this. The Delta medium is not too expensive either;)
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I, for one, would love a series of videos. That would enable us, the viewer, to watch short(ish) videos about the sections we need help on. I certainly would love for you to start pretty much with all the basics including printing your pictures at home. I love the collages you print. I would even love a section about the printer itself. I had bought a low end of mid range priced printer to print anything, but specifically photos, But find myself not using the printer because it just drinks the ink even when I am not using it, and the ink is so insanely expensive! So thank you for thinking about this subject, Lindsay. You are the one to do this!
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I have a post related to printer ink below.
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I have learned over the years that all things crafting run in cycles. My belief is that folks do things until either they learn all they can or they require constant challenges. You , however, are just the person to offer the challenges . It is something you do very well. All I ask is that you not forget all the old fogies that love you!!! We need to be challenged and kept busy, something you do every day, just in case you didn’t know. Log U. Keep up the good work. Thanks, Charlotte Bullock
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I love to scrapbook. My problem is time. I work full time as a nurse and when I get home I’m so tired. also most crops on weekends and that when I work== I do find myself watching video of how to do things. I just wish I could remember all the things you do on your video.
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Years ago l visited Archiver’s nearly weekly and scrapbooked often. Then when the market crashed in ’08, l couldn’t justify buying more products, especially when l already had so much at home. I used to enjoy browsing the store to get inspiration, and without that l have lost a lot of my momentum. I miss being able to look and touch the designer paper. That’s what drew me into a purchase. Also, l think scrapbooking was beginning to be more about the embellishments than the photos themselves. It was beginning to get so complicated that it was less of a fun adventure and more of a chore. I mean, l would take 2-3 hours to do a page! I need to return to simplicity.
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I’ve scrap booked a lot. So, I guess my main question is how to get each page different. Seems like after a while I run out of ideas and each page is kind of like a previous one. Help.
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I started out papercrafting by scrapbooking, and enjoyed it for a brief time, but soon realized that I started waaay too late to be able to make even a dent in all the boxes of pictures from 40 years of marriage and 5 children, and now grandchildren!
I switched to making cards and love, love it. It’s such instant gratification compared to scrapbooking. I did recently make a wedding album for a granddaughter, but got a wedding album kit and added my own touches.
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I think it is dying. Cards & multi-media have overtaken it. I love paper crafts & all kinds of crafts. My problem is 2-fold. #1) Now that I have all of these neat art projects, etc. What can I do with them besides make cards? and #2) all the sites are pushing die-cuts & embossing too much. I can’t afford a machine & the rolling pin is too hard. Thanks for listening
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P.S I forgot to add that most kids aren’t.interested in scrapbooking or receiving an album, The future generation is all digital (camera, facebook, etc.)
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I do not believe scrap booking is dead. I have been scrap booking and card making for 15 years I have one child and two grandchildren. I do believe that digital scrapping has taken away a lot of the traditional. I also think we have tons of supplies and have cut back on the unending supplies for lack of space. People love to remember fun events and will never stop scrapping.
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How sweet are you Lindsay? I think if anyone can revive interest in scrapbooking, it is YOU! I think probably starting with the basics would be the way to go, including printing photos. I know for myself I really used to enjoy scrapping, but then I started getting involved in other crafts (card making, mixed media, drawing and painting, etc. . .) and I just found them more interesting and rewarding. I also live alone and don”t have kids or a husband, so I don’t know who would really want my books when I am gone.
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Your story still matters Maureen, you scrap if you want to!
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I do an album for my kids to give them on their 40th birthday I only scrap until they are about 20 I’m changing to the project life type format to hopefully make it quicker. I’ve done three and have two more to go my biggest problem is getting the old pictures scanned and organized. That is what I really need help with. And organizing on the computer. I’m trying picasa but even that is a challenge for me as I have an old computer and a. New one combining the two IS a Nightmare Help help if anyone has a good way to do that.
Love your videos you do such a good job and easy to watch. Thanks for all your sharing and help and knowledge in the crafting art world.
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Yeah!! I’m going to enjoy this series. I always enjoy your series…lol
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Hi Lindsay,
I like paper crafting, but I haven’t “scrapbooked” in awhile. My son is 22. Maybe that’s why?
I like to create mini scrap journals after a trip or special occasions as gifts which include a few pictures.
However, I always enjoy your videos and I’d be happy to learn scrapbooking tips!
Take Care,
Tina
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I don’t think its dead, at least I hope not! Many people I know are doing digital photobooks because they think its easier. I’m in my 40’s and have been scrapbooking since my son was little. It was overwhelming to try to do it chronologically from his birth since he was already 2 or 3. Didn’t help that he came along before we got our first digital camera. Anyway, I can’t stay that disciplined and found I would stall on a subject that didn’t inspire me and not be able to move on worried that I was going out of order. So now I scrap where I have inspiration. Sometimes with photos I love, or a product I just acquired, or memorabilia I tripped over. Sometimes I work on nothing but birthdays (Or Christmas, or Halloween) so that I can intentionally design the pages differently. Sometimes I take on a year’s worth of school events so I *can* keep them looking somewhat similar. I would love you to cover different approaches so that someone on the fence about starting may not get overwhelmed. I figure anything I leave behind is better than none. I have also encouraged my son to have input on the pages I made, and he seems *at 13* to still appreciate them. Hopefully he’ll appreciate them even more when I’m gone. I haven’t done a lot… barely put a dent in all the pics I have, but some is better than none. I am stoked that you are willing to do this series to rekindle the love of the craft!
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I’m interested in learning about scrapbooking. I don’t have children, pets or many event-photos/ milestones etc. I’d like to know how to document a more quiet and introverted lifestyle.
I suppose this is a niche fulfilled by art journals, but those are private journals. I’d certainly like to be able to share my personality and experiences in a digestible way.
I’d hope the stereotype that one needs a lot of embellishments, patterned papers and saccharine sentiments to scrap is not necessarily true.
Thank you for offering the education. I really enjoy your blog and effervescent personality.
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Hi Lindsay, I don ‘t think it is dead, just transitioning into the digital world where you can do your photobooks all on line and put whatever embellishments on your page without having the physical item. I can appreciate the books; the better ones take hours to make, but I like to sit down with a book where the pictures have been placed on the page and “hard” embellishments have been added. I really enjoy the textures and the life of the pages that just isn’t there in many photobooks. Don’t get me wrong, they each have their place and I enjoy both of them. Long live plastic dishes that will save a lock of a child’s hair or a piece of fabric from a special dress that I can actually touch. That to me is a legacy to be passed down and loved. BUT, what do I know, I don’t scrapbook,but my friends Do and I so appreciate the time and effort they put into immortalizing their families and friends.
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Hi Lindsay. ..I’m one of the those who doesn’t print their photos and feels overwhelmed about where to start scrapbooking!! I suppose you could say I did sort of make a start when my son was born by putting photos in an album with a comment and I kept a diary but that was about the extent of it. This was 16 years ago and back then you had to get your photos printed at the Chemist so you physically had them to use. So I personally, would find it really useful if you could start from the beginning please…I’ve heard the word, but don’t really know what a crop is…for instance! I’m guessing it’s like a workshop but you make scrapbook pages? When you say print your photos do you mean on photo paper or just on ordinary print paper or card? You see? I’m very confused!!!! Thanks in advance xxx
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Big questions – great answers. To Maureen, even if you scrapbook current events, someone will see your book at an estate sale or your garage sale, and suddenly your hard work with be a wonderful look inside the signs of a time we can remember and have a really personal look at the machinations of politics, religion, etc. Look on it as an artistic diary. . . and how many of those have we seen widen our understanding of the history of America?
Scrapbooking isn’t dead, it’s like Nancy says it’s gone digital. I worked in layout and design for a newspaper, and I found that fun. At school, my favorite thing to work on were double truck layouts, and several of us worked together on the Comet Hale-Bopp and that puppy won a couple of awards at intercollegiate journalism competitions. But, digital stuff can get lost if it is not printed out and kept in some archival form – ergo, scrapbooking!
Our son visited us this spring here in Germany, and he had his fancy mobile smart phone chock full of pictures. Yes, it was fun looking at the grandchildren, but only with our son there to ‘explain’ the relevance of the pictures. So what happens when that phone dies an untimely death? If it is not saved on a small disc, it will all be gone.
I do not scrapbook personally. I enjoy writing, but a novel is just not my genre. Blogging is fun, but again it is all digital. And, even if I put it all on a thumb drive or DVD, will that technology be so old that curious on lookers will need to find a still working computer with the ‘viable’ technology to view my work? Again, digital is not fool proof.
Selfies: That is the quintessential ‘look at me’ self indulgent past time. But who did the original selfie? Well, maybe not the first, but Rembrandt did several in oil, and people still stand in front of his work at museums all over Europe. Now there’s something to talk about. Style, use of light, artistic techniques – how’d he get that lace painted? Did men really wear lace? Did he really look like that, or did he use his own unique sense of artistic license?
Soooo! Do not under estimate your scrapbooking skills. You never know, some day your work may be under glass for hundreds of thousands of art lovers to see. The Texas Tech Ranching Heritage iMuseum in Lubbock, Texas, has some very fascinating historical items that were handmade by pioneering women on the South Plains. Things as simple as sun bonnets used to shade the face while gardening hang on the knob of a kitchen chair, or needlework on tea towels can be found. not under glass, but certainly on the kitchen table or chair of a life size museum diorama.
Step back, think about it, and then watch Lindsay as she guides us through the maze. I personally have enjoyed the 5×7 watercolor tutorials. The beach rose and the birch tree are reminders of vacations I took with my husband and children. And her teaching skills are incredible – I never had a teacher so laid back – my experience was they always did a nervous little danced around my work, commented, and sometimes even took the brush and added their flair. Oh Arrrrgh!
My current project is putting a workshop together for clients at a Caritas House in the foothills of the German Alps! We’ll do some watercolor painting but mainly card work for greeting cards to be sold to visitors who come into various open house events during the year.
Lindsay, this tome should be shot and buried, but alas – I am a word smith, and I think you have your finger on the pulse of something big and interesting. Go for it sweetheart! Reinvent the art of paper, paint, printed pictures, etc. The idea of ‘brag’ books – I forget the name they have been given – are tedious, but still they are compact, easy to adapt to various seasons, the journaling cards can be exchanged for new contents and the old put in archival Zip Lock bags for posterity. Sorta like the old china – pack it away and make room for the newest and greatest Rosenthal, and who knows that box of old china may someday be the inheritance that brings a bundle of cash to some relative’s pocket. Or in the alternative will grace the table at the next heritage museum. . .
Much love – Paula aka Midnightair
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Wordsmith, indeed! Love this piece, Paula.
Lindsey, scrapbooking? Yes, but keep those cards and paintings coming in! Please! Thank you.
If only we lived close-up and I ould send over a casserole, so that you could tape, not cook!
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Lindsay, I know–with an a! Sorry.
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Jo you are a sweetie, and thank you for your comment. p.s. I’d bring the salad to go with the casserole.
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Hi Lindsay, it would be nice to see some videos where you incorporate scrapbooking with mixed media techniques. I do think traditional scrapbooking is dead, but I think it has the potential of coming back in the form of mixed media/art journaling.
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Oh my goodness, this is like the best timing ever, I haven’t been able to scrapbook for such a long time (years) that I finally decided (due to health issues) that I need to start scrapbooking for my health sake. I just told my daughter yesterday that I was going to clean my scrapbook table this weekend to start again. Anyways, I do have an idea for you, since scrapbooking is affordable as long as you don’t buy any expensive cutting machines, like I have been for the last 10 years or more, how about teaching us how to make our own scrapbook embellishments, I have seen a few tutorials but I like how you teach 🙂 Also how about combining making our own backgrounds like art journaling and mixed media for our scrapbooks, that’s how I’ve been planning to start 🙂 Thanks so much for such a wonderful blog and for such dedication to making videos and helping us 🙂
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For those of you who are overwhelmed with the idea of scrapbooking all your photos – don’t. I have 4 sons and only discovered scrapbooking when my oldest was 17. I decided to only scrap the photos that I loved or special events and situations. I’ve made only 1 (quite large) book for each son of all their special memories (some without even photos). I also have done a 2nd “special” one for each, like oldest’s summer in Europe, my 3rd’s varsity year in sports, etc. Even though my sons are older (24 to 33) they still love looking in their books. So much more fulfilling than page after page of photos with no explanation. Once they own their own home their books go with them and I can say that they are prominently displayed.
On the digital front I have made 2 scrapbooks of old family photos/history. Even though I much prefer paper, just the feel, texture, tactile nature of it, I knew I needed at least 12 copies of one book and 9 of the other so the practicality of digital won out.
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Lindsay, have I missed something here? I have a home printer but trying to print out a bunch of pictures for an album would be so tedious. I take my digital camera card to WalMart, use their photo printer and select only the photos I really want to keep. (We all take bad pictures sometimes, right?) I get actual hold-in-my-hand copies. I can make multiples. I can even do some editing before printing them. Then, they can go into a file labeled with the names, dates and places. If I want to put them into an album later, great!
The one problem I see with scrapbooking is it becoming the end in itself—all that jazzy stuff on a page stuck on top of lots of other jazzy stuff. Wait! There’s a photo on that page. But the photo, which is the supposed real purpose for the album, is totally lost.
Maybe more people would be interested in a variation of the old-fashioned photo album. Just put in the pictures, add some descriptive labeling and maybe a few embellishments and call it done. Not so expensive. Doesn’t require an extra room built onto the house to store all the stuff.
One last thought—as I get older, I notice that my family members are less and less interested in looking at lots and lots of photos. A birthday memory and maybe a special vacation memory from each year seems to be quite adequate.
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Hi Lindsey,
I’m 65, live alone and enjoy having your cheery voice and upbeat attitude with me when I am making cards. I have 26 albums completed. They have many scrapbook touches. My mother kept wonderful journals and photo albums. The pages were black and the pictures all had little corners to hold them on the page. What a treasure for my sister and I now that she has passed away. Reading the journal of my life through her eyes is a wonderful heritage.
That being said, none of my children are scrapbooking. They are making albums for each child using pre done books. I think my generation may be the last to scrap in the traditional way of the past.
Ann
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Scrapbooking dead? Not here! My little group includes women from 20 to 80. We try to meet and work at least once a month. Mainly it is a social event but we do put pictures to page and try to be creative about our pages. I think everyone likes to look at themselves and their family events. At 70, I still look back at my mother’s albums and am reminded of the good and not so good times we had. It is true that many stores have closed, but new ones are opening. As for digital, I love the cameras that enable me to take many pictures and choose the best to print. I am a bit old fashioned I guess, because I love to hold the book in my hands and page through it. So, I scrap on!
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Your blog, Lyndsey, bridges the gap between scrapbooking and art journaling.
I have taught a lot of art journaling classes over the years and although the basic concept is simiilar, there is a big difference between the look and techniques of the two 🙂 Although Art Journaling is also a huge industry (who knew it cost so much to doodle?) it is far more individual than the scrapbooking formats that use the cutting machines (thus all the templates are similar)
What I hear the most when the subject does come up, it that the scrapbooking insustry is too confusing (now) for newbies! Bloggers assume everyonel knows about the supplies and tools that they use in their videos and blogs. Because scrapbooking, stamping and digital techniques have been around for awhile now, the bloggers often forget that NEW people are coming to the crafts daily and become lost in the vastness of the crafts. :-).
Since there are SO many restrictons (financial licensing that is VERY expensive!) on using any of the tens of thousands of Cricut and Silhouette designs on anything but personal scrapbooks and cards (wonder how many cards folks really send out? :-)) it is no wonder that many of my students have stuck to their Art Journaling books where every page is unique and any of their artwork can be incorporated into a painting (with no license fees!)
So when you come up with your creative (and frugal!) techniques that each person can make “their own” and incorporate into whatever art format they desire to create, then you have done a universally great job!
Thank you for the effort you put into your blog!
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First I want to say that I still love printing my photos. One of my most cherished memories with my mom is when she would pull out the photo albums & we would go through them, even as an adult. Unfortunately both my parents are gone, but those photo albums are a treasure.
On the flip side I think the economy has hurt a lot of people, but in all honesty you can shop for bargains & then you have these photo places where they will make the book for you, but to me that is not personalized.
Sad, but the world is in hurry up get things done & move on. I like you are going to keep doing what I love & enjoy being creative.
Thank you for all that you do, I have learned so much from you and look forward to your e-mails & videos.
Happy Scrapbooking & Crafting,
Debbir
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With my first grandchild on the way, I would love to learn to scrapbook. Not only that I need to get vacation pictures into a scrapbook while I still have the good memories that go along with them. Lyndsey, I just bought my first set of watercolor paints because I love watching you paint and you make me think I could do it too. I really look forward to turning my computer on every morning and finding something from “The Frugal Lady.”
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I don’t think pape rcrafting will ever be dead. It has survived in many forms since paper was invented! Also, any technique that enhances or embellishes or shapes paper will appeal to scrapbookers or cardmakers. I myself follow Laura Denison, who designs 3d scrapbooks and boxes. I do this for the art of paper crafting. Love it.
I’d love to learn how to make gold or silver ink that would work in the printer. In this day and age it is ridiculous that Epson, HP, or Canon has not done this for the home printer! To be able to add shine to lettering would appeal to everyone who does paper crafts! Printers are so cheap these days that I’d be willing to get one just to experiment. I’m sure there must be a way to do this. You probably know that way!
I love all your videos and I look forward each day to learning something new! Thank you, Lindsay!
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I think that metal particles in ink would corrode print heads. You can print with yellow on vellum then gold emboss it if you work quickly,
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I sure hope not so much fun along with stamping cars and making them
Sent from my iPad
>
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My photos and albums are stacked on a shelf. It seems that I don’t have space to leave them out so I can work on them so once I put them up that’s where they stay. I think ideas on organizing would be great. Also, do you keep your photos in order by year, event, etc. or do you just pull a few out and make a page not caring what year they were taken?
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Funny you discussing this. I want to start one for a lady who is having triplets I don’t know how to do this without pictures. I want to set it up so she can add her own. All girls by the way. help please
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I made a great scrapbook for my manager who was having a baby. I made 6 by 6 inch pages. Each page had a simple border or corner graphic with a blank piece of card stock or patterned paper cut large enough to leave a border showing for a picture. Add journaling blocks with lines on the facing page. I used generic baby colors and did one page for each month with other non themed pages in between. Have fun with it! I used up a bunch of leftover baby themed stickers and paper. She will have to pull out the pages to add pictures and journaling so keep the embellishments simple.
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I pre-scrapped my twin girls first year when I was pregnant!
Here is what I did (x2):
print out a full year of calender pages on nice cardstock for a free service like pdfcalender.com (I woul start 2-3 months before due date as multiples are early) Tell the mom the calender pages are to fill in with weight checks and baby’s firsts. trust me, she will never remember what day she took them to the park the first time or how much they weighed on her 1 month doctor visit:)
Make generic layouts with mays for 4″x6″ photos and put matching embellishments, the page is ready except for photos, this will be part of a 2 page layout, on the opposite papge use matching paper and embellishments and glue the calender on top. Each month in the book has a calender page and room for 3 photos. It worked for me. maybe I will share the book on a video, would this be helpful?
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I am still scrapbooking but I am not purchasing as much in the way of papers just blank cardstock. I feel that I can make my own backgrounds with paint, inks, stamps and the ephemera that is used for the typical subject or create the embellishments required. I haven’t done much of late but that is because of working commitments but I still like to get my photos printed professionally, the quality of the paper is so much better and the life of the photo and ink will last longer when comparing it with print yourself. I also enjoy mixed media art, journal and card making and tend to lean towards these before the scrapbooking. In my case my children are now adults but no younger ones on the horizon yet, a way to go so the urgency is not there for me. Certainly if this changed I would be back vigorously scrapbooking every moment. Some people are doing journal pages of their lives instead of the scrapbooking, this I have noticed being quite a strong contender. The other thing I want to point out is the outrageous price some of the scrapbooking stores charge for their products when you can purchase online for a fraction of the price. Here in Australia we don’t get the up to date products fast enough and I tend to import and a huge price reduction in comparison to what my local stores charge. I feel some of them are really greedy with their pricing and this really puts me off. I hunt for what I want and get it as required way before the stores here in Australia can supply, so why in the goodness would I wait for an obsolete product longer than 6 months after it was released. Scrapbooking for me will never die, yes Project Life has taken over and is the new thing but this is killing the really creative edge that the scrapbooker’s have and soon it will be blank in their memories, all for the pockets, of slip in easy, put together life, this is not for me. I also feel there is always a turn around, things in life fade in and out, like fashion it will come back strong again, just give it time. I love your program and thank you for all you voice about, I have never commented on here before but felt this is one subject that I have to have my say.
Hugs Eliza
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it comes full circle, many of the hot scrapbook products came as manufactures copied what edgy scrapbookers were making. Now we are making out own supplies again (and I LOVE that!)
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Oh and I forgot to add even though my children are adults they still pull out their scrapbooks and look at the past and love it.
Hugs Eliza
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You really have me re-thinking the scrapbook making. I have quite a few started, but seem to have drifted back to card making and art journaling. Most of my pictures I put on a DVD (with music) for my grown children and their families, but like you said “what if it all goes away”, or technology re-invents! Not long ago we had VSH, cassettes. I have movies of my kids as babies but can no longer watch them cause they are on “film” (I did keep an old projector).
I had my PC die, and when they “fixed” it I had lost almost all my 2012 pictures, so just saving them to the PC isn’t always safe.
although I now have an extra external drive to store them onto, what if THAT becomes like the VHS…..no way to view them.
I think I moved away from scrapbooking because of the expense, which is totally my fault. I got all hooked up with the stickers and that really drove the price UP! I KNOW it doesn’t have to be THAT way. Project Life seems to have taken over, but there again the price to start in a new direction is astronomical!
Sorry about the long chit chat, I don’t normally go on like this, but I really like YOUR question……it is one I have been asking myself, and now I know the answer……..”Get back to quick and simple and get it done”
So my answer would be “Build it and they will come” Ok, so I am a “Field of Dreams” junkie……LOL
I know you can lead us all back to quick and simple and frugal….grin
Even though I do KNOW how to do scrapbook, I WILL tune in for you to keep me on goal…….LOL
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Hello,
I am sending this link to you http://www.scrapbooking-made-simple.com, and I will forward Stacy Parker’s last video. At the end of her videos she shows cards and page layouts.
I recently discovered your site and videos. You are very talented. Thank you so much for sharing.
Within the past two years, I have taken up the hobby of card making mostly using Stampin Up supplies. It has been so much fun.
Your water coloring has inspired me to give watercolor a try. My cousin Keith Andry (here is his site http://www.andryfinearts.com/abouttheartist.html) does awesome work. One day I would like to surprise him and his mother with something that I have done. The Andry family has all the talent. So do you! I have more desire than talent, but your creativity and teaching skill make it seen possible.
Thanks so much!
Have a wonderful day.
Paulette Habbit
Sent from my iPad
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Follow your desire, I think it is your talent trying to get out!!!! And be your self ( do not try to be your cousin). Have fun, you are in for a great adventure.
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I think simple basic scrapbooking would be great. I love making my own cards but seem to have trouble trying to figure out how to put together a scrapbook page that looks good and matches.
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I love mixing mixed media and scrapbooking. I do find that my son and daughter in law seem to prefer the digital books. They are nice. She likes the hard bound books which my grandson thinks of like one of his many books. I have framed several of my pages and I think that scares my family. Places seem to get smaller and they are wondering what they will do with it all. Their lives are so busy that I think they are loosing touch with art which saddens me to the core. So without Lindsey and all you, I’d really be sad. Bring it on Lindsey but like many others, I really look forward to all the other things you do and I’m on the edge with trying water color so don’t stop all these things. You are the only one who is so well rounded. Thank you Lindsey!
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I can hear the moans and groans now as I reveal that all my family photos are tossed willy nilly in a big, and now tattered, cardboard box. Wouldn’t have it any other way. We love digging in the picture box and pulling out a photo from last year then one from 15 years ago. The laughs make the night. However, I have used some family photos on art journal pages. ( Does that count as anything?). I love art journaling and cards and other papercrafts, but never been a scrap booker. I have learned so much from you, Lindsey. I worry if you blog is not in my email early. So keep doing what you do so well and varying the topics. I always investigate even if I don’t think it’s for me. I always enjoy.
Ps. Do you know anything about making cosmic shimmer glitter paste. I saw it used on a video. It’s only available in the UK except for Amazon and the shipping is exorbitant.
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Truth be told, I just couldn’t get into it………too much time spent on one page. The scrapbooks that I’ve seen, most pages are so fancy/cluttered it detracts from the photo. IMHO It’s like any other craft, some people love it, while others take a pass.
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Hey there Lindsay, first of all, I want to thank you so much for the beach rose tutorial. I had so much fun painting with you! It was actually the first watercolor I did that I liked…lol. My husband said, hey it looks just like a beach rose! So anyway thanks again for sharing your art and being such an upbeat, down to earth teacher! We love you! And now about the scrapbooking question…I am 54 and just learned to scrapbook on a trip to Florida a couple years ago. I for one absolutely love it. I wish I had known about it when my children were growing up. Now I have grandchildren that are half grown so I probably could never scrap the thousands of photos I have, some printed out, some digital, some in my phone, some in my email/computer folders, etc. They are everywhere!! But I do love, love, love scrapping! So I would love anything about scrapping you know and could teach since I am a new scrapper. I look forward to watching your videos every evening!
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Not dead, oh no! I say definitely even though I haven’t made a scrapbook page in ages. Like in years… but all the things I learned from scrapbooking I use in card crafting, and I intend to scrapbook someday. I am interested in digital scrapping, but have not a clue how to do what I want with it, so I stick with paper and paints, etc. I would love a series of videos (shorter is better) on the basics, as a refresher, and to see a new perspective, I think it might inspire me to go scrap all those things I have carefully been saving for a rainy day.
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Wow! What a great question. I used to scrapbook and have a ton of supplies and lots of photos that are sitting on my computer not printed out. I would like to complete my scrapbooks, at least through my kids high school years (they are now 21 and 22), but just can’t seem to get into it. I see lots of cool pages with digital effects and I want to learn how to do some simple photo editing. I would really like some videos on photo editing and printing using free or inexpensive digital tools.
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Not dead, but many of us hard core scrappers have built up huge stashes and others have turned to digital scrapping and then just print out the books as a volume. I have stopped printing pics for the last couple of years until I catch up on the all the copies I still need to put into layouts. Once I make a good dent in my stash, I’ll probably try out digital. And, many of us also got into card making as it can be a more “instant gratification” craft. I’m also a more “simple” scrapbooker, making pages that will actually fit inside a sleeve. While the layered pages are gorgeous, they’re $$$ to make and often don’t fit into a protector. All the creative guides and resources for us “plain” scrappers have disappeared. Except for those going into Project Life, which isn’t my style. Thanks for all you do. You inspired me to watercolor and keep trying.
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I do think that fewer people are printing out their photos which I think they will regret in the future since technology changes so quickly. I also suspect that there are so many suppliers of crafting goods now that the market is split into such small returns that most companies cannot survive on their profit share. Nice for us to have selection but hard for suppliers. Finally, a question for your future Ask a Crafter: Can you revive Krylon pens? I only seem to get one use out of a pen. Thanks Lindsay. You are a treasure.
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you need to pump the pen on occasion to revive it, have you tried that? Depress the nib onto a scrap of paper to make the ink flow;)
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Chronological scrapbooking is too much pressure. But I love love love making occasion mini scrapbooks for an event, a birthday, graduation etc. Would love to share ideas on mini albums.
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I am not qualified to say as I have never done it. Great idea for you to give some instructions though. Happy Birthday! ~Diane
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Hi Lindsay, 🙂
I have read all of the above comments and my comment is, “If you enjoy doing it and you can do it, KEEP ON DOING IT”. When I was growing up I wish I had kept a journal of all the things my family had told me about their lives and what it was like coming to Canada from the United Kingdom in the 1900s. Over the years I have forgotten so much of that information and now that my family and relatives are gone, it is not easy to find the family tree information. VHSs, DVDs, CDs, etc. are nice to use when they are in, but as noted in the above comments, when they are discontinued, you have lost those photos, etc.
Thank you Lindsay for asking for our comments on this question.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND MANY MORE!
Take care.
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I see a big trend towards art journaling. Maybe you could do a video on using plain white card stock but dolling it up with paints, inks, stamps, and stencils. I think the idea of making your own background could be fun for some people. Making your own embellishments similar to what you would buy but using something recycled (like using punches and newspaper or magazines to make flowers). Also since pocket scrapbooking is so big right now, there is a beginning trend to use sketches (or not) to make your own 3×4 and 4×6 cards. Maybe a video with some ideas on that.
And for Heaven’s sake, Lindsay, please tell people not to try to catch up! Scrapbooks are just as interesting to look at if they are NOT IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER!! Plus, it takes the pressure off!! Makes it so much more fun!!
Another idea- Maybe show people how their supplies and/or tools can multi-task. Show them how to do more with what they do buy… I used to attend a Stampin’ Up class. We would make cards, or layouts using punches to do ‘punch art’. I always walked away from that class so impressed with what else you could do with the punch that I had ordered the dang thing (and I still use them to date). Same with Stampin’ Up’s Paper Pumpkin kit… I saw a video on alternate projects that you could do… Yep, I’m subscribed now!
Whatever you decide to record, I will watch… I love your videos!!
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I started scrap booking AFTER I started card making.My daughter had done some scrap booking with her friends, and it was always in my mind to start, but the cards took over LOL.
My daughter got married almost 2 years ago, and I have the pics,and I am ready to go.
Since then my Mom passed away, and -really, life got in the way of the things I love doing.. Now I have all of HER pictures to try and preserve and pass on.
No– scrap booking isn’t dead, I think we all just accumulated so much “stuff” over time that now we are using that “stuff” to do the things we want. ( lesson learned from Lindsay ).
If we have to, we may have to stage “Scrapbook Revolt” to try an bring those little stores back.!!!
being in Canada, I have searched out and found some great scrapping sites, and.. sorry US friends..I find them cheaper.. and more “frugal” to buy from LOL 🙂 c.
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I have two things I would like more information aboutl 1) how to print and use digital images. What paper? What ink? 2) you do such a good job comparing things. Do you know or can you find out the difference between Prima fluid chalk in and Resist chalk ink. thanks as always for sharing.
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Hi Lyndsey,
I would love to have some advice on getting started with a page, especially choosing colour schemes and design layouts. I have quite a few children’s albums to get done and find the “starting point” quite overwhelming. Once I get going things seem to fall into place OK, it’s just the beginning I need help with.
Thanks for all your helpful videos,
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I would love to see your take on scrapbooking. I started out buying tons of stuff and still hardly ever scrap a page! I think the 12 x 12 format intimidates me and I’d like to try a smaller format. I also want to get into digital scrapbooking. I have Photoshop Elements 12 but it is too smart for me! I have downloaded and purchased many digi elements…all I need to do is figure out my program. But I don’t want to give up on paper scrapping either. There’s nothing like working with real paper. I agree with several people who commented on the fact that scrapbooking has gotten too elaborate. I know everyone has their own style, but personally, I like to focus on the photos and the story. I like my photos to be big enough to be seen! That said, there are still some really neat layouts I’ve seen for when you don’t have photos at all but still want to preserve a memory. Long story short…please do some videos on scrapbooking. I appreciate you so much.
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I don’t think scrapbooking is dead at all. I just think that the traditional scrapbooking turned into a “craze scrapbooking”, then slowed down and taken a bit of a twist. I, for one, am completely overwhelmed by all the supplies available, the push for ‘you gotta have this’ or you can’t do your project right. Also, with digital cameras, you can take hundreds of pictures and not have to develop it, so it just tends to stay on your card/camera. The result is an unmanageable amount of pictures (unless you are super organized) and it becomes paralyzing when you think about doing anything with them. I tried it, but just couldn’t get past that huge piece of paper and all the embellishments you are supposed to put on it or it would look anemic I switched to cards and other paper arts and mixed media and really like it better. But even with that, switch, when do you pull the plug on buying more stuff? There is always something bigger. better, brighter etc. coming along and you wind up collecting ‘must haves’ for no reason. All this stuff has complicated the traditional art of scrapbooking and may be intimidating some from even trying. So no, I don’t think it is dead, but maybe slowly going back to it’s roots with a little added zip of the craze attached. WOW, enough blabbing ….
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I’ve done a little digital scrapbooking, but mostly I’m a card maker. I hope your scrapbooking series can include technique tips, product tips, etc., that apply to both. (I’ve done a few digital-only cards, but they tend to look too manufactured!)
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I agree– I’ve always thought that if I want a “manufactured” looking card I could buy one at the Dollar Store. It may take me a little bit of time, and maybe more $$ but the recipient will know I put that time and thought into an “individual” card
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Could too many pictures be a problem? Remember when you would buy a roll of 24, and that was the extent of the vacation? We carefully chose what we wanted for posterity. Now, with virtual unlimited amounts of pictures, we can become overwhelmed and defeated even before we begin. My challenge : stop living your life through the lens of the camera. Use discretion when capturing a moment . . . and if by chance you slip and get carried away, delete all that excess. I think that journaling the moments in your own handwriting will recreate the real essence of a few good pictures in a most profound way.
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Regarding printers:
I know I have posted before on the printer I use, but I think it bears repeating. First off– I DO NOT work for Kodak, and this is NOT an ad for their product! However.. I have used a Kodak All-in-one (AIO) printer for many years. Not only is the quality of the photos, pictures, whatever great, the ink is CHEAP!! I buy the black/color combo set for under $40.00 CA. And I can get a lot of printing with the cartridges. I printed copies of all my daughters wedding photos with it, and no one could tell I didn’t have them professionally printed.
Just a thought… ❤ c.
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Thanks for the reminder, buying a printer can be a crap-shoot so I appreciate the review:)
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This past weekend I went to a scrapbooking event, that I go to every month with 40 ladies and I finished 4 layouts. So Scrapbooking is not dead to me. I love it, breath it, and dream about it. I am telling my story. My story includes kids, parents, pets, cousins, neighbors, friends, current events and so on….. I don’t go in any kind of order, I do print all my pics, the ones I don’t use on a layout goes in photo box. YOU DON’T HAVE TO USE EVERY PIC YOU HAVE TAKEN IN A SCRAPBOOK. I do agree with some post that scrapbooking became more about embellishments. I never took that path. It’s about the pic. Making card is fun, I love that too. But they will not spark a memory in a person mind of days gone by. Not like a picture will. So even if you never scrapbook, please print your pictures. It’s important for genrations to come. Sounds dramatic right??? It is people. I am 42 and I will do this craft until my last breath.
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I hope it isn’t dying. I love it but definitely am far behind. I think that is part of the problem. People get overwhelmed with life and where do you start with all your years of picture which are somewhere on a memory card. I need to simplify my pages, not worry about the order of things, focus on the good pictures and just get it done. I agree that there is something special about sitting around and pulling out albums instead of flipping through pictures on some sort of device or computer. Let’s keep scrapbooking alive!
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So….. I hope that scrapbooking isn’t dead, since I started doing it just last year. I started my first scrapbook for a trip we took in a Smashbook and it has been an expanding hobby for me since. I have made mini-books for friends, specific events, etc. I also find the whole pocket scrapbook option easy and interesting–although I wish there were more options in size 8 1/2″ by 11″. I lost a lot of years of pictures due to a lost digital camera and a hard drive crash, so I now print photos to be sure I have them somewhere–and organized in albums with scrapbook notes around them is exactly what I like to do. It tells the story, it is quick and there is less pressure on me to make things extra fancy or perfect. I mean, I can do that on all or part of the page, but it doesn’t have to take things over or take as long to do. When I want to flex my fancy chops, I tend to make cards.
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Hi Lindsay, Love, Love, Love your videos! I have a quick question for you since you are the go to girl for answers. I love to scrapbook! I have been doing it for 15 years. My question is I heard you mention you had a ciss printer system? I would love to find out more about this. I tried to google it but am not real sure what I am looking for. I would like to try this to see if I could print collaged photos from home for my scrapbooking. I loved yours. I have never done it that way. I take tons of photos and if I could affordably print them from home that would b great! I don’t want to invest in something that doesn’t work. Any information you could provide would b great. Thanks so much for all your videos and all that you do!
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I think it is for Epson printers ad it is called continuous ink system with ink tanks that sit on top or beside the printer.
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I love to scrapbook and make it a priority! As a teacher, I don’t have time to work on my books much during the school year, so I am careful to organize my digital photos and memorabilia by date. In the summer, I take a look at what I have, order prints from a great online company and enjoy scrapping. I use SCAL 2 software to design each page and to cut elements with my cricut, so there are no surprises about things fitting. My son will be a senior next year. I regret that the first four years of his life included “film” and cheaper scrapbook supplies because the quality is not as good. My more recent books feature good (backed-up) digital photos and quality supplies. I would love to see videos on layouts, techniques, and money-saving ideas.
I encouraged a new mom to do digital scrapping, but for me, next to the treasure of seeing my family enjoy the albums, I truly do enjoy cutting and gluing.
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I don’t think scrapbooking is dead. I remember when I started maybe 15 years ago. I started with a co-worker who took me to a CM workshop and I thought it was going to be a phase for me. Well I’ve been doing it every since. This coworker and I would even bring our craft roller bags (once a month on Wednesday nights) to work and scrap in the company conference room until about 7:00 pm at night. Scrapbooking was very simple in the beginning but now it has advanced to a choice of digital, mixed media, art journal, etc. I’ve learned that I don’t have to do all of these techniques as they come out. If you love doing simple layouts continue to scrap that way…there is nothing wrong with it. I love simple but I’ve also learned to incorporate ephemera, wash tape, etc. and all those other embellishments. Have i gotten real elaborate with the vintage look….. NO ! Maybe one day maybe not. I like most have a ton of pictures of three grandkids and the rest of the family. My grandkids (who are 16, 19 and 20) love looking at the pictures when they were younger because in most cases they didn’t know i had those pictures of them. And even now when they take pictures of themselves with their friends or at school I always have them send me copies so I can place them in the books so they can look at them later in life when they are married and have kids. Recently I did a scrapbook page of my grandsons after haircuts and added the price of their haircuts today because one day their kids will say “wow your haircuts were cheap” back then. I also watch a lot of scrapbook videos on YouTube. I love learning new techniques and getting ideas and then scrap them in my own style. I have tons of paper and supplies but I’ve learned that I don’t need every tool and machine out there. I once own three cutting machines and three embossing machines. Why? At the time I would buy the next new one when it came out (even though the one I had was just a year old) …. I finally figured out that I should just use what I have and learn to use it “fully” until it breaks down or go “broke”. I decided to just donate (one of the cutting machines and two of the embossing machines) to a consultant who has scrapbooking workshops.
At 64 (and retired for five years) I now have more time to scrap into the wee hours of the morning…. my husband understands how much i enjoy it.
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