WHY SCRAPBOOK?

More often than not, I meet people who love the look of a scrapbooked memory album. There are other times though that I meet someone and they say "Why bother with Scrapbooking? I just put my photo in an album I bought at the store." At one time, my response was in regards to the archival safety of such products "bought at the store". Most of the photos albums sold years ago contained extremely high levels of acid, which end up destroying your precious memories.

However, today there are many photos albums sold that are acid-free. But is that the only thing you should be concerned with? Definitely not. Read on for my reasons why you should create a scrapbook with your memories:

• Memory albums, also known as scrapbooks, allow the story behind your photos to be told. A photo of a startled child may be interesting to look at, but isn't it more fun to know that the shocked look is because her brother surprised her with his new toy snake that Grandpa bought him?

• Memory albums are beautiful. Just like the furnishings in your home, your albums will reflect your special style. You will be proud to have your albums on display in your home and your guests will be in awe of what has been created with your photos.

• Memories should be enjoyed and shared. They can't be if they are shoved in drawers and shoeboxes. Just don't have the time? There are professional scrapbook artists that you can hire to complete your albums.

• Memory albums last forever. Whether you use your own time to complete your album, or hire a professional scrapbook artist, there is a cost involved. Unlike the housecleaner that cleans your home each week or the mechanic that gives your car a tune-up (although both are important), a completed scrapbook is a treasure that won't need to be redone or maintained. Once your album is created, it is done and ready to be enjoyed for generations to come.

• You've invested a lot of money and time in your memories. Because we want to remember every moment in our lives and the lives of our loved ones, we spend hundreds of dollars on cameras, film, developing, and portrait studios. Why would you give the final prints shabby treatment? Don't take the display of your photos lightly. By creating scrapbook pages you are giving your memories the treatment they deserve.

• Acid-free isn't everything. Acid-free is a hot new term, and while it is important, it isn't the only thing to worry about. An album you find at your local discount store is likely to be labeled "acid-free", but scrappers knows that the products she uses must also be free of lignin (its presence in paper aids chemical degradation) and that they must be archival quality.

• Future generations won't be clueless. Unlike photo albums, scrapbooks allow every memorable detail to be included. Years from now, when your children's children are viewing the albums that you had created, they will know exactly how life was for you and your family. You won't always be there...but with your albums, you really are.

© 2003 Brandie Valenzuela