Scrapbooking is becoming one of the most popular craft/hobbies in the country as it is both creative and practical. It's easy for anyone to create exciting, artistic pages to enhance their photos. On the practical side, this rewarding hobby provides a family treasure that will endure for countless generations. Planning a scrapbook page/layout is much like planning a greeting card. All it requires is a theme, a bit of time, and your creative ideas. Here are some facts and steps to help you get started.

1. ORGANIZE
Get those pictures out of shoeboxes and onto the coffee table where they can be enjoyed. Organize and sort your photos by subjects, such as Activities, Events, People, Places, Things, Time, etc. Then sort each category into chronological order. Most people begin with a memory book for each child, a Christmas book, a birthday book or a vacation book. Gather your decorating materials. Everything that touches your photos should be of archival quality, that is, Photo-safe.

2. CREATE A PAGE
Select photos with which to build a theme for your page. If desired, crop photos to desired shapes, using die cut templates, scissors, corner borders, craft punches, etc. Select enhancing papers or stickers, or create a background with rubber stamps. Before adhering anything to your page, experiment with the layout by moving things around until you are satisfied with the results. Then assemble and glue the page.

3. ARRANGE YOUR MEMORY BOOK
Assemble your finished pages in chronological order to tell the story. Add memorabilia to facing pages, such as letters, awards, programs, tickets, etc. Leave room for journaling. Add information and details.

Archival Qualifications/Photo-Safe

• ACID FREE: Any material that does not contain acid, which destroys photos with time. A neutral pH of 7.0, like that of pure water, is ideal for archival use. If the pH value of stamp pad ink is unknown, mat your photos with acid free paper before mounting on a stamped background. Heat set or emboss stamped images. Heat embossed images should be kept away from direct contact with your photographs, since the pH value of embossing powder cannot be determined.

• LIGNIN FREE: Lignin is a natural, acidic substance found in most papers, used for strength and stiffness. It causes chemical degradation of photos.

• BUFFERED: Acid free paper which has been stabilized to eliminate the formation of destructive alkaline substances.

• LIGHTFASTNESS: Resistance to fading. Dye based inks tend to be "light fugitive" or fast fading when exposed to light, heat or moisture. Pigment based inks are fade resistant, colorfast, and often waterproof.

Suggested Decorating Materials

• Rubber Stamps: Produce decorative artwork, accents, borders, scenes related to the page theme.

• Craft Punches: Use to punch shapes in layered pieces, create confetti-like accents, or decorate photo or paper corners.