by Cindy Hartzell

Created on: June 23, 2009   Last Updated: June 29, 2009

There are just going to be those times when there are no photos available. Damaged film, photos or memory cards, forgotten camera, bad exposure, dead battery, or camera restrictions will often render you without a photograph of a special memory that you want to include in a scrapbook.

If the thought of a scrapbook page without photos has you stumped, just go back in time to understand the origin of scrapbooks and you will find lots of inspiration! Scrapbooks actually held their place in history well before the first photos were ever taken. The name itself is actually derived from early journals and albums that contained various scraps of paper. These books and albums were so popular that stores carried product labels and other "scrap" specially made for placement in common-place books and journals. Magazines often included articles on ideas for making these special keepsakes. "Manuscript Gleanings and Literary Scrapbook," published in 1826, was the very first book that contained advice on displaying personal items such as poems, diary entries, and other "scrap". It was not until 1988, that the first film camera made it possible to record events with a photograph.

Gleaning ideas from the past:

By the early 1800s, and during the Victorian era, many people kept "common-place books," containing such things as favorite poetry, greeting cards, recipes, mementos, newspaper clippings, product labels and other sentimental souvenirs. Also popular around this time were friendship journals containing poetry, quotes, ribbons, personal thoughts, pressed flowers and even hair weavings.

Take a look at Victorian scrapbooks and try copying their beautiful and fun style. Be sure to include advertisements and memorabilia. Pick out things that are fun and meaningful to you. Do not be afraid to use buttons, trims and other findings as well. By the late 19th century fancy embossed leather bound journals with beautiful engraved locks and other findings also emerged.

Try techniques used by people such as past president Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain. They used newspaper clippings, drawings and diary entries to record and document important and meaningful events in their lives. A seamstress by the name Hattie Harlow left behind several well organized journals containing instructions, patterns, notes, illustrations and a few with knitting swatches. All her books were handmade from cardboard and wallpaper. Throughout the early scrap booking craze, it was not uncommon for wealthy

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