What is a simple scrapbook? In making a simple scrapbook, the scrapbook maker has the freedom to select the ideas, presentation mode and size of his scrapbook. He can decide the shape of his scrapbook and follows a schema from the cover page to the back page and through the pages in between. He decides on a framework to follow in designing, making and completing his scrapbook. As his scrapbook follows a theme based on an event or an occasion, it will have a title, a definite beginning and an end, sections and page numbers to the sections reflected on a content page.
It is simply a scrapbook that is idiot-proof and simple enough to assemble so even a child will be able to do it without cutting himself with the scissors or stapling his thumb, or coloring off the paper edge and onto the table. This is because a simple scrapbook has a pre-determined theme, is based on an occasion or is an organization of collected items.
These are suitable materials you can use to make a simple scrapbook:
- discarded exercise book, long strips of durable cardboard folded into accordion-like shapes, CD paper wraps, envelopes or paper bags to hold the embellishments
- pictures and photographs of a single event such as your daughter's first birthday celebration
- dried flowers collected on a nature study trip
- discards of silk materials collected at a silk fair
- short notes on a visit to the Mountaineer's Museum in Darjeeling
- recipes printed on food cartons collected over two years
In the good old days when the computer and the television were non-existent, people spent a lot of their time on handicraft and item collection. A simple scrapbook can give a child days of leisurely creative pleasure and teach him content and organizational skills.
Paper was scarce and relatively expensive to many. An old exercise book sufficed. Used paper was carefully removed both front and back and the cover page was wrapped in recycled gift wrap or decorated with words and drawings and painstakingly colored.
A child's scrapbook would consist of used stamps and stickers, arranged in all manner to suit the scrapbooker's taste while titles and notes on the items were painfully and meticulously inscribed on the relevant pages.
An older child's scrapbook may consist of lyrics of favorite songs, again painstakingly inscribed onto each page. The illiterate may have their exercise books filled with self-designed clothes for their paper dolls or themselves, inclusive of tabs at the appropriate places to attach them to their paper dolls, foils of rare and favorite sweets and even old magazine photo cut-outs of their acting and singing idols.
A teenager's or adult's scrapbook may consist of recipes, best wishes and scribbled farewell messages from soon-to-be-former college friends, or even newspaper and magazine cut outs of write-ups and photos of their favorite actors or singers, a continuation of their childhood scrapbooking effort.
Today, a simple scrapbook can be assembled using thick envelopes. Punch holes at the sealed ends of ten envelopes. Push small key chain loops through the holes to bind the envelopes together and there you have it, your simple scrapbook for stamps, stickers and other small flat items. Decorate the outer surfaces. Use thick self-adhesive laminating paper to seal the items and protect the envelopes. Do not seal the opening so that you can put in extra items. Instead of envelopes, use lunch bags or even disposable vacuum bags which are thick.
Individual computer disk paper pockets are good for displaying photographs, pictures and small, flat items because they come with a transparent circular window. However, if they are thin and not able to withstand wear and tear, it will be better to attach them to the sleeves of a scrapbook so you can display the items in the computer disk paper pockets and not stick the items permanently onto the scrapbook.
If you are an avid quilt or cross stitch fan, sew together a few pieces of thin but durable fabric at the same side or corner. These pieces become the sleeves for attaching your favorite quilt or cross stitch samples with small delicate stitches.
These are some ideas for simple scrapbooks:
Personalized learning journeys: Are you going on an educational or business tour to an unfamiliar place? Write your thoughts into a simple scrapbook. Attach on its pages the maps, name cards, and photographs acquired on the tour.
Compiled notes of nature studies: Simple scrapbooking makes a great way to assemble and present the bits of nature you collect on a nature study journey. Write short notes next to each item. You might also want to compile a simple scrapbook on just the leaves, the dried flowers or bark rubbing. If you are a teacher, these become your treasures to inspire and excite your students in their own nature study scrapbook project.
Rare family gathering and wedding photographs: Once in a long while, you may get acquainted with relatives you may not meet often. You want to be able to match their names to their faces at the next rare gathering. Keep a simple scrapbook entitled Relatives. If you do not have a spare photograph, you can get it digitized, reprint and paste the copy into your scrapbook. You are now ready to write notes next to their faces. A day or two before you attend another of these gatherings, whip out your scrapbook and read through the entries to help you recall names and faces.
A simple scrapbook can be a great way for teachers to get to know their, students. Give every student a standard sheet of paper. Let them write or draw about themselves. They can even paste their photographs on it. Collect the sheets and bind them together with a simple cover that depicts the relevant details of the class such as the year, name of school, class and students.
The modern photocopier can print on thicker paper. This is good news for those who like stenciling works as the photocopier can do the repeated printing and simplify the work. All there is left to do is bind the printed paper together and you have your self-designed simple scrapbook.
Many who dabble in scrapbooking prefer making simple scrapbooks because of the ownership and autonomy they have in making them. There is much to learn from a simple scrapbook because of the thematic approach. A simple scrapbook is indeed a wholesome book of assembled scrap materials.