Scrapbooking has been with us in one form or another for centuries - as soon as people had access to paper, in fact. Many people wanted to keep a record of their lives and writing it all down on paper was the only way to do this. Of course, not all people could write, but they could draw and they could save up things that were special to them - like pieces of ribbon - and keep them in their scrapbook.

In the 16th century the artist, Giorgio Vasari recommended keeping prints and pictures in special books, and this idea was really the forerunner of libraries.  In the 17th century it was the fashion for German girls to braid or plait strands of their friend's hair and keep it in a special journal along with poetry, quotes they found inspiring and comments about their friends.

William Granger is credited with the idea of adding blank pages to published books so that the purchaser could write down their own private thoughts and pictures. This was called ?grangerising' a book and is considered to be an important forerunner of today's scrapbook.

Famous people like Thomas Jefferson and Mark Twain were both avid scrapbook makers and Mark Twain spent most of his Sundays in pursuit of this hobby. He actually designed and patented a series of scrapbooks that netted him a good profit.  Jefferson's scrapbooking efforts were mainly to do with events during the time of his presidency. He wanted to save all the news for future generations.

Once photography became popular, this kind of scrapbooking declined in favor of the photograph album, but diaries and journals were still popular. The starting point for the modern day scrapbook is generally considered to be in Utah, with the public showing of the Christensen family's set of 50 family scrapbooks at the World Conference of Records in 1980. They are Mormons, who are required by their church to keep records of their family history. After such an interest was shown in their books, the family went on to write and publish Keeping Memories Alive; a how-to book considered to be the first of the modern-day books on scrapbooking. In 1981 they also opened the first retail store - called The Annex - for scrapbooking supplies.

Their records were so well liked that their book and store enjoyed well-deserved popularity and today there are still many scrapbook stores in Utah, due to the large Mormon population. But the tradition has spread almost worldwide now, with scrapbooking stores in most towns as well as supplies available on the Internet.

Text is also an important part of your scrapbook page. It can be a simple title, or a long story containing the details of an important event in your life. It can be humorous or serious, light-hearted, or solemn. You can try your hand at writing verse, rhyming couplets or even haiku if you are so inclined. Whatever kind of text you favor, there are several different ways to insert it.

Many scrap-bookers prefer to write on a separate sheet of paper and then if they make a mistake, their page is not ruined. This is a good idea, but you can start off by pencilling the text in lightly and then if there is a mistake, it can be erased. Going over it with ballpoint pen, colored inks or felt-tips when you know it is right will make it stand out. There are also pens that write in silver and gold for special effects.

Stickers are another option, but cost more. These are great for titles, or perhaps for the first letter of the first word in each paragraph. Alphabet stickers can be purchased in sheets or rolls and larger ones may be bought separately. They are available in chipboard or metal and with a vast range of finishes.

Calligraphy adds a nice touch to the look of your scrapbook page and you can get lovely effects with special calligraphy pens. The nibs on these pens are shaped so that the shape of the text will vary depending on the direction of the letter. A few hours practice may be all it takes for you to write very creditable calligraphy text.

Then you might go for the faster option and type out all your text on the computer. Of course you can chose different sizes and fonts with the click of a mouse. You can also choose what color you want, so long as you have a color printer. Once you've printed out your text, you'll be able to cut it into shape with patterned scissors for a great effect. It would create an unusual border to have strips of text surrounding your page.

Whatever you decide to use, always look for those all-important words; acid-free, archival or photo-safe. Chemical reactions with the surface of your precious photos are something to be avoided at all costs. Fade-resistant is another important quality. Inks should be acid free too, so if your ink isn't labelled acid free, don't assume that it is.

One of the nicest gifts is a mini-scrapbook because it is so personal. The recipient can see that you have spent time in making it like that especially for them, so they appreciate it even more. It will become a treasured gift that reminds them of you and the fun times or unique experience you have shared.

When you are ready to create this mini-scrapbook, you will need to buy a smaller scrapbook than usual. It may not be smaller in size; that will depend on what you can get, but it can be smaller in the number of pages. Think of those small photo albums commonly called Gran's brag book. That is the size for a mini scrapbook. A scrapbook of this size is actually a good starting point for a beginner in the art of scrapbooking.

Since the page size is smaller, the photos will need to be smaller too, otherwise it will look unbalanced. Choose other elements such as stickers and decorations that are rather smaller than normal, too. Big or bulky fittings will look ungainly and even ugly on a small book. Chunky lettering will give place to something smaller and more delicate. Patterns and designs will not be huge and swirling, but will fit the size as well as fitting in with your theme.

Since this is to be a gift for a friend or relative about something you want to share or have shared with them, you'll have photos of them inside. Choose the best ones that you can, don't just use those that you don't want for yourself because they are bad quality. The recipient will soon see if you are only trying to dispose of those photos that you didn't want. For the same reason, you will also choose the prettiest found objects or bought ones to decorate it with.

When choosing the overall color for your mini-gift book find out your friends favorites. If you accidentally use colors that she dislikes, it will be a disappointment to her. For the same reason you would be careful in your choice of pictures or clip art. If your friend really hates frogs, then you would not use a picture of one, even though it might be really relevant to the theme of the book. Giving a mini-scrapbook for a gift is a great idea and if you decorate the front cover with a ribbon tie, you won't even have to wrap it up.

When you are choosing pictures for your scrapbook that you have taken with your digital camera, you may want to crop or cut them to remove the part that you don't like, or is not relevant to your theme. Many images may be too big, so you will need to re-size them before you print them out. Or you may have one that you just want to enlarge a part of, while discarding the rest.

There are several good photo storage software programs like Picasa or Irfanview, which are free. These also have features that allow you to cut and crop as well as make other changes like adding warm or cool tones, red-eye reduction and resizing the whole image. In some cases you can even make a slideshow. Other programs like Pixresizer only change the size of the whole image. When you are resizing the image, be sure to tick the preserve aspect ratio button so your image won't become distorted.

Once you install one of these programs and take a good look around it, it will be fairly obvious to you what steps are needed to do your preferred task. Of course, you need to save the images into the program first, and then click on the appropriate instruction from the toolbar. Always back up your images by making a copy or saving them under another name so that you don't destroy the original. You might cut someone's face out of a group image to use in your scrapbook, but still want to keep the whole image to be used elsewhere.

When resizing, if the picture looks blurry you can click on image, then sharpen, to fix this problem. The best part is that these changes can be reversed if you don't like them.

When you want to crop an image, select the image then click in one of the corners. Hold the mouse button down while you drag the cursor to the opposite side. You'll see a box begin to form over your image. You can make it large or small, wide or narrow, just as you wish. When you've encircled the part you want to keep, you'll need to click on edit and/or crop selection (or both, depending on your program) from your toolbar. Don't forget to click on save as when you're done. Call your new picture something different to identify it from the original. The same goes for resizing. Some resizers automatically re-name new image.

Memorabilia is what makes your scrapbook so special. It brings back memories of your special occasion like nothing else can, except possibly the photographs. Over the years many people collected various tokens of memories that are precious to them, but kept it all in shoe or hatboxes. These have remained hidden and are eventually discarded because later generations have no idea what they mean. The scrapbook is an ideal place to keep your precious things. You can show them off to the grandchildren and pass your memories down from one generation to the next. To find out about their family roots is what gives young people a feeling of stability.

So what is the best way of storing memorabilia in your scrapbook without damage occurring to either? Remember that acid will damage photographs. If your keepsakes could contain acid and are likely to come in contact with a photo, spray them with an acid neutralizer first. Be careful that purchased emblems and even paper and adhesive is acid free.

Scrapbooking stores will be able to supply you with special envelopes - transparent or opaque - that are backed with adhesive. These are ideal to store certain pieces of memorabilia if gluing them on is unsuitable, or may damage them in some way. Some page protectors come with pockets especially for storing memorabilia. For an unusual pocket, unpick a pocket from a pair of old jeans and glue or stitch it to the page. Other fabric pockets could be made from lace or fancy materials that are suitable to the theme of your scrapbook.

Some items are suitable for tying to the page. Punch a hole in paper items and tie them to the page with ribbon or string. Make a paper pocket from an item such as a brochure and use it to store other items from the same trip. Jewellery can be tied to the page, too. Or it could be displayed on a piece of heavy card covered with black velvet. This could then be glued onto the page or kept in a pocket or folder.

If the item is too bulky to keep in your scrapbook, take a photo of it and for display purposes. Then you may be able to dispose of the real thing, so long as you are not too fond of it. Another way to attach your item to your page is to hand sew it. Whether you can do this will depend on what the item is. It may also be possible to sew loops into your page to hold the item if it is made of something impenetrable.

There are several ways to make scrapbooking a social event. Many people work better when surrounded by others doing similar things. It helps to inspire them and also to sort out any scrapbooking problems or questions they may have. Being able to find the answer to a scrapbooking problem straight away is so helpful; you can just sail ahead and complete the project without having to wait days for that special piece of advice.

Many stores run scrapbooking classes or sessions that are excellent for the beginner to attend. Even an experienced scrapper will benefit by being involved. Friendships can form quickly between people of like minds. If there are no classes available in your area, ask a few scrapbooking friends over for the afternoon. Stipulate that it is to be a special scrapbooking time, or you may find the hours wasted in chitchat. You will need to provide a large workspace like a table or some card tables. If you don't have any, your friends may be able to bring their own.

Throw a scrapbooking party to interest others. You could provide basic starter kits for a small price, or ask them to buy their own and bring it with them. They will be happy to get the benefit of your experience. Even if you don't know much, you will be able to discuss colors and design with them and ask their advice. If they bring children with them or if you have children, try and provide interesting entertainment for them, so that everyone can get some scrapbooking done. They could have their own table of simple scrapbooking items to make a page with. Children usually love to mess with paper, scissors and glue.

Join a scrapbooking forum or chat room. There are many of these on the Internet; many scrapbooking websites run forums. They are excellent places to ask questions and get valuable advice. If you can also buy your supplies from the same place, it will save you time and effort going to the store. With access to the Internet, even isolated scrappers can feel part of a group.

Family gatherings are an important part of today's culture, so encourage your family members to bring along their scrapbooks the next time you gather together. You will have fun comparing your work and it's a great way to tell about the children's latest achievements. While people may be bored viewing a whole lot of snapshots, they will love to leaf through an appealing scrapbook.

There are so many scrapbook materials that if you don't have some form of organization, there will be a big muddle and you won't be able to find anything. Whether you use purchased embellishments or found objects, you need to have them where you can get at them easily and find even the smallest ones quickly. A small box - or several - divided into compartments will do the job admirably. These are available at many craft and scrapbooking stores. You could even get suitable ones from a fishing tackle store.

Sort your embellishments into either size or type, or both if you have a lot of them. If you have a lot of lettering, you may want to keep that separate from other decorations. Hard things like beads and metallic adornments should be kept separate to paper and clothe. Take out the embellishments that you want to use on your current page and keep them in a smaller box so that you don't have loads of big boxes in the way. Folders will come in handy for all that paper, too. If you have lots of paper, sorting it by color will make finding what you want lots easier. A folder with clear cellophane pockets will let you see what you have quickly and easily.

Paints, glues and pens should be kept in a separate box. A shoebox would be great, or if you have lots of pens and wish to separate them from the rest, use a child's zip-up school bag for felt-tip pens. Ease of use is paramount, so a cloth or vinyl bag with pockets may be the ideal holder for your more immediate needs. It's so much easier to just pick up the one bag and know you have everything in it for an hour or two of creative fun.

If you are into scrapbooking in a big way, you might want to have a cupboard especially for your supplies. If not a whole cupboard, then a large drawer may suffice. Searching throughout the house for what you want becomes very frustrating, so keep it all in the one place and if other family members borrow any of your materials or tools, make sure they return them.

You'll also need to sort out your photographs and keep them in some sort of order. If they are digital images, this will be easy with the use of photo storage software. Often the software that came with your digital camera will have storage/folder features. Be sure to name or re-name your folders something that is easy for you to recognize. Baby's First Birthday is better than just a date by itself. If your photos are not digital images, it is often helpful to write the main topic on the outside of the envelope. This will often save you searching through lots to find a particular photo.

There are two kinds of scrapbooking parties. The informal one is when you just phone a few friends and invite them over for the afternoon or evening. The rather more formal party is where you provide the venue for the person who does direct marketing with scrapbooking supplies. This will usually involve some kind of workshop or demonstration, so for both kinds of parties you'll need a fairly large space to work on.

For the latter party, you will also need invitations to be sent out one or two weeks previously, so everyone can schedule it into their calendars. This can be followed up with a brief reminder by phone closer to the due date, or if you are too busy for that, an email or snail mail note. You'll need to ask the person giving the party whether you need to supply anything special. She will usually have what she needs to demonstrate her craft with and will mostly only require the venue.

You will need to be sure there are enough chairs for the guests and enough table space. This could be a large dining table, or if your sitting/lounge room is the biggest room in the house and you want to incorporate use of the sofa, you could have folding tables or coffee tables for the guests to use. A sideboard or bookshelf might be useful to display the wares that are for sale.

Keep drinks and nibbles simple, and have them in the kitchen or somewhere else separate from the scrapbooking stuff.  You don't want to risk anyone spilling their drinks on their scrapbook page, or on the things that are for sale. Keep toddlers out of the area. They can put things in their mouths so quickly and will make a party of this kind almost impossible to enjoy. If you have your young ones at home, consider getting someone in especially to baby-sit.

If you are throwing an informal scrapbooking party for your friends, ask them if they would be interested in meeting regularly, say once a month. Then you could all buy a different tool and bring it to share with the group. This will keep your costs down. If you form a club, you could all put in the money for some tool that is expensive, but if you do this, agree beforehand what will happen to it if the club folds. Perhaps you could sell it on Ebay and share the money around.

If you do start a club, you could hold it in a garage and use doors supported on sawhorses for your tables. Short on chairs? Get people to bring their own folding chair and mug for coffee, to save you the work of washing up. This way you'll get to enjoy it too.

After all the time and effort that goes into making a beautiful scrapbook, you certainly want it to stay in pristine condition for as long as possible. So how can this be achieved?  You will have used acid-free paper and adhesive, or course. That's a good start. All embellishments and decorations, whether found or purchased, must also be acid free. If you are not sure about this, give them a spray with acid neutralizer, or keep them in special pockets so they cannot touch your photographs.

Always keep your scrapbook out of direct sunlight. Sunlight fades colors and even a short while in sun can damage the components used in your scrapbook. The cover may fade as well as the inside pages. When showing your scrapbook, try to do so indoors; never leave it on a table outdoors.

The oils and acids in your hands can also damage photographs, so if your scrapbook is truly precious, wear cotton gloves while handling it. Don't let children with grubby hands get hold of it either. It won't hurt them to learn to wash their hands before touching your books. Keep your book away from any areas containing food or drink. This may be harder than you think if you are showing it during a family gathering that includes a meal. Drinks can be knocked over and hands can be sticky with cake or slices. All these things can harm your precious keepsakes.

When storing your scrapbooks, keep them somewhere that is dry, not damp. The cellar or basement is not a good place. Humidity will cause sweating and moisture will destroy your photos and rust metallic emblems. You might think a drawer in that side table is a good place for storage, but if the afternoon sun shines through the window onto the table, it will become too hot.

A dry, sealed container is the best place to store your books. A little packet of silica gel in with it will take care of any dampness that might slip in when you have it opened. These can be saved from tablet bottles; even shoeboxes sometimes have them to prevent mould forming on the leather. Or you can purchase them especially from the pharmacy.

Excessive cold is as bad as too much heat. It can cause your photos to warp and crack. It's a good idea to store copies of photos in a dry, dark place, so that if those in the book get damaged you can replace them.

There is nothing more satisfying than earning money doing the thing you love most. If you are passionate about scrapbooking, there are several ways in which you can turn your hobby into a business.

You might like the idea of selling scrapbooking materials to others. Whether you have an online store, a ?real' store, or a stall at the local markets is up to you. Certainly a virtual reality store will save a lot of overheads and staffing. For any kind of selling, you need to be an organized person who is sensible with money. You might like to start off in a small way, by supplying scrapbooking materials to your friends, or you may prefer the option of simply buying into a store that is already up and running.

Another way to start a scrapbooking business is to offer to teach others how to do it. For this kind of business you need to ability to relate well to people. Lots of patience is a plus. You can start off by advertising in your local shop window or paper. If your council runs adult education classes, they may consider running scrapbooking classes with you as teacher. If you have a love for children, you might prefer to run classes especially for them.

Then there is the option of actually making scrapbooks for others who want one without the effort of doing it themselves. Not everyone has the time or patience, or the willingness to learn a new skill. You can advertise your skills in the paper or on your own website. Having a website would be a great way to go, because you can easily display work you have done for yourself or others.
 
Scrapbooking Internet businesses are often on the lookout for new talent to design theme pages for them to sell. If design is your main love, this could be the option for you. Surfing will find who is in the market to hire your talents. You will need to create a portfolio of your work to show them. You can also design kits or pages to sell on E-bay.

There are many scrapbook magazines on the market these days. You might like to use your interest and expertise to write for them. If you can also supply good quality images of your work, you'll stand a better chance of being published. If you are an expert, you may even write a book about your craft. Send your idea out to publishers who publish craft books; their guidelines for submissions are mostly available on their websites.