Published: June 17, 2009 08:17 am      

Scrapbooking creates colorful memories for generations

Scrapbooking is alive and well in Fairfield Glade. Not the scrapbooks that many of us put together when we were younger that now have brittle, yellow, pages — but scrapbooks that are made of archival quality materials and ones that will last.

Stacey Bryant, local consultant for Creative Memories (one of the first companies to produce archival quality products) says, “It is important to preserve photos and memories from our lives. The oral tradition of passing down family stories just doesn’t happen anymore. We need to save pictures and write about them. Scrapbooking is a way of remembering special times in our lives.”

Stacey has lived in Fairfield Glade for 6 1/2 years, but became interested in scrapbooking when she lived in Michigan and attended a party that featured Creative Memory products. She says she got hooked and began to realize that she needed to change her way of doing scrapbooks.

It wasn’t until after she moved to Tennessee that she became a consultant for the Creative Memories Company. As a consultant she not only has materials available to purchase, but also her job is to encourage and assist scrapbookers at various levels. Stacey says this is important because the needs are different. “Beginners are usually overwhelmed; they have many pictures which they have stashed away in shoeboxes, but are not organized and don’t know where to start. Then you have people who have been scrap booking for a long time and just want to share ideas.”

Stacey suggests several options for getting started, if you have not done any scrap booking. “You can host a party in your home. You can attend what is called a "crop session," which is a workshop day set aside for scrapbookers to share ideas, trim their pictures, and try out new tools. I am also willing to work with you privately if needed, and will be teaching a Lifetime Learning class in the fall.”

Most scrapbookers soon realize there are many types of albums and ways to put them together. Some people are more creative and like to add embellishments to their pages, some do more writing, while others want just a plain and simple album. Scrapbook albums come in a variety of sizes and styles, and might include such topics as travel, special occasions, family heritage, group histories, or a feature of your choice.

Stacey emphasizes, “The most important tips for scrapbookers today are to use quality materials (look for words such as acid and lignin free, buffered and bleed resistant) and to label and journal about the photos you mount.”

Some interviews with Glade scrapbookers at a recent crop session reveal a variety of interesting styles and information. Andrea Legg has been scrap-booking for eight years. She says, “Many of my albums are of trips and vacations. I did a special album for my daughter, a Christmas album, and even a pet album.”

Thirteen-year-veteran Cindy Leckvarcik, “Likes to work on Heritage albums and ones that feature my daughter.“

Karen Robinson says, “I like to take pictures of people we meet on cruises and trips; then put mini scrapbooks together and send them off to our new friends.”

Lori Edwards has been working on albums for 20 years and is now beginning to get into the digital format. She is eager to learn more about this feature which the Creative Memory Company and Stacey now provide.

Kathy Leith, a new scrap booker, says “I got started just by attending a crop session, and am excited about doing an album for my grandson. Others are working on graduation and wedding albums.

Whatever the reason or theme for an album, these scrapbookers generate excitement and enjoy working together. Whether you prefer to work alone or work in a group situation, it’s nice to know that someone like Stacey Bryant is close by to help with materials, motivate and give assistance.

Stacey has a crop session scheduled for June 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. She can be reached at dane.stacey@yahoo.com or 456-9351 for more information. Her Web site is www.mycmsite.com/staceybryant, and for out-of-towners looking for a Creative Memory consultant in their area, the number to call is 1-800-341-5275.