Lodi Sentinel, February 2001

Building a good scrapbook, simple as making memories.

The old saying , "a picture is worth a thousand words" is the foundation for telling life's story. But when the pictures and words are preserved in "Scrapbooking" the result is an everlasting dialogue. Scrapbooking is the modernday offshoot of yesteryear's scrapbook that held important mememtos from dance tickets, prom bids, wedding invitations, baby announcements, birthday party and vacation photos along with the "little meaningful things" like a lock of hair from baby's first haircut to the precious wilted dandelion mothers perceived as a beautiful bouquet when offered from a chubby little hand.

According to Alison Wong, owner of Memories for the Making, "The greatest thing about scrapbooking is not only providing a creative outlet, but it gives people a visible record of the past for future generations. Through pictures and words, life stories unfold".

Today, scrapbooking, also known as cropping, has become a national pastime. Everyone from grandma to junior enjoys this "most personal" hobby. A beginner's scrapbooking kit can be purchased for approximately $20, with more elaborate versions ranging from $50 to $100. Basic scrapbook supplies include an album, insert pages made from acid free, lignin fee paper (that prevents pictures from losing color)adhesive, special marking pens, decorative scissors, and a multitude of stickers and enhancements that create the "setting" for personal photos that record a special event.

There is no right or wrong way to assemble a scrapbook, and individual preference is the ruling factor in composition and design. Many scrapbookers combine their efforts in group activities a workshops or cropping parties held in a community setting or private homes. These get-togethers are the perfect opportunities to work on an individual project, while at the same time enjoy a camaraderie that comes from being with people who have a common interest. Scrapbooking has been called "The Quilting Bee of the New Millennium."

There is no specific profile for a scrapbooker. The genre covers all walks of life, genders and age groups. Valeta Young is in the process of compiling scrapbooks for each her grown sons. She has incorporated special happenings in their lives in a scrapbooking album ranging from infancy, through elementary school, childhood friends, high school, military service, marriage and family. Young uses the photos as a starting point to tell her boy's story, then journals underneath each photo to identify the event, time and place. "It's a lot better to have your pictures in a scrapbook album, then having them all in a box. The albums get you back to ancestors, and then you know where you came from."

Ann Thomas, a teacher with tow small children likes the concept scrapbooking provides in recording the memories that come too soon and fade too fast. "I like to start with the present and work backwards" Ann Said. "The pictures trigger my memory, then I date events, like when we moved into our new home, the vacation trip, and when my sons began to walk and ride a bike". By assembling the photos around her recollections of milestones in her children's lives, scrapbooking provides her family with a tangible visible memory book. "My little ones love to look at our scrapbook albums and we all re-live the joys experienced in the original moments", says Thomas.

Taking the idea one step further Marianne Alvarez and Michelle Gomez offer scrapbooking on an even higher plane. Their "Ultimate Scrapper's Getaways" offered through "Gotta Crop!" provide clients an uninterrupted weekend getaway where scrapbooking reigns supreme. Weekend "getaways" generally run from Friday through Sunday hosted in various locations throughout the area. "We have organized "Getaways" in Santa Cruz, Pismo Beach, Las Vegas, San Francisco, San Diego, Calistoga and Lake Tahoe" Alvarez said. A former bridal consultant, Alvarez's background in coordinating large scale events has come in handy because she knows how to provide clients with a complete weekend package. "on a "Scrapper's Getaway" we offer an all inclusive weekend , including hotel, banquet facilities, providing reserved individual scrapbooking workspace, and even catered food.

"Gotta Crop!" co owner Michelle Gomez says then when it comes to scrapbooking hobbyists don't need a lot of creativity. "It just comes, and at our "getaways" we pool ideas so everyone benefits." Clients bring their own scrapbooking materials but they also have courtesy equipment along with on site vendors to provide additional products and supplies as needed. At the three day getaways participants scrapbook from morning to night and even beyond, both Alvarez and Gomez say "and our participants are so happy, they don't want the weekend to end".

For more information on scrapbooking contact Memories for the Making 209-333-7577, Creative Memories, 209-369-1330 or 209-3682179; Gotta Crop!, 800-721-CROP(2767) or visit the Web site at www.gottacrop.com.

Written by Bernadine Chapman