Scrapbooking Growing in Popularity

A colourful book of memories; Scrapbooking growing in popularity

If you know a Cuttlebug, a Cricut and a Crop-o-dile are neither insects nor reptiles, then you've either done some scrapbooking or know someone who has.

Scrapbooking is the craft of placing stickers, fabric, die-cuts, embossed letters and other embellishments onto decorative paper-covered pages that highlight treasured photographs, mementoes and souvenirs. The pages are then either placed into a plastic sleeve or simply placed into an decorated album.

Laurie Hucal took up the hobby in 1999 after the birth of her husband's nephew, Adrian.

Hucal, a local real estate agent, says the craft is a good hobby for those who enjoy working with their hands.

"I've always loved putting anything together," she says. "I'm really detail oriented, so when there was a craft that could combine creativity, colour and detail with family, friends and memories, it was the perfect hobby for me."

Scrapbooking is popular in the United States and is growing swiftly in Canada.

Scrapbooks are usually based on a theme that reflects not only the subject, but the creator, as well.

Hucal completed a second book detailing a real-estate convention she attended in Nova Scotia. It's filled with colour, smiling faces, unique cut-outs and plenty of lobsters.

"I've got to get into it again," she says, her enthusiasm growing with each turn of the page. "I used to do this on a regular basis. I got away from it, but it is so important.

"Some people are just as happy to let the memories go," she adds. "I remember when I showed (Adrian's book) to my sister-in-law, his mother. She almost cried.

"It ties memories together and it's a recognition of a life. It's something anyone can do and can be as easy or as difficult at you make it. Another bonus is that it's portable."


Support workers at Community Living Greater Sudbury assist its members in making personalized scrapbooks. The non-profit organization provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

"The individuals get to choose the colour, theme, format and style of their pages and they work at their own pace," says Dorice Dusty, family home program and public relations spokesperson.

"The organization's members do not always know their natural families or their own siblings," she says. "Having a photo of the home and the family with whom they now share a home helps them to process some of their loss. It helps them to belong somewhere.

"We've had positive results from those in our special population who have taken part. They're so proud of their completed albums."

The hobby has a growing fanbase in Sudbury, says Patsy Bell, store manager of Michael's Arts and Crafts on Marcus Drive.

The store offers free "Make it and Take it" days once a month and also provides free demos on the use of various cutting machines.

Bell says scrapbooking is showing no signs of slowing down. "It's more popular than ever," she says.

Michael's, Linda's Photography in Lively and Sandy's Scrapbooking on Durham Street keep up with the latest trends and sell equipment, decorative papers, materials and tools specific to the scrapbooker.

Both Sandy's and Linda's offer classes for beginners and often holds "crop nights" - social gatherings where crafters spend a few hours enjoying each other's company as they work on their albums. Cropping sessions are also held occasionally at the Valley East library branch.

Linda Kluke, owner of Linda's Photography, has a suggestion for rookie scrapbookers.

"They can bring in their materials, with no obligation to buy anything, and I would show them how to use all the tools and equipment," Kluke says. "Don't buy anything until you've come in and shown me your pictures. The materials you choose have to match the style of your pictures."

Aside from specialty stores, you can also find basic scrapbooking supplies at local dollar stores.

A local school has caught the scrapbooking bug.

Lise Orsini, an educational assistant at Northeastern Elementary School in Garson, founded a scrapbooking club for children from grades three to eight. An avid scrapbooker, Orsini says the club meets weekly and is in its fourth year.

She says the craft helps to foster children's creativity, to let them develop skills and to share ideas with others.

And the craft isn't exclusive to women and girls: there are stickers, decorative papers and other materials with "masculine"-themed designs, such as fishing gear, NASCAR racing and tools.

Source: http://www.thesudburystar.com/