Scrapbooking: What is a Simple Scrapbook

How does one start Simple Scrapbooking? Do you have photographs lying around? A theme or two that could include these photos? Not much time but plenty of ideas? Perhaps moments you want to capture and remember? Relatives and friends you want to share them with? Then you're all set to create your very own simple scrapbook.

What's a Simple Scrapbook?

A Simple Scrapbook is one that's not about the great and grand events of one's life. Simple Scrapbooks actually chronicle the ordinary, seeming mundane things in life that could slip unforgotten. Simple scrapbooks can be about anything. Also known as Theme' scrapbooks, simple scrapbooks are about particular moments that you might want to cover in few, concise pages.

Simple scrapbooks are not tied to time and are organized to reflect one theme. The main characteristic of a simple scrapbook is that it's complete in itself. What set this scrapbook apart from others are the Five Fs': Framework, Format, Finished, Fast and Freedom.

The Five Fs of Simple Scrapbooking

Framework

Framework refers to initial pages that include the Title, Dedication/Introduction, Table of Contents, Section, Filler and Closing Pages. These pages are what give simple scrapbooks their structure and organization. Creating a framework helps you visualize what will be contained in your scrapbooks as well as the materials you will use. Frameworks are the first step in making a simple scrapbook.

Format

This refers to the size of your scrapbook album, the designs you picked, color scheme you will be using as well as the lay-out and elements placement in each page. The consistent use of color schemes and repeating elements will tie all the designs together.

Finished

This element underlies simple scrapbooks purpose: it is something that can be done in a short time. Common themes in simple scrapbooks are friends, dreams and hopes, goals for the future - to name a few and scrapbooking these take less time and resources. Having a framework aids one progress since you know what you'll include and how many. Just right for beginning scraps bookers.

Fast.

Simple scrapbooking doesn't take a long time. This one's pretty much tied up with format and finished. Once you've done all the organizing by creating the framework, sitting down and doing the actual scrapbooking will be a breeze.

Freedom

Imagine committing yourself to scrapbooking your life. Where do you start? If you start from childhood, it only makes sense to include your teenage years as well as your college life. Can you see how much work you're signing up for?

How about creating a simple scrapbook about "Goals for the Future"? The list is limited and it shows a more accurate snapshot of who you are right now.

That's what the last element is about. Simple scrapbooking is not just recording emotions, hopes and dreams; it is about enjoying your time as you create your scrapbooks. Knowing your project will be finished in time and will not add pressure to your already busy day. That's the freedom simple scrapbooking can give.

I've just started scrapbooking myself and I think that simple scrapbooks offer the best of scrapbooking: memories, dreams, what-haves recorded for posterity and the freedom to create as many scrapbooks that pertains to my life without bogging me down for days on end.

Reference: What is a Simple scrapbook? By Gayle Humphreys for Simple Scrapbooks Magazine