Scrapbooking holiday memories

Tracy Snyder, a sophomore theater major, has been scrapbooking since she was 13 years old, and she doesn't plan on stopping any time soon. She scrapbooks everything from past theater performances to candids with high school friends.

A growing trend among college students, the art of scrapbooking is a creative way to organize pictures and preserve memories.

"I like being able to put treasured items in a book to look at any time I want," said Salehah Carothers-Abdullah, a sophomore psychology major. "I'm a sentimental person, so I like to record things that matter to me the most."

Themed scrapbooks are among the most popular, centering on a vacation, school year, or sports team.

"My first scrapbook included pictures of my class trip to Disney World, graduation, prom, a few obituaries, tickets and programs from different event, and just important things that mattered to me most that year," Carothers-Abdullah said.

Whether you're a first-timer or a scrapbooking veteran, here are a few helpful hints when starting a new book.

1. Keep it neat. Try to keep your photos, ticket stubs, cards and whatever else you want to include organized in some way, even if it means stuffing them in folders made out of construction paper stapled to the page.

"A scrapbook has no boundaries," Snyder said. "There's nothing you should or shouldn't do. Don't overcrowd the pages. It might seem like a good idea at the time, but you won't like it later."

When possible, arrange photos by date or category. Label them with colored markers, or write a sentence or two about the photo while it is still fresh in your mind.

2. Plan ahead. Look for a scrapbook with some thick, sturdy paper that won't easily bend or tear. Make sure the cover is a color and style that won't go out of style within a few months. Paper can be purchased with special patterns already on them.

Lay out your photographs on the pages before you permanently glue everything down. Make sure to have the essentials on hand, such as glue, scissors, tape and a stapler. Craft shears with patterned blades are also useful.

"Have some idea of what you're scrapbooking, and go out and look for supplies," Snyder said.

Snyder also recommends setting a budget for supplies. Keep an eye on sale flyers from local craft stores, such as Michael's or JoAnn Fabrics. Pick up supplies at lower costs and scout out ideas for future projects ahead of time.

Building a scrapbook doesn't to have to cost an arm and a leg - especially if you're a packrat.

One can easily be pulled together with items that are already around your house. Gift-wrap or pieces of material can serve as interesting backgrounds. Magazine clippings, candy wrappers or cereal boxes can also be used to spice up a page.

Wooden shapes and boxes can be used to create a 3D appearance. Colored construction paper, tissue paper, ribbons, glitter, computer graphic printouts and stickers can also be used to assemble a page. Stencils, gel pens, and markers can make designs pop and will only enhance the look of your scrapbook.

3. Get creative. Aside from the typical photos and ticket stubs, step outside the box and include anything that stands out in your mind. Memorabilia specific to the occasion will enhance the book. For example, save wrapping paper, candles, or a popped balloon from a birthday party.

"Scrapbooking is more than just putting old stuff together," Carothers-Abdullah said. "It's about using those mementos and uniquely presenting it in a way that will best explain the stories that these items represent."

Scrapbooking parties are gaining popularity as a way to get new ideas and share your work with others. Planning a night to meet up with pals gives you the chance to swap ideas and admire each other's work.

Aside from craft stores, supplies can also be found at Target, Wal-Mart, dollar stores, book stores, Big Lots, and even Viddler's in East Aurora.

"Everyone goes through experiences, and for me, scrapbooking is like a journal," said Snyder. "Twenty years from now, you'll remember how you felt, and it makes your memory go back to that time."