When you hear someone utter the word scrapbooking what images come to mind? An mammoth-sized canvas bag filled to the brim with paper, cutters, buttons and brads? A surface-abused table littered with haphazardly strewn adhesive, pictures and memorabilia?
Five years ago, those images would have been accurate. However, scrapbooking has come a long way since then, particularly since digital photography has become mainstream. These days, though, the politically correct term for scrapbooking is memory preservation. Preserving memories is no longer just chipboard, paste and glitter, but also photo organization, traditional photo-safe albums and digital scrapbooking.
To become a "scrapbooker" in the 21st century, all you really need is a computer or a set of pictures and your memories. To help you determine what kind of scrapbooker you are, I developed my own self-help quiz*. Record or remember your answers, then scroll down to see where you fit.
- What type of medium do you use most often to take pictures?
- A. Film (35 mm)
- B. Combo of both A and C
- C. Memory Cards
- D. Er ... Cell phone
- E. Those black things in the middle of my eyes!
- How often do you take pictures?
- A. I take pictures for a living.
- B. Every day. Even my dust bunnies don’t go uncaptured!
- C. During significant events (birthdays, vacations, weddings, etc.)
- D. I swipe other people’s doubles or order prints from their photo-sharing sites.
- E. I’ve had the same roll of film/memory card in my camera for 2 years.
- Where do you have most of your pictures stored?
- A. Already in photo-safe albums.
- B. In a memory preservation container or storage system.
- C. In shoe or photo storage boxes.
- D. On my computer’s hard drive.
- E. Still in the film canisters or memory cards!
- F. One word: Rubbermaid
- How do you most often display keepsake pictures?
- A. In photo-safe albums or scrapbooks.
- B. In picture frames.
- C. Bulletin board or reminder board.
- D. Rotating screensaver.
- E. Does the refrigerator count?
- If you had all the pictures already collected and organized for it, which subject or event would you be most likely to preserve right now?
- A. Birth of a child, wedding, vacation or family reunion.
- B. Life of a family member or close friend who has passed away.
- C. Holidays (Easter, Hanukkah, Halloween, 4th of July, etc.).
- D. Yearbook (all the happenings of one calendar year).
- E. Charity, not-for-profit or societal work
- F. Random, candid shots of passersby
- What is the primary roadblock to preserving your memories?
- A. My photos are not organized.
- B. It's too expensive.
- C. Can't find the time.
- D. Don't have any space.
- E. I'm not very creative.
- F. I'm not sure where to start.
- G. I'm not that interested.
- What type of preservation project would suit you most?
- A. Crafty – Crop photos, journal, add memorabilia, embellish.
- B. Traditional – Slide pix into pockets or add to pre-designed pages
- C. Quick and Easy – Drag/drop pictures; click to add graphics
- D. Pay-Per-Project – Hire a professional
- E. Family Leavings – Let kids/grandkids sort through pictures
Determining your personality
If you chose mostly A or B: Page Stager/Paper Junkie. You are drawn to the craft store like a moth to a light. Desks and tables in your home resemble the aftermath of an elementary school art class. You frequently carry more luggage to a scrapbooking event than you do to the airport. You appreciate anything handmade, but often sacrifice sleep to achieve the extraordinary. You prefer to print your pictures but have recently turned to sharing them online via e-mail and photo sharing sites. You opt to traditionally scrapbook pages that involve memorabilia, but digital page prints have appeal. Prioritize events and focus on the most important ones first. Consider using the Power Layouts Kit to outline pages that need chronicling. For containing and transporting large stashes, Memory Mate Totes are a paper junkies’ dream.
If you chose mostly B or C: Drive-thru Scrapbooker. You understand the value of preservation but you feel overwhelmed by the commitment and don’t always have extra time or space to amass the stash of a paper junkie. You recently switched to digital photography but still often get your pictures printed through a photo processing center or print them at home. A photo-safe storage system (such as Power Sort) would help you organize pictures/memorabilia while saving time. Quick kits and PicFolio Albums would help you achieve your goals without sacrificing creativity or time.
If you chose mostly C or D: Graphic Minimalist. Your lifestyle is one of simplicity, and you rarely hang onto mementos or purchase souvenirs. You enjoy digital photography and dapple in graphic design but you wouldn’t win any prizes for having the most printed photos. You’re constantly on the go, and your laptop has become an extension of your person. Digital storybook creator software would enable you to create page prints, hard- and softcover storybooks or all-photo portfolios while staying mobile.
If you chose mostly D - F: Storyteller. You wish to experience life with your own eyes and rarely from behind a lens. The photos you do have are a hodgepodge of different events and decades. Recount your memories in detail to eager listeners. Consider writing a blog or making an audio or video diary. Ask a family member or close friend to help you sort, organize and preserve photos for future generations. A photo-safe storage system (such as Power Sort) would help you organize pictures. A photo-labeling pencil can help you record details on the back of pictures without deteriorating them.
If your choices seem random: You thrive on spontaneity and new experiences. You often do well at anything you try. You are not content sitting still. Try the Storybook Creator 2.0 software free to see if you like it. Consider attending an upcoming crop to learn more or contact your Creative Memories consultant with inquiries.
If your choices are split evenly between two personality types: Split personality? Consider both personalities in your quest to preserve your memories, ancestry and biography.
*This is not a scientific quiz.
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