Welcome to the third installment of Operation Find a Hobby. This round I tried scrapbooking. Now, I shall admit I have some limited exposure to scrapbooking. A few of my family members used to do it constantly. So I was able to get some first hand guidance. But, before I get any further if you have not see my previous posts in this series, you can find them here; Operation Find A Hobby | Introduction, Operation Find A Hobby | Embroidery, and Operation Find A Hobby | Puzzle. Now lets get into my experience trying scrapbooking!
So first things first, I needed to figure out the actual purpose of a scrapbook. Now, this may just sound silly, but I felt like there was more to it than just taping pictures together. So, a quick google search gave me this definition thanks to Merriam-Webster.
Definition of scrapbook : a blank book in which various items (such as newspaper clippings or pictures) are collected and preserved
For me this still did not seem right. So I decided to actually go to some family members who used to/still scrapbook. I liked their definition a bit better.
Without rambling to much they pretty much told it is a way to celebrate and remember memories, milestones, and events. Creating a scrapbook was a celebration, anyone can just put their photos and such in an album. But, creating a scrapbook and taking the time to create a page from nothing is giving value to the memory and honoring it. That seemed a bit more appropriate to me. Mainly because of the effort that people put into scrapbooks. When I was searching for some ideas/inspiration and from previous layout there were some detailed layouts. It seemed more than just “preserving items”.
Now with scrapbooking you need supplies and some of these can get expensive. Let’s just say I used quite a bit of coupons and waited for the supplies to go on sale. I also raided the closets of loved ones. While I was confident I would like this hobby, I was not comfortable with investing a lot of money in a maybe.
I also felt that this hobby needed a but more planning than the previous ones I have tried. Completing a puzzle, all I needed to do was buy one. With Embroidery I was able to buy just one kit and complete it. These were more or less already set up for me where scrapbooking is something I would have to come up with from nothing. So I decided I needed a focus before I went and bought everything.
I ended up deciding that I would use my book to highlight a year and each layout would focus on a month. I then expanded on this and came up with a color pallet; yellow, green, pink, gray, and off white. With this I was able to get the creative supplies and the practical ones. Once I collected them from either the store or from others I got to work making my March pages for my scrapbook.
My Book
My Supplies
Images, scissors, and paper cutter.Paper backgrounds, stickers, and letters.
The Outcome
On this page I wanted to highlight the books I read this past month. So I printed out each of the covers and then decided to highlight my top three, which you can see at the center. I also wanted to remember that I got a new netgalley badge so I added those images to this page as well. I thought the pattern change at the center and the leaf stamps made the page pop a bit more. I will be keeping this method in mind for the future.
On this page I made it a bit more personal. I highlighted a conversation with an author I adore, even though it was totally not substancial in the eyes of some. For me I never thought I would have the guts to talk and ask one of my fav. authors a questions and actually hear back from them. I also added the description of my new netgalley badge on this page. Another things I added that I love is the buddy reads I did this month and who I was reading them with. Just a heads up if you ever want to buddy read a book you can always tweet or message me. If I can chances are I will buddy read a book with you. I find them so much fun!
Refections
Okay, I have to say that I really enjoyed this. It was a lot of fun to just take the time and make this. While it did take time. It took a lot less than putting a puzzle together, thats for sure. I enjoyed picking through my memories and deciding which bookish ones I wanted to remember and honor. I really just enjoyed the entire process, for me this was almost therapeutic. It is very rare that I truly take “me time”, so doing this was almost like meditating and made me more mindful and reflective on the things I have done over the past month.
I also loved that this was create and I was able to make something with my own hands. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to talk to my family members about something I had never talked to them about before. It was nice having a new topic to discuss. Overall, I have to say that this hobby is a winner and I am going to be doing it again in the future.
Well, I am going to continue on my quest to find a new hobby!
I love this so much! When I was younger I would buy magazines and make little collages. I kinda miss doing that. It was so fun and relaxing. I think you should try board games next! There are so many out there. Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders and Pandemic are really good ones.
Oh that is a great idea, thanks! I used to do that with magazines as well. I totally forgot until you said that. haha. I remember cutting them up and glueing them into a watercolor notebook because they would be safe.
Thanks Cam! If you give it a try let me know how you like it. I have a whole box filled with movie and show tickets, phablets from museum and other places. Maybe I should do a bit of a back log one.
That looks so pretty!! I have never tried scrapbooking except when I was in high school and even then, it was an half-hearted attempt but yours look absolutely gorgeous!
Thanks! I had to do one in HS too, but I did a tiny one and did the bare minimum because I just thought the yearbook would be a better memory book. Come to think of it, I have no idea where my HS one is. haha.
My sister used to be super into scrapbooking, but I never really got into it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Have you thought about trying crochet? I started learning how to this year and I’ve been enjoying it!
Yes, I have knitted and crocheted in the past. While I like it I never have the patients to make more than scarfs or blankets. I am always jealous of those who can make more. I am glad you are enjoying it so much. What types of projects are you working on?
Classic Bhaer 
I’m loving your scrapbook Luna!
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Thanks Misty! 😀
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I love this so much! When I was younger I would buy magazines and make little collages. I kinda miss doing that. It was so fun and relaxing. I think you should try board games next! There are so many out there. Ticket to Ride, 7 Wonders and Pandemic are really good ones.
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Oh that is a great idea, thanks! I used to do that with magazines as well. I totally forgot until you said that. haha. I remember cutting them up and glueing them into a watercolor notebook because they would be safe.
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How sweet! I haven’t tried scrapping book at all, even though I collect a lot tickets, cards, and whatnot. I might consider giving this a try!
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Thanks Cam! If you give it a try let me know how you like it. I have a whole box filled with movie and show tickets, phablets from museum and other places. Maybe I should do a bit of a back log one.
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That looks so pretty!! I have never tried scrapbooking except when I was in high school and even then, it was an half-hearted attempt but yours look absolutely gorgeous!
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Thanks! I had to do one in HS too, but I did a tiny one and did the bare minimum because I just thought the yearbook would be a better memory book. Come to think of it, I have no idea where my HS one is. haha.
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My sister used to be super into scrapbooking, but I never really got into it. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Have you thought about trying crochet? I started learning how to this year and I’ve been enjoying it!
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Yes, I have knitted and crocheted in the past. While I like it I never have the patients to make more than scarfs or blankets. I am always jealous of those who can make more. I am glad you are enjoying it so much. What types of projects are you working on?
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I have only made…a scarf and a blanket! Haha 😂 but I am enjoying it so far
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Good, glad to hear it! 😂
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