Scrapping for the New Little Leaf

     We're only about three weeks out from adding a new little leaf to the family tree, by way of my first nephew.  It's getting exciting around here and, of course, I'm integrating genealogy into the anticipation.  I've been working on my brother-in-laws tree some more, but wanted to make something specifically for the little guy.

     My sister had decided to make a home-made baby book: a 12x12 scrapbook filled with pages made by friends and family.  I've made a few pages for her, but it occurred to me yesterday that I'd missed something: a family tree page!  I used a stamp kit my mom gave me at christmas to create this page (I'll do one for my brother-in-law's family too):

     I'm not sure if the page is finished yet.  Should I add some grass or little animals?  Either way I think it turned out nicely.

Keeping a Genealogy Journal

     I recently started keeping a genealogy journal. In the past, I have been an active scrapbooker, but have fallen out of the hobby in the last few years. However, I still feel the need to be artistic on occasions. To that purpose, I decided to have a sort of scrapbook journal.

     I picked up a variety of items from the Ditto line from Hampton Art. They have a great collection of items specifically for creating scrapbook journals. I'm recording research strategies and big finds. Here's what I ended up creating:

Ruby Baby

Scrapbooking page on acetate for my mom's biography scrapbook.

Also, I've decided to start a new blog to showcase my scrapbook pages. Check out GeneaScraps.

Randomness

I've decided to make biographical "This Is Your Live" scrapbooks for each of my parents. In order to do this I'm asking lots of questions about their childhood and early lives (which is just one more excuse - I'd do this anyway). One random tidbit I learned today about my dad:

When he was 15 years old he bought his own rifle: a Marlin .22 (probably a Model 60). He used this gun to hunt squirrels in the undeveloped land around his home. He gave to squirrels to the neighbors to eat, having tried them once and not liking them. He calls them rodents with furry tails.

Today, I shoot squirrels with my Nikon D40x

Available for Scrapbookers

I was at Archivers today (a chain scrapbook and craft store) and was impressed by their improved selection of genealogy themed items. Previously, the selection has been smaller and distributed throughout the store. Now, the selection is larger and is in it's own area.

The products are from many different companies are range from "modern" to "antique" styles. Companies include scrapbooking staples such as Making Memories and creative Imaginations, as well as products from Ancestry.com. These companies are producing great papers, buttons, stickers, alphabets, embellishments and even questionnaire cards.

If you were a genealogist interested in scrapbooking, Archivers has come a long way in making getting started easy.

A Weekend Link - About Scrapbooking & Genealogy

There are a lot of genealogists and a lot of scrapbookers out there. Alissia Crowee of The New Homemaker has written a great article about why the two hobbies should be combined together. She points out that both hobbies are about collecting memories. As many genealogists know, we need to collect and protect these memories while we can. Scrapbooking is a great way to collect, preserve, protect and present the results of our research efforts. I really recommend checking out this article.

Scrapbooking (non-digital)

There's a great article about Digital Scrapbooking over at the Shades of the Departed Blog.  It really hits on some really important points about the craft that can help folks get started.  

Personally, though I have done some digital scrapbooking (with ancestry.com's MyCanvas, for example), I mainly stick to traditional scrapbooking.  I love to use my hands to create scrapbook pages.  There are, just like digital scrapbooking, quite a few things to keep in mind. The first are the same as listed at Shades of the Departed (so if you haven't read it, do so now!).  There are some differences, however.

• Although you can use a computer for certain elements (typing titles and journaling, printing embellishments) you are using physical craft supplies.  You'll need to purchase papers, adhesives, embellishments (flowers, ribbon, etc), cutting tools, paint, stamps etc.  If you plan ahead you can pick a color scheme and buy a pack of themed paper to save money. Go shopping at local scrapbooking stores or large chain stores, such as JoAnn, Michael's, Hobby Lobby, etc.
• It's probably more expensive than digital scrapbooking.  As the previous blogger noted, you can buy a digi scrapbooking kit for about $15.  You can do this with traditional scrapbooking as well, but you'll only get one page out of each kit.  You can use a digi kit over and over again.  However, you will need the photo editing software to start with - which might even the price out if you don't have any.
• The digi kits and software can be a bit confining. Unless you're experienced with graphic art, you'll need the kits and software to get started.  You can't always create what you want with those, whereas with traditional scrapbooking, you can create almost anything.
• You don't have to get your pages printed. It can sometimes be a hassle to get 12x12 pages printed, but with traditional scrapbooking, you don't have to worry about it - you just created the finished page!
• Don't use original photos. In general, all mainstream scrapbooking supplies are "archival safe" and your original will be safe, but you don't want to take the chance.

Overall, I personally think that there's more versatility with traditional scrapbooking.  There's a wide range of album sizes, from 6x6 to 12x12 and everywhere in between.  You can be simple or extravagant. You get to use your hands and create something.

If you're interested, you can check out online websites that will give you more information. I prefer Scrapbook.com.