Turning Memories into Masterpieces

So, you’ve sorted some of your pictures and have a story to tell. Now what?

Getting Started

Start with some basics and learn as you go. Begin small to avoid feeling overwhelmed. You don’t need to buy every fancy tool out there. For example, I created three large albums before purchasing any tools by joining a group of social scrapbookers. I used their tools for just $5 a week and enjoyed coffee with friends.

Essential Supplies

If you’re going to invest time and effort into creating a legacy for your children and grandchildren, make sure the products you use are archival quality. This means they’ve undergone testing to ensure their acidic and buffered content is within safe limits. All your materials should be acid-free and lignin-free, and if possible, bleed-resistant.

• Acid-Free: Acid causes paper and photos to disintegrate. Using acid-free materials significantly slows this process.
• Lignin-Free: Lignin is the bonding element in wood fibres that causes paper to turn yellow and become brittle. Make sure any paper you buy is lignin-free. If you want to include newspaper articles, scan and print them on acid-free, lignin-free paper.
• Archival-Safe Adhesives and Inks: Ensure these items are safe and won’t damage your photos over time.
• Embellishments: Avoid hard embellishments such as buttons or brads that might punch through photos.

Once your page is complete, place it in a sheet protector to safeguard against fingerprints, coffee stains, or spills. Also, choose a high-quality album that won’t fall apart quickly. Some albums can fall apart before they’re even completed, and others have needed fixing or redoing in better albums.

Quality Recommendations

Several companies make good products. Spend some time learning about the products before you buy. For top-of-the-line albums, I recommend ones with a strap hinge. Creative Memories is an excellent source, offering quality products with great guarantees.