The Sisterhood of Scrapbooking
June 26, 2012
By : Inspired Woman Magazine


Editor’s Note – I was invited to the Scrap Attics-N-More gathering Saturday, April 21st. It was their last get together of the season and the women were busy with scrap books, cards, albums and more. What follows are some of my thoughts, comments made by the women as I wandered around the room and an interview with Angela Plante, the instigator of it all.

I am not a scrapbooker. I used to glue stuff into big scrapbooks just like my mom did, but now everything gets thrown into a box. Today scrapbookers have Cricuts (pronounced crickets), Cricut minis and Gypsies. They have E-Z runner tape dispensers and machines that can turn anything into a sticker, provided it fits through the slot.

“I have seven scrapbooks I am working on right now. I have seven nieces and nephews and each of them will get a scrapbook when they graduate.”

The number of supplies and accessories at each person’s space was overwhelming. Someone demonstrated a sticker maker. (photo of two sticker makers) Then, I got to see a Cricut in action. Fascinating.

“You don’t scrapbook? You will by the time you leave here!”

Sister-in-laws, mothers and daughters, and friends were spending time together. Some of the women met while scrapbooking. They even go on scrapbooking retreats!

“Usually we leave on Thursday, come home on Sunday. We scrap, eat and sleep for three days.”

“I started out doing a book for each child (she has two) and it was too much, so now I just do one family album.”

Some of the women are consultants for scrapbook supply companies like Creative Memories or Stampin’ Up. These companies provide a variety of supplies, like coordinating packs with paper and stickers that match. Those who don’t feel very creative appreciate these sources, and it helps beginners as well.

It seemed to be a badge of honor to be months behind…

“My daughter was eight months old on Monday. and I am just scrapping her first days.”
“You never get caught up because you always take more pictures.”
“If someone gets caught up, we kick them out!”

Scrapbooking can be more than just a hobby. Some people make money putting scrapbooks together for others, and some sell the cards they make. Others make cards as gifts to give to co-workers, friends and family, while others may donate them to organizations to sell. (photo of tshirts on cards – donating to a church for a rummage sale they are having)

“There are 33 employees where I work, so I put together five or six cards in a pack for Christmas gifts for each of them.”

Project Life
Project Life is a photo album kit that comes with everything you need to document every day for a whole year. (or however long it takes you to finish it!) It comes with a binder, color coordinating cards and stickers. “Becky Higgins, one of the leaders in our industry, created Project Life,” said Angela Plante, Scrap Attics-n-More coordinator. “There are now twenty in our group that do it, so I wrote Becky Higgins to tell her what we were doing and she donated one to our group.”

“It really makes you stop and be in the moment. My son and my husband have gotten involved, too. They ask me what Project Life is today, or make a suggestion.”

Plante has been scrapbooking for fifteen years. Her children now scrapbook with her. “My daughter is right there beside me,” she said. “She has her own stickers and markers. We have a lot of mothers and daughters that come in.”

She started Scrap Attics-n-More three years ago. “I was looking for a place to scrap after Scrap Haven closed,” Plante explained. “I asked the owner of DJ’s (in Lincoln) if I could use her back room. I started by myself and now there are over 100 ladies (in the group) that come and stamp, scrap, crochet and make quilts. About 40 show up each month.”

The group has moved to a church and meets on the third Saturday of every month – October, November and January through April. They kick off ‘scrap season’ with a retreat in Medora each fall. Plante sets up and tears down all of the chairs, tables and dishes and to make sure the women have a comfortable place to create each month. She has a theme for every Saturday; deer widow weekend, ugly sweaters, the 80’s and more. There is no charge to attend, Plante stressed, “it is not a business.”

The women really look forward to these Saturdays. It may be especially beneficial for someone who is new to scrapping or even the community. Some may feel overwhelmed or hesitant when they are considering starting. They may feel they aren’t creative or it is too expensive. Attending Scrap Attics-n-More will help new scrappers get ideas and see the many options available to them.

“There is no right or wrong, it’s however you want to do it. That’s what I like about it. Everybody has their own style.”

Plante said there have never been any males join the group, but husbands are usually very supportive of their wives scrapbooking hobby. “They are the ones building the organizers, shelves, or the rooms, because most women have a space in their homes set aside for scrapping,” she said. “Some husbands have stood in line to get Cricuts on Black Friday.”

Plante emphasized the importance of preserving memories. “Everything we create is our legacy to our family members,” she said. “They may not understand it now, but someday they will appreciate all of the time and love we put into our projects.”

“Scrap Attics n More is more then just a scrapping thing – it’s an inspirational way of life.” ~Angela Plante

For more information on Scrap Attics-n-More, contact Angela at scrapatticsnmore@yahoo.com.
Project Life information: beckyhiggins.com

 

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