Making Up The Rules As You Go Along...

I work with a woman who scraps in a way I just can't imagine. She is methodical and thoughtful and organized. What's with that?

To her credit, this woman went into scrapping on a budget. She was clear-cut that her hobby would not become a burden on her time or the family budget. These concepts are foreign to me, but I'm thinking I probably need to adopt them - at least to some degree.

When she decides to scrapbook, she picks out her photos and any mementos she'll be including in layout, and then she goes to the craft store, browses, and then (get this!) only purchase those few items she will use in those specific layouts. She doesn't need cubes and boxes and organizers for all of her supplies (like I do) or a whole end of her bedroom for her work space (like I do). She is targeted, organized and specific in her craft. Each and every layout she does is meaningful - she treats this as an art form. And her layouts are amazing.

I doubt that she belongs to any sites (like I do) or kit clubs (like I do). She doesn't scrap just for the fun of it and I don't believe she enters competitions (like I do).

So, what's the point of this segment? We scrappers come in all shapes, sizes and kinds. In the various sites I've visited, I've seen people who would, and do, make layouts of everything that is and isn't nailed down - I don't have time for this myself, but for those who do, I say go for it! Some of us are content to stick with the basics and not try new layouts or materials. That's okay too. Some of us only scrap the important parts of our lives, others have never seen a photo or a travel brochure or a moment they won't commit to paper. That's alright too.

The bottom line is, scrapbooking is the universal hobby, the one that all of us can do, and the one "sport" where we can all participate and we all belong. No matter what or how you choose to scrap, it's okay. This is the one place where you get to make up your own rules!