Let's face it, many women are just so sentimental about a lot of things in their life. They cherish both memorable events involving their loved ones and personal things they receive from special people. Photos and souvenirs are among their most treasured possessions because they are things that remind them of their journey in life.



Now when it comes to preserving these memoirs, nothing beats scrapbooking ? a hobby which has become so popular among many women of all ages around the world. Countless young women including housewives, mothers and professionals to even the golden girls are engaged in this paper craft hobby these days. What makes this popular is the fact that scrapbooking can bring out the creativity of women in preserving photos and souvenirs instead of just the usual stuff of pasting or slipping your photos in the traditional album. With scrapbooking, women can let their imagination run wild. They can design each of their album pages in the most unique way they can think of using a wide range of materials. It can truly be fun, too, especially when they can get together and share ideas as well as paper materials.

In fact, scrapbooking has also become high-tech nowadays. It has evolved from the traditional practice of using different types of paper, trimmings and markers for journaling to the latest computer software that lets hobbyists create and design album pages on their PCs. The software normally contains numerous templates, fonts and other tools for computer scrapbooking. After creating your pages on your PC, all you need is to just print them out and compile them together and voila! Your personalized scrapbook is done.

In the U.S., scrapbooking events and conventions for hobbyists and manufacturers of papercrafts are being held every now and then. The yearly MemoryTrends Conference and Expo is said to be the most comprehensive event on scrapbooking and papercrafts in the world. This event which features exhibits involves companies that sell, make, market or promote scrapbooking and papercrafts products and services. The 2006 conference led to the creation of a magazine especially geared toward the scrapbooking retailer and manufacturer.

Across the U.S., weekend scrapbooking retreats are also being held on a regular basis offering an outlet for women to have fun, meet friends and express their creativity. Normally, these events include free demonstrations on starting and enhancing your projects. Organizers also provide the venue and some of the basic materials which attendees can use during the entire duration of the event. Booths selling paper products and other craft materials are also available. Some of these weekend retreats offer all-inclusive packages complete with food and accommodation. The others provide more exciting perks like on-sight spa treatments that include massages and manicures for those joining the workshops.

Meanwhile, for those who enjoy digital scrapbooking via the computer, you can avail of free tutorials from various sites on this papercraft. Scrapbooking sites like Scrapjazz.com, Scraptutor.com and CreativeMemories.com provide information on the latest products and techniques for hobbyists. Plus, they have online contests on a monthly basis that offer fun and exciting prizes. Sometimes, they also have special promotions that give exclusive discounts to loyal subscribers. So join in the fun and expand your creativity via scrapbooking.