What Constitutes a "Scrapbook" Album?

Hi everyone

I started scrapbooking only a few years ago, so I'm relatively new to all this.
When I began puchasing all my scrapbook supplies I was told it was important to use ALL ACID FREE PRODUCTS as this would protect the life of your precious photos and albums. So that's the rule I apply to all my photo projects.

I have also been told that it's safe to use non-acid free items if they're not actually touching the photos, but even so, the non-acid free products will deteriorate through time.

YouTube and other web sites provide a vast source of information and tutorials from very helpful and some very artistic scrappers. This information is viewed by a very large number of people. The projects, hints and techniques are used by many. Quite a few are selling their scrapbook mini album kits. This is a valuable source to many scrappers who are not as confident with their ability to put together a mini album with co-ordinating supplies.

However, there are many scrappers out there who assume that all the products supplied in these kits are ACID FREE. What about all the young scrappers out there? What are we teaching them? Maybe we're naive, or just too trusting, to think that all the bits and pieces in the kits are photo-safe. Mostly they are, however there have been quite a few lately that I've seen using paper bags, old book pages, cereal packaging for chipboard, corrugated cardboard, used envelopes, pictures printed using non-laser printers, etc. What about giving these mini albums as gifts? Does the recipient know exactly what has been used in the making of these minis?

What I cannot understand is why we are paying a lot of money for our scrapping supplies (papers, inks, chipboard, embellishments) and then we go and use non-acid free items in the project! Why don't we just use cheaper paper? Non-acid free glues and tapes?

So what is scrapbooking?

The Oxford dictionary defines the word scrapbook as "a book of blank pages for sticking cuttings, drawings, or pictures in". So technically you can use any medium you prefer on your albums.

Confused? I still am. Are there no rules at all? Each to their own? I would like to know however, that for any kits I may want to purchase, whether or not they are 100% acid free. So all you talented scrappers out there selling kits - pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaaase let us know if there are any non-acid free items in the kits, then it will be up to us individually as to what we do with the items if we purchase the kits.

Thanks for taking the time to read my thoughts :)

Instructions for Acid Free Paper Bag

Click here to view instructions

August Mini Album Trade - Sneak Peak

I've started Marisa's album for the August Mini Album Trade and thought I'd give her a sneak peak at what to expect. Also to let her know that it won't be long before I'm finished and able to send it to Marisa :).

This is a mini album I just finished as a gift for my daughter, Shasz's friend who's having a baby boy soon.

Eyelets - Can anyone help me?

Hi girls
I've had so much trouble trying to find eyelets big enough for my mini albums.
I have some great eyelets from Stampin' Up (jumbo eyelets in the bronze & silver) but they are so expensive.
The only other eyelets I can find are too small to go through the thickness of my mini album pages.
Also, I don't really know how to check the sizes - what the mm refers to - diameter or length of the middle cylinder??? It's so frustrating trying to buy these on line.
Can anyone help me pleeeeeeeaaaaaaaase!!!!

I made this book today for my niece, Danielle for her birthday on Monday. The book is an envelope mini album which has 12 pockets, one for each month of the year. Each tag has an area to note down birthdays for each of her friends & family.

My June Mini Album

Welcome to my blogspot

Hi! Welcome to my blog. I've just created this blogspot so bear with me while I customise it. I would love some feedback. I know the pics look too big on here but I haven't worked out how to reduce their size just yet.