S/O How do you define traditional scrapbooking?

Interesting question. In the big sense of it, I think traditional scrapbooking as pages in book format with some type of memorabilia, a photo and a note with journaling. It doesn't matter what format or size. Basically some type of memory keeping.

The first scrapbookers kept a lock of hair, a pressed flower, a name card, maybe a photo (if they were lucky to have one). Circa 19th and early 20th century, maybe earlier. That evolved into books of photos using photo corners, then to the sticky pages and plastic photo pockets of the 70's. Both of those may have come before the 70's but that's when I remember them. And I have quite a few of these "sticky" album from my childhood. Photos with hand-written titles (what I call journaling, since I rarely journal. To this day a title and a date is good enough for me!)

I came on the current trend in scrapbooking in 2006. Pages with background papers, ephemera and such. In 2009 I started digi.

Again, to me traditional scrapbooking is just memory keeping. There is no right or wrong way.

My definition of scrapbooking is very broad. A collection of “pages” containing a photo and/or memorabilia, and to keep from being considered the much maligned “photo album” there should be some form of decoration. That’s what I believe they mean by “scraps”. Traditional means it’s in physical book form.

I started traditional scrapbooking in 2001. For me, it’s about 2 or 3 pics, creative title, whether Silhouette generated or any other way, good journaling, & embellishments, whether that be 1, 3-5, or more. I’ve looked back on the mags I have & I enjoy the layouts that are like those I’ve just described. And I especially like my pics to be 4x4 & 4x6, & 5x7. I’m really not into mixed media for my pages. I like it for cards. Don’t get me wrong, I like how it looks but I fear what that would do to my scrapbooks in the future. What I think of most in traditional scrapbooking are the memories being captured & expressed on a layout in a creative way that involves traditional yet updated supplies.

ETA: I’m silly for not thinking of this sooner. Traditional scrapbooks are/were acid free!!!! Also people used products like scrappagerz stencils for titles in AWFUL fonts. To this day, I’m afraid people that view my scrapbooks won’t understand or be able to see my page titles. That’s what I remember from 2001/2002, a time when scrapbooking was so popular & that’s just a lil of what I’d refer to as traditional scrapbooking.

Hmmm....I'd probably define traditional scrapbooking as involving a physical album that included actual photos and journaling. Now what type of album and size is all up to the scrapper.



My sister is a digital scrapbooker. Her albums are beautiful and certainly include lots of journaling. Her way of documenting her family suits her.

cbscrapper: I wish I had just said what you did!! Thanks, much simpler. That’s why I love being a pea.

Traditional Scrapbooking: The craft that generates all sorts of fun supplies and tools that I get to use for other things!
If I have to be serious, any kind of album/book with pictures, words and a bunch of extraneous decoration that is capable of embarrassing its subject person(s) when shown off to non-relatives.

I think the wonderful thing about this hobby is that it’s fluid. It changes with you and your life events.

For me it’s simple: pictures and stories and dates. Everything else is just icing.

It depends on the context of the discussion.  For the most part I would say, keeping photos and memorabilia in a memory keeping format using materials made for that purpose.

If I was going to look at scrapbook layouts and define some as traditional, they would be flat, with journalling and possibly stickers or die cuts.  There might be photos cut in shapes( though hopefully not).  There may be a catchy title and borders or punches.

I don't have any pictures or a gallery; not really a 'document things' kind of person, sorry!  They're not very exciting anyways, just basic slip cover boxes with linen paper for the bottom wrap, and a printed graphics wrap on top for storing my PnP board games, mostly. 

If you're really curious I could probably scrounge up a camera and try to get a half-decent picture or two.  

To me, "traditional" scrapbooking is the style of yesteryear. Items(letters, trinkets, memorabilia photos, etc...) the "scrapbook" may not be an actual scrapbook, but in some cases a chest, trunk or box.

I started scrapbooking in late 1996. I didn't have many photos, the first part of my adult life(20's) was very much camcorder/video everything.
Then I was introduced to scrapbooking. Bought an inexpensive camera (110 film << old school! Have since moved on to 35ml film and now digital camera.

I started scrapbooking 8.5 x 11, and that is what I still do.
When I started, it was the phase of sticker sneeze, matted photo and plain card stock. So for me, that is "my" traditional style of scrapbooking. But my style has evolved over the years.
I am using stickers(without the "sneeze"), matted photo, and I have evolved to patterned paper(I like to mix and match patterns) and a little of the distressed look.
My style is very much...cute, mix and match patterns, bright and primary color(no pastels). I scrapbooking in chronological order, year by year(some years take up two scrapbooks, some are in one scrapbook).

I am not one to jump on a bandwagon or follow the latest trend. If I like something that is new and the "latest and greatness", I incorporate into with my old school style.

I am a firm believer that scrapbook style is "to each, their own".
There is no right or wrong way to scrapbook.
They are my scrapbooks and I make them the way that I like. I don't care what anyone else thinks. If someone doesn't like my style, they don't need to bother viewing my scrapbooks.