How do you preserve your family photos to share with future generations? How do you preserve past experiences in 4-H, school activities, etc.? Scrapbooking is the answer! Scrapbooking preserves your memories through photographs, journaling and embellishments to tell your story. 
 

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Exploring 4-H

Exploring 4-H Scrapbooking 
Spark Activity: One Moment in Time 

  1.  Create a one-page layout that tells a story about a special day. When creating a scrapbook page, all items should be acid free so it does not fade or deteriorate over time. 
  2. Choose 1-3 pictures that tell a story about a particular activity/event in your life. Recommendations would be to use 8 ½ ‘ x 11” or 12” x 12” layout. • Choose 2-3 different colors of paper that will coordinate with your pictures. Papers can be patterned, solid card stock or specialty paper. 
  3. Create a title for your page. 
  4. Include journaling to explain what is going on in the picture, how you felt in the picture, etc. This can be done using acid free pens, or by using a computer. 
  5. Crop and mat at least one picture and make it your focal point. 
  6. Experiment with using embellishments including ribbon, stickers, buttons, special lettering, die cut pieces, etc. 
  7. Odd numbers are recommended to create balance on the page.  Experiment with different types of adhesive – tape runner, pop dots, photo corners, and liquid adhesive. Pop dots create dimension on the page. Liquid adhesive is good for ribbon, buttons and small embellishments. A tape runner is good to secure pictures to your page. 
  8. Experiment with your layout such as photo placement, embellishments, and journaling. Once you are satisfied with the layout, use the appropriate adhesive to adhere items to your page. 
  9. You can display your layout in a frame or add to a scrapbook album. 
  10. Have fun and be creative! 


 

4-H Project Levels and Goals
Beginner
  • Learn to create scrapbook pages that tell a story 
  • Create a basic scrapbook supply kit Learn to crop and mat photos
  • Incorporate titles into your pages Include journaling in your scrapbook 
  • Experiment with embellishments 
     
Intermediate
  • Experiment using punches or stamps to create embellishments 
  • Incorporate quotes into your scrapbook pages 
  • Experiment with embellishments that you have not used before 
  • Practice new techniques for cropping and matting 
Advanced
  • Create scrapbook pages effectively using at least seven different types of embellishments 
  • Experiment with incorporating borders onto your scrapbook pages 
  • Incorporate the use of pocket pouches into your page designs 
Put Your Project Into Action

Show Your Skills 

  • Exhibit at your local 4-H show / fair 
  • Create a display showcasing different types of embellishments 
  • Develop a portfolio of various types of page layouts 
  • Create greeting cards which showcase different techniques for scrapbooking 

Service and Leadership 

  • Make greeting cards to give to a local nursing home or children’s wing at a local hospital 
  • Create a scrapbook for your 4-H club preserving the memories of the 4-H year 
  • Lead a card-making workshop for your club or with a senior citizen group 
  • Mentor a younger member just starting to do scrapbooking as a 4-H project 
  • Consider running for an office in your club as a reporter or historian; if your club does not offer this position, consider volunteering for the position 
  • Give a scrapbooking presentation at your 4-H club meeting 

Entrepreneurship 

  • Create and sell sample scrapbook layouts 
  • Create homemade cards for various occasions 
  • Create a business making digital sketch layouts 
  • Create and sell handmade die cuts and embellishments 

Technology Connection 

  • Desktop die cutting machines 
  • Digital scrapbooking 
  • Mobile photo printers 
  • Wearable cameras 

Connecting with a Mentor 

  • Crop nights / scrapbook events 
  • Scrapbook supply stores 
  • Craft stores 

Events 

  • 4-H workshops 
  • 4-H county show and state fair 
  • Check with local craft and specialty shops for workshops and classes 

Project Manuals & Exhibit Requirements

  • Getting Started in Art (Beginner) 
  • 4-H Scrapbooking Digital Download

Purchase manuals on the Shop Illinois 4-H Store. 

View exhibit requirements and scoresheets on the Illinois State Fair page.

Careers
woman standing over her desk working on scrapbook
  • Scrapbooking Consultant
  • Graphic Designer
  • Marketing
  • Class Instructor
  • Craft Store Manager
  • Layout Designer 
     
Start a Conversation

Why would it be important to preserve photos taken during special times in your life? What are some different ways that you could preserve/ showcase photos taken during special times in your life? 

Credits

Oklahoma State University Extension 4-H Scrapbooking Curriculum 

4-H Spark Sheets are a collaborative effort of 4-H staff, volunteers, alumni and teens from across Illinois. A big thanks to the many contributors and reviewers! 
 

Resources
Getting Started in Art (Beginner)
4-H Scrapbooking Digital Download