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.
Exploring 4-H Visual Arts Scrapbooking
Spark Activity: One Moment in Time
- 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.
- 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.
- Create a title for your page.
- 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.
- Crop and mat at least one picture and make it your focal point.
- Experiment with using embellishments including ribbon, stickers, buttons, special lettering, die cut pieces, etc.
- 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.
- 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.
- You can display your layout in a frame or add to a scrapbook album.
- 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
- 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!
