By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Scrapbooking instructor Shirley Ross is teaming up with the Coffee Shoppe for its May First Friday event. The family friendly coffee shop will once again host its monthly event in hopes of bringing something fun and innovative to the community.

Ross said supporting local businesses is important and this collaboration is her way of doing her part.

“I’m looking to keep a lot more of our sales in Selma,” she said. “I would like to see more here in Selma.”

The event will take place at the Coffee Shoppe May 4 from 5-7 p.m. The cost is $20 per person, and all materials including the frame, precut pieces, adhesive and everything else  that is needed to scrapbook will be provided.

During the event, the group will be introduced to scrapbooking 101, and each guest is asked to bring a 4×6 sized family photo with them to decorate.

Guests will use the materials to create a memorable photo with design and a small explanation of the photo.

“It’s good to have those stories along with the photos,” she said. “That’s where scrapbooking comes in.”

Ross got into scrapbooking after her oldest sister passed away. To help her mother grieve, she and her other sister made her a “healing book” with photos of her late sister. She also did the same for herself when her husband passed away.

“When you’ve lost someone, sometimes it helps you to come to terms with the loss,” Ross said.

Coffee Shoppe owner Jackie Smith said she too is excited to be working with Ross on this project because it brings something exciting to the area.

“There’s not a lot of exposure to scrapbooking,” she said. “People will actually be introduced to something that, again, they can get right here in Selma but maybe not even know it.”

Smith said as of now there are about 10 seats left and they are selling fast due to interest.

“It’s gonna be something special,” she said.

For more information or to reserve a seat for the event, call (334) 878-2739.