Scrapbook class teaches how to preserve memories

Published 11:05 pm Friday, May 4, 2018

By Oniska Blevins | The Selma Times-Journal

Family photos and craft materials lined The Coffee Shoppe’s tables Friday evening as scrapbooking instructor Shirley Ross led a small group of participants in the shop’s First Friday Scrapbooking 101 event.

While teaching the craft to the class, Ross told them how scrapbooking can be used to highlight memories amongst family and friends.

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“Even with a photo you need to tell a story,” she said.

Ross and her sister made their mother a “healing book” with photos of their late sister to help their mother grieve her death. They added explanations of special moments throughout the book with the pictures.

The “healing book” was her introduction to scrapbooking.

Ross did the same for herself when her husband passed away. She believes these types of scrapbooks allow the deceased family member’s memory to carry on through the page.

“You want the pages to be unique and tell your story,” she said.

Each guest was asked to bring a 4×6 sized family photo to decorate and put into the frame provided by Ross. Aside from the frame, all participants received precut pieces, adhesive, a blank scrapbook page and burlap to create their masterpiece.

Now, with more than 18 years of scrapbooking experience, Ross travels around giving lessons and sharing her arts and crafts knowledge.

During the First Friday class, Ross also explained that there are many ways to scrapbook, and the cost is dependent upon individual preference.

“Scrapbooking is as expensive or as frugal as you want it to be,” she said.

The Coffee Shoppe owner Jackie Smith designed a picture of her and her husband and was happy to be doing something outside of her comfort zone.

“This is my first time [scrapbooking] and it’s going well,” she said. “It’s very relaxing.”

Event participant Ola Moore said she too was happy to attend the event. Moore said she has been trying to get to attend a local scrapbooking event and was more than happy to attend when she heard about First Friday’s Scrapbooking 101.

“I thought this would be a great thing to do today,” she said.