Creative documentation: Scrapbooking

Katrina Bredhauer

Stronger Families Learning Exchange Bulletin No.5 Autumn 2004 pp.6-7

The 'creative documentation' of the work of community-based projects is important for three reasons: it involves participants and community members in contributing their expertise and interests and in learning new skills; it provides information which is relevant to specific community needs and so increases ownership by the community of the work being done in the project; and it provides interesting information and reports about the project which can be of use to government, policy makers and other communities. This section of the Bulletin focuses on some of the forms of creative documentation discussed at the Stronger Families Fund National Workshop and others, which have been used by projects in their work.

Scrapbooks have been around for two centuries, writes Katrina Bredhauer, and have an enduring appeal for those who wish to document their 'story'.

You may be surprised to find an article about scrapbooking in the Bulletin. I was actually a bit surprised to be writing one! Scrapbooking has always been an interest of mine, as the combination of photos and bright colourful paper make it an irresistible lure for a visual person like me.

Fortunately, I am not alone in this fascination. I was pleased to discover that scrapbooks have been luring people for almost two centuries. In the 1800s 'Common Place' books were used by educated people to record quotes and phrases. The term 'scrapbook' was created in the 1830s, based on the bright coloured paper - called 'scrap' - that was used for the albums (Taylor 2003; Moreels 2003).

In 1836 the first scrapbook went on sale, and was designed for keeping newspaper articles, poems, drawings, diary entries, pressed flowers, feathers, handwriting, paper cuts and locks of hair (Hamman 2003). In the 1870s die cutting and stamping appeared, and the Kodak camera in the 1880s revolutionised scrapbooks, enticing people to add photos to existing scrap (Taylor 2003; Hamman 2003; Moreels 2003). In the mid-20th century scrapbooking declined, then once again became popular with the renewed interest in family history in the 1980s (Moreels 2003; Tate 2003). Since then an increasing demand for products, ideas and information has created an industry spread through shops, magazines and websites.

Having always felt as though I was a bit of a magpie for being drawn to bright shiny layouts, I was quite reassured to find that my interest in scrapbooking placed me in the distinguished company of Thomas Jefferson, Mark Twain and Queen Victoria (Morels 2003; Hamman 2003).

Just as they did, I am documenting my story (and that of the Stronger Families Learning Exchange team), in a scrapbook that includes photos, journaling, documents, comments, reflections and other things relevant to our work. Due to their flexibility, simplicity and attractiveness, scrapbooks are a fantastic way to document the story of your project. You can put together a document that can be used by multiple audiences, including the participants in your project.

Photos, comments, stories and drawings from the Midwest Gascoyne and Murchison Family Support Project.
Photos, comments, stories and drawings
from the Midwest Gascoyne and Murchison Family Support Project.

Scrapbooks can be a more descriptive, visually interesting and accessible way to record and communicate what is happening in your project - a living story that unfolds as your project develops. You can pass it around at meetings, leave it on your coffee table for people to flick through, or adapt it for your management committee or to your funding government agency. Also the people who participate in your project can help you to put it together by taking photos, writing comments, or designing layouts. This has the advantage of building capacity, increasing participation in your project, and spending less time writing reports!

There are many different ways to use a scrapbook. It can range from a paper scrapbook that you take to playgroups to collect photos, comments from parents and children, or handprints, to a more formal scrapbook with designed layouts that your project team or participants can compile together. The possibilities are endless.

Fortunately, so are the materials available. You can buy these from craft stores, scrapbooking shops or websites. There are also several different magazines on scrapbooking and memory albums, which can be found in most newsagents. These are a good place to start for ideas on layouts and tips and tricks for putting pages together.

How to start

What you will need

Using scrapbooks

Some Stronger Families Fund projects have already been using scrapbooks in their work.

The Perth Young Mum's Support Project has gathered together a group of young women who are interested in scrapbooking and they are compiling a scrapbook that describes the activities of the project and the young women involved. The group has also become involved in other aspects of the project, such as talking to the Minister on a recent visit.

'The young women have been very enthusiastic and . . . have made some pretty dramatic recent changes to their lives. Who knows what scrapbooking can bring?' (Helen, Perth Young Mum's Support Program).

The Midwest Gascoyne and Murchison Family Support Project in Geraldton is taking scrapbooks along on their mobile playgroup run, which extends across their region and involves regional, rural and remote communities. They include photos of activities and families, particularly those capturing strengths and good times, plus asking parents to write comments about the activities. Children are also invited to contribute by taking photos, making comments, or doing some drawings.

'Nic has also started a child care services scrapbook and has started promoting them as a form of documentation in child care. She is taking the scrapbook to other services and the first time she did a staff member saw a new idea (from another service, represented photographically in the scrapbook) and wanted to implement it in her service straight away!'

There is an increasing emphasis on being creative, using a wide range of mediums for documentation, and involving participants in recording and reporting. Scrapbooks are a great way to achieve all of this, with the benefit of creating an interesting, lively resource suitable for many different audiences and occasions. So think about the possibilities, get people involved, and try it out!

References

Hamman, Debbie (2003), The history of scrapbooking http://www.littlebit.com/ideas_scrap/history_scrap.html

Moreels, Sarah J. (2003), Scrapbooking - not just another 'fad craft', http://www.auscraftnet.com.au (craft of the month - September - scrapbooking history).

Tate, Cindy (2003), Where it all started, http://www.idreamofscrapping.com/

Taylor, Maureen (2003), The history of scrapbooking

Websites of interest

There are many websites on scrapbooking, and I would encourage you to do your own search.

http://www.auscraftnet.com.au has information on a huge range of crafts, including scrapbooking. In the scrapbooking heading you will find several websites and links, plus information about stores in different states. Well worth a look.

http://www.webcon.net.au/ozscrappin/layouts.html has some examples of layouts, plus, under 'shops', you will find some internet suppliers of scrapbooking materials, as well as shops in each state.

http://www.memoriesandmore.com.au has products for sale, tips and tricks, and some layouts you can have a look at.

http://www.thescrapheap.com.au is an easy-to-use website that has a good product range as well as a gallery layout for some ideas.

Useful magazines

My Reflections, rrp $6.95.
Scrapbooking Memories, rrp $9.99

Katrina Bredhauer is a Senior Research Officer with the Stronger Families Learning Exchange at the Australian Institute of Family Studies.