Is scrapbooking a ridiculous hobby?

Question

I'm pretty sure it is.

No, AzOasis8, my creativity has little to do with it. Buying premade supplies and "embellishments" at unspeakable prices and then rearranging them onto a page full of pictures doesn't seem very creative.

"Scrapbooking, for today's woman, is what the quilting bee was to women of the 19th century. It's not just a hobby, it serves an important social function and offers women a chance to connect and share ideas, interests, and knowledge. It's not just about scrapbooking anymore. It's a social movement that allows women to recharge, refresh, and renew their creative force. It empowers women to do something positive instead of sitting idly by."
--rhubarb3142

Ahhhh!! It kills me to read that.

Answer 1

Take off the S.

Answer 2

Scrapbooking may seem ridiculous to some, just as collecting Star Wars memorabilia or playing golf would to others.

The "worth" of hobbies lies in the value a person places on it. I, for one, do NOT think scrapbooking is ridiculous. Expensive, yes...ridiculous no.

I've been a professional (yep, a true professional) scrapbooker for 6 years. I have recently retired from my career as a nurse practitioner to pursue this "ridiculous hobby" as a full-time profession. And, if I say so myself, I've succeeded. I have written several books and articles about scrapbooking and have had my layouts published in national magazines oh, about 300 times.

Scrapbooking serves two purposes. 1) it allows us to preserve and document our family history so that it may be passed down to future generations. 2) It most certainly is a creative outlet. And it can, for some, be a very complex art form. For me, scrapbooking combines my photography, writing, and art design talents in one package. I rarely, if ever, use pre-made elements. I make them all myself. Heck, I've even designed some of the embellishments that are commercially available.

Just because you see no value in it, doesn't mean that it is a ridiculous hobby. For many (myself included) it's a way to relax and take a break from the chaos of daily life. Scrapbooking can be very therapeutic and cathartic too. It's not all about pages of cute babies and puppies you know. It's about whatever the artist wants it to be.

So, until you've tried it, don't knock it. Just like any other hobby out there, to those who aren't "in to it" it might look very strange and a big waste of time and money. But, for those who are captivated by it, it can be a God-send.

Scrapbooking, for today's woman, is what the quilting bee was to women of the 19th century. It's not just a hobby, it serves an important social function and offers women a chance to connect and share ideas, interests, and knowledge. It's not just about scrapbooking anymore. It's a social movement that allows women to recharge, refresh, and renew their creative force. It empowers women to do something positive instead of sitting idly by.

Answer 3

Some may see it as one, because it can be expensive and time consuming. On the other hand, it allows you to be creative while at the same time preserving your photos, memories and insights for future generations. I scrapbook, and I love how my pages turn out even if no one ever sees them but me - I can relive the moments just by looking through my scrapbook. I don't think anything is a ridiculous hobby if you get enjoyment out of it.

Answer 4

Scrapbooking so much fun, seriously! I created a scrapbook to document my final year of high school and begining of college. I have pics, letters, cards, and I created different pages about special events that have happened or just day to day happenings. It's a lot of fun and if u keep adding to it, the end result will be great because u'll see how much u've grown in the past years.

Answer 5

Well you are being creative, especially if you make your own embellishements instead of buying them...and you are leaving something behind for future generations...and if it makes the scrapbooker happy then it is always worth it!

Answer 6

I'm not a scrapbooker, but my sister is. She really enjoys doing it, and has gotten better and better with time. It makes a great gift, she helped me out and made a book for my Best Friends 30th birthday. And it was also a hit with both grandma's for mother's day.

Answer 7

I don't mean to be disrespectful but who are you to judge some one elses hobby?I think scrapbooking is a fun way to display memories and to preserve them because pictures have sentimental value.Why don't you just try it,it might be fun for you.If you absolutely don't like it then leave it alone,but don't judge something just because you don't like it.

Answer 8

Of sourse not. SCARPBOOKING IS THE EXACT OPPOSITE!!! Scrapbooking can ba a nice way to reflect on past experiences and see where you've come from. It can also be a nice way to show the chldren you have now or your future chidren the way your life was when you were their age and it can show you yourself how you've have grown.

Answer 9

Thank goodness I'm not the only one! I'll probably get flamed for this (and I don't really mean to offend anyone), but I've long thought that scrapbooking is art for people with no talent. Come on folks, learn a real craft. Pottery's easy, and anyone can draw if they practice enough.

Answer 10

Seems to be for people with more of a past than a present - or future. There was a scrapbooking convention nearby a few months ago. The people walking in were all female, all mothers and daughters and all the daughters looked as overweight and pasty as their moms.

Nothing personal scrapbooking lovers, merely an observation.
("Ooooooh, just look at Fluffy sleeping on my lap years ago. I didn't move 'cause it might have shoved the dildo I have up my butt too far!")

Answer 11

You are obviously not a scrapbooker, or very creative.