I like to think that I get a bunch of different kinds of people on onesassyscrapper.com, but I’m pretty sure, most of them are women. Some are mothers of beautiful children, wives, daughters, stepmoms, sisters, granddaughters, grandmothers, aunts, cousins, employees, bosses, teachers, lawyers, doctors, baristas, slayers (oops, Buffy is on TV right now…), anyway, you get my point. We all have labels and responsibilities and expectations, desires, hopes and dreams. But sometimes we get caught in someone else’s world; or several someone else’s worlds. Sometimes all we are known by is “so-and-so’s” mom, “so-and-so’s” wife, “so-and-so’s” sister. Really? Really? I am me! So, what are you doing when you’re scrapping your family albums? You are preserving the history of all the “so-and so’s” in your life. They aren’t doing it. It’s your job. Another label. Family history keeper…Stepford Scrapper…Scrapbook artist…Scrapper who scraps pictures of loved ones, doing the things they love to do, and of course, in some circumstances, things that you may enjoy as well. So, how do you go about deciding how to scrap those beautiful memories? You get scrapbook paper that has something to do with this thing they love, in the colors that they love and arrange them in layouts that are acceptable to the scrapping community. WHAT???? Be who you are. Be sassy! This is the time when YOU have the power. This is one of those times you get to be who you want to be. Anything you can envision, anything on the paper, any part of the picture, anywhere on the paper, any color, style, texture, embellishments, size, you want. Be who you are; but not just when you’re scrapping, but every day, all the time, forever.

1. The Internet: It’s so much easier in society today to get great ideas. Just type in “scrapbook layout” or “scrapbook template”, “wedding scrapbook”, “baby scrapbook”, anything your heart desires and you’ll come up with something cool.
2. Magazines: If you’re a hands on person, or technically challenged (like me) or if you just like magazines…there are some great scrapbooking magazines out there, such as, Creating Keepsakes and Memory Makers. I went and got magazines at garage sales and stores and took my favorite layouts, kits, ideas etc. and glued them into a spiral scrapbook and had my own book of borrowed ideas! Go to your nearest Barnes and Noble or Borders and they should have the magazines in stock, if not they’ll order them for you. Get a subscription!!!!
3. Books: Same as magazines, but hold up better and smell good…especially if they’re new….
4. Your friends: Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery….
5. Scrapbook Convention: Oh my goodness!!!! Forget the circus, it’s greatest place on Earth!!!! Your local scrapbook store can tell you when the convention will be in town. The only thing they don’t have is cotton candy!
6. Scrapbook Store: Lots of times, the people that run the store put their own layouts up for people to see, borrow their ideas, they have all of the papers, embellishments and everything at their fingertips! Plus, that means you’ll need to buy more stuff at their store. They like that!
7. Scrapbook Retreat: For those die-hard scrapaholics, sister dear, you know who you are, scrapbook retreats are an excellent place to go to get great ideas. Sometimes they have them at conventions, then you kill all of your birds with one stone…want to know why? At the retreat, you are also at the convention which means you have your friends, scrapbook stores, books, magazines and, most likely, the internet, at your disposal!

A plethora of scrapbooking ideas all in one place! What could be better?