“Scraplifting” is a term used loosely by some scrapbookers. It describes the process of seeing scrapbook layouts or ideas in magazines or on the Web and copying them for your
own layout(s).

Most scrapbookers are happy to share their ideas with others because they realize that they too have received inspiration, motivation or ideas from others in the past. Scraplifting can be the highest form of flattery when the person being copied views the
“scraplifting” as an opportunity for someone else to have a creative experience with the help of another.

Other scrapbookers don’t see scraplifting the same way. They believe it to be unethical and call it CASEing (copy and stealing everything).

For those scrapbookers who believe scraplifting is okay, they say there are unofficial guidelines that should be followed. Scraplifting is a complicated subject too. The general rule of thumb is: if you use 70% of another person’s scrapbook, it’s a scraplift, under that it’s an “inspired by you”.

If you do scraplift, you MUST credit the original artist in your comments, possibly even linking back to the original, but do not try to pass it off as your own, unaided work.

This of course also means that you need to keep some kind of track of who the original poster was. Some will ask the artist’s permission first before scraplifting.

Scraplifting allows many a “starting point” when they are otherwise at a loss for where to
begin. It is also a way for others to get ideas for color, placement, materials and embellishments they can use on their own pages.

Some scrapbookers view themselves as “creatively challenged”, but don’t want to give up on wonderfully unique way to organize and display their family photos, memorabilia, history and journals. Scraplifting can also be used as a time saver.

Rather than spending your precious time wracking your brain the whole night without any output to show for the next day, scraplifting is an option. There are scrapbook magazines and gallery websites that exist to allow scrapbookers to showcase their work, for inspiration and to allow others to scraplift.

Finally, remember that if you have copied a layout or a design, especially in full, do not submit the idea as your own to a magazine, idea book, layout contest etc. for any type of publication or compensation. Scraplifting is meant to share ideas and to be a fun and easy way to get your photos and mementos organized in a quicker fashion.

If you’re like many of us you may have found yourself struggling to find ideas for your next scrapbook. You may even be a bit frustrated because you just can’t come up with a really fresh idea. 

There are many sources you can look to for that brilliant new idea for your new scrapbook.  Some you may have already heard of and others you may be totally unaware of.

The most common source for hobby information is probably magazines and books.  Just about every hobby out there has its own magazines and books. 

There are also newsletters published for hobbies and hobbyists.  In the era of the internet resources are abundant and just a click away.  A simple search of the World Wide Web can return you an endless list from which you can draw inspiration.

One of the most popular gathering places for people on the internet today is the forum.  There are forums, also known as chat boards or message boards, for just about every
subject and some of the most visited are for hobbies. 

A forum is set up for users to post messages and receive responses from other users, a great way to exchange ideas.  Many forums even allow pictures or other digital images to be posted as well.

This gallery is loaded with images of computer generated layouts of every sort.  These layouts are created with Photoshop, Paintshop pro and other editing programs.  Browsing galleries such as this will surely inspire great ideas.

Another source for ideas is the newsletters I mentioned earlier. Newsletters now come via e-mail from many web sites.  Sites that produce scrapbooking newsletters often ask you to register as a member or provide your e-mail address to sign up to receive their newsletter. Generally they’re loaded with tips and tricks, hot topics, sales specials and much more. 

Many of the web sites that sell scrapbooking supplies also have pre-made layouts available on their sites that you can browse through for ideas or purchase and use.

There’s bound to be a reason behind the popularity of scrapbooking. If you take the time to ask anyone who’s involved in scrapbooking you’ll soon find that many of them will tell you the same thing. 

Many will say they do it to create an attractive and personal way to display their photos.  Others will say they do it to preserve memories. Still other scrappers will say they do it for enjoyment and personal satisfaction.  There is no right or wrong reason.  Each person’s
reason is as real, valid and important to them as the next.

If you’re one of the multitudes of people who take pictures by the dozens and then never get them put into album then you’re a prime example why someone should scrapbook.  Not only will it get your photos into an album, but it allows you to create a beautiful display for all memories that the photos represent.

At the same time you will have another good reason to show all those photos off.
Preserving memories may be the most important reason to scrapbook.

By creating a scrapbook you’re not just making an attractive display for your photos.  By adding memorabilia and journaling to what would otherwise be a photo album you’ve created a storybook about your family.  This storybook is sure to become a family treasure that will be appreciated for generations to come.

Enjoyment and personal satisfaction are equally as important as any other reasons for scrapbooking.  In today’s world we all find ourselves enduring too much stress, not enough R&R and too little time to ourselves.  We find ourselves struggling to maintain
a balance between our commitments and having time to do something that we want to do just for ourselves.

Scrapbooking is a creative outlet that many people have found provides them a great deal of enjoyment while giving them a feeling of personal satisfaction when they’ve finished a
new scrapbook.

As you can see, the reasons youshould scrapbook are very different and yet very much interconnected.

No matter what your primary reason for scrapbooking is, you’ll soon realize that you will benefit just as much for all the other reasons that I’ve mentioned.   Scrapbooking is a hobby that is constantly growing in popularity providing more and more resources to enhance your enjoyment of the hobby you love.