Scrapbooking became popular in middle class nineteenth century life. All sorts of albums were available and items such as newspaper clippings, engraved pictures and verses were considered scrapbook worthy.

Scrapbookers love to create albums that capture memories and arrange pretty pages that tell a story. Attending scrapbook classes and work shops are popular events.

The "drawing room" scrapbook was the center of social exchange and discussion in the mid-eighteenth century. These were full of memories and family stories. These were cherished by future generations and are pricless. They are like a part of a family's heritage.

Scrapbooking started to decline during World War 1. The recession caused scrapbooking businesses to close down.

During the Mid 1800's, companies such as London based W&H Rock began producing leather albums that contained preprinted pages devoted to various themes. These albums were embellished with flowers and birds.

Some early albums were printed with pockets to put photos in and other albums had sketching pages to draw or do water color art on.

Mark Twain{the famous author who wrote Huckleberry Finn} had his own invention, Mark Twain's Adhesive Scrapbook that included prepasted pages. This was one of Twain's most popular books.

Printed pages of stationery and embellished writing were used as decorative elements in scrapbooks.

We have variety of pages to fit every theme available in scrapbook stores. Rubber stamps, ink, paint, stickers, ribbons, buttons and other items are available to embellish pages. I like the new Disney pewter clips of Mickey Mouse ears and Mickey that just came out. Look for them in your local scrapbook store.

What to include in a scrapbook.

Poems and song lyrics are nice to put in a scrapbook.

Write down personal thoughts and sentimental endearments are nice added touches.

You may also want to include love letters and personal notes. Special cards received by snail mail also add a decorative touch.

To do the above, remember to journal stories from your pictures and other items that you are scrapbooking. Journaling plays a big part in scrapbooking.

In 1825, a serial called "The Scrapbook" was issued. It included ideas on how to fill a blank book with pictures and clippings. In 1832, Fisher's Drawing Room Scrapbook was a published volume that encouraged the art of scrapbooking. There were a series of these and they were decorated with pretty gift decorations on the covers, front and back. They became coffeee table books that were displayed.

Queen Victoria had a scrapbook that she displayed in the Royal Palace.

Thomas Jefferson had a scrapbook of news clippings, drawings, dried leaves and other items.

Mark Twain had scrapbooks, too.