Dubai scrapbook network keeps memories alive

Members meet regularly to make touching souvenirs which record their experiences


It is about creating and preserving memories, documenting lives through photographs and presenting an heirloom to the next generation.

A 'Scrapbook Network' was recently formed by a group of ladies in Dubai. Preserving photographs and memorabilia in archival-quality albums is what they set out to do. And in the last few months the response and achievement has been tremendous.

The network of women meets regularly to make touching souvenirs which record their experiences in Dubai. The ladies from the Scrapbook Network get together once a week during the day (Wednesday) and once a month in the evening (Thursday). Besides working on their respective albums, they share new techniques and ideas. While some of the members work on scrapbooks with themes such as baby book, vacation book or wedding album, others make an album, which chronologically documents their lives. The idea is to use products that are photo safe, and that will last for generations.

It all began when Holly Warah, the driving force behind the Scrapbook Network in Dubai, went to the U.S. Knowing that family and friends would want to know more about her stay in the Middle East, Holly "created a scrapbook about our lives in Dubai. It explained many aspects of life here from tradition and holidays to daily life, like going to the beach. It was a hit!" Looking through the album, Holly's relatives got a better understanding of Dubai.

Holly says, "I started about seven years ago and bring out, on an average, two albums a year. I don't put everything in the album. Only favourites go in. I call it processing photographs. Scrapbooking can be done any way you like. It is totally individual. Here in Dubai, we call ourselves the Scrapbook Network. I have about 50 people on my mailing list, but that doesn't mean they are all participating. I would say about half are really involved."

The Scrapbook Network has women from all walks of life: young mothers and working women too. Holly says, "It is very social and we have a lot of fun but we are all doing something which is valuable. You could do this by yourself, but it is more fun with other people. We take so much energy, time and money in taking photographs, so why not document them?

"Documenting photos makes things meaningful for yourself, for your family and future generations. Ten years from now you probably do not know where the photo was taken; 20 years from now, you might not even recognise the person in the photograph. My children love looking at scrap books. They love remembering things."

Solimar Miller, a member of the network, says, "I did have two baby albums of my son, but the pages turned yellow. I wanted to do a baby album that was very special. A baby book should last forever. When they grow up they will be so happy looking at it. And so I started scrapbooking last May, using acid-free paper which won't change colour. I am still doing my first album and like to write things down to document memories."

Cindy Novak, also a member, says, "We needed special quality paper that won't turn yellow or brown. When we started scrapbooking, we began looking for the right supplies. We bring in stuff from the U.S. and also have a library to give people ideas about how to create creative scrapbooks. We have rubber stamping area for those interested. The key to a meaningful memory album is 'journaling'. Recording the 'who, what, when, why and where' of the story changes it from being just another anonymous picture in a box to future generations. Further embellishments such as stickers, die-cut shapes, ribbon and memorabilia complete the pages."

Finding supplies for creating scrapbooks is not an easy task, especially in Dubai. One member decided to create her own album by making it herself. Aptly named the Lorrie Album, Lorrie Takeda produces spiral bound A4-sized albums containing 20 pages with interleaves (all acid-free) in black, natural, orange, turquoise or white for Dh70. The clear album cover allows the scrapbook maker to craft her own cover page reflecting the theme of the album.

Some other scrapbook tools such as coloured pens, stamps, papers, stickers and embellishments can be found at art stores such as Elves and Fairies and the Art Stop in Jumeirah, or office supply shops. The Scrapbook Network regularly ships supplies to its members from various sources in the U.S. and provides a list of local suppliers. It also recommends online suppliers in the UK and USA.

Kelly Fowler, a key member of the network says, "For those interested in beginning scrapbooks on their own, the network offers a 'getting started' workshop. From organising boxes of photos to creating layouts on a page, the workshop covers everything a beginner needs to know about scrapbooking.

"For the more advanced scrapbooker, a 'beyond the basics' workshop jumpstarts scrapbooks with tips for quick layouts and techniques using different materials. Both workshops include all materials and allow the participants to make and take a scrapbook page home, along with a packet of ideas, which is the best way to see if the craft is for you."