Scrapbooking has become such a popular way to preserve memories of special occasions; and, it can especially be a great way to organize souvenirs and enhance photographs of your family's Florida vacation. Whether you vacation at Disney World or the beach, themed papers and embellishments are readily available at craft stores and on the Internet.
You will need to purchase a scrapbook before you begin. Common scrapbook sizes are 6"x6", 8"x8", or 12"x12". Of course, if you're crafty you can make one. While there are tons of special papers, cutouts and do-dads on the market to decorate your travel scrapbook, it is important to note that some of the best materials are free or inexpensive souvenirs you pick up along your trip. I began scrapbooking over 25 years ago with the birth of my oldest daughter; and, over the years, I've spent very little on commercial scrapbooking supplies. Among the treasures decorating my children's albums are tickets from our first trip to SeaWorld, a postcard from Cypress Gardens, a page from a notepad at Disney's Caribbean Resort and tiny coquina shells collected at the beach. About.com's Honeymoons Guide has compiled a list of souvenirs to collect when you travel... and, many of them are free! About.com's Contributing Writer and Disney World expert, Samantha McNesby, tells you how to find free Disney scrapbooking supplies. And, let's not forget the Internet. It is a great resource when compiling your Florida travel scrapbook — quotes, poems and clipart are all readily available, as are design and layout ideas.
If you'd simply like to preserve the photos of your Florida vacation, perhaps you should consider digital scrapbooking. Whether you use photos that you've archived on your own computer and a scrapbooking design program to print your scrapbook pages or upload your photographs to a photo service like Shutterfly or Snapfish you have many design options available. If you design your scrapbook or photo album on your own computer, you will need a design program; and, a printer and quality paper are a must. In the past, designing your scrapbook or photo album online at a photo service somewhat limited your design options, but now many have custom design options available.
Florida Scrapbooking Tips:
- If you're driving to Florida for your vacation, don't forget to stop at the Florida State Welcome Centers located on major highways — I-75 and I-95. They are a good resource for free maps and brochures that can make interesting additions to your vacation scrapbook.
- The Florida Department of State Division of Library & Information Services has helpful information on scrapbooking, including what to do with problematic enclosures.
- Looking for a store in Florida that sells scrapbooking supplies? Use this handy list with store locations from PaperCrafter's Corner of Florida.
Plan a Florida Scrapbooking Vacation
If you have scrapbooking on your mind and are looking for a weekend getaway with the girls, why not plan a scrapbooking retreat? Similar to bed and breakfasts, these retreats will make you feel right at home with deluxe accommodations and they provide a scrapbooking room or area and equipment:
- Hypolita Villa - Davenport, Florida (near Disney World)
- Nana's Scrapbook Retreat - St. Augustine
Of course, you can always plan your own retreat in a hotel located in any Florida destination you desire; however, it may be difficult or nearly impossible to bring along all the equipment you might need.
Additionally, although they can get pricey, there a number of planned scrapbooking events planned throughout Florida during the year.
- Scrapbook Expo - April 8 & 9, 2011 - Kissimmee (near Orlando)
- One Suite Retreat - "Operation Smile Crop" - September 9-11, 2011 - Pensacola, Florida
- Scrapbook Expo - October 14 & 15, 2011 - West Palm Beach, Florida
- Scrapbook & Create Florida 2011 - November 18-20, 2011 - Hollywood, Florida
If all this sounds like fun, but you've never scrapbooked, you can learn how to get started at About Scrapbooking.
