Saving Trinkets and Memorabilia



Many times, a scrapbook is so much more than just photos and embellishments on a page. Sometimes, when we go on vacation, go to a show, or do anything in life, there is a tangible object that we want to save too. This can include things like a movie ticket stub, a rock from a fun hike, or a seashell we found on the beach. We might toss those aside thinking that there is no place to put something like this, but think again! In scrapbooking, you always have to be thinking outside the box.

I have blogged before about making a shadowbox that would be perfect for fun trinkets like this. However, many times, we want to put the corresponding items with the photos they belong with. So, we have to come up with a way to add these to our album in a way where they won’t get lost, or damaged.

One idea is to buy plastic sleeves made for business cards or baseball cards like these and use these in your album. If you are afraid that something will fall out, then add a few stitches to the opening in the sleeve after you place the precious item in it. You can also make these sleeves smaller by stitching down the middle of each opening to custom-make a pocket that is just the right size for your item.

You can also buy sleeves for your 35 mm slides like this one. Instead of using them for slides, try keeping your tiny keepsakes in these sleeves. Just stitch up the opening afterward to make sure that your precious items do not fall out again.

If something is breakable, cut a small square of cute fabric to fit the sleeve. This will give your item some padding. If necessary, add a piece of fabric to both sides of the item, or wrap it completely in fabric and tie it with a cute ribbon before placing it in the sleeve. However, you may not want to stitch up the opening in this case so that you can still remove the item and view it easily by taking it out of the fabric it is wrapped in.

Remember this post about combining items for a baby album and baby scrapbook into one? This idea of using sleeves and stitching them closed is perfect for a locket of baby’s hair, first lost tooth, or other tiny baby items you might want to save and add to your scrapbook.

I love the idea of using these sleeves and customizing them to your needs. There are endless possibilities in sizes, and adding stitching will only add to the crafty look of your album. Why keep those mementos in a box when you can add them directly to your album and make it feel so much more personal?

Meredith Ethington is the author of this blog. To learn more about Meredith, and her history with Scrapbooking and Genealogy, go here.


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