The story behind a photo

Henriette Lamprecht – Every family needs a historian to preserve memories for future generations, celebrating the happy memories and mourning the sad ones. “We don’t just stick a photo on a piece of paper, there is meaning behind it,” explains Carol Burger, managing director of Scrapbooking Namibia. She describes it as a form of art using patterned papers, embellishments like flowers and ribbons, titles, and journaling pages to help tell the story behind photos.No, you don’t have to be a creative person to do this, says Carol.If you can cut paper, use glue, and tell a story, then you can scrapbook. “There is no incorrect way to scrapbook. It is about what you think looks good, and how you feel about the photos.”The perception is that scrapbooking is an expensive hobby, and this can be true if you want to purchase all the latest gadgets and tools, she admits. “But you can also use your scraps and rubbish to make a scrapbook. The latest craze in scrapbooking is junk journaling - using old books and paper meant for the bin and some glue to tell your story.”Carol suggests first deciding on what photos you would like to use before starting your scrapbook journey. She recommends attending a class or buying a scrapbook kit with full instructions to suit your selected photos. “This just gives you an idea of how to do a scrapbook page.”There are certain levels to scrapbooking, explains Carol.“Scrapbookers often find the advanced scrapbook pages very technical and get flustered very easily.” Basic starting tools include a ruler, craft knife, pencil, cutting mat, scissors, and glue. For your first project, get a scrapbook kit or patterned papers, titles, and embellishments.Scrapbooking is not only art, but also a form of therapy, says Carol.“Over the years, I have helped many ladies work through traumatic events such as losing a child or family member or cancer, amongst others. While scrapbooking your precious photos, you tend to talk and tell others about the story behind the photos, thus processing your grief. Scrapbooking also helps you escape the world for an hour or two, relive happy memories, and have some alone time.’Carol started scrapbooking 15 years ago when her daughter started first grade. Her mornings at home were lonely, and she joined a scrap-and-chat group once a week to get out of the house and see other moms. Eventually, the scrapbook store in Swakopmund became too expensive for her to buy from, and she started shopping online for her supplies.Her friends heard about this and asked her to buy it for them too. This eventually led to Carol opening an online/home scrapbook store in Namibia. However, every time she purchased stock, the space would get smaller and smaller, eventually leading to the move into a retail space where everything could be accommodated three years ago. Once or twice a year, she travels to South Africa to attend workshops and conferences to help upgrade her knowledge of the products and scrapbooking techniques.Over the years, she has worked through her own traumatic events through scrapbooking, like the loss of a father, a very ill husband, empty nest syndrome, and cancer. However, in between, there was also celebrating and reliving some happy memories.Classes are offered twice a month in Swakopmund but are not limited to scrapbooking and vary from scrapbooking to mixed media, Bible journaling, and off-the-page projects. Most of the classes are taught by Carol or her daughter, but the format has also evolved. “Manufacturers of scrapbook products have now started presenting online classes. We present all these online classes in our classroom at our shop in Swakopmund. However, many ladies also tune in from home.”Two teachers also come in from South Africa yearly to present a whole weekend of classes. These events took place in from Swakopmund, Omaruru and Windhoek to Otjiwarongo. “This year we were lucky enough to have a teacher from Australia who taught some beautiful workshops in Omaruru.”Scrapbooking allows you to be your family’s historian, says Carol. “Generations will be able to page through your albums and learn more about their family history. It is also therapy for the soul.” - info@scrapbookingnamibia.com, www.scrapbookingnamibia.com*ART THERAPY *SCRAPBOOKING

The story behind a photo

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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The story behind a photo

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-05

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