Scrapbooking
Superintendents | Phone Number | |
Beverly Erdie | 765-538-2606 | b.erdie@tds.net |
Purpose: The scrapbook project allows you to preserve your memories in an organized and creative way. Memories may include family, school, 4-H, vacations, holidays, etc.
Divisions:
Beginner (grade 3 - 5)—6 pages (3-front and back)
Intermediate (grade 6 - 8)—8 pages (4-front and back)
Advanced (grade 9 - 12)—10 pages (5-front and back)
Exhibit: Album with required number of pages (per your division) that have been made since the last 4-H Fair according to guidelines for your division.
Requirements
First time members of the scrapbook project should attend an introductory workshop. All members are encouraged to attend monthly workshops to be held in March, April, May and June for guidance.
Carefully read the handbook guidelines.
Complete record sheet.
GENERAL RULES ALL DIVISIONS
Each scrapbook album must have a front and back cover with pages firmly attached between the covers. The album will be at least 8” x 10” in size (12” x 12” is the most common size and will be easier to work with and find materials for). Each page will be covered with a plastic page protector.
You should use acid-free, lignin-free, buffered scrapbook pages/paper.
Acid-free—pH balanced chemistry, so pages will not accelerate the natural deterioration of your photos.
Lignin-free pages will maintain their durability and whiteness, non-yellowing
Alkaline reserve (buffering) has a neutralizing effect to protect photos against pollutants from “the outside” (e.g., the environment, acidic memorabilia, etc.)
Each scrapbook will have the required number of completed pages your division requires for judging. Completed pages contain photos and/or memorabilia, documentation, decoration, etc. Incomplete or unfinished pages will not be judged or count toward the required number of pages.
Each scrapbook album will have a BLANK FIRST PAGE for identification only (this does not count towards one of your required pages) with protector inserted at the beginning of the album. Your completed county label card must be inserted in the lower right-hand corner of this page. There should be nothing else on this page. Note: Have this completed before check-in. Please remove previous county label cards.
For judging purposes, we recommend only the pages that are to be judged be included in your book.
Photos and memorabilia must be included in each scrapbook, but not necessarily on each page. If you have no photos for a memory you want to include in your book it is OK to use pictures. If you have pictures on the same page as photos, one or the other must be encased in a photo safe pocket/sleeve. Cropping rules for pictures are the same as photos. Pictures do not count as memorabilia. Some pages may contain only photos while others may contain only memorabilia. Be sure to include a variety in your list of pages to be judged. At least one piece of memorabilia per project, needs to be included in your judged pages. Memorabilia must be completely encased in a separate photo safe plastic sleeves if added to page with photos. If a page has more memorabilia than photos, you may completely encase the photo in a separate plastic sleeve. Hard objects of any kind are NOT allowed. This includes medals, pins, and shells.
Newspaper articles should be photocopied onto acid free paper, then encased into a separate photo-safe plastic sleeve.
Neatness is very important! Exhibit clean pages with clear and neat handwriting. NO COMPUTER CREATED WRITING IS ALLOWED for journaling. Your handwriting is part of your heritage. Please use it often! (Computer created headings (Titles) are allowed, but all journaling must be in your own handwriting.) Journal boxes or lined scrapbook paper can be used. Do not draw lines on your page for journaling. A straight edge can be used as a guide.
Journaling (labels, captions, stories, thoughts, ideas, etc.) is required on every page, or once on a two-page layout. Without words, you have pages of photographs and memorabilia, not a book of memories. Journaling on a page previously judged will not count towards the requirement on a two-page spread. Your photos and memorabilia are simply more complete, more meaningful, and more fun with details, emotion, and humor that only words can provide. You will not be counted down for doing more journaling than what is required for the division you are in. Pay special attention to documentation of names, including first and last names and the ages of any children when they are introduced. You should include at least the month and the year. If pictures were taken at different times, each picture should be dated. Group pictures should include first and last names at least once in required pages (ex. team and family picture). Photo safe Pigma pens are fade-proof, waterproof and acid-free when used on acid-free paper. Do not use ball-point pens and/or pencils for journaling. Carefully proofread your spelling! Practice your journaling before you write on your page.
Cropping Techniques—Depending on your division, you may use a variety of cropping techniques and layouts in your album. Not everything has to be cropped or “artsy”. Use a nice balance, keeping in mind that the main focus is preservation of the photo and its story. Too many different shapes on the page can be distracting. Use a nice balance.
Decorations—Be sure the materials you use are safe for photos! Do not use magnetic albums, wire, metal, and other protruding products. No HARD 3-D embellishments of any type are allowed, i.e., buttons, jewels, brads
Page/Photo Layout and Design—a variety of page layouts will add creativity and interest to your album. Keep in mind the proper placement of photos, etc. in your album. Your scrapbook album is telling a story so use chronology (putting things in order of occurrence) or themes to organize your scrapbook.
Each page that does not follow the requirements for your division will be counted down. Example: Silhouette cropping is not acceptable in beginner and intermediate levels, so you would be scored down if you used this. Each page must follow the guidelines for your division, or you will be scored down.
Do not write on pictures.
Do not put stickers on pictures.
Exhibit Requirements
Beginner (grades 3–5)—6 pages
Layouts: Simple (no more than 2–3 colors of paper). Stickers and die cuts can be used, but are not mandatory.
Cropping: Straight cutting of photos using regular scissors or paper cutter. Corner rounder’s may be used. Decorative scissors can be used on paper only.
Journaling: The minimum amount of journaling would be bullet labeling which is supplying the basic information such as who, what, when and
where. Example: Jessica, age 10, first year of 4-H, showing her cat Tiger. You can never journal too much. This project’s purpose is to preserve your memories, so what better way than journaling in your own words what happened in your picture?
Intermediate (grades 6–8)—8 pages
Layout: More creative layouts. Creative borders and lettering can be used.
Cropping: Circles, ovals and other shaped templates may be used. Silhouetting (cutting out a specific item in a picture) is not allowed.
Journaling: Captions- put information into sentences, which should still answer who, what, where and when. Example: I won a red ribbon on my second place lamb. I was happy to even place because the competition at our fair is so great.
Advanced (grades 9 and above)—10 pages
Layout: May include more complicated layouts such as quilt-type layout but not every page has to be these types. Use techniques you have learned in previous divisions. Include a variety of layouts.
Cropping: Silhouette cropping (cutting out a specific item in a picture) can be used in addition to techniques you have learned in previous divisions.
Journaling: Use bullet and captions plus storytelling - write your thoughts and feelings, telling a complete story or memory on each page. Not every photo has a complete story; please choose the ones deserving of this when you are thinking of your page designs. It is okay to put several photos on a page and just use one of them to tell a story. Label or caption the others on the page. It’s easiest to story tell if you pretend like you are writing in your diary, or sharing some exciting news with your best friend. Example: Ever since my older brother Tim began showing pigs in 4-H, I have been looking forward to getting old enough to show hogs too. This has been a fun project because it is a family activity. My parents, brother and I went to some pig auctions in March and April. We finally bought a good one in our price range at a pig sale. Since we brought Wilbur home, I have been feeding him and keeping his pen clean, with a little help from Tim. It’s a lot of work, but I really enjoy it. After school was out, I started walking him at least once a day. He’s really tame and knows exactly what I want him to do. I have spent so much time with him, I know I will be sad to sell him. Tim told me that’s just part of the project and I can use that money to buy another pig next year. That is true, but I know I’ll never forget Wilbur and my first year of 4-H!
Helpful Hints
These are not rules, but are judges’ preferences and suggestions:
Work with clean hands on a clean surface, with no food or drink near project.
Make sure the focus of your page is the pictures, not the decorating.
Titles are encouraged, but not required.
Wipe each picture with a soft cloth to remove fingerprints before putting on your page protector.