The art of making memories
BY ANA SANTOS CONTRIBUTOR

They say that every baby is cute.

Bjay Jaminal was probably no exception, except that she, unfortunately, has limited proof.

“There are very little pictures of me as a baby and of my early toddler years. There are more pictures of my brother. So when my mom assures me that I was a cute baby, I ask her, ‘Where’s the proof?’” Jaminal says jovially. Taking matters into her own hands, Jaminal started taking pictures of herself and her friends to document various occasions during her elementary school years using a very simple camera.

Jaminal compiled these pictures in albums and started adding sentimental items like movie tickets and even bottle caps to add texture to her photos. “When you look at pictures, you don’t just want to see the past, you want to go back in time and bring back your feelings,” Jaminal explains.

Jaminal became so addicted and adept at taking pictures and compiling them that she became the unofficial photo repository of her high school batch.

“My batch refers to my high school scrapbook as the unofficial yearbook,” Jaminal says proudly.

What started out as a hobby became a passion and today, Jaminal has gone on to become a member of various design teams of scrapbooking companies based overseas.

“Because scrapbooking evolved into an industry, there are scrap-booking materials now widely available.
Because of this increased public awareness and demand, scrapbooking companies hire design team members to showcase their products.”

As a member of the www.scrapbook

pub.com design team, Jaminal’s work is showcased on their website and viewed by an international audience. Jaminal has also been featured on www.buzz andbloom.com.au and www.scrapbooking fromtheinsideout.com.

“You can get free materials—that is your remuneration. You upload it on the manufacturer’s website so to encourage purchase of their materials. Your bio and your picture will also be on the website,” says Jaminal.

Word of mouth about Jaminal’s scrapbooking abilities began to spread and others have contracted her to compile their own collection of memories into a scrapbook.

“I mostly get requests to do baby books. To avoid detracting from the personalization of the moment, I interview the couple and look at all the other available pictures. Not all will be included in the scrapbook, but it gives me a look at the personality of the baby and the character of the family.”

With her work being appreciated by a wider audience, Jaminal says her mom is still her number one fan. “I show her my layouts and tell her that I now have proof for almost everything that happens in our family.”
Jaminal gives beginners ideas on how to get started on scrapbooking.

Scraps of advice to get you started:

• A lot of people say they want to get into scrapbooking, but are hesitant to do so because they think they don’t have the artistic abilities for it. More than the artistic ability, it is the patience. Scrapbooking involves cutting out very intricate details on paper, gingerly putting it on your layout, which requires a lot of patience.

• Not all photos are “scrap-able.” Look for photos where there is good eye contact, or at least connection, of the subject with the camera. Vivid colors are good for visual impact. The pictures that are taken candidly usually have raw emotions. These are the ones that you can add funny and witty captions to really tell a story.

• Scrapbooking can be a form of release and therapy. Don’t be afraid to scrap even the lows of your life.
You can for instance do a layout on a period of “regret.” Even death can be commemorated in what is called a “memorial layout.”

• You have to know how to tweak your photos. There are very easy no-brainer programs like Picassa and Gymp that will allow you to adjust your photos to better fit your scrapbook layout.

Do’s and don’ts

• Don’t clutter. Beginners tend to hoard and put everything on the page to make it pretty. This defuses the main subject, because your eyes don’t know want to focus on first.

• Don’t be overwhelmed by the new products that come out. New products keep on coming out and you may be tempted to buy more than you need because they’re cute. Invest on basic tools like good scissors, a few pieces of card stocks (boarded paper), pattern papers, acid free glue and a few embellishments.

• Do share your stuff with your co-scrapbookers. When you buy supplies, say flowers, there are easily 20 flowers in one pack. Most likely, you won’t use up the whole pack, so just share with other scrappers.

• Do go for cost-effective options. Scrapbooking can be an expensive hobby, especially if you choose the expensive materials. Start simple. Use what’s in your house, for example. Look out for scrapbooking garage sales where you can get materials, gadgets and tools.

• Do check out local scrap-booking stores. There are a lot already in Manila and they usually conduct scrapbooking workshops. Participants get to scrapbook three to five photos and take home their layouts. This is a good trial for beginners.