Local scrapbookers gathered at the Halyards Hotel on Saturday for National Scrapbook Day, sharing ideas and lovingly putting together memories of family, friends and special occasions.
“Mostly women are attracted to this,” said local co-ordinator Bonita Benyon. “It’s therapeutic.”
A local Facebook site called Scrap and Sell Across South Africa (Sasasa) was launched in January 2016 to inspire all scrapbookers and crafters in the industry.
“To date we have over 5,500 members and growing steadily,” said Benyon. “This is an open platform for all scrapbookers, shops, retailers, etc, to share their product and love of our hobby.”
Sasasa launched South African National Scrapbook Day as a yearly event where each region in the country arranges an event in their area to bring scrappers together.
“It’s a chance to get out, step out of your comfort zone, preserve memories and meet other people,” Benyon said.
“Family is the biggest subject in scrapbooking, but also holidays and travel. Everyone perceives it in a different way.”
Adri Pienaar, who attended the Port Alfred event said: “It takes me to ‘planet scrapbook’ and I leave the whole world behind. It’s nice to be creative.”
Pienaar said she was creating a scrapbook to mark the end of an era, as after working at Kariega Game Reserve for 19 and a half years, she was leaving to move to Graaff-Reinet.
Sharon Marais from Port Alfred made a scrapbook of family recipes – some handwritten – going back to her grandmother’s generation.
Michelle Swanepoel made a book of Christmas memories.
Benyon said that in 2017, there 23 areas with over 1,500 scrappers attending National Scrapbook Day events, and in 2018 there were 28 areas with over 1,600 ladies.
“This year sees our third annual event and we have grown to 36 areas – extending as far as Namibia and Zimbabwe – with over 1,900 ladies attending and over 50 shops/teachers all assisting!” she said.
“Our local retailers and wholesalers have all joined and have all sponsored prizes and goodies for the ladies to make these countrywide events even more memorable.
“Port Alfred has hosted for the first time but I can already tell you that it will be the first of many to come as it was a huge success,” Benyon said.
She said thanks to assistance from Danielle Nortier, Jacobie van der Westhuizen and Anitha Ramduth, and staff from Port Elizabeth, it was possible to treat the ladies to a lovely venue, lunch, goody bag and box packed with treats and craft product.
Benyon encouraged scrappers to book for the next National Scrapbook Day on February 1 2020.
“Keep taking those photos and making memories but don’t forget to preserve them for future generations to enjoy.”
