Digital scrapbooking is most often done when we have quiet time at our personal computer. But digiscrappers are never alone. In the online community at digitalscrapbookplace we post our layouts for reviews, critiques, to share ideas, and to learn from others. We make friends around the entire globe and gain so much from the sharing of cultures, holidays, and history, all shining through in a layout or popping up in forum conversations. We chat like school friends and share our joys and our troubles. We lean on each other for strength and experience. We feel like family and welcome new members into our community every day. Each person has something to learn and something to teach.
So much of scrapbooking focuses on love. Every layout is a work of love, for ourselves, for those in our photos, for our own art and creativity, for our family history. One such layout of love recently brought together two people who had been apart for many years. Arline Scott, Stampin’ Up! Senior Associate, posted a digital layout at digitalscrapbookplace in 2005 featuring children her parents had fostered. The little girl held a very special place in her heart and Arline sought to be in contact again and let her know she was dearly missed.
In fall of 2007, Arline received a private message from her long lost foster sister, Denise, through DSP! They are now in contact again and Arline posted an updated layout with a current photo of Denise and her son Tyler. The DSP community is thrilled for Arline and Denise and their families!
A day or two after I began writing about Arline's story, I myself received a pm at DSP from a family member I had searched for, and my mother had searched for, for years! It was such an amazing coincidence! He was looking for my mother and uncle, and I had to tell him that sadly my mother had passed away. I was able to put him in touch with my uncle again, however, and I hope to have regular contact with him now. Thanks so much to DSP for an opportunity that might never have happened otherwise.
Online scrapbooking blends family, friends, history, culture, smiles, laughter, tears, and joy. It brings people together – both online and in person. And if we wish hard enough, or even if we don’t expect it at all, it might even bring us someone special we have been looking for.
Elizabeth Weaver
Senior Designer at Digital Scrapbook Place
Thank you so much for again sharing the story of Denise and I finding each other. Scrapbooking brings people together in so many ways and this very literal connecting was one of the highlights of my life. I am glad that your connection has also been made and that it too was a positive experience!
I have a similar story, but a little different - about a picture. I had found my dad's cousin (well, the wife of my dad's cousin) through a genealogy group. She was browing through my gallery and identified the people in a layout I did on how I wish people had written names on pictures. She later became a member at DSP. It is a remarkable community.