Gilda and I were privileged to be guest speakers at the Garden Club, where the Antique Society Club
of Vero Beach held their meeting on October 1, 2008. The topic of our presentation
was "Scrapbooking." In preparation for the meeting Gilda and I gathered various albums
and items we had on hand to give the display area a feeling of old "vintage" style
scrapbooking, such as vintage lace tablecloths, handmade dolls, china tea cup, old
photos in frames, jar of old buttons, lace, ribbons, hand stitched purse (handmade by Gilda).
After the opening introduction, we each shared our stories about how we began scrapbooking.
We told of the different styles of scrapbooking and how to preserve your memories using the
proper adhesives, papers, and acid free products to aid in keeping your photos safe for years to
come.
We also mentioned that there are many ways to scrapbook your memories, using pre-made
embellishments, stamping, aging and distressing techniques to give the appearance of newer
photos made to look old. My personal style of scrapbooking is one of a vintage nature, however
I do many styles, from simple, to glitz & glitter and free-style. This is the art of a scrapper
once you embark into the journey of making your own scrapbooks you will soon discover your
own unique style.
After the presentation, many questions were asked and I believe we were helpful in giving sound
advice to those who wish to pursue their adventures in scrapbooking by collecting those wonderful
memories we all have to pass down legacies to future generations.
In conclusion, Gilda read a poem about "Clotheslines" I wanted to share this story with you, it
is so true. The friends and acquaintances we make through our scrapbook experiences remind
me so much of this story. When we see our pictures in albums, we all have one thing in common,
our family and the day to day events that help make up our life's treasured memories.
The Clothesline Said So Much
A clothesline was a news forecast
To neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep
When clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link
For neighbors always knew
If company had stopped on by
To spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the fancy sheets
And towels on the line;
You'd see the company table clothes
With intricate design. 
The line announced a baby's birth
To folks who lived inside
As brand new infant clothes were hung
So carefully with pride.
The ages of the children could
So readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed
You'd know how much they'd grown.
It also told when illness struck,
As extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too,
Haphazardly were strung.
It said, "Gone on vacation now"
When lines hung limp and bare.
It told, "We're back!" when full lines sagged
With not an inch to spare.
New folks in town were scorned upon
If wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.
But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work less.
Now what goes on inside a home
Is anybody's guess.
I really miss that way of life.
It was a friendly sign
When neighbors knew each other best
By what hung on the line!
Author: Marilyn K. Walker
