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Tuned in to Television
It seems that many eras are remembered by the television shows that defined them. People smile fondly when they remember a special episode of I Love Lucy, or remember the tears they shed only recently when Friends aired its final episode.
Many of us watch television every day. Whether it’s just to have some background noise while getting dinner ready, a must-watch weekly event, or even a tradition with family or friends, television is truly something that shapes our daily lives. So why not include it in our scrapbooks?
Themes for Your Pages
There are many, many ways to include your television memories in your scrapbook. Consider scrapbooking the following:
- The final episode of your favorite show, reflecting on what you loved about the series and how you feel about it ending
- Lessons learned from a particular television show
- A television-related event you attended, such as a live performance (i.e. Sesame Street Live, American Idol Concert Tour), show taping, or party
- Your television “rituals” – gathering with friends or family every week to watch a certain show, setting your VCR every day to record your favorite soap opera, etc
- Your children’s first and favorite television shows, why they love them, and the characters that have captured their hearts
- Your significant other’s (or perhaps your own) channel-surfing or other TV “habits”
- Compare and contrast: your favorite shows now compared with ten years ago, your favorite shows compared to those of your significant other, etc.
 Products, Images, & Art
There are lots of choices and resources available when selecting art for your scrapbook pages. If you are scrapbooking a children’s show, such as Blue’s Clues or a favorite Disney cartoon, you’ll likely be able to find these items at your local scrapbook store. Several companies have created licensed products featuring children’s favorite characters.
But if you’re scrapbooking a show or event that isn’t for children or that is less mainstream, you’re going to need a little help. Try the following resources for photographs:
- You’ll likely be able to find plenty of images of your favorite stars and scenes from your favorite shows on show websites or internet photo galleries.. Many networks maintain sites for their current television shows, and fans will often keep galleries posted for years, even when shows are no longer airing new episodes.
- Magazine and newspaper reviews will often feature photos from various television shows.
 If the show you want to scrap isn’t current, try eBay for older issues of TV Guide and other magazines.
- Many shows release a calendar every year filled with instant 12” x 12” art. This is especially true for newer shows that have a large appeal with younger audiences, such as The Simpsons, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, and The O.C.
Be sure to remember to use a spray such as Archival Mist to neutralize acid content in any cut-out items you use. Also, be very aware of copyright laws when creating pages about television. Images and art posted online are for enjoyment purposes for site visitors. If you plan to publish your scrapbook page or use it for financial gain, you’ll want to make sure that you’ve obtained the proper permission from the show’s production company.
Kick Start Your Journaling
Don’t forget the following resources when journaling for television.
- You can often find the exact lyrics to the show’s theme song through an online search if you’re unable to remember them yourself.
- For many shows, the font used in the show’s logo is available to be used freely. For an index of popular television-related fonts for download, try www.smackbomb.com/famousfonts/tv.
- With the huge popularity of television shows available on DVD, your favorite episodes are likely available for you to purchase, watch over and over, scan for quotes, and more. Quotes from your favorite episodes can provide for some of the best journaling.
Celebrating the impact of television can be fun and rewarding. Besides, shouldn’t future generations know that you once thought missing a single episode of All My Children would be devastating? The shows we watch and love tell people a lot about who we are as people. It is fun details like this that will make our scrapbooks truly enjoyable for years to come, and serve as a real glimpse into our lives for future generations.
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