WWII Scrapbook Ideas

If you've ever wondered how to compile and display the trove of World War II memorabilia in your attic or in your grandparent's home, rest assured the project is one you'll love. Scrapbook these treasures and preserve the memories forever. Collect old photographs, old newspapers and newspaper clippings, war medals and patches and various pins, certificates and citations. In addition to enjoying the crafting end of this project, be prepared to learn historical details that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Items Needed

In addition to all of the memorabilia you've collected, you will also need a scrapbooking album, scrapbooking papers and a variety of appropriate embellishments such as tags, stickers, emblems, upper and lower case letters and framing options. You will need a couple of glue sticks as well as fine-tipped markers for writing. Purchase page protectors to preserve these memories for a lifetime.

Timeline

You might want to chronicle the WWII memories in the best order you can determine. Ask friends and relatives for any insight they might have on photos or other memorabilia that is undated. Use reference books if needed to correlate certain photos or events mentioned in letters with noted historical happenings. Create a timeline of sorts by laying out your items in the order you will display them in your scrapbook.

Pages

Start making your pages by keying in on one or more specific items per page. For example, a photo of your grandfather as a young soldier could be affixed to a page that also features a letter he wrote and sent home to your grandmother. Use background paper that has a worn, old look to it. Dozens of options are available at your local craft supply store.

Create headings for each page using the peel-and-stick letters you purchased. Add short, personal comments or dictated memories in small pieces of paper, lettered by hand.

Assemble

Add pages to your scrapbook as they are finished in their determined chronological order, and slip page covers onto each of them.

Create pockets for special momentos that you don't want to glue onto the pages with card stock. Cut a pocket-shaped piece of card stock and glue three sides of it to your scrapbooking page, leaving the top open. Once the glue has dried, slip memorabilia into the pocket, where it will stay in place without actually gluing the item.

Embellish

Embellish your scrapbook pages using the variety of appropriately themed items you might purchase in craft supply stores. Stickers of old airplanes, suitcases and military uniforms are excellent embellishments, as are stickers of war rations, ration books and Rosie the Riveter. Anything that speaks of the years the war took place will serve to enhance each page of your WWII scrapbook.

References

• The Red Cross
• Creating Military Memories
• Families.com