I have to admit, I hesitated before writing about scrapbooking — one of the fastest growing segments of the craft industry. So many people are addicted to the hobby, I was anxious that I'd get hooked, too. Cute and artful memory keeping is a slippery slope and I don't have the time necessary for just one hobby.

So, it was with some trepidation that I decided to celebrate National Craft Month in March by visiting Michelle Ronowski and Julie Knittle's A Scrapbooker's Paradise in Akron, Ohio. My fears were justified — just getting close to all the possibilities for creativity is dangerous. For a veteran crafter, this place is Nirvana.

Seventy-five percent of all households have as least one person who crafts, according to a 2005 survey conducted for the Craft & Hobby Association. The money spent on those activities rose to a record $30.6 billion last year. Scrapbookers account for 12 percent of them.

The craze has claimed at least one member of my family. My daughter, Jennifer, never leaves home without her camera. My grandsons are photographed so frequently they instinctively recognize a "Kodak moment" when it occurs. It could be a trip to the zoo or climbing a jungle gym, they automatically turn photo-worthy smiles to the camera. I hope they will learn to appreciate all the love their mother pours into their scrapbooks.

Ronowski provided this basic beginner's list of items you will need to get started. Design your pages to suit your individual taste, representing your favorite activities.

Knittle made these examples of pages kids can do on their own for less than $10. The items are available at most craft stores.

Supplies you will need:• 1 album• Scissors• Straight-edge cutter• Acid-free and lignin-free adhesive• Double-sided tape• Paper — card stock and activity-theme printed paper• Buttons, stickers and ribbon• Markers and journaling penDecide on a theme using your photos, gather your supplies and design the layout to represent it.Trim your photo, keeping the focal point but cropping out unnecessary background images.Buy card stock frames or cut them using a die-cut machine.Layer the different items directly onto the page or on activity theme paper to display the photos. Glue in place.Add embellishments such as stickers, buttons and ribbons and write about the photo with a journaling pen.Most scrapbooking stores will help you get started and let you work there when you purchase your supplies at the store.