In addition to being an unbelievable relaxing activity, scrapbooking allows me to preserve wonderful memories.

Two years ago, my aunt introduced me to scrapbooking. It didn't take me long to become obsessed with anything and everything related to scrapbooks. In addition to being an unbelievable relaxing activity, scrapbooking allows me to preserve wonderful memories. In the Facebook age when nearly all photos are stored online, it’s nice to have some tangible evidence of my latest escapades.

Minneapolis isn't exactly what I'd call a scrapbooking Mecca. There are a few great venues, but you have to know where to find them. After a few years of scoping out the local offerings, I have a pretty good handle on the best scrapbooking locations. Here are a few personal favorites:

Archivers

If you live in Minneapolis, St. Paul, or one of the suburbs, you probably are within a twenty-minute drive of an Archivers store. This chain has seven location located in the metro area. I like hitting up Archivers for cardstock and fancy paper on sale days, since the chain has some excellent clearances. It's also a great place to hang with friends on Friday and Saturday nights, when the store hosts its popular Scrap Mania events.

Scrapbook Too

This independent, locally owned business has been serving the community since 2002. It’s located in Bloomington, which is a short drive from downtown Minneapolis. Scrapbook Too may have a decent stock of supplies, but its real strength lies in its unique classes, taught by scrapbooking experts. Classes are available for every level of scrapbooker, from the woefully unexperienced to the super-advanced. Stop by on Mondays, and the proceeds from the card making class will go towards Veap, a charity benefiting low-income families living in Minneapolis.

Home Sweet Home

Sometimes, the best place to scrapbook is in the comfort of your own home. Scrapbooking at home typically requires that you first build up a decent collection of tools and materials. You can purchase these from the stores listed above or at a variety of online scrapbooking retailers. If you want to have a good time with friends, you can always have them over for a scrapbooking party. Prepare some snacks and a few drinks, and you'll be ready for a great time!