They are the moments you want to last forever, and even though you are certain that you’ll never forget how you felt the day you found out you were expecting, what you looked like pregnant at eight-and-a-half months, and how funny your baby’s cone-head looked after delivery, time certainly can put your memory to the test.

Keeping a record of the memories is something that not only you will treasure, but your child and their children will, too.

In recent years, increasing interest in genealogy has sparked off a whole new realm of hobbies to preserve memories for future generations. Some of the most popular include keeping journals, photo albums, memory boxes, video diaries and, the granddaddy of them all, scrapbooks.

One of the oldest methods of preserving memories is keeping a journal. For centuries, we have all enjoyed reading the memoirs of those long gone, whether they are of someone famous or someone much closer to home. Journals can portray the hopes and fears of the writer in ways that no one else could describe, offering a unique glimpse of the past.

Photo albums have been a part of families since the invention of the camera, and memory boxes probably longer. They give a physical link to times gone by.

Video diaries are a fairly recent invention, but they are certainly not new, with the concept based in old family movies. Easy access to technology and decreasing costs allow most families the option of a video camera to record special events and personal stories.

Of course, the latest trend in memory making is scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking is not something new. For generations, people have kept pictures and other mementoes pasted into books, however, the trend has taken on new steam and launched into a world-wide phenomenon.

Patrice Hayward recently opened Craft Effects, which specialises in this popular craft.

She suggests the reason why the hobby is so popular, especially in keeping books that show your children growing up, is due to the advent of the digital camera, people taking lots of pictures and having such busy, full lives.

She says that scrapbooking is a great way to record memories, “because you can put everything together in one place. It gives you a sense of belonging; you know where you come from”.

To complete an album, you need an album, paper, pens, adhesives, photos and embellishments, which include stickers, tags and other items for decorating.

“There are no rules,” Mrs. Hayward says. “I tell people, ‘You do what you want to do’.”

Pages in a baby scrapbook should reflect special events and baby ‘firsts,’ Mrs. Hayward suggests. Other things that you can save include a piece of the baby’s blanket, the hospital ID bracelet, the card from the hospital crib and formula labels.

She also suggests that you include pictures of the parents and grandparents, to “give the child a bit of history.”

She advises new scrapbookers:

[bul] Don’t get carried away buying new stuff.

[bul] Watch TV shows, visit websites and read magazines.

[bul] Take lots of pictures and learn how to use your camera.

[bul] Print your photos as soon as possible

[bul] Most of all, have fun.

For more information, classes or to purchase supplies, you can contact Craft Effects at 29-CRAFT (292-7238) or by e-mailing/mailing hasana@northrock.bm. Supplies are also available from the Phoenix, the Royal Gazette Stationery Store, Gibbons Company and Pulp and Circumstance.