Start May by preserving memories of your friends and family: start scrapbooking. Today is National Scrapbook Day. This day is dedicated to the joys of one of the hottest hobby in the crafts industry, scrapbooking.

“Scrapbooking combines family history and contemporary crafts in a fun and interesting way, bringing together adults and children alike,” said Fran Saperstein, publisher of A-Z Magazines and Scrapbooking.com Magazine. “Scrapbooking continues to be the fastest growing hobby in the crafts industry, with over 21 percent of all American households scrapbooking an average of 20 hours each month.”

On National Scrapbook Day, many of the nation’s 4,200-plus scrapbooking specialty stores help to celebrate scrapbooking. There are special sales, all-day scrapbooking parties and classes. All these events are focused not only on the photographs, but also on sharing techniques and time with family and friends.

In Eureka, Scrapper’s Edge store owner Sondra Kirtley and her staff will celebrate their fourth National Scrapbook Day since opening in 2004. “I’m excited to share my love of scrapbooking with so many people, especially on National Scrapbook Day,” Kirtley stated. She further explained that the store has a full day of activities planned, including special sales, product demonstrations, prize drawings, classes and a scrapbooking party. For more information about the events going on at Scrapper’s Edge, stop by at 728 Fourth St. in Eureka, phone 707-445-9686 or visit www.ScrappersEdge.net.