Jane Fleming-how very offensive of you! You obviously know nothing about this subject at all!
I love this hobby,it enables me to be artistic whilst preserving wonderful memories for my children. There is a wonderful camaraderie amongst the members on UK scrappers and I would say the majority of members work-many just to fund what can be a very expensive hobby.

Sue, Romford, UK

I'm not middle aged!!!!!!!!
And i work full time!!

S Woods, Northampton,

I don't know why scrapbooking in France merits such a write up when there are thousands of 'scrappers' , many, many retreats and hundreds of crops in the UK itself. I think your writers should look on their own doorstep before going abroad.

Not sure what a 'scrapbook compiler 'is either. Plus there are loads of Americans much more well known in the scrapbooking community than the three mentioned. I wouldn't have said they were 'the greatest' by any stretch of the imagination.

Julie, Clitheroe, Lancashire

I don't scrap, never been drawn to the idea of scrapping, but I do make cards and Jane, I would say to you perhaps showing some repect for the rights of women to make their own choices would show you in a better light, rather than slamming this as a useless hobby.

I know many who love scrapping, they cross the whole spectrum - old and young, working or not, some are, beleive me, highly educated professional women and some are very sucessful business women. I suggest you get your facts straight before shooting your mouth of on something you are obviously totally ignorant about.

You have the right to beleive this is a hobby that does not interest you, but you do not have the right to condemn those who do enjoy it and find it gives them an outlet for their creativity and also much pleasure in preserving memories and family historys.

Jane, Falkirk, Scotland

I do like crafting cardmaking and scrapbooking. Jane Fleming doesn't realise that let oneself go so to speak artistically can be very therapeutic, especially for disabled people like myself. I don't find useless, 'au contraire', it keeps me sane...you should try it Jane, you would be less bitter ! And yep I'm a bloke and enjoy it immensely ....

Fabrizio, London, United Kingdom

I wish I was at home scrapping..... but I'm too busy working, and going away on retreats with like minded mad women who laugh, drink and have fun, stay up all night chatting and dancing about, oh yes and sticking, paper, glue and 'bits' together to make a layout or two.... great way to make good friends and be creative at the same time ;-)

Melanie Eagles, Flitwick, Beds

Middle aged? Wow, 21 is middle aged now? i have no hope!

Scrapbooking is a fantastic beautiful hobby, creative, challenging in some ways, and so much fun. Maybe Jane Fleming would lighten up if she opened her mind to the world of it.
It brings people together, makes friends, keeps family memories alive. I wouldn't call that useless!

Amelie Rodrigues, Riveira, Spain

Young, middle aged or old ..... Does it matter?? As long as we are not bothering anyone leave us alone Jane. I am a pensioner who enjoys "Scrapbooking" alongside my 12yr old grandaughter!!!!!

I have made some lovely albums for family and friends and I AM PORUD TO BE CALLED A SCRAPBOOKER...... GIve it a try and see what you think before ust commenting on something you know nothing about.

Maureen Pollard, Aberdeen, UK

I am another rather hacked off person because of your comment Jane. I am a BIG fan of scrapbooking, and for the record, I am 25 and in FULL time work. "Useless" is a word I would not associate with Scrapbooking. It is far more suited to your comment!!

Louise, , Lincolnshire,

Not sure how documenting, recording and keeping treasured moments alive for prosperity it a "Useless " occupation. It is a craft, art and far better use of time than sitting in front of a mind numbing TV. I take offence at the suggestion I am "Middle Aged" and stay at home. I am a professional working full time in my 30's (is that now middle aged?). My daughter loves looking at my scrapbooks of her development, I will treasure them when she is older and it has led me to delve into my family history and thus develop my relations with my grandparents. A waste of time?

M G , Witney, OXON

Scrapbooking is a wonderfully fulfilling hobby which incorparates craft, photography, and the joy of making a beautiful memory for your family. The social side of scrapbooking is great and good friendships are formed over paper, embellishments and a cup of tea. I have been scrapbooking for 3 years and run a sucessful Scrapaholic Club in Exeter, it is great fun and the ladies are so friendly. The ages range from early 20's to early 60's, I even had a 10 year old this month. This craft does not restrict age, gender or ability. It is just a wonderful past time to have.

Julia Mckenzie-Grant, Exeter, England

middle aged? i dont think so - we are a vibrant society of helpfull freindly people. remember the scrapbooks will be all that is left when you die, i will survive my eventual demise, you will disappear...

tracey johnson, eastleigh, hants, uk

Scrapbooking is just as big here in the UK. and contrary to what Ms Fleming says, it gets women (and quite a few men for that matter!) OF ANY AGE out of the house.

A lot of scrapbookers go to crops and clubs regularly as well as vanishing for whole weekends to enjoy the hobby. I not only go on retreats here in the UK several times a year, I travel to Holland twice a year to scrap and do classes with fantastic teachers, as well as make new friends from mailnland Europe and around the world!

I got into it quite by accident when i was going through old family albums asking my mum to identify some of the faces and events recorded in there. A modern scrapbook is so much more than a decorated photo album, done properly it contains all the necessary details to enable future readers to know more about the people and events in their family's history

Carolyn Exwood, Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Far from it Jane most of us have a full time job!!

It doesn't keep me at home...ask my husband and son.
I have been to workshops and craftshows up and down the country. Our local Scrapbookers club meets every month for the whole day on Saturdays.
If you have a look at the UKScrappers web site you will see out work..it is far from useless!

Judith Andersen, Whitehaven, Cumbria

Well, aren't you a delight Jane Fleming?

Scrapbooking is a fabulous hobby. And if you care to read the article properly, it states that the typical British scrapbooker is in full-time work. Most of us have to be to pay for our stash addiction ;-D.

Scrapbookers do it for all sorts of reasons; to record memories, as a creative outlet, as an emotional outlet, to meet with friends, as a complement to a photographic hobby, the list goes on. I do it because I want my children to know how much I love them, although I guess that may not meet with your approval. Such stuff and nonsense! Feelings. How dare I?!

As a hobby, it's hardly harming anyone, I fail to see what caused such vitriol to arise in you, Jane. What is actually wrong with being at home anyway? I'd love to be at home, with my children scrapbooking the day away. Bliss.

Laura, Manchester, Gtr Manchester

Another useless occupation to keep middle aged women AT HOME.

JANE FLEMING, Whittlesey, CAMBRIDGESHIRE