It's all about creativity....

This entry was written on Jun 16, 2009 by our Scrapbook Guru Milenna Russell

Scrapbooking is letting your creativity out on paper. The beauty of the scrapbooking industry is that there are some many products that have been developed to assist you in your creations that you don't have to be artistic in order to make beautiful scrapbook albums and layouts. Even the "left-brained" scrappers can get ideas from scrapbook sites and blogs to help them craft the perfect layout.

One big trend in scrapbooking recently is "altered items". You can use scrapbook paper to alter almost anything from old paint cans, frames or even drink coasters. I recently used empty toilet paper rolls to make a mini-photo album with my 10-year-old daughter.

Here is a link to see what we came up with: http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/0/5/1/0/1/0/webimg/277568718_o.jpg

Recycling or re-using household items is a great way to create fun crafts.

Including Quotes on Your Scrapbook Pages

Originality in scrapbooking is essential. You can create original pages with exclusive ideas. Including journaling on your layouts is one way to tell about the photographs and help you remember what was going on during that time period.

Srapbooking quotes for your pages are a wonderful way to add some "elegance" to your page layouts. Famous quotes for your era are fun to have in your books. You can also include quotes from family members about the people in the pictures.

For baby books you can quote your child or record "first words" and funny sayings and phrases.

Including quotes in on your pages will make them unique but make them interesting for others to view.

Getting out of a creative block....

This entry was written on Mar 12, 2009 by our Scrapbook Guru Milenna Russell

Life happens and there are things that come up that keep regular scrappers from scrapbooking and updating their albums. The best thing to do when you take a hiatus is to get back into your scrapbooking routine as soon as you can. Or in my case come back to your scrapbook blog!

If you are not feeling creative then you can get inspiration by visiting scrapbooking websites and looking at the artwork or just search scrapbook blogs and get some ideas from other creative experts. There are thousands of blogs posted on blogspot or blogger.com. Take your pick, you are sure to find some inspiration from creative scrappers around the world.

There is artwork posted on my website as well http://www.loveyourstamps.myctmh.com

Scrapbook Matting Techniques: Attaching Photo Corners

Do you have trouble getting photos and memorabilia on straight when you use photo corners? Here is a scrapbooking technique to make the job easier. Using a pencil, lightly draw on your page where you want the photo to go. Place photo mounts in opposite corners on the item, and place it on the page, using the pencil guide. Then apply photo mounts to the two existing corners. Don’t forget - if you are using lick and stick corners, use a sponge not your saliva. Saliva is acidic.

Now What......??

This entry was written on Dec 29, 2008 by our Scrapbook Guru Milenna Russell

Christmas is over and you have tons of photos to deal with. The first thing to do is is to organize your photos. Digital cameras and computers make that task a little easier. Choose the photos that best portray your Christmas memories and put them on paper. Use your scrapbook pages to record your Christmas memories for 2008.

Write down special events and family traditions for others to remember and enjoy in later years as well.

Scrapbook Techniques: Cropping Quickies

One of the most important scrapbooking techniques to remember is cropping your photos. When cropping photos, show only the most important parts of the picture. This makes the page more interesting and allows room to place more photos and for journaling. There are several different scrapbook techniques you can use for cropping photos. You can use scrapbook templates, you can try silhouetting, i.e. cutting around the main subject, or bumping part of the picture out beyond the “frame”. Feet, hands, hats, balloons, are ideal - you are limited only by your imagination.

Christmas is coming....

This entry was written on Dec 05, 2008 by our Scrapbook Guru Milenna Russell

Make your own Christmas countdown calendar. You can make a countdown calendar for Christmas with simple cookie sheet and some scrapbook supplies. You can find the instructions and an article I wrote with pictures on http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=2069

Making altered items with scrapbook supplies is an easy, attractive way to decorate you home during the holidays or any time of the year.

Scrapbook Matting Techniques: Using Decorative Scissors

There are several different scrapbook techniques you can use to add interest to your photo mats. One way is to use decorative scissors. When double or triple matting with decorative edges, start by cutting the smallest mat first. Adhere the smaller layer onto the next larger before making the next cuts. This makes it easier to evenly cut the second mat.

Scrapbooking and Crafting...

This entry was written on Nov 14, 2008 by our Scrapbook Guru Milenna Russell

Most avid scrappers are interested in more than just making page layouts. Paper crafting has come a long way. There are some many beauiful creations. There are some many things that can be created from scrapbook supplies and other items. Here is an example. Although Halloween is over this is what I made for my son's preschool class. I call it the "altered crayon box".

I will be posting holiday items for teacher gifts, neighbor gifts, etc. through out the month. You don't have to spend a lot of money on these gifts. A handcrafted gift may be the answer you are looking for this year.

I covered crayon boxes (24 count) and make them into mummies and Frankenstein.

Scrapbooking Techniques: Mulberry Paper

Mulberry Paper is a fibrous paper which adds a lovely soft touch to a mounted photo, journaling or title. There are several scrapbook techniques to keep in mind when working with this paper. Take care to use only paper which is acid free and lignin free. For best effect Mulberry Paper should be torn. The trick to tearing Mulberry Paper to the desired shape is to moisten it using a paintbrush dipped in water before gently easing apart the fibers. The wider the area moistened, the more ragged the edge. Make sure the paper is dry before mounting.

Craft Punch Templates

Craft punches are terrific little tools and they come in so many fantastic shapes. One downfall to the craft punch is its size. The punched shapes are usually only an inch or two in dimension. The figures would make great die cuts, but size is an issue.

Here is a solution:

Use the negative punched out portion of your punches. Punch your shape onto a scrap paper, place it on a copier with a dark sheet of paper covering the punched out portion. Then, enlarge it to the desired size. Next, cut out the black negative punched pieces for templates. Now you have some new templates and some fabulous shapes for your scrapbook layouts.

Choosing the Right Paper for Your Project

There is a variety of scrapbook paper available for your scrapbooking needs. Some of the most common varieties of papers for scrapbooking are:
Cardstock, which is a heavy weight paper used primarily for the "backbone" of your page layout. It is also used for photo mats; paper piercing and die cut images too.
B&T (Background and Texture) paper is used for a decorative background on your scrapbook pages. It can be used for a photo mat backgrounds or to accent your stamps, die cuts, stickers, etc.
Gingham (patterned paper) paper is a common "checker board" patterned paper that can be used for background accents on your scrapbook pages, greeting cards or other craft projects. It is pleasing to the eye and a popular, versatile pattern.
Mulberry paper is used for adding a bit of “flair” to your pages. This thick paper can be torn while wet and used for making “tear bears” or other characters. Just tear the paper and the result is chic, fiber-rich edges.
Vellum is a translucent paper that looks very elegant and it can be used for masking an image, embossing and is great for journaling. It is typically placed over a colored paper and it is used to "dress up" your pages and give them a distinctive appearance.
The most important thing to remember when you are choosing scrapbooking paper to go in your memory books is to choose a paper that is memory-safe, meaning it is acid-free. You want something that is going to preserve your photographs not ruin them.

Scrapbook Size: "What is the best albums size for your needs?"

Scrapbooking albums come in all shapes and sizes. There is no one specific album size that is "best" to use, but here are some tips on the various sizes available:

The 12 x 12 papers are readily available and this particular size seems to be a good size to fit pictures and other memorabilia on the pages without too much crowding. You can also buy ready-to-make pages kits in the 12 x 12 size.
If you want a smaller size book go with a 9 x 9 or 6 x 6 size. These sizes are great for children to start with because they are smaller and easier to work with for tiny hands. The 8 1/2 x 11 size is becoming almost obsolete. There are not many scrapbook papers available in that size anymore and the industry seems to be steering away from the 8 1/2 x 11 size and going to the square sizes instead.

Storing your scrapbooking supplies

Keeping your supplies organized is an important task, but one that can seem overwhelming. You can purchase special organizational kits for your scrapbook supplies, including folders, binders and carrying cases. Another idea is to purchase your own plastic containers for storage of your scrapbooking supplies. Store your stickers in zip lock bags and place them in a plastic tote. Make sure to store your paper flat so it does not get wrinkled. Try hanging folders for this.

Scrapbooking Techniques: Sticker Art

Working with scrapbook stickers can be tricky. You want to make your design is laid out properly before you adhere them to the pages. An easy scrapbook technique is to lay out your design on wax paper or plastic wrap. As wax paper and plastic wrap are transparent, you can move it around over the page and get some idea of where the art will look best before having to commit.

Scrapbook Matting Techniques: Cropping effects

Cropping effects are a great scrapbooking technique to add character and personality to a page. However, try not to go overboard. It is easy to fall victim to wanting the scrapper's high and try new and exciting effects on every page. Remember you want to get your pictures into a safe album with journaling – not waiting in boxes for years while you cut paper into intricate shapes for ever single shot! For a quick and easy photo cropping effect, try using a decorative photo corner