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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.
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Cropping Corner Tip: Embellish With Ribbon
Ribbon can be used for all types of scrapbook embellishing. One idea is to use adhesive ribbon to make stripes or a repetitive pattern on your paper. You can make letters or objects out of ribbon, too. Outline your title words with ribbon or create a ribbon flower to decorate your scrapbook page.
Ribbon can also be used to decorate a photo mat, title bar or a side bar embellishment. You can also make knots in your ribbon to make a page border or divider.
Ribbon is an extremely versatile scrapbooking embellishments. When you purchase ribbon for your scrapbook layouts make sure it is archival-safe. Not all ribbons or fabrics are safe to use on scrapbook pages. If you use ribbon or other craft embellishments that are not made for scrapbooks, you may run into problems like bleeding colors or acidic materials ruining photos.
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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.
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Cropping Corner Tip: Shopping at a Scrapbook On-line Store
Shopping for scrapbook supplies can be exciting, expensive and sometimes overwhelming. Should you shop for your scrapbook supplies at a scrapbook on-line store or should you go to your local scrapbook supply store to find what you need? Here are some advantages to shopping online.
Shopping at a scrapbook on-line store allows you to view scrapbook tools, embellishments and paper in an organized setting. The products are sorted according to category. You can easily view different products and you are able to decide exactly what you need. Free shipping may be offered and you are able to shop in a quiet atmosphere without a lot of distractions, therefore giving you time to think about your purchases.
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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.
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Cropping Corner Tip: Tribute Albums
Tribute albums are specialized scrapbook albums that feature thoughts and memories about a family member, friend or colleague. These albums make wonderful retirement or anniversary gifts. In order to plan and assemble a tribute album there are few things you should do in preparation.
1. Decide what you want to include in the album. Do you want to include personal messages from people with their pictures? Do you want photos from specific events such as family functions, work-related events, etc.
2. Make a list of people you want to be included in the tribute album. Get names and contact numbers for each person and tell them what you need such as quotes, stories, memories, pictures, etc.
3. Once you have received the items back from friends, family and colleagues, organize your items and get ready to create your scrapbook pages.
Before you start on the memory book you should determine what type of scrapbook album you want to use. A Westrim strap-hinge album will allow for a classic tribute book and you will be able to leave plenty of room for page additions.
Creating a personalized scrapbook album is a great way to show someone how much they are loved. This type of gift is a timeless heirloom that is sure to be treasured for many generations.
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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.
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Cropping Corner Tip: Decorating with Stickers
Scrapbook stickers can be an easy, economical way to decorate your scrapbooking layouts. The key to using stickers for scrapbooking is to not overdo it. Too many stickers can make scrapbook pages look messy and out of control. Scrapbook stickers are meant to be accents on your page layouts. They can add a splash of color or fill in a blank space. Letter stickers are popular for page titles and journaling. Remember, scrapbook stickers add some flair to your page without a lot of effort or cost.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
