Scrapbooking Basics

ARTICLE OF THE MONTH   •   SAMPLE LAYOUTS

Lets start with the basics...

Theme - you will need a theme. Choose your theme and keep it focused, don't let the subject matter get too broad. The more narrow the theme, the easier it will be to keep the page on-focus. Look at the samples at the bottom of this page, this will give you some great ideas!

Supplies - anything you use needs to be archival quality, which basically means acid and lignun free. Make sure your adhesives are ph-neutral. All pens should be permanent and fade-resistant. All scrapbooking items usually have these things written right on the packages when you buy them. If you would like to buy scrapbook items online, click here!

Here are some suggested things to have on hand when you start:

• Colored papers, papers with decorations, stickers of all different things, decorative edged scissors.
• Paper trimmers, markers, rulers, templates, circle cutters, idea books, rubber stamps and inks. Sharp scissors, and small scissors to cut small shapes, and adhesives of some sort - they sell a wide variety of adhesives; corners, double sided tape things, doublesided tapes that are thick and make it look like things are popping off the page, etc.
• Paper punches, die-cut shapes (you can get these at stores that sell scrapbook supplies), clip art you have printed out from your computer, and glue pens!
• A large area to work on. It is much easier if you can spread out!

Photos - This is the most important part - selecting your photos. Many people will adhere their original photos, but if you would rather keep the originals, go to Kinko's or somewhere and get color copies of your photos to use in the scrapbooks. Choose photos that really tell a story, or photos that are just so adorable  you want to use them, choose plenty of photos so you have many to choose from. As  you start designing your page you will find that you need a particular shaped photo, or one that is a certain size.

Decorative Elements - You can mat the photos with multiple mats. Use items from trips to help add design and memories to the page (such as postcards, ticket media, unblown-up balloons, napkins, maps, etc. Think of interesting, original backgrounds. Mix and match styles and colors to make vibrant pages. Play with the arrangement of items on the page, overlap, them too! Tilt the photos at an angle, put a round photo on a square die-cut, add a photo to the center of a flower die cut, things like that.

Journaling - You have to add some story to the page, to complete the page. Add names, dates, ages, words, phrases, anything that will help identify what it is your theme is for that page. You may want to add names to non-family members so that many years from now you will remember who they were. Use acid-free markers and pens, and stamps!