Scrapbooking. 3 Secrets to Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking. 3 Secrets to Scrapbooking

There are 3 secrets to Scrapbooking: organizing your photos, planning your layouts, and claiming a workspace. If these 3 steps go smoothly, you will be able to spend more time making your scrapbooks, and less time trying to track things down.

Simple Steps to Making a Scrapbook from Existing Pictures:

Decide on your theme
Choose photos
Plan your layout
Plan and write your journaling on scrap paper
Plan your cropping to fit the theme and focus on the photo subject
Lay everything out on your page
Crop and mount
Journal
Embellish
Done!

Simple Steps for Planning a Scrapbook For Upcoming Events:

Consider the theme.
Plan your layout.
Get an idea of the types of embellishments you would like to use, and start keeping an eye out for them.
Plan the photos you would like to take and make notes
Take your photos and write something down in short form about the moments you captured for journaling later.
Exchange addresses with other people who may be attending the event so you can get copies of their photos if yours don't turn out.
Get your photos developed

Claim Your Scrapbooking Space

Once you have all of your tools and supplies to begin scrapbooking there is one more thing you have to consider before getting started, space. You need to have a table or area upon which to set up your scrapbooking stuff safely and where you will feel comfortable leaving your materials out without the risk of anything getting disturbed. You also want to be able to sit comfortably in this space for the amount of time you will be working there if you are really in the scrapbooking groove.

I feel if you have to keep setting up and taking down your materials because the space is being used for something else it will interrupt your creative flow when assembling pages. When you have played around with the layout and arranged your photos in an order that satisfies you, having to take it all apart and set it up again the next time might ruin the effect you were trying to create or worse, you might forget what you did and not be able to recreate it exactly the same the next time.

If you are unable to keep a space solely for your scrapbooking purposes, keep track of your progress in a notebook. Roughly sketching out the layout and which pictures go where in the layout is a good idea so you won't break your creative flow or lose the progress you have made.

It also helps if you have the support of your family members. Their support and consideration for what you are doing and the space you are working in will keep your scrapbooking table or area intact. Talk to them and make sure everyone will respect your space, explaining to them how important scrapbooking is to you. Explain that it is essential this area won't be disturbed because it may interrupt your creative flow.

You may also want to include your family in your scrapbooking process, especially if you are working on the family or individual children's albums. They might have some unique insights or ideas that will work perfectly with what you are working on that you might not have seen or thought of. Sometimes if you are too close to something you can't always see what is right in front of you. A fresh eye may give you a new perspective on what you could be doing with your page layouts and embellishing. You should use all the tools available to you including the Internet, fellow scrapbookers' insights and any different tools they can share with you.
Source: http://www.mycraftbook.com/The_Secret_To_Scrapbooking.asp

Happy Scrapping and visit often. Click here now and bookmark us or join our free email newsletter for the newest links, Scrapbooking videos, scrapbooking techniques, Scrapbooking products and more!

Digital Scrapbook In Photoshop How-To-Video

Digital Scrapbook In Photoshop How-To-Video
How-to for digital fusion scrapbook in Photoshop

This is a 6.17 minutes 'Behind the scenes' video from www.digiscrap101.com


www.digiscrap101.com

Happy Scrapping and visit often. Click here now and bookmark us or join our free email newsletter for the newest links, Scrapbooking videos, scrapbooking techniques, Scrapbooking products and more!

Scrapbook Papers. Free Printable Scrapbook Papers

Scrapbook Papers. Free Printable Scrapbook Papers

Heaven Graphics
Heaven Graphics offers a small, but nice selection of free printable scrapbook papers to download for personal use. Use one scrapbook paper for that perfect page background, or download a bunch and crop them into your page layouts! Also excellent for digital scrapbooking, small gift wrap, handmade card designs and photo mats!

ScrapbookScrapbook
ScrapbookScrapbook offer a huge selection of printable pages, however the site is very busy amking hard sometimes to find the right page for your project, but it's well worth the look.

Bizous
Bizous is another great site that features printable pages and a suggested layout for that particular page. Especially handy if you can't quite figure how to create put your project together.

Creative Park
Creative Park has hundreds of nice printable scrapbook pages. Every imaginable theme at your fingetips.

Scrapbook Flair
Scrapbook Flair is continually add free layouts and downloads every month. They have a nice collection.

Family Fun
Family Fun is a nice proffessional site with a good selection, but they are mostly of layouts rather than background pages.

Activity Village
Activity Village has lots of free printable scrapbook paper designs. Use them for scrapbook albums, kids crafts, making gift boxes and bags, or as small pieces of wrapping paper for odds and ends and matching gift tags.

Happy Scrapping and visit often. Click here now and bookmark us or join our free email newsletter for the newest links, Scrapbooking videos, scrapbooking techniques, Scrapbooking products and more!

Scrapbooking Mini Brag Book Video Instructions

Scrapbooking Mini Brag Book Video Instructions.

This is a tutorial on creating a mini brag book - scrapbook album using double sided designer paper.

Top Scrapbook Tools Reviewed. Scrapbook Tools Online Video Review

Top Scrapbook Tools Reviewed. Scrapbook Tools Online Video Review

Ali tells you about her four favorite scrapbook tools.



Top Scrapbook Tools Reviewed.

Speed Scrapping In 11 Steps. Organize Your Scarbook Supplies

Speed Scrapping In 11 Steps. Organize Your Scarbook Supplies

Here is a way to organize your supplies for speedy scrapping even if you have no previous page kits stockpiled. You can get an album done in a week or two this way if you want to! But you need to really follow the instructions or it ends up not being so speedy! In other words, don't deviate so much from the speed scrapping instructions that you are no longer saving yourself time. After all, a finished album that highlights the photos in a creative way is the goal.

1) Plan and Do Only ONE Album at a Time. Here is what I would do for each album I wanted to speed scrap. This is speed scrapping from scratch so to speak. Being able to focus on one project at a time is vital. It is just as important to getting a finished album as good intentions or vast arrays of supplies. Don't get distracted or overwhelmed. The keyword today is FOCUS! :)
2) Get a Container or Tote. Find a big sturdy tote bag or Rubbermaid box with handles to keep your supplies in it JUST FOR THIS ALBUM! There are many great smaller totes designed for scrapping. Any of them would be wonderful. Just make sure it will allow an album and all your papers and tools to fit. However, you don't have to have a new bag for this.

Use a canvas tote bag or plastic bin if you have one. It will need to be big enough for a binder, and album, your photos, and several basic supplies. You will not need 90% of your other supplies for this job! Also try to find a large 3 ring binder for short-term storage of the speed scrapping page protectors as you work.

3) What is Your theme? Is it a specific year? vacations? a child? your heritage? sports events? holidays? Decide on whatever theme you want to put into this particular album.. Pick an album style (top loading, strap, binder, 8.5x11, 12x12) and the cover color. Try to choose this cover and color to further the theme of your album photos.

The album type should be one that allows you to move pages. I prefer binder or post bound for this. They usually come with 10 pages of page protectors. (This means 20 ages for photos if you count both sides. ) I automatically add another set of ten page protectors in the same style/manufacturer. Now you know you will have 40 pages to create for this specific album. Spiral bound albums are a hard one to use for speed scrapping but if you really want to, it can be done! You will need to REALLY plan out the layouts of the pages a little more thoroughly using a spiral bound album.

4) Plan for the Inside of the Album. Based on the album theme and perhaps the color of the outside cover of the album, decide on the album's interior. This is where we keep it harmonious, SIMPLE, and focused!

A) Choose two colors of solid cardstock that are coordinating and harmonious with the cover. Buy at least ten to twelve sheets of these two colors of cardstock. And if you want all the background paper to be identical, buy 40-45 sheets of one color.

B) Choose two kinds of patterned papers that coordinate in color with the two colors of cardstock already chosen in step A.

C) Pick two template shapes for photos to be cut into. Keep it simple. Squares, rectangle, oval or circle. Don't choose cutesy pillow shapes or intricate stars. If using a cutting device, put this in the speed scrapping tote now. If you are doing heritage work and do not want to cut the photos, skip this one step. I kept my shapes very basic... rectangles with some corners rounded and one or two pages with ovals.

D) Select two types of corner treatments . Photo corners come in many styles (corner punches, stickers, laser cut, clear plastic, black, gold, white, etc) . But pick just two that coordinate. You can also decide not to include photo corners at all. Just mat the pictures. For heritage work, I say use corners. Someday a great-great grandchild will have to redo your work-- so use corners and make it easy on them! No adhesives go directly on heritage photos. Save the adhesives for mats and other embellishments.

E) Pick two pen colors to use for journaling. These pens should show well on both solid cardstocks in Step A. Many speed scrappers choose black and white. Put all the other pens away except the pens you choose here. If you like to journal ion matted squares of paper, cut about 10 pieces of each color solid cardstock measuring 2 inches by 3 inches. Use a paper trimmer or see scissors tips in Step G. When it comes time to actually journal, keep it simple. Who, What, When, and Where. Never just put the title "Grandpa". Make sure that three generations from now, they will know his full name, date, and location! Speed scrapping doesn't mean being incomplete!

F) Embellishments should be kept simple. Only use the colors you have already chosen in Step A to create the borders, punch art, paper piecing, etc. Don't get too carried away on embellishments. The same simple flower or two or border throughout a whole album looks elegant and classic and harmonious. AND it saves you time! After you get this far, you might take a look through your sticker binder or punch art stash and be surprised how many things do coordinate with the colors you have chosen. Try to use what you have. If you have to make something extra, keep it simple.

Designate just a couple of pages for being extra-artistic. Do those time-consuming technique pages at the end of the speed scrapping process. You can certainly do a page or two or three that can be time intensive and 'artistic' within each speed scrapped album. Those can take longer and have pop ups, lovely punch art or paper piecing, etc. No problem. . What I refer to here as speed scrapping is for the BULK of the album. That means get 34 pages done in the speed scrapping style and then go back to do about 4 to 6 later in a more 'artistic" way.

G) Chose one Decorative Scissors that You Love. Or perhaps the same scissors in regular and jumbo cut--like deckle regular and deckle jumbo. This keeps the eye from registering the cuts used as too "busy". Using straight edge scissors on some pics and mats and one decorative scissors on others is enough variety in the scissor dept. I chose the mini postage stamp to echo the Norwegian postagestamps on my title page.

5) Clear the Floor! Now for the fun!! Clear the kitchen table or your scrapping desk! Get rid of the family! You will need lots of space for this. Pets and small children love to "help" so this may be a good time for them to be out of the house. :)

6) Lay Out the Page Protectors on the Floor. Place two pieces of cardstock or pattern paper in each protector to be the background. Hurray! You are making progress!

7) Get Out Your Photos. Whether in a box or an old album, bring it to the work area. Arrange them in the sequence you want to use. Most albums are chronological within the event theme. Start taking out 4-6 photos to go into each page protector. How many will fit on each page depends on the size of the photos. Keep it as an estimate for now. You don't have toactually lay them out on the backgrounds exactly yet. Just loosely place them in the protectors. Poor pictures can be weeded out at this time. Keep going until you have all the photos divided up.

8) Use that Binder! Now put the page protectors with the background paper and the photos into a large 3 ring binder if possible. Don't put them into the final album until the END of the scrapping process. This will give you flexibility to move them easily or work with them more than once until you get the page sin a 'final' sequence that you like. The 3 ring binder is only a temporary sequencing aid to a quicker final album.

9) Tuck Your Simple Embellishments into the Page Protectors. This includes any poems, stickers, die cuts, pre-made page toppers or other additions you already have on hand. Save the time intense embellishments for other albums or do a minimum of them when speed scrapping. Need something? Make a master shopping list. Go for the quicker embellishments. Shop for only the items on the master list. You have not actually started scrapping pages yet but you are getting ready.

10) Now Pack Up that Tote. Pack your bag, box, or tote (chosen in number 1) with the adhesive of your choice, scissors, binder of photos and papers, pens, journal squares, extra corners, and the extras of the papers you chose to coordinate in step A and step B. Add your photo corners to the tote. Terrific! You are ready for cropping either at home or at a cropping party!! Put everything else away for a while! Your speed scrapping kit is ready to go!

11) Set Aside Some Time and Enjoy Your Speed Scrapping! Now you know that you are focused. You have all your supplies together. You have a goal in mind. Go Girl! Have fun with it! As you work, keep in mind that you want to FINISH this album. Focus, Focus, Focus! Set aside time to work on it on a regular basis. :) With a start like this, your album will be done in no time!

Source: http://organizedscrapbooks.com/

Scrapbook Ideas for Your Baby Album

Scrapbook Ideas for Your Baby Album

A scrapbook album of your babys first year is one of the most special albums youll ever complete. There are so many magical memories, beginning with the pregnancy itself and continuing right through your babys first birthday. Below are a number of scrapbook page ideas to help you capture those precious moments.

Title Page

A great way to start the album is by matting a 5x7 or 8x10 of your babys hospital photo on the first page. Then add the babys name and birthdate as the title and subtitle respectively. This makes a very simple yet very beautiful page.

Baby on the Way

How did you celebrate the news that your baby was on the way? Maybe it was a quiet dinner just for you and your husband or a gathering with family and friends. Either way, remember to include some pictures of the celebration. Capture peoples reactions to the annoucement in photos. In addition, you may even want to take a picture of the pregnancy test showing the positive results.

The Ultrasound

If you had multiple ultrasounds during your pregnancy, include pictures from different points in time so you can see how your baby was growing. You may also want to include one that shows the graph of the heartbeat. In addition to journaling about the ultrasound pictures, this is a great place to journal about any nicknames you may have had for your baby before it was born.

The Belly

Starting at three months, when the pregnancy bulge is just barely noticeable, have someone take a monthly side-view picture of you. Pose in front of the same background each time so that the pictures are consistent. Try to fit all of the photos on one page (or a two-page spread), so you can really appreciate the month-by-month progression.

The Nursery

Include photos of the nursery all ready and waiting for baby; take pictures from different angles to show everything in the room. Be sure to include pictures of anything that has special meaning such as a bassinet that has been in the family for multiple generations, a special blanket made by Grandma, etc. Also, if you have one, include a photo to show what the room was before it became a nursery.

Welcome Baby

Those first pictures taken of your baby after the birth are some of the most precious ones youll ever have. Rememer to include your baby being weighed, having his/her footprints done, being examined, getting a bath, etc. You can put memorabilia such as the footprint card, bassinet name tag and baby id bracelet on these pages. Include key information/statistics in your journaling babys full name, date, day, time, weight, length, details about your labor, name of the doctor/midwife, etc.

Mom, Dad and Baby

Its wonderful to have a page with pictures of just the three of you Mom, Dad and Baby and then include siblings, grandparents, etc. on other pages. Journal about how you felt upon meeting your baby for the first time, whether your baby resembled anyone in the family, how your baby reacted to hearing your voice, etc.

The Rest of the Clan

Once you have a page or two of Mom, Dad and Baby photos, its time to include the siblings if your baby has any. Capture how excited they are to meet their new baby brother/sister and how proud they are to be big brothers/big sisters. This is also a great page to put any little cards, drawings, etc. that siblings may have made to welcome your new baby.

Visitors at the Hospital

Your new baby is sure to have many visitors at the hospital such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and more. Include a picture of each one holding the baby and write an interesting fact and/or anecdote about each person in your journaling. Also, you may want to include pictures of the doctor/midwife who delivered your baby, the labor nurse and/or the doula.

Going Home

Going home from the hospital is a big event! On this page you can include pictures of leaving the hospital, a photo of the outside of the hospital, and the birth announcement. Journal about who took you and the baby home, what the weather was like for your babys first time ever outside, what he/she was wearing for a "going home" outfit, and what he/she did during the car ride home.

The New Family

Its nice to have a couple of pages showing the new family settling in at home over those first few days. Be sure to include a picture of everyone (Mom, Dad, siblings) with the new baby, plus a picture of the whole family. Put some of the flowers and balloons received as gifts in the background of the pictures to add a special touch. This is a great place to journal about how the family dynamic changes when the new little one joins the clan.

Visitors at Home

In addition to having photos of the visitors that came to meet your baby at the hospital, youll also want to have pictures of the visitors at your home. Again, include a picture of each one holding the baby and write an interesting fact and/or anecdote about each person in your journaling.

Siblings

If your baby has siblings, you can make a separate page for each sibling with lots of photos of the big brother/big sister with the new baby. Depending on how old the sibling is, he/she may be able to help you create the album page by arranging photos, picking out embellishments and providing input for the journaling (e.g., what is the best thing about being a big brother/big sister).

Heritage

If your baby is lucky enough to meet his/her great-grandparents, have a page or two with pictures of them holding the baby. Ask the great-grandparents to share some of their most cherished childhood memories so you can include them in your journaling. When your baby is older, he/she can read their stories to get a glimpse of childhoods long ago.

Source: Author Lisa Fleming is an avid scrapbooker and the owner of Scrapbook Town, LLC

How Can I Plan A Scrapbook Album

Planning a scrapbook album - Pencil titles on pages
When planning a theme album you need to think about where in the album your groups of photos will go and what decorations and title you should use. I find the easiest way to remember my choices is to write them in light pencil directly onto the album page. For example - Title Baby´s first bath - lemon and sky blue card, CM girl first years´ bath stickers. Once the page is assembled the pencil writing can be erased. It is a good idea to write the title on the outside of the photo packet as well.

Tribute Scrapbook Albums
Tribute albums can be created to celebrate a birthday, engagement, anniversary or just because you care about someone. If the tribute album is to be presented at a special gathering ensure that you leave a page decorated only at the margins for all guests to sign. Tribute albums lend themselves very well for showcasing something special about the recipient or for adding that extra special touch using journalling, exceptional photos and tribute letters from friends and relatives. At a 40th birthday recently I put together an album for a friend. His wife chose a beautiful baby photo of him holding a toy lamb to use on the title page. At the celebration my friend´s mother presented him with the same toy lamb (still in one piece after 40 years). A perfect photo opportunity to complete the album.

This Is Your Life Scrapbook Album
Whereas a tribute album can concentrate on a certain area of an individual´s life or hobbies a "This is Your Life" album is usually restricted to chronological order starting at birth (or even before if you wish to include pictures of the individual´s parents and continuing to the present. Choose the size of album to suit the number of photos you have. A few photos suit a small album while more will mean a larger album. If there are photo gaps fill in with journalling even if it is only anecdotal. Stories from special friends are also nice to include. Don´t forget that there is also a place for school reports, certificates, resumes and dreadful driving licence photos and a sense of humour in a This Is Your Life album.

12 by 15 inch scrapbook albums
Finding border embellishments for this size album can be difficult as standard album size is 12" by 12". Thinking laterally you can make your album easier to decorate by turning it sideways. Yes it makes them more awkward to read but the landscape pages are wonderful to work on and you will not have to search for extra length borders. A sideways 12" x 15" album page is perfect for the display of panoramic photos.

ABC SCRAPBOOK ALBUM
An album assembled using layouts representing each letter of the alphabet. For example: the A layout would have a large A and photographs, stickers and diecuts along with journalling and labelling highlighting the letter A.

Video Scrapbook Lessons - Scrapbook Classes at Home

Scrap Tutor - Scrapbook Classes at Home



Are You...
too busy to attend scrapbook classes?
too far from a local scrapbook store to attend classes?
too distracted in a traditional class setting?
Now you can take scrapbook classes on your computer!
Scrap Tutor lets you learn at a pace and place that's comfortable for you.

Thousands of people have taken our scrapbook classes, and like them you won't find a better price—about $1 per class! Click here to learn more about online scrapbooking classes

We offer an alternative to costly classes at local scrapbook stores and conventions. Our 28 classes teach you techniques and concepts that are useful in any scrapbook.

Our Teaching Method

Scrap Tutor is a collection of lessons about scrapbooking that you take using your computer. Each lesson uses a variety of teaching methods. These methods have been combined to help you learn (and retain) the design principles we teach for life.

Video Scrapbook Lessons

These step-by-step videos show you how each technique or concept is used in your scrapbooks. You'll actually watch someone scrapbook in front of you, with the ability to watch the videos over and over again.

Example Layouts from Top Artists

These quality, larger-than-life layouts come complete with the artist's comments so you hear directly from the creator of each layout. They also provide a supply list for the layouts, tell you how they did each one.

Printable Scrapbook Lessons with Examples

We've gathered some of the best scrapbook teachers together to create extensive yet easy-to-understand lessons. You can read them using your computer or print them off for a handy reference.

Tips and Tricks

Each lesson contains helpful "tips and tricks" that will give you extra pointers beyond the core lesson.

Online Message Boards

The learning doesn't stop at home. You'll get access to the Scrap Tutor message boards. There you can ask questions directly to our teachers and other scrappers.

These lessons include:

45 Minutes of Video Instruction
125+ Layouts from Top Artists
14 Printable Step by Step Lessons
Access to the Scrap Tutor Message Boards

Chalking - Chalks are a great way to add subtle dimension to page embellishments. We'll show you how to create shadows and highlights using chalks to enhance your designs.
Color Blocking - Simple color blocking is a classic way to design your pages. Our lesson and pages examples will show how to create the many different variations of color blocking.

Dry Embossing - Discover tips and tricks for dry embossing. The subtle raised design is a fantastic way to embellish and decorate a page.

Embellishments - We'll tell you all about the different types of embellishments that are available and show you how to use them on your pages.

Eyelets - Eyelets are great fasteners and design elements. Learn how to set them and see how to use them as accents on your page.

Heat Embossing - We'll take you step by step through the process of heat embossing and tell you all about the different techniques and variations of using heat embossing on your pages.

Mats and Frames - Framing your photographs is a great way to draw attention to them. Learn some design tricks for highlighting your photos with mats and frames.

Mosaic - Mosaics add an artistic element to photos and paper designs. We'll demonstrate how to create various styles of mosaics and discuss when to use them effectively.

Paper Tearing - Paper tearing is a simple technique that adds wonderful texture to a page. We'll show you how easy it is and give some handy tips to make every tear come out just right.

Quilling - Quilling uses rolled papers strips to create wonderful and intricate designs. We'll show you the tools and the tricks to easily create quilled designs.

Shabby Chic - Learn the aging and weathering techniques associated with the Shabby Chic style.

Stitching - Stitching isn't just for fabric anymore. We'll give you ideas for using hand stitched and machine stitching in your scrapbook pages.

Template Lettering - Discover template lettering techniques and learn ways to use your templates more effectively.

Wire - Find out how to twist and bend wire to create titles and embellishments. Learn about the tools and tips that make wire-working easy.

Borders - See how a border can be an excellent design feature for your layouts. We'll demonstrate a variety of techniques used to create unique borders.
Journaling Design - We'll help make your journaling unique and exciting to read by giving multiple ideas for how to format and display your words.

Photo Corners - Whether you're creating functional or decorative photo corners, we'll give you some great ideas for designing photo corners that help to enhance and protect your photographs.

Pockets - Learn to create pockets to hold precious memorabilia. We'll show you many styles and functionalities of pockets used on scrapbook pages.

Shakers - Shakers add excitement to your pages. We'll spark your imagination with ideas to design, create and fill fantastic shaker boxes.

Tags - Tags are popular page embellishments. We'll help you discover the versatility of using tags in all kinds of ways on your layouts.

Title Design - Designing an appealing title is often overlooked when creating a layout. We'll teach many variations of lettering and design ideas to help you create better titles.

Color Coordinating - Learn more about color combinations that work, how to pick the right colors for your layout, and how specific colors can evoke different moods and emotions.
Composition - Creating balance and unity in a layout isn't always easy. We'll teach you easy principles that help create balanced layouts every time.

Focal Point - A focal point tells what a page is about at a quick glance. We'll give you ideas to make the focal point shine on your scrapbook pages.

Negative Space - Even the space is empty on a layout is an important part of the overall look. Learn how to use the negative space of a page in an effective way.

Photo Cropping - We'll teach you multiple photo cropping techniques to draw focus and add artistic appeal to your photographs.

Photo Editing - Just because you don't have the perfect picture, doesn't mean you can't create it with some creative editing. Learn techniques to alter your photos to enhance and add interest to them.

Typeface - Fonts and lettering make all the difference in the look and feel of a layout. We'll show you how to pick and choose fonts, which type of fonts look best together, and how to use typeface to enhance your pages.

Click here to learn more about online scrapbooking classes

Digital Scrapbook Pages from Scratch

How to Create a Digital Scrapbook Pages from Scratch

Creating your own digital scrapbooking page from scratch doesn’t have to be difficult. Computer scrapbooking is cost-effective and mess-free. Just follow this simple step-by-step process and you will be on your way to designing your own digital scrapbook layouts in no time.

First, open the digital scrapbook program you will be using and set your page size. Traditionally 12 x 12, 9 x 9 and 6 x 6 sizes are used for scrapbook pages. If you don’t know how to run the basics of your program, be sure to use the tutorial or have the instruction manual handy while you create your digital page layout.

Second, you should select your background design and color fill for the page from your digital scrapbooking graphics. You can do this by opening the background papers and adding the desired background to your page.

The third step is to locate your photos, copy and paste them to your layout, then resize them and rotate them into the right position.

Now, use the text options to select a font and add a title to your page. Then using the text tool, insert some journaling on your layout.

You are almost finished. Next, add some embellishments to the page. You can do this by using the embellishment files in your specialty digital scrapbook software or downloading digital scrapbooking graphics from another source and dragging and dropping the embellishments on to your page.

Once your have completed your page and everything looks fabulous, save your work and get ready to print.

It’s that easy. Use your photo-friendly printer to print out the beautiful digitally-enhanced page you just created and add it to your book of memories.

Basic Scrapbooking Tips

Basic Scrapbooking Tips

Scrapbooking has become one of the most popular crafts in the country as it is both creative and practical. It is both easy and fun for anyone to create exciting, artistic pages to enhance their photos. In addition this rewarding hobby provides a family treasure that will endure for countless generations. To get you started try to think of planning a scrapbook page or layout like planning a greeting card. All this craft requires is a theme, a bit of time, and your creative ideas. So if you are looking to get started on creating your own beautiful album here are some basic scrapbooking tips-

•It all starts with organization! The first thing you need to do is get those pictures out of shoeboxes and onto the coffee table where they can be enjoyed. Begin by organizing and sorting your photos by subjects, such as Activities, Events, People, Places, Things, Time, etc. Then move on to sort each category into chronological order. Many people begin with a memory book for each child, a Christmas book, a birthday book or a vacation book. After your photos are organized then gather your decorating materials. This can be as simple as gathering some basic tools and supplies around your house or a visit to your local craft store can show you everything you need. Just remember that everything that touches your photos should be of archival quality and photo safe.

•Create your pages-Since you have decided what your theme will be you want to make sure that you select photos that reflect that theme for your page. If needed or desired, crop photos to desired shapes, using die cut templates, scissors, corner borders, craft punches, etc. Then you can select enhancing papers or stickers, or create a background with rubber stamps. Make sure that before adhering anything to your page you experiment with the layout by moving things around until you are satisfied with the results. After you are fully satisfied then assemble and glue the page.

•Now is the time to assemble your finished pages into your scrapbook. Make sure that you assemble your finished pages in chronological order to tell the story. Then it is fun to add memorabilia to facing pages, such as letters, awards, programs, tickets, etc. in order to more fully tell your story. Just make sure that you leave room for journaling. Be sure to add information and details that will enhance your pictures.

Now that you know the basics of assembling your pictures here are some tips to help you with the composition of the pages in your scrapbook.

•Color is the basic premise of any scrapbook. So be sure to keep your eyes open to look all around you for great color palettes and colors that work well together. Be sure to pay close attention to advertisements, nature and even interior decorating samples and clothing combinations; this can give you great ideas for you scrapbooks.

•It may be helpful to keep an "Idea Journal". Many scrappers find it useful to keep a small notebook in their purse or bag and jot down ideas as they see them. You can even sketch a layout and then use colored pencils to convey what you would like the color palette to look like when finished in your scrapbook. This works well when you are stuck for ideas; you can just pull out your idea journal and get to work.

•Remember the feelings and emotions you felt during whatever you are scrapbooking. Be sure to pay special attention to your color choices so that you give off correct emotions.

•Keep in mind that busy isn't better. You may want to avoid busy background papers with lots of colors and objects scattered all over them. Remember that the key is to keep the focus on the pictures, and when you use distracting colors and objects, you lose sight of what the main intent of the layout is.
.

Paper Bag Scrapbook. How To Make A paper Bag Scrapbook

Paper Bag Scrapbook. 3 Tips Unique to the Paper Bag Scrapbook

Can you guess the best way to make a scrap book? Out of scrap, of course! I’ve been enamored with paper bag scrapbooks ever since my son’s pre-school teacher made one for each of her students a couple of years ago. Such a great use of materials and the results are a weight and feel that I just love. Surprisingly, we don’t see very many of the around so I thought I’d try to spread paper bag scrapbook love by offering some simple instructions.

Making a paper bag scrapbook is very easy and would make a great project to do with your children on a rainy day. They generally make a good project for just about anyone!

Simple Instructions:

Place a few paper bags – no more than 4 or 5 – on top of each other in alternating directions (alternating open ends and closed bottoms).

Fold your stack of paper bags in half.

Staple along the fold about ½” from the crease – this creates the spine of your paper bag scrapbook.

Embellish the spine to hide the staples – options:
Cover the staples with a strip of ribbon, paper, cardstock, fiber or other embellishment that you think suites the theme of the paper bag scrapbook you are creating.

Punch holes along the spine and run with ribbon or fibers – tying knots and/or weaving in and out of the punched holes.

Sew a line through the fold in the paper bags (note: this is my favorite way to bind a paper bag scrapbook)

Be creative – eyelets, snaps, rivets and other scrapbooking tricks can be used to make an excellent binding for your paper bag scrapbook.

Once you have embellished your spine, you’ll want to get creative with the use of your scrapbooking skills. Photo treatment, journaling, embellishments including decorative papers, borders, rub-ons, paints, fibers, ribbons and fabrics can all be used just as with a traditional scrapbook project – to create lasting memories in a unique presentation.

3 Tips Unique to the Paper Bag Scrapbook:

Most importantly, remember that a paper bag scrapbook is essentially made of very cheap paper that is not acid free. So this will not be an archival quality project. Be sure to use copies of your original photographs or inkjet prints on photo paper.

The open end of each paper bag ‘page’ can be used as a unique pocket space for journaling, photos, slide out cardstock pages and other dimensional items.

The closed end of each paper bag ‘page’ can be utilized in much the same way by lifting the folded flap to reveal your additional journaling, photo, etc. You could also trim the closed end of the paper bag ‘page’ to make another open end

Scrapbooking Tools for Beginners. Cropping Corner Tips

Cropping Corner Tip: Scrapbooking Tools for Beginners

If you are new to scrapbooking or just have not done many pages you are considered a beginner. To begin your scrapbook regimen you should be armed with some essential scrapbook supplies before you get started.

1. Eyelet setter--eyelets are common embellishments and you cannot use them with your an eyelet setter tool. They are fairly inexpensive an entire set that includes a hammer will probably cost you around $20.

2. Decorative scissors. These scissors can be used for many purposes. They can be used to cut photo mats, pictures, etc. The scissors can be purchased at any scrapbook supplier or craft store. They cost about $3-$5.

3. Paper Trimmer. This is essential for anyone attempting to scrapbook. A personal paper trimmer will help you cut straight and make square mats for your page layouts. Paper trimmer are available wherever scrapbooking supplies are sold. A quality paper trimmer will probably cost $15-$20.

There are so many scrapbooking products to choose from. As you become familiar with the products and get a feel for what you want to use you can buy more tools. The products mentioned above are some suggested scrapbooking starter tools.

Easy Page Layouts for Scrapbooking Beginners

Easy Page Layouts for Scrapbooking Beginners
Scrapbooking for beginners should include simple page layouts.

Here are step-by-step instructions for constructing an easy scrapbooking page layout.

· Select 1 or 2 pictures for your page.
· Pick out 2 or 3 colors of scrapbooking paper that match and accent each other and your photos.
· Plan your page by using elements that balance each other.
· Add your “Title” or “Header” to your page.
· Now crop your photos, by removing unwanted backgrounds and unnecessary space.
· Create photo mats and choose your embellishments.
· Use your adhesive to glue your photos and accents on your page.
· Leave room for journaling.
· Finally do your journaling. Record your feelings and tell your story.

Creating a simple, yet appealing page layouts will assist beginners in starting out on “the right foot.” As you become more experienced you can attempt to create more complex designs.

Scrapbooking Growing in Popularity

A colourful book of memories; Scrapbooking growing in popularity

If you know a Cuttlebug, a Cricut and a Crop-o-dile are neither insects nor reptiles, then you've either done some scrapbooking or know someone who has.

Scrapbooking is the craft of placing stickers, fabric, die-cuts, embossed letters and other embellishments onto decorative paper-covered pages that highlight treasured photographs, mementoes and souvenirs. The pages are then either placed into a plastic sleeve or simply placed into an decorated album.

Laurie Hucal took up the hobby in 1999 after the birth of her husband's nephew, Adrian.

Hucal, a local real estate agent, says the craft is a good hobby for those who enjoy working with their hands.

"I've always loved putting anything together," she says. "I'm really detail oriented, so when there was a craft that could combine creativity, colour and detail with family, friends and memories, it was the perfect hobby for me."

Scrapbooking is popular in the United States and is growing swiftly in Canada.

Scrapbooks are usually based on a theme that reflects not only the subject, but the creator, as well.

Hucal completed a second book detailing a real-estate convention she attended in Nova Scotia. It's filled with colour, smiling faces, unique cut-outs and plenty of lobsters.

"I've got to get into it again," she says, her enthusiasm growing with each turn of the page. "I used to do this on a regular basis. I got away from it, but it is so important.

"Some people are just as happy to let the memories go," she adds. "I remember when I showed (Adrian's book) to my sister-in-law, his mother. She almost cried.

"It ties memories together and it's a recognition of a life. It's something anyone can do and can be as easy or as difficult at you make it. Another bonus is that it's portable."


Support workers at Community Living Greater Sudbury assist its members in making personalized scrapbooks. The non-profit organization provides services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

"The individuals get to choose the colour, theme, format and style of their pages and they work at their own pace," says Dorice Dusty, family home program and public relations spokesperson.

"The organization's members do not always know their natural families or their own siblings," she says. "Having a photo of the home and the family with whom they now share a home helps them to process some of their loss. It helps them to belong somewhere.

"We've had positive results from those in our special population who have taken part. They're so proud of their completed albums."

The hobby has a growing fanbase in Sudbury, says Patsy Bell, store manager of Michael's Arts and Crafts on Marcus Drive.

The store offers free "Make it and Take it" days once a month and also provides free demos on the use of various cutting machines.

Bell says scrapbooking is showing no signs of slowing down. "It's more popular than ever," she says.

Michael's, Linda's Photography in Lively and Sandy's Scrapbooking on Durham Street keep up with the latest trends and sell equipment, decorative papers, materials and tools specific to the scrapbooker.

Both Sandy's and Linda's offer classes for beginners and often holds "crop nights" - social gatherings where crafters spend a few hours enjoying each other's company as they work on their albums. Cropping sessions are also held occasionally at the Valley East library branch.

Linda Kluke, owner of Linda's Photography, has a suggestion for rookie scrapbookers.

"They can bring in their materials, with no obligation to buy anything, and I would show them how to use all the tools and equipment," Kluke says. "Don't buy anything until you've come in and shown me your pictures. The materials you choose have to match the style of your pictures."

Aside from specialty stores, you can also find basic scrapbooking supplies at local dollar stores.

A local school has caught the scrapbooking bug.

Lise Orsini, an educational assistant at Northeastern Elementary School in Garson, founded a scrapbooking club for children from grades three to eight. An avid scrapbooker, Orsini says the club meets weekly and is in its fourth year.

She says the craft helps to foster children's creativity, to let them develop skills and to share ideas with others.

And the craft isn't exclusive to women and girls: there are stickers, decorative papers and other materials with "masculine"-themed designs, such as fishing gear, NASCAR racing and tools.

Source: http://www.thesudburystar.com/

11 Scapbooking Beginner Tips. Getting Started With Scapbooking

Scapbooking Beginner Tips. Getting Started With Scapbooking

Scrapper Block
You know what this is, kind of like writers block. The best solution for this is to pick up a Scrap booking magazine or go online and search for page layouts. My e-Book also has some very creative ideas.

Storage Idea
With Scrap booking, you will have small craft items such as eyelets, ribbons, buttons or glitter Try storing them in your empty film canisters.

Picture Placement
Always make sure that all your pictures and stickers fit onto your page and are placed exactly where you like them best. Some types of glue are very adhesive and you may have a hard time pulling them up once they have been
glued down.

Cheap Embellishments
Check out the gift-wrap department at your local Target or Wal-Mart store. You can find some really cute die cuts with sticky foam already attached in may themes and colors.

Duplicate
If you are nervous about cropping your original pictures, an easy solution is to always get duplicates when developing your pictures or copy them on a color copier.

Postcards
When traveling, record your experiences by mailing yourself postcards that detail your trip that can be used later in your album or store them in a minialbum with a picture from your trip.

Information
Always use a photo-safe marker to record who, what, where and when onto the back of each photo.

Rubber Stamps
When using a new rubber stamp, always test it 3 or 4 times on a scrap piece of paper to ensure even distribution of ink.

Titles
Your title should immediately identify the subject of the page or of you book. They can be done freehand or you can use stickers or letter templates to add texture and color to your title.

Journaling
Journaling brings your album to life. Your journaling piece should include who’s in your photo, what they are doing and when it happened. It should tell a story that will bring back your memories for years to come.

Storage
Never store your photo or memorabilia in a cardboard box. They are not good for photos. Always store these precious items in archival-safe photo boxes or page protectors.

Fast, Easy Page Layouts for Scrapbooking Beginners

Fast, Easy Page Layouts for Scrapbooking Beginners
Scrapbooking for beginners should include simple page layouts.

Here are step-by-step instructions for constructing an easy scrapbooking page layout.

· Select 1 or 2 pictures for your page.
· Pick out 2 or 3 colors of scrapbooking paper that match and accent each other and your photos.
· Plan your page by using elements that balance each other.
· Add your “Title” or “Header” to your page.
· Now crop your photos, by removing unwanted backgrounds and unnecessary space.
· Create photo mats and choose your embellishments.
· Use your adhesive to glue your photos and accents on your page.
· Leave room for journaling.
· Finally do your journaling. Record your feelings and tell your story.

Creating a simple, yet appealing page layouts will assist beginners in starting out on “the right foot.” As you become more experienced you can attempt to create more complex designs.