Great Techniques For Your Scrapbooking Layouts

By Southern Isis

 

If you love doing scrapbooking layouts as much as I do, then you're always looking for new ideas and techniques to try on your next scrapbook! There's nothing more exciting than discovering a new idea that adds creativity to your scrapbooking layout! That's why I decided to put together this article dedicated to a few of the really cool new scrapbooking tricks I've learned!

The first technique I want to tell you about is how to make pockets in your scrapbooking layouts. Now, there are many different ways this could be done and many different pieces of material that you could make a pocket out of... In this article, I'll go over two ways making pockets for your scrapbooking layouts can be accomplished.

One way to add a pocket to your scrapbooking layout is to use a piece of posterboard(or any sort of paper with about the same thickness, postcards work great for travel based scrapbooking layouts.) You should cut the posterboard into the size and shape you'd like it to be before doing anything else. If you want to cut a little design into the pocket seam, now is the time to do that as well.

After your posterboard pocket has the right size and shape, it's time to add it to your scrapbooking layout! To do this, I've found that taking some foam mounting squares and cutting them into strips works best. That way, the pockets seem to stay secure and don't come loose from the background.

Another thing you might like to try with this technique is using two different colors of posterboard. Cut both pieces into the same shape(or different shapes if that's the creative touch you want to add to your scrapbooking layout) and then cut a design into the middle of one of the pieces of posterboard(like a flower for example.)

When it's time to add your pocket, place the piece of posterboard that DOESN'T have the design cut into it down first and lay the piece with the design cut into it on top of it. This way, the color of the posterboard you have underneath shows through where you cut your design out on the top piece and there you have a creative little pocket!

Another material you can use to make pockets for your scrapbooking layouts is fabric. There are lots of fun colors and patterns when it comes to fabric, which I think is just wonderful! To start making your pocket out of fabric, first select your fabric and cut it down to size.

To securely mount your fabric pocket, I suggest using a hot glue gun instead of foam mounting squares. Make sure you're very careful with the hot glue gun and that you press the fabric down firmly enough before the glue has too much time to cool. If you leave the glue too much time to start to harden before you're able to press it into position, it will not stick right.

Another cool creative little twist you can put on this is to turn your pocket into a button up pouch! This requires only a few extra, very simple steps.

Now, first I should say that it's a lot easier to put your pocket pouch together if you haven't already attached your pocket to your layout. (Though it's not hopeless to turn your existing pocket into a pouch either!)

For the purpose of this article, we're going to back up a step on our fabric pockets to just before we're ready to attach the pocket to our scrapbooking layout. Just to clarify, this means you should have your fabric pocket already cut into the shape you want it to be in.

For the next step, make sure you cut another piece of fabric that is the same width as your pocket and a little longer than half of it's height. Then, lay your fabric pocket down and take the other piece that you just cut and place one end of it underneath the top of your pocket(just enough to provide enough material to secure it to the background.) Next, fold the corners in on the top half of the material you just cut and then fold the material over your pocket to measure everything and make sure it fits the way you want it to.

If everything measures out right, the next thing we're going to do is add a button to your pocket. (Keep in mind, we haven't glued or mounted anything yet!) With your pocket pouch still being held in place, place a button over the pouch flap you have folded over the pocket to see how it will look. When you have it positioned right, lift the flap and place the button on the pocket, then place the flap back over it and cut a slot for your button in the flap and sew your button onto the pocket.

Also, an extra tip, it may be easier to pin the folded in corners of your flap in place while you make the cut for your button hole.

All you have left to do now is to glue it all together! For this, I would start gluing the bottom half of the pocket first then, before you glue the top half, measure everything one more time, place your pouch flap where it should be and glue it into place, then finish gluing the top half of your pocket pouch. And, finally, you're ready for the last step!

So far, your pocket and your pocket flap should be glued into place and you should have your button hole cut into the flap and the button sewed to the pocket. Now, you need to set the flaps to stay in their folded position. If you have pinned your flap into place, now is the time to remove your pins and glue it into place with the hot glue gun. Again, please remember to be careful with the hot glue gun, but also make sure you firmly press the fabric together before the glue cools off too much.

The finished result will give your scrapbooking layouts creative fabric pockets that you can button and unbutton! These are really great for keeping little keepsakes in!

About The Author: Southern Isis is a dedicated scrapper and a natural when it comes to crafts! To read more about me and how scrapbooking changed my life (along with some handy scrapbooking tips!) Please visit my site: http://hubpages.com/hub/scrapbooking-layouts Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Southern_Isis

Simple and Stunning Computer Scrapbooking Technique

By Peter Foster

 

A number of scrapbookers can sometimes fail to see the significance of using quality materials. This is one computer creative layout scrapbooking simple stunning technique tip that shouldn't be ignored. This doesn't mean you have to pay for the most costly scrapbooking materials in the market, but you do need to invest in supplies that foster good results. If you only pay attention to one simple computer creative layout scrapbooking stunning technique tip out there, this is the very one. All scrapbooking pictures and designs should last a lifetime upon completion of a scrapbooking project. The only way to ensure this is going to happen is to use the most suitable types of scrapbooking supplies.

To help reduce the amount of scrapbook supplies to purchase, a simple and stunning scrapbooking technique tip is to purchase the basic essential tools. Look for ones that are versatile so you can complete more than one design with them. You can even look for computer creative layout scrapbooking technique tip supply kits. Computer creative layout scrapbooking simple technique tip supply kits often feature an assortment of basic tools and scrapbooking accessories needed to get started on a variety of projects.

One computer creative layout scrapbooking simple stunning technique tip everyone needs to pay attention to is being absolutely organized. Unfortunately, many a scrapbooking hobbyist gets upset when he/she spends hours completing one page of a scrapbook. What he/she fails to realize is that too much time is spent searching for stickers, craft glue, scissors, and scrapbooking paper.

Peter Foster has special interest in arts. He gives advice to anyone who wants to know about online art school and scrapbooking and others. He refers to www.layersofourlives.com/ in many of his sessions for art school class for scrapbooking,Computer Creative Layout Scrapbooking and DIY scrapbooking art. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Foster

Finding Those Scarce Retired Rubber Stamps For Scrapbooking, Crafting, And More

By Amy Wells 

 

Are you having trouble finding just the right rubber stamp design? Of course, with creativity, you can always manage to create your own designs and shapes, but there are probably some unique rubber stamps which you might have missed buying when first released, but can be found a few months later, in the 'retired' category of rubber stamps. With a little persistence, if there is a rubber stamp set or design you are looking for, it will often have a second life, making it possible for you to find again.

Retired stamps are those art rubber stamps that have been kept aside by stamp illustrating companies, as new designs have now arrived. Retired stamps are usually released annually by the company, for resale, in that particular category. Because they offer unique designs compared to what is available in the market, retired stamps are very popular among buyers.

Usually, the retired rubber stamps will be a small or large set of related stamps with a specific theme. Popular retired stamp themes include: animal themed sets, children or babies, and flowers and nature. Hard-to-find sets with very specific and unique designs will also have an increasing popularity after their retirement, since a specific design subject may be few and far between. In fact, it may be such a unique theme or interest, that there may be only one set every created for that design.

However, even the 'retired' category rubber stamps are only offered for a specific time period. If you missed the time frame when the stamps are offered directly from the company, you still have some other alternatives. One great choice is joining online groups or clubs that specialize in rubber stamp sells and trades. There are many rubber stamping tip groups, but you are better off finding those that only do product trades or sells, as you'll have the best selection to choose from. Another solution is to check out rubber stamp specialty websites, as there are several who specialize in a specific company's retired designs.

If you are yearning for a specific retired rubber stamp design, don't give up! A great way to find these treasures is to start a want list, and keep it handy while you're cruising online or browsing rubber stamp groups. If you see a stamp or set that looks familiar, you can always refer to your list, and snatch up the appropriate rubber stamp. Remember, retired doesn't necessarily mean gone forever.

Amy is a rubber stamping fan and rubber stamp collector. Looking for retired Rubber Stamps? Check out the resource page at http://www.squidoo.com/RetiredStampinUp or go directly to http://www.BuyRubberStamp.com for retired stamp deals. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Wells

Cool Scrapbooking Ideas and Free Scrapbooking Software to Use

By James Kara Murat

 

Crafts, especially unique and interesting ones, never go out of style. These also never run out of loyal followers. One very good proof of this is the continuous popularity of both cross stitching and knitting. Up to this day, these types of crafts still count thousands, if not millions, of devoted practitioners all over the world.

These days, another emerging type of craft is gaining ground - scrapbooking. Craft aficionados, especially those who love visually appealing products, have started to promote this. What makes scrapbooking interesting for a lot of aficionados is the fact that you can insert your personal style without any limitations.

Scrapbooking is a hobby wherein a person preserves photographs, cards, tickets and other symbols of memories in a very creative and unique way. A practitioner, usually called a "scrapbooker," protects and presents these symbols of memories through various themes, which may range from holidays to events to describing how it was like then. For instance, a mother may preserve memories of her newborn by preparing a singl spread with at least two photographs embellished with cut-outs, stickers and perhaps tags found on the baby's crib at the hospital. As you can see, the idea is to make the photographs more meaningful and more unique compared to just placing them in regular photo albums.

If you want to start developing your scrapbooking abilities, here are a few tips and ideas you may want to consider for your projects:

1. Use your favorite quotes and perhaps samplings of your diary as embellishments. Give your spread a personal touch by inserting your favorite motto printed in a nice, fancy font.

2. To give emphasis to the name of a person whose photos you want to preserve, you can make one or two letters bigger than all the rest. Alternatively, you can print one or two letters using a different font or a different color.

3. Go for the 3D effect! Arrange pictures in such a way that the end result will be a cool 3 dimensional effect.

4. Scan or insert actual tickets, menus, stubs or tags. If you're doing a photo diary of your recent travel to the U.S., for instance, saving and inserting the actual train tickets and airplane flight booking papers can add pizzazz to your project.

5. Use personalized templates. If you want to preserve photos of your family's first ever trip to the beach, you may want to use a background full of seashells, beach balls, slippers and sand.

You can also go to supplies stores or hobby shops to purchase ready-to-assemble scrapbooking kits. These kits usually contain ribbons, craft thickers, vellum quote stacks, rickracks and perhaps buttons and kitchen paper. You can use them based on the instructions based on the kit or add more embellishments. Just don't overdo it though! On the other hand, you could first try your hand on it via software programs. Two free softwares which you can use are Picaboo and Scrapbook Flair.

Features of these two are basically the same - you can add personalized backgrounds to your spread, you can frame your digital pictures with stylish corners, you can come up with a photo collage and you can instantly create a 3D effect. Given these, one can truly see why people are getting hooked with scrapbooking. It's a hobby where a person can exercise creativity, thought and imagination on meaningful projects.

James Kara Murat the contributor of Printer Paper & Photo Printer. A longer version of this article is located at Cool Scrapbooking Ideas and related resources can be found at PrintCountry Photo Printing & Sharing Ideas. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Kara_Murat

Inculcate Your Hobby Of Scrapbooking

By Peter Foster

With the fast popularity of memory scrapbook scrapbooking increasing
daily, more resources are available to an amateur and professional
scrapbooking hobbyist alike. Memory scrapbook scrapbooking doesn't
have to be too much of a challenge for anyone who wants to attempt the
craft. Lignin-free and acid-free products are encouraged to keep the
pictures from becoming discolored, or even turning brown. Digital
scrapbook is still basically in its infancy, but certainly shows great
promise as the medium of the future in memory scrapbook.

Scrapbooking art ideas for hobbyist doesn't contain hard rules in its
art form. Some hobbyists prefer scrapbook pages where the photograph
is the main element and embellishments are applied to a minimum.
Several others may even include an array of embellishments to add to
the scrapbook design. This can be a personal choice for this; each can
be lucrative and create stunning layout designs. The scrapbook
embellishments may even include small, two-dimensional items such as
newspaper clippings, theater ticket stubs, or love notes from that
special someone. Memory scrapbook scrapbooking have items such as
eyelets or brads, which can be used instead of glue or tape to stick
papers or pictures, and be used decoratively. Additional elements of
this include quilling, stickers, flowers and decorated die-cuts.

Normally, the memory scrapbooking focuses on a photograph or
photographs. It is best to adhere with one to three good, clean
photographs when starting out. The scrapbook page is then embellished
and decorated with items limited by the creator's imagination.
Sketching for this is an optional step in which the hobbyist will
create a scrapbook layout of what the scrapbook page can look like
after completion.

Peter Foster has special interest in arts. He gives advice to anyone
who wants to know about online art school and scrapbooking and others.
He refers to www.layersofourlives.com/ in many of his sessions for art
school class for scrapbooking,scrapbooking and DIY scrapbooking
art,Memory scrapbook scrapbooking.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Foster

Where To Start With Scrapbook Ideas

By Vicki Churchill

With so many products available for scrapbook ideas you may find
yourself in a situation where you just do not know where to start. If
you are new to scrapbooking then the basic materials you will need are
as follows:

Scrapbook paper

Adhesives

Cutting materials such as a craft knife and paper trimmer

Pictures

A Scrapbook

These items are the foundation for any scrapbook.

When you first decide to go shopping for products for your scrapbook
ideas I would recommend you start out buying items in small
quantities. This way you can play around with different products and
work out which ones you prefer before spending a huge sum of money. It
also gives you a chance to experiment with different craft materials.

Select bits and pieces that you find attractive and inspire you. Have
a picture in mind before you shop so you can purchase paper and items
that will correspond with the picture you are going to be placing in
the scrapbook. You may even consider taking the picture with you
making selecting embellishments to decorate the page even easier.

You will need to make sure all of the items for your scrapbook ideas
are protected in some form so ensure that you only use materials that
are scrapbook safe and acid free. This will maintain your scrapbook
pages and prevent them from deteriorating over time.

Before you leave the house to shop for items for your scrapbook ideas
make sure you write a list. It will be extremely tempting to buy vast
amounts of papers and embellishments. Not only is this very expensive
but it can leave you feeling overwhelmed and unsure what one of your
scrapbook ideas to use.

Ideally you need to have a theme in mind so you only purchase items
that match and compliment each other.

If it is your first scrapbook then I would recommend that you do not
purchase complex or fiddly craft items as you may find the whole thing
extremely difficult and end up being put of scrapbooking altogether.
It is far better to begin with basic materials and purchase ready made
embellishments before you try to make your own.

Over time you will learn how these are put together and before you
know it you will be saying 'I do not need to buy that, I can make it
myself!'

If you really do not know where to start it may be worth enrolling in
a class to learn some basic principles of scrapbooking. Most craft
shops offer classes that will help beginners and show you how to use
what you have resourcefully as well as provide you with lots of
scrapbook ideas.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Scrapbook Ideas
providing you with excellent tips and ideas for creating stunning
scrapbook pages with Scrapbook Quotes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill

Scrapbook Techniques - Paper Tearing

By Marcy Larsen

Scrapbook Techniques – Paper Tearing

Ripping and peeling paper is a fun way to add warm, hand crafted
accents to you pages. Almost any paper scrap can be turned into a cute
accent. Mastering a few tearing techniques will turn your "regular"
pages into "wow" pages. You can create beautiful boarders, backgrounds
and shapes by tearing paper. Here a few versatile and whimsy ways to
decorate your layouts.

Practice with scrap paper to get the feel of how different papers well
tear. Once you get the feel for it, you will become a pro and enjoy
doing this technique over and over again.

To make a basic tear, hold the paper in your non-dominant hand. Tear
with your index finger and thumb, going gently and slowly for you a
straight tear or rapidly for a modern look. If your paper is jagged,
you may be tearing against the grain. Rotate the paper about 90
degrees and try again.

To tear strong paper, wet the paper with a small paint brush or cotton
swab. Once the water soaks in, gently tear the paper. When the paper
dries, you will not be able to see the water marks. Using water will
make it easier to tear shapes such as circles and hearts.

To tear intricate shapes, sketch your design first. Brush with water
to weaken the lines. To make it a little easier, use a scoring blade
or stylus and firmly push against your cardstock to weaken it. Tear
you paper along the lines.

Remember that different papers result in different looks. Heavy
cardstocks are usually died and the color will stay the same with the
tear. Patterned paper typically has a white core or light colored
edges vellum is so shear that the edges are not visual. Try adding
chalk to the edges to give extra dimension. By trying these few
techniques you will be amazed at the different looks you will add to
your pages.

Scrapbooking by Close To My Heart Consultant Marcy Larsen. Scrapbook
Layouts, stamping techniques and more at marcylarsen.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marcy_Larsen

Heritage Scrapbooking Has Its Own Charm

By Peter Foster

Historically, scrapbooking was in the tradition much akin to
storytelling, but with a tactile, wistful and visual focus. Heritage
scrapbooking preserves a legacy of written history in the form of
memorabilia, photographs and printed media in decorated scrapbook
albums. Heritage scrapbooking with photographs has been around since
pictures became available to the average person. Traditional
scrapbooks tend to have photographs mounted with photo mount corners
and notations with who was in the photograph and when and where the
photograph was taken. In heritage scrapbooking, the photographs
included bits of memorabilia like letters and newspaper clippings.

Creating a Family Tree with Scrapbooking

Heritage scrapbooking and family tree ideas include scrapbooking
layouts, scrapbook page ideas, scrapbooking supplies, and journaling
techniques and tips. A computer can be helpful in turning precious
family photographs into a lovely scrapbook or decorative album via the
creativity of digital scrapbooking. Going en route to digital
scrapbooking, instead of traditional scrapbooking, means less cost
spent on scrapbooking supplies and the ability to print out multiple
scrapbook copies of beautiful scrapbook layouts. There are
step-by-step guides available to using memorabilia, memories and old
photographs to create a visual and historical scrapbook of family
heritage and history.

Heritage scrapbooking can immortalize the cherished photographs of
family and loved ones, documents, stories and memorabilia for
generations to come. Scrapbooks can be much more than just albums with
photographs, namely when it comes to sharing and preserving family
history. A scrapbooking website normally affords family scrapbooking
articles, a collection of scrapbooking poems for heritage,
history-themed scrapbook tips and scrapbook page layouts. There are
many scrapbooking web sites that offer monthly scrapbook layouts for
the heritage scrapbooking hobbyist. Family members can be included,
along with a family tree that's organized by working from the latest
generation backwards in time.

Peter Foster has special interest in arts. He gives advice to anyone
who wants to know about online art school and scrapbooking and others.
He refers to www.layersofourlives.com in many of his sessions for art
school class for scrapbooking, scrapbooking and DIY scrapbooking
art,close to my heart scrapbooking,Heritage scrapbooking

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peter_Foster

Scrapbook Quotes For Your Scrapbook Ideas

By Vicki Churchill

Scrapbook quotes are a fantastic way to add sentiments to scrapbook
page layouts. Finding the perfect scrapbook quotes for the page you
are working on can personalise it and make it fun.

When looking for scrapbook quotes think about the message you wish to
convey which can be summed up in just a few words and how they will
compliment the page. Consider if the page would look better with a fun
element or something more sentimental.

Although creating your own scrapbook quotes will make your scrapbook
ideas unique and personal here are a few of my favourites and where
they can be used.

Baby Scrapbook Quotes

Children learn by doing, and play is their work.
People who say they sleep like a baby usually do not have one.
A baby fills a place in your heart you never knew was empty.
A baby is the greatest gift that life can bring.
Before you were born I knew you.
Children out grow everything, but their mothers heart.

Friendship Scrapbook Quotes

A friend is a gift you give yourself.
A friend can tell you things you do not want to tell yourself
Friends are the sunshine of life
Friendship is a knot tied by angels hands
The only way to have a friend is to be one.

Love Scrapbook Quotes

A life without love is no life at all
I will love you and no other, always.
I'd be lost without you.
In dreams and in love there are no impossibilities
Love builds bridges where there are none.
Love is the closest thing we have to magic.

Marriage Scrapbook Quotes

Whoever loves life will love love
You are the song I was destined to know
Because just being together is enough
A happy marriage is the world's best bargain
Always together, never apart

There are many ways to add scrapbook quotes to page layouts, whether
you decide to hand write them or print them. It is extremely easy to
purchase books of scrapbook quotes and simply add the quote that fits
the page. Use your imagination and try different techniques to make
the words really stand out. Try adding the quote to a tag or even
attach to the photograph itself.

If you find you are still scratching your head trying to come up with
a unique scrapbook quote you could always search the internet for
inspiration. Remember that the quote needs to express the feeling and
emotion within the photo. In my opinion it is better to have short
quotes when creating a scrapbook page layout as people may focus too
much on the words and not appreciate the picture and the overall page.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Scrapbook Ideas
providing you with excellent ideas for Scrapbook Quotes, Scrapbook
page layouts, tips & tricks.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill

How to Make a Scrapbook Album for a Baby Boy

By Christine Perry

You have just become the proud parent of a baby boy. Whether this is
your first child or not, you'll want to commemorate this special event
by creating a baby scrapbook. It's easy and fun to find creative ideas
for scrapbooking your son.

The first thing that you need to think about when it come to making an
album for your new baby boy is how detailed you would like the
scrapbook to be. There are a variety of different sizes you can choose
from when it comes to selecting albums, so make sure, if it is going
to be detailed, that you consider a larger size, such as a 12 x 12
album.

Now, when you start organizing and planning all the scrapbooking ideas
that you might have, you should really start from the very beginning –
such as when you were pregnant. Now, some women go so far as to save
every detail of their pregnancy, even the pregnancy stick that
indicated they were going to have their child. Now, if you are the
kind of person that has saved such a thing, start the scrapbook with a
picture of the stick, rather than the actual stick.

Another interesting suggestion for a baby boy album that you can
include is a page documenting how your stomach grew month by month as
you were pregnant. This can actually be split up into nine different
pages, and on each page you can document how you were feeling at that
particular stage of your pregnancy, as well as any food cravings that
you had.

Of course, you have to have pages of the actual delivery. While actual
pictures of the event might or might not be included, things such as
baby and mother hospital bracelets, as well as any other papers from
that day, should be included.

Once the baby has been born, the birth announcement is released. Be
sure to include a copy of that, as well as any cards that family and
friends sent congratulating you on the news. This can also include
cards that were sent along with flowers.

There are a variety of other ways that you can make pages for a baby
boy scrapbook album. However, you need to define how long of a period
the album should span. One idea is to have the scrapbook be about the
baby's first year, or if you are one to take a lot of pictures and
collect a lot of mementos, you might want to make a shorter period of
time, like 6 months.

To personalize the album with a boy's personality, use blue shades of
cardstock. Mat photos with varying shades of blue as well. There are
lots of stickers and embellishments available with a baby boy theme as
well. Finally, include his name often in your page titles. Don't
forget to add a personal touch to the outside of the album cover. You
might add a ribbon from a baby shower package or have his name
embossed on the cover.

For more information, be sure to search the internet, since there are
many scrapbooking sites that can give you interesting ideas for making
a baby album. You can also consult friends and family who have done
scrapbooks for their own children. There are lots of interesting and
creative ideas for baby scrapbooks.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of
scrapbooking experience. Her favorite photography and scrapbooking
subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website,
http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking ideas and circle
journal themes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

Scrapbooking With Office Supplies - A Money-Saving Alternative

By Christine Perry

You love scrapbooking as a hobby, but staying within your budget can
be a challenge if you want to indulge in all the latest paper and
embellishments for your page layouts. It's important to balance your
passion for making beautiful scrapbook pages with your need to stay
out of debt. Scrapbooking with office supplies can be a cost-effective
alternative to high-priced scrapbooking embellishments.

The first thing to consider when using office supplies in your page
layouts is the overall topic of your scrapbook. For example, is this
the kind of scrapbook that has a very informal theme to it – a way for
you to chronicle events shared with family and friends? Or, is this a
more formal scrapbook that will be presented to someone as a gift?
It's easier to use readily-available office supplies in an informal
album than a formal album, like a wedding scrapbook.

Visit your local office supply store or even a large discount store,
and shop for the basics first. Does the store carry archival safe pens
and paper? Check for essential tools like scissors, adhesives and
paper cutters. You often will get a better price at these types of
stores than the local scrapbooking store.

Now get creative with possible embellishments. Look for colorful paper
clips, brads, simple stickers, and staples. Don't limit yourself to
the standard sizes either. Large paper clips and brads can become
accents for photos or journaling blocks. Staples and brads can be used
in much the same way as adhesives. Use them to attach die cuts to a
page or add a larger page element like a decorative tag.

Office supply stores sell a variety of tags as well. In fact, when
tags on scrapbooking pages first became popular, I could only find
tags in office stores. They are so versatile on your layouts. Tags
come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Look for circle tags,
rectangular tags, and square price tags. I especially like to use the
tiny price tags that come attached to a piece of string. Tags from
office supply stores usually only come in white or beige, but you can
overlay cardstock on them to give them more color, or you can paint,
ink or chalk them. I use tags in my page titles, journaling blocks,
and as a unique page element all its own.

You can find a lot different envelope options when scrapbooking with
office supplies. Check the aisles for mailing and shipping materials,
as well as the stationary section. A few years ago I learned about
bank envelopes. These are small little envelopes that make fun pockets
for a short note or photo on your page. They can be a little difficult
to find, but I usually found them in the section where cash register
tape is sold.

A little imagination can go a long way toward stretching your
scrapbooking supply budget. Adding office supplies is just one option.
Look around you for more everyday items that can be used in your
scrapbooks.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of
scrapbooking experience. Her favorite photography and scrapbooking
subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website,
http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking ideas and
scrapbooking Seaworld tips

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

Starting a Successful Creative Scrapbooking Business, Part II

By Michelle Cardello

It's ironic; what makes a creative scrapbooking business unique
attractive to entrepreneurs seeking a work-at-home venture is also
what makes it so incredibly challenging. After all, there are no
definitive "rules" when it comes to pricing your scrapbook creations
or determining where and how to advertise your services.

However, there are general business planning techniques you can use as
a starting point to give your creative scrapbooking company the best
chance of long-term success.

Setting Your Creative Scrapbooking Price Rates
Whether you specialize in wedding scrapbooks, memory scrapbooks,
award/honor scrapbooks, or other creative scrapbooking creations,
you'll need to develop a price guideline. Otherwise, it will be
difficult to negotiate with clientele.

Determining your creative scrapbooking business price guideline may
seem daunting at first blush, but it's actually not that complicated
when broken down into "bite sized" pieces.

Hourly Rates or Standard Price per Scrapbook?
First, you'll need to determine whether you want to set prices per
project or per hour.

One huge advantage to charging per creative scrapbooking project is
that consumers are accustomed to paying for products this way. After
all, people don't purchase a pair of shoes based on how long it took a
cobbler to make them; they simply look at the price tag or retail
value and decide if they feel it's a worthwhile investment.

That being said, setting a price per creative scrapbooking project may
not always be beneficial for you. If you discover you're spending
inordinate amounts of time on each scrapbook you create, your
originally quoted price might not match your efforts. (Remember the
old adage: Time is Money.)

Essentially, you can expect to experiment with your creative
scrapbooking cost methods at first. Perhaps with some clients, you
could offer a "per project" rate, but with others, you might try an
hourly approach. There's no "right or wrong" process–you simply want
to find the best one for your creative scrapbooking business.

Remember to Consider "Hidden Costs"
Before "going public" with your scrapbook price structure, make sure
you've accounted for the many costs (both direct and indirect)
associated with owning a creative scrapbooking business. Be certain to
include the amount you expect to spend on basic creative scrapbooking
supplies such as specialty paper, a scrapbook, adhesives, stickers,
markers, and fabrics.

Add into your creative scrapbooking price figures telephone calls,
mileage (if you'll travel for consultations), babysitting costs, and
any overhead.

At this point, your initial price estimates may seem too high or low.
Consequently, you can modify them accordingly, although you should
never underestimate what people will pay for a one-of-a-kind
scrapbook.

Selling Your Creative Scrapbooking Services
You've determined your basic scrapbook price. Creative scrapbooking
supplies are on hand and on order. You're organized, primed, and ready
to go. But wait! You still need to attract that first key customer.

Advertising and marketing are stumbling blocks for many creative
scrapbooking business start-ups; consequently, plenty of scrapbook
enthusiasts shy away from becoming entrepreneurs because they assume
they'll never be able to publicize their talents. However, if you
approach the selling of your creative scrapbooking services
pragmatically, you'll have an excellent chance of attracting
clientele.

Initially, you may want to try a technique that has worked for many
other creative scrapbooking aficionados – scrapbook "parties". These
get-togethers are akin to the "tupperware" gatherings made famous in
the 70s. Put simply, a friend offers to host a scrapbook party at his
or her residence for several persons interested in the world of
creative scrapbooking.

Your role at the scrapbook party will be to introduce them to creative
scrapbooking and to talk about what you can do for them. Obviously, it
will be crucial to bring along business cards (why not design handmade
"mini scrapbook cards" for the occasion?) as well as sample scrapbooks
you've created. Coupons for discount scrapbook services make nice
add-ons and will encourage scrapbook party guests to hire you. From
this party, you can expect to get a few "nibbles" and perhaps one or
two customers.

Naturally, it's essential to do a fabulous job on your first scrapbook
assignment. You must give it "your all"; that way, your client will
have a reason to brag about and show off your customized (and
exceptional) creative scrapbooking services to friends, family, and
coworkers. You can also use your satisfied customer (if he or she
agrees) as a "spokesperson" for your creative scrapbooking business in
future advertising campaigns.

Next … Beyond Marketing 101
In the final article of our three-part creative scrapbooking business
piece, we'll examine particularly creative scrapbooking business
marketing ideas and provide hints on running your creative
scrapbooking company wisely, ethically, and efficiently.

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life
Imprints, a creative scrapbooking supplies company also offering
contemporary picture frames, in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the
photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find
creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Cardello

Organizing Scrapbooking Supplies - It's Not As Hard As You Might Think

By Christine Perry

You love scrapbooking, but you do not like having to clean up the mess
that is made during the process. Often tired after working on your
albums, you just shove all of your supplies in a drawer or box.
However, this only makes the problem worse, because the next time you
decide to scrapbook you often have to sort through everything to find
what you need. You need some advice about organizing your supplies.

The first step towards organizing your scrapbooking supplies is to
spread all of your scrapbook materials out on your work table and sort
them into piles. For example, you might have a group for
embellishments, another group for pens, another group for paper, and
another group for ribbons.

Once you have sorted your different supplies into groups, the next
step in organizing your materials is to find something to put them in,
like storage containers and boxes. Now, this all has to do with how
big your scrapbooking supply stash is. For example, if you are an avid
scrapbooker and have a significant amount of paper and embellishments,
you should get a large plastic shelving unit with several shelves.
This can be easily purchased for a reasonable price at your local
department store. You might even consider a large armoire that is
specifically made for storing scrapbooking and craft supplies.

Another option is for you to get separate bins for each group of
materials, and place them in a stacking fashion in the corner of
whatever room you have designated specifically for crafts. However, if
you do not have such a room in your home, you can purchase bins that
also look very much like furniture.

The key to organizing hobby supplies is making sure they are easy to
find when it comes time to work on a project. Also, it is important to
put everything away neatly. For example, if you like using ribbons in
your scrapbooking projects, you should make sure they do not just all
get thrown in together, because that can result in them becoming
tangled.

It is also important to remember that you can buy as many storage and
organization tools as you want, but it really all comes down to how
organized you are as a person. In fact, if money is no object, it is a
good idea to hire a professional organizer to handle everything for
you!

If you would like more information on supply organization and storage,
search the internet, especially on forums where people who share your
love of scrapbooking share advice on how to keep everything organized.
There are even entire books on organizing scrapbooking materials.
Check your local craft store for these books and scrapbooking
magazines with articles on craft room design and supply storage.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of
scrapbooking experience. Her favorite photography and scrapbooking
subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website,
http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking ideas and circle
journal themes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

Starting a Successful Creative Scrapbooking Business, Part I

By Michelle Cardello

Creative scrapbooking has taken the world by storm. It's relaxing,
fun, social… and, let's face it, incredibly addictive! After all, what
scrapbooker doesn't smile with pride when she or he finishes a
decorative project?

If you have the talent to create eye-catching, creative scrapbooks,
you can actually turn your hobby into a lucrative creative
scrapbooking career. In this three-part series, we'll show you some of
the secrets to running a home-based creative scrapbooking company that
regularly adds extra coins to your coffers!

Why Creative Scrapbooking?
People from all walks of life have photos and mementoes cluttering
their homes. They'd love to organize and arrange them, but don't have
the time (or, in some cases, the ability.) That's where you, as a
professional scrapbooker, can step in!

Through creative scrapbooking, you can create delightful,
entertaining, and touching memory books that will be certain to have a
very long shelf life. Imagine… your scrapbook creations could someday
become precious family heirlooms passed down from generation to
generation!

What Types of Scrapbooks Sell?
Creative scrapbooking is an incredibly versatile field because you
have virtually no boundaries. Graduation scrapbooks, family tree
scrapbooks, baby scrapbooks, wedding scrapbooks, and achievement
scrapbooks are only a few of the countless styles of creative
scrapbooking inventions you can market.

Use your imagination; anything that's relatively flat can go into a
scrapbook, so the sky's the limit.

Can Scrapbooking Really Be Profitable?
Creative scrapbooking, as with any legitimate business, won't make you
rich overnight. But if you're determined and plan your creative
scrapbooking operation pragmatically, you can absolutely make money
from this burgeoning industry.

Best of all, creative scrapbooking is a low overhead industry. You'll
need to start with a modest amount of scrapbooking supplies, but you
can build your stock over time thanks to fast shipping and wholesale
prices offered at Internet scrapbooking supply stores.

How Can I Start Professionally Scrapbooking?
Obviously, the first step to starting a creative scrapbooking company
(even one with a single employee, aka "you") is to develop a business
plan. This document should include an overview, financial information
(including income and expense projections, marketing ideas, local
competition statistics, and realistic growth rates.

Though you may not be able to find exact data to work into your
creative scrapbooking business plan, try to be as complete as
possible. The more information you include, the better your chances of
success.

Do I Need Any Formal Training?
Though there are no credentials needed to call yourself a creative
scrapbooking pro, you may want to take a few community courses on
scrapbooking design. Doing so will keep you "in the know" as far as
the latest products and trends are concerned; it will also provide you
with fresh ideas to propose when working with clientele.

What Do I Need in Terms of Stock?
One of the most essential items you'll need to start a creative
scrapbooking venture is scrapbooking paraphernalia. Chances are, you
already have some supplies around your home, but if they aren't
organized, it's time do so.

Invest in some bins (dollar stores have a plethora of options) and
label them according to scrapbooking supplies, such as stickers,
papers, backgrounds, adhesives, albums, markers, scrapbooking
magazines (for inspiration), and borders. This way, you'll always know
exactly how much of each scrapbooking necessity you have and can order
more before you run out.

Do I Need to Rent a Space for My Scrapbooking Business?
Though it would certainly be wonderful to have an "offsite" locale for
your creative scrapbooking enterprise, it's more likely that you'll
need to make due with your current digs.

Anything from a corner of your family room to a renovated closet can
serve as your creative scrapbooking "headquarters". Just make certain
that you have enough space and light to work your magic and store your
scrapbooking supplies!

What Will I Tell My Family?
If you're worried about "breaking" the news to your family that you're
setting off on an entrepreneurial scrapbooking journey, you're not
alone. Many first-time business owners are reticent to reveal their
plans to loved ones for fear that their significant others will not be
supportive.

With that said, it's critical to the long-term success of your
creative scrapbooking business that you have the "buy in" of your kin.
So take a deep breath, muster up all your courage, and boldly state,
"I'm going to become a professional scrapbooker! And when the money
starts coming in, the first dinner out is on me!"

The Next Step
Are you eager to start your creative scrapbooking adventure? In our
next article, we'll explore how to set your prices and market and
advertise your home-based scrapbooking services…

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life
Imprints, a creative scrapbooking supplies company also offering
contemporary picture frames, in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the
photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find
creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Cardello

The 7 Scrapbooking Supplies Essential For The Serious Scrapbooker

By Caroline Smith

Buying scrapbooking supplies has never been simpler, with the huge
variety of products available online these days. From albums and paper
to all kinds of embellishments, the internet can be a fantastic place
to buy your scrapbook supplies. Whether you're a beginner or an
experienced scrapper you should be able to find a huge variety of
scrapbooking accessories and equipment to help you put your creative
ideas into practice. Web sites are also great places to find lots of
free scrapbooking ideas to inspire you to try out new techniques and
experiment with different page layouts.

There are so many scrapbooking supplies on sale these days, that it
can be a bit daunting for new scrapbookers to know where to start! The
seven essential items that are needed for all scrapbooks include
album, refill pages, cardstock and acid-free adhesive. Good quality
scissors are important, and a paper trimmer can be very useful.
Acid-free, permanent pens are crucial for journaling and other
annotations. Then there is the huge variety of scrapbook materials
designed for decorating your pages, including stickers, frames and die
cuts, as well as paper piecing patterns and stencils. You can use your
imagination and have a lot of fun with embellishments!

One way to save time when deciding on what supplies you need is to buy
a pre-packaged scrapbooking kit. Ready made kits come in a big choice
of themes, and contain a coordinated selection of products related to
a specific theme, such as weddings, travel or babies. Using a kit can
make it quicker and easier to plan your scrapbook layouts, at the same
time giving you the flexibility to come up with a unique look and add
your personal touches. If you like to use digital scrapbooking
software, there are loads of downloads and CDs available to help you
build your pages on your computer.

The Internet is a brilliant source of all sorts of scrapbooking
supplies and ideas to help you preserve your treasured photos in a
unique and memorable way.

Caroline Smith is an author and regular contributor to
free-scrapbooking-ideas.com - An online resource packed with hints and
tips on free scrapbooking ideas, scrapbooking supplies and scrapbook
kits for every scrapbooking enthusiast.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Smith

Starting Your Own Scrapbook Club

By Susie Cortright

Before I discovered the world of scrapbooking, I was inexplicably
drawn to my local office supply store. I loved to stand in an aisle
surrounded by the different colors of copy paper. And the pens!

At the time, I thought this was really strange. (So did my family).
And then I discovered that there are a lot of people who share this
fascination. I realized that there is an entire industry that caters
to my obsession with patterned paper and coordinating embellishments.

Then I discovered that these people also form clubs where they get
together, share ideas, and eat chocolate. What could be better?

Scrapbooking clubs are the quilting bees of the modern era. When you
join – or form – a scrapbook group, you create a regular time to meet
with creative, loving, and family-centered friends.

Carving out a regular time to meet is an ideal way to create and
maintain these meaningful friendships. Plus, as everyone gets together
to work with family photographs and poignant memories, conversations
tend to be deep and meaningful, too.

You can start your own scrapbooking club by asking yourself these questions:

--> How often do you want to meet?
How frequently do you want to hold group meetings (or crops)? Weekly,
twice-monthly, monthly?

It's best to get a consensus from group members as to which day works
best, as well as which time of day. Will you need child care – and how
many people will be pitching in for the sitter? How many people do you
want in your scrapbook club?

The group dynamic varies greatly if you have 12 people, versus 30 or
more. Decide in advance how many people you think will comprise an
ideal group. Do you want an intimate gathering of friends – or the
energy of a larger collaboration?

--> Where do you want to host the crop?
You can start out at your home, if you have the space. Or you can ask
if the scrapbookers in your club would like to rotate houses.

For larger groups, consider churches, community centers, or conference
rooms. Often churches and businesses will be very receptive to
providing space for this type of gathering. Scrapbooking is a fun,
family-oriented activity, which places of worship and community
centers generally love to embrace.

--> Do you want to charge membership dues?
If you have to pay for your scrapbooking space, you'll probably want
to recoup those costs. If you are going to provide instruction (or
food or a babysitter) - simply charge reasonable dues from each member
to cover your costs. Many scrapbookers are accustomed to paying for
this type of scrap space.

--> What will you serve?
You can serve food - or not. I like to keep things really simple. I
have a simple basket of cold Evian bottles - which I stock up on when
there's a sale.

The best foods to serve don't leave anything behind, so stay away from
anything that would make it necessary for guests to wash their hands
with each bite. If you're going to serve finger food, use toothpicks.
And – for the chocolate fix - M&Ms are wonderful because they really
do melt in your mouth and not in your hand.

--> How structured would you like your meetings to be?
Some scrapbooking clubs will invite Instructors to teach a variety of
more advanced techniques. Check with your local scrapbooking store and
direct sales consultants to see which classes might be available.

Tip: You – or one of your club members – might want to consider
becoming a consultant yourself in order to supply the group with
product and training in the latest techniques (direct sales consulants
often receive this training from their teams and from the company
themselves, ie. http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/business.htm )
Then you can earn a profit and the club can earn and share the free
hostess rewards. Free scrapbooking goodies for all! Or you can
schedule your crop around a monthly scrapbooking club kit, ie.:
http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking/scrapbook-club It's fun to see
the different projects that each club member comes up with, using the
same supplies. Plus, some monthly club kits(like the one cited above)
come with idea sheets and an artist/designer gallery of club
creations.

--> What is the best way to set up the meeting space?
Make sure the lighting is adequate and that each guest has enough
table space. You can set everyone up on your dining room table, or –
if you have the space, create a more elaborate configuration. One idea
I found on the Two Peas in a Bucket (http://www.twopeasinabucket.com)
message board is to create a square from 2 8-foot tables and 2 6-foot
tables. This configuration will comfortably accommodate 8
scrapbookers.

It's fun to have some community tools on one table, too. I have the
basics: trimmers, Coluzzle, Silent Eyelet Setter, a mini sewing
machine, etc.

I also like to bring a selection of my favorite idea books and
scrapbooking magazines, especially those that feature seasonal project
ideas.

And place a small gift bag or paper lunch sack in the center of each
table for little scraps. This goes a long way in helping to keep each
workspace organized and clutter-free. You can also set a relaxing (or
energizing) mood with your choice of soft background music.

--> How will you find club members?
If you don't already have a group of scrapbooking friends (or you want
to find more), simply announce your group in the community.

Word of mouth is the best way to do this. Ask your scrapbooking
friends to bring their scrapbooking friends to the club meetings.

You can also post flyers and announcements on community bulletin
boards in libraries, grocery stores, community centers, etc.

Check to see if your local newspaper will run a free ad in the
Community Notes section before each scheduled crop. For example: "Free
Scrapbooking Crop. All levels of experience welcome.
Instructor/designer on hand to answer questions and provide
instruction. Come have fun and meet new friends. Time and location.
Your contact info."

You can also send email invites to all your friends. Evite.com
(http://www.evite.com) is a great tool for keeping track of invitees.
Simply pitch your crop night as a "girls' night out" (or "mom's night
out") where you'll get important things done (and it never hurts to
let them know you'll have chocolate on hand.)

Have a great time meeting new scrapbooking friends and inspiring one
another to complete cards, layouts, and gifts-from-the-heart in your
new scrapbooking club.

About the author:
Susie Cortright is the founder of Momscape's Scrapbooking Playground.
Subscribe to her free twice-monthly scrapbooking newsletter, featuring
best-of-the-net design ideas, advanced techniques, and money-saving
specials on supplies – here: http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susie_Cortright

Digital Scrapbooking - Is It For You?

By Patricia Frye

The concepts of digital artwork are making their way into the
mainstream; so is the digital scrapbook. Certainly, we have a basic
understanding of what digital art is, but what about digital
scrapbooks? Is it the same as digital art?

They are both very similar and different at the same time in many ways
but we are not here to get into a deep discussion on their differences
and similarities. We are here to focus on digital scrapbooking as an
alternative to the traditional paper scrapbook making.

Traditional scrapbooks are made by hand with several different
materials such as papers, pens, letter cut outs, adhesives, and any
other embellishments you can think of. The main principle is; to
create a wonderfully decorated page that would give a better meaning
to the message that you want to send with your page. Digital
scrapbooking works on the same principles. You create unique page with
decorations to enhance the meaning of your message.

What sets the two apart is the way you go about achieving this
principle. As I mentioned, traditional scrapbooking uses physical
materials to achieve what you want. Digital scrapbooking on the other
hand uses computer graphics to replace these traditional materials.
You may say it is harder to work on a page design using the computer
than on an actual page (traditional scrapbook). But, honestly, it is
almost the same.

Take for instance, the following example:

The traditional scrapbook is started on a background or layout
(sometimes called a template). Then pictures, text, and embellishments
are placed in a pleasing arrangement. The process goes like this: you
place the pictures on the background, place some embellishments of
your preference, and write some text (called journaling).

The digital scrapbook works on computer software with all the
available digital embellishments and fonts at your disposal. You are
using scanned pictures or pictures from your digital camera that will
be placed on a chosen background. Put some text and add more design if
you want. Then, with a bit more editing on the colors and borders, you
have created a digital scrapbook page.

(Speaking of software. There are several software that will let you
create digital scrapbooks. These are Microsoft(R) Digital Image Pro,
Photoshop(R) Elements or Adobe(R) Photoshop(R), Ulead PhotoImpact(R),
or Corel Paint Shop Pro(R), to name only a few.) If you weren't sure
about laying out any money before actually trying digital
scrapbooking, tHere are several free photo editing programs that you
can download from the internet that do as well for making digial
scrapbook pages as the paid programs. They include The Gimp and
Photobie.

More often than not, it is easier to create a digital scrapbook than a
traditional one. This is because the software that lets you create a
digital scrapbook can come with ready to use templates for text and
backgrounds, not to mention the editing tools you will need. These
features make it easier to create one unique page. Downloadable
templates are always readily available over the internet to expand
your choices as well as fonts for text, digital designer
embellishments and backgrounds. I know it sounds intimidating for the
novice but really, it is so super simple you'll be on your way to
creating your digital scrapbook in no time!

To further illustrate how a digital page is created, without getting
program specific, here are some general steps to follow:

· Create a new image from a blank canvas

· Define the size of the page you will use.

· Add your photo

Your photos will determine the color scheme of the layout, therefore,
you may want to first decide what picture you are going to use.

To add a photo, you must first have one on your computer. You can
either scan pictures or take them from your digital camera.

Now that you have a determined the size of your canvas and which photo
you want to use, it is time for you to select your background. Here
again, the choices are endless. You can download images from the
internet (there are many designers of scrapbook papers, ribbons and
elements that offer them for free or purchase and they are already
fully coordinated with a theme) or you can actually use your photo as
the background.

· Add the text and embellishments

Ready made texts and embellishments are one good feature of digital
scrapbooking software. This helps you to put those important touches
on your page quickly and easily.

· Apply some finishing touches

Final editing is as important as placing everything in order. Make use
of built in features such as drop shadows, embossing effects and
others. This helps your page look more attractive since it helps to
highlight whatever you want to be the focus.

Patricia Frye is an avid scrapbooker and has most recently enjoyed the
fun and creative freedom that designing digital scrapbook pages and
elements for her own and her family's scrapbooking endeavors have
given her and blogs about it here

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_Frye

How To Use Vellum For Scrapbook Ideas

By Vicki Churchill 

 

Vellum is a high quality strong paper that originally could only be produced in cream and white shades. Vellum can now be purchased in a variety of colors and designs including embossed and decorated.

Vellum Is a fantastic way of adding color, elegance and dimension when creating scrapbook pages. There are a multitude of techniques that can be incorporated to make everyday photos look amazing.

Vellum paper is transparent meaning this type of paper is especially nice to use if you want to soften a picture or scrapbook page layouts. Because vellum is not porous, adhesives and glues will show through the paper so it is necessary to find an adhesive that is designed for vellum paper or alternatively if you must use an adhesive that shows though use it sparingly and try to hide any unpleasant marks with either paper, embellishments or punch outs.

Alternatively a common way of attaching vellum in your scrapbook ideas is to use brads or eyelets. These items will hold the vellum in place and also embellish it at the same time.

When using vellum for your scrapbook ideas you will need to take extra care as the paper itself if extremely delicate. Take care not to smudge or crease the paper as this can look unsightly and spoil the crisp look that vellum gives. Always handle with clean hands as grease will easily show up on the paper.

Because you can see through vellum it is a great material for tracing. You can trace your scrapbook quotes or even pictures and simply cut them out giving an extra dimension for your scrapbook ideas.

I have recently been using vellum with a printer and have created some wonderful scrapbook quotes that really add the finishing touch to your scrapbook page layouts. It is essential to leave the ink to dry well before adding to your project as the ink will easily smudge. If you are printing more than one sheet remember to remove the first sheet from the printer once printed so the second sheet does not ruin it as it comes out.

One of the most effective scrapbook ideas for vellum is to tear it. Tearing the paper will produce a lovely soft look and inking the torn edges can really make it stand out.

Do not be afraid to experiment and try different ways of using vellum to discover what looks best on your page. You may find a photo that would look good with the vellum mounted under a photo or alternatively placing the vellum over part or the entire picture will give it a softer effect.

Vellum can be found in most craft stores and is easily available to purchase on the internet. It is more expensive than standard paper but in my opinion well worth the extra cost. Generally speaking the more elaborate the design the more you will pay with embossed and glittered vellum usually being the most expensive.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Scrapbook Ideas providing you with excellent tips and ideas for creating stunning Scrapbook Layouts. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill

Using Scrapbook Kits to Create Scrapbook Albums

By Audrey Okaneko

 

Not only do scrapbook kits help you save money, they also have enough supplies to help you create your first scrapbook pages.

Scrapbook kits are designed to put everything you need into one package. Scrapbook kits come in themes based on color, based on theme or even based on season. Most kits will contain everything but the album itself.

So, what can you expect in your scrapbook kit? There should be an assortment of paper, both patterned and solid color. You should also have some stickers and some embellishments. Some of the kits I've purchased have both diecuts and cut-outs, some have only one or the other. I also only choose kits that contain cardstock in addition to the patterned and solid paper. Cardstock is what I use to mount photos, create borders and decorate.

Kits tend to be completely coordinated, meaning that all patterns and colors mix and match with everything else inside the kit. For example, a fourth of July kit will contain paper that is all red white and blue. If ribbon is included, it too will be red white and blue. Everything in the kit matches everything else in the kit. Many kits have enough paper to create 6-10 pages.

We mix and match all of our kits whenever we work on a scrapbook. As your collection of scrapbook kits grows, you'll find that you can complete an entire album from only those supplies you already have.

As you decide which supplies to buy to create your first scrapbook, consider buying a couple of kits that you can mix and match together.

Audrey Okaneko has been scrapbooking for several years. She can be reached at audreyoka@cox.net or visited at http://www.scrapping-made-simple.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Audrey_Okaneko

Getting Started With Do-It-Yourself Scrapbooking

By Sandy Burke

 

So, the good news is you visited several different scrapbook stores and you found different scrapbook kits that triggered your desire to be a budding scrapbooker. The bad news is you also learned that these kits, scrapbooking magazines, and materials can be quite expensive and you aren't sure you can afford to be a scrapbooker. Well, don't despair, if you're interested in scrapbooking but don't have the initial budget to buy the expensive materials and scrapbook guides, read on for a simple guide for getting started with Do-It-Yourself scrapbooking.

Focus on the Basics

Just as in doing artworks and crafts, scrapbooking does require a lot of materials and supplies, but this doesn't mean that you have to spend a huge amount of money to begin scrapbooking. Today, many different products are being offered by the scrapbooking industry and I think these products can be very beneficial when you are scrapbooking, However, when you are first getting started they can also be quite expensive.

If you are just a beginner, don't let yourself be overwhelmed by these products. Instead, just focus on buying the basic scrapbook materials and supplies like:

• Papers and Cardstocks (the foundation of the scrapbook page)

• Album and Sheet Protectors (comes in different sizes and colors)

• Scissors or Paper Trimmers (allows you to cut lines without hassle)

• Adhesive (that is inexpensive but easy to use)

• Photo Tabs / Photo Splits (keeps the back of the photos clean and easily removed)

• Journaling Tools (such as a wide variety of pens)

Don't forget… all your supplies should be acid-free and lignin-free to ensure safe preservation of your photos.

Learn the Basic Scrapbooking Techniques

Scrapbooking magazines can be quite expensive since they are created for a special segment of the market. If your budget is tight at the beginning but you still want to create scrapbook, it will pay to start pumping out your creative juices and creating your own style.

Although you do want to create your own style, you can still get some great ideas from the Internet about the basic techniques used in scrapbooking. Here are some basic scrapbooking techniques that you can use in creating your D-I-Y scrapbook.

Inserting Eyelets

Eyelets are a great means of attaching things to an album or a page, or to add color and embellishment to your pages. Eyelets usually come in various shapes and sizes that can help focus attention to a point in the page.

To insert an eyelet, you need a puncher, an eyelet setter, a hammer and a mat. Select the place where you would want to insert the eyelet and lay the paper on the mat face up. Hold the punch upright and use the hammer to hit the top of the punch. After this, you can now insert the eyelet and turn the paper over. You can also place the eyelet setter on top of the eyelet and then tap the top of the eyelet setter using the hammer to flatten the eyelet ridge.

Paper Piercing and Using Patterns

Another basic technique that you can use for your D-I-Y scrapbook project is paper piercing and the use of patterns. To use patterns, lay a piece of tracing paper over the pattern. Draw over the outline with a pencil and transfer the pattern to paper. Now place the tracing on the patterned paper and slip the transfer paper underneath to draw over the lines. To create a paper-pierced embellishment, just follow the steps in using patterns then cut out the pattern pieces.

In addition to the two techniques mentioned above, using chalk and vellum papers can also create some wonderful scrapbooks.

As you can see, you can get started scrapbooking and not break your budget. So get started and enjoy yourself!

For more information and tips on scrapbooking, visit my website at http://www.scrapbooking-advisor.com and sign up for my weekly newsletter. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sandy_Burke

Learn How To Scrapbook - Free Scrapbooking Ideas?

By Shane Higginbottom

 

If you are new to scrapbooking like I was and you have no idea where to begin, I understand! we have a 6 year old boy and tons of photos. SO we decided we need to learn how to scrapbook.

You probably got interesting in scrapbooking by a friend maybe even a scrapbooking consultant. OR maybe you even thought you would learn how to scrapbook at a scrapbooking party. Learning how to scrapbook is really not all that hard.

I remember going to my first scrapbook party,(what a disaster) because I'm the crafty one in our relationship my girlfriend suggested I go to this scrapbook party. She nagged me "if you want to learn how to scrapbook, you're going to go to this scrapbook party" So I went... and I left so frustrated Why? I was hoping to find some scrapbooking tips techniques.

1.) It was full chattering women who wanted nothing more than to just show pictures of their kids, which is all fine and good.

2.) AND because it cost me $10 to make a page that could only fit in some pricey albums that I didn't even like.

3.) I felt i was just being sold scrapbooking supplies.

4.) I was given little to NO guidance from the scrapbooking consultant and wound up cropping my photos way to small. SO I was a little peeved by the whole experience.

Well, as you can pretty much guess, it didn't leave me felling like I wanted to scrapbook, Never mind trying to figure out how to scrapbook in a way I would enjoy!

So a few days later, after I cooled off, I did some searching in craft stores. Looking for books about how to scrapbook. I was looking for some free scrapbooking page ideas. Was I shocked that there was nothing really available. So I went online and did some searching. I started reading everything I could find, but found the information too vague or not really related. Yes there's lots of information out there probably a bit too much in fact theres a dizzying amount of scrapbooking information - way to many choices, way too many ideas about how to go about it, but nothing step by step here's "how you scrapbook" And here I thought technology was supposed to make it easier !! WRONG...

For me personally at the beginning I find that simple scrapbooking page ideas are the ones best suited to me. They accomplish what I need by just getting my photos out of the box and into albums. Simple scrapbook pages also can be a lot less work, with just as nice results!

shane higginbottom is a scrapbooking fanatic and has been scrapbooking for a few years now. After learning how to scrapbook he has decided to share his his scrapbooking page ideas in a casual and informative way. Come visit How to scrapbook Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shane_Higginbottom

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