Advanced Scrapbooking Techniques

By Santo Gallo

 

When it comes to scrapbooking, you'll find that you'll become bored with beginning practices quickly. It won't take long before you'll start experiencing with advanced techniques to enhance your scrapbooking projects. The best way to gain experience with different scrapbooking techniques is to simply implement them into your projects. The more you use them, the easier they'll become. Here are some advanced scrapbooking techniques to get you started.

First, you may want to begin saving all of your leftover scrapbooking scraps. These extra bits of materials may be used together to create their own mosaic style. Simply take all of your scrap pieces and cut them into small pieces. Now, you can glue all of the small pieces into a mosaic. If you glue them onto a sheet of paper that is a contrasting color, you'll get a great effect. By continually saving all of your scaps, you'll find that you will have an endless supply of mosaics to work with.

Another advanced technique that delivers great results is the Matchbook Scrapbook. This technique creates a small scrapbook that resembles a matchbook. When the matchbook is opened it displays a small picture and any little details that you decided to add. These are miniature-sized scrapbooks and provide wonderful results. With a computer printer, you can easily shrink your photos to matchbook size to ensure that they fit perfectly within their tiny borders.

A simple but advanced technique is to use decorative scissors for cutting your papers. The added embellishment will enhance your pages and save time as well. You can choose from a number of different scrapbooking scissors that are available on the market. Bu using decorative scissors creatively and cutting images close to the lines, you can create realistic images that pop out of the scrapbook. Try experimenting with different backgrounds, scissors, and images until you get a 3-D effect that brings your scrapbooks to life.

Likewise, you can use creative punching techniques to add pizzazz to your projects as well. Combine cuts and punches to make a unique one of a kind effect. A great technique is to use your punch and then weave ribbon, cords, silk threads, embroidery floss, or decorative yarns through the holes. This will create a distinctive border and looks magnificent when finished.

Many people think only about the cut outs and the embellishments that they are going to use when scrapbooking. However, it is also important to pay close consideration to the background that you will be using as well. You don't have to use a plain color background. You can lay a foundation by sponging, stamping, gluing, and decorating the background paper before you begin the actual scrapbooking process. This is a great way to add spice to your project and jazz it up.

You'll find that there are so many creative options to choose when scrapbooking that you'll have no difficulty coming up with new ideas. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, using advanced scrapbooking techniques will strengthen your skill, enhance your projects, and provide a rich creative outlet for your scrapbooking ideas.

Visit http://www.funscrapbookshop.com to read more articles about the worlds best hobby. Articles are written by S.Gallo, an avid Scrapbooker for many years. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Santo_Gallo

Fast Journaling Ideas for Your Scrapbooking Page Layouts

By Christine Perry

 

Journaling is one of the most important elements for a scrapbooking page. Yet, it tends to be the most neglected. How often have you created a beautiful page layout and put the page aside to complete the journaling later? After completing another ten layouts, you have a stack of pages waiting for your journal blocks to be completed - the who, what, where, how and when. Journaling doesn't have to be difficult or time consuming. Consider these fast journaling ideas, and complete your pages in no time.

Use your own handwriting. You may not have perfect handwriting, or you may not think it is not attractive enough for your scrapbook. Handwriting adds a personal element to a page that will mean a lot when future generations see your album. Haven't you kept your child's handwritten Mother's Day cards, even with the messy writing and misspellings? Of course, you have. Even the most creative computer font can't hold that kind of sentimental value.

Bullet the details. Instead of trying to write a full narrative of the event you are scrapbooking, use short bullets to tell the story. Remember the details in the who, what, where, how and when, but make them short and sweet.

Create a list. If bullets aren't quick enough, forget the sentences. Just make a list. Perhaps, you could list all the reasons you love that picture or all the people who attended the event.

List the agenda. This works well for long events, like a vacation. Write out your agenda for the trip and include that in a journaling block. You could use an agenda for a graduation or a wedding as well. Give the times and list each activity for that special day.

Write a letter. Open with "Dear" and end with "Love." Write a letter to the person in the photo on your page. Tell your child what your hopes and dreams are for her, or thank your mother for all she's done for you.

Journaling doesn't have to be a challenge. With some creativity, you can make your journaling blocks more meaningful while you are documenting your memories. Don't wait until you forget the details. Pick up that stack of layouts waiting for your journaling, and try one of these ideas to complete those pages and get them into your album today.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking ideas and how to use scrapbooking page layout sketches. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

How to Make ABC Scrapbooking Albums

By Christine Perry

 

If you are unsure of what ABC scrapbooking albums are, quite simply they are albums for anyone or any event that work similar to a school book. Each page is a different letter of the alphabet, in order from A to Z. ABC albums aren't meant to be just A-B-C in order with no real rhyme or reason, but they are supposed to center around a particular theme.

For example, suppose you wanted to make a baby ABC scrapbooking album. For the first page, you would have a phrase or words that start with A, such as "apple of our eye," "adorable," or "angel." You would decorate the page with embellishments or cutouts or other items that highlight these same words. If you used "apple of our eye," you would of course make it a red and apple green colored page, with apples or apple trees, along with a picture of your smiling baby. Your B page might have words and phrases such as "beautiful baby boy," "bath time" or "blessing from above." Your decorations could be anything that starts with a B, such as balls, bats, bells, bibs, and so on.

The real trick to ABC scrapbooking albums is that you want it to be obvious what you're doing with every page. The ABC order and the theme should be clear. For your pages, make sure you have several styles of the letter scattered throughout the page and on top of the elements and embellishments you are using so that it is obvious you are doing these letters in order.

Babies are not the only theme you can use for ABC albums. You can also do Christmas albums or other holidays, graduation albums, or albums that just have a certain someone's pictures. Usually you can find phrases, words, or elements to use that fit on every page. For instance, for weddings you could have announcements, aisle, altar, and arrangement, then bride, bouquet, best man, and so on. Each page simply needs to revolve around the next letter of the alphabet.

ABC scrapbooking albums make great gifts. Children love the idea of going through the alphabet on each page. Consider making an album for a child that lists all the people who love him from A to Z. For example, A is for Aunt Marge, B is for Betty and C is for Cousin Ann. Get creative with themes. How about a recipe ABC album for a bridal shower gift?

You can make ABC scrapbooking albums very simply if you just get creative with your words and phrases, and make sure to include that particular letter throughout the page. Mix up your lettering style from large block letters to script style. If you get stuck on certain letters, such as X, Q or Z, don't hesitate to cheat a little and check the dictionary, or take some creative license. X can be "x-tra special" or "x-cellent." After all, the entire point of any scrapbooking project is to be creative and whimsical.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more on beginner scrapbooking and scrapbooking tags. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

12x12 Scrapbook Albums - An Industry Standard?

By Christine Perry

 

Scrapbooking albums come in many sizes from 6x6, 8x8, 8 1/2x11 and the popular 12x12 format. Over the years as this hobby has become more and more popular, some album sizes have come and gone. The 8x10 album is much more difficult to find and so is the 12x14. Yet, the 12x12 has become the most common scrapbooking album available.

Why Are 12x12 Albums So Popular?

When the scrapbooking craze took off in the 1990s, Pioneer and Creative Memories, the predominant acid-free album manufacturers at the time, both offered 12x12 albums. This size gives you a square foot of space and seems perfect to give enough room for photos, journaling and a few embellishments. The most common size for snapshots is 4x6, and 12x12 accommodates that photo size very well. Yet, it can still handle portrait sizes like 5x7 and 8x10. Since this format is square, it works well with balancing page elements and creating 2-page layouts.

The Challenge of 12x12 Storage

For many years, 12x12 storage was nearly impossible. Containers seem to be cursed to hold only standard letter-size or legal-size paper. Before scrapbooking manufacturers responded to the needs of scrapbookers stocking massive quantities of paper and supplies, it was common to see crops and workshops filled with large Rubbermaid tubs filled with their supplies. Now, we have so many more choices, including totes on wheels and storage bins in the 12x12 size. You can even go to your local Target and pick up a rolling cart with 12x12 bins.

The Scrapbooking Industry Makes 12x12 A Standard

You certainly still can find a variety of scrapbooking album sizes, but the 12x12 album has dominated the scrapbook paper industry in recent years. In the beginning we had albums with paper pages in black or white. We added our photos and embellishments directly to these pages. Now, top-load pages are the most common. Using a 12x12 sheet of paper, a page slides into an acid-free plastic page protector that is then inserted into the album. You can find many sizes of open paper stock, but 12x12 is definitely the most widely available format for individual paper purchases. Most page kits also come in this size, and the majority of monthly scrapbooking clubs have stayed with this standard format.

12x12 and the Digital Age

Even digital scrapbooking, the newcomer to the craft, has taken to the 12x12 album. Scanners are available with flatbeds in this size. These scanners are still quite expensive in comparison to their letter-size counterparts. Printing the 12x12 size scrapbooking page is a challenge since most desktop printers use letter-sized paper. However, online photo processing services are now offering 12x12 prints in response to digital scrapbookers who prefer to use the that format.

The Future of 12x12 Albums

The 12 x 12 album is here to stay. It not only won over the traditional scrapbookers, but it has been embraced by the digital scrapbooking fans as well. Trends are moving towards album kits with coordinated papers and embellishments, and these are leaning towards smaller sizes like the 8x8. Yet, for everyday scrapbooking, 12x12 is still going strong.

Christine Perry is an avid scrapbooker and has over 10 years of scrapbooking experience. Her favorite scrapbooking subjects are her reluctant teenagers. She invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more on scrapbooking supplies and scrapbooking annual sales. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Perry

Scrapbooking, a Hobby You Can Share With Your Child

By Jeffrey Meier

 

Would you like to spend more time with your child? Would you like to be doing something special with that time? Have you ever thought about scrapbooking with your child?

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby. It is a great way to secure and document your memories through pictures, photographs, written descriptions, etc. By sharing this hobby with your child, you are not only sharing these special moments again, you are making new memories.

If you decide to share this hobby, first make sure that each of you has his/her very own scrapbook. Then you will not have to worry about your child messing up yours and it gives you both a chance to show your own distinct creative ideas.

When picking out a scrapbook for your child, consider the child's age and your child's interest in scrapbooking. If the child is young or if the child isn't really into scrapbooking but just going along with it to please you, buy the child a much smaller scrapbook than you buy for yourself.

Next gather up some pictures, special news paper clippings, photographs, etc. Together, sit down and sort these out into two piles, one for you and one for your child. If you find some photos or clippings are extra special, you may want to go and have these copied. Then one of your scrapbooks will not be lacking.

Once you have the pictures, photographs and clippings, you and your child may want to go to a hobby store and buy some supplies. Allow the child some input in picking out the supplies. Yes, some of the stickers and some of the markers may not be colors you prefer. But remember he/she will be decorating his/her own scrapbook. Allow him/her to do in his/her own style.

Some supplies you may want to consider buying is:

--Markers

--Stickers of all kinds

--Cute little dialogue balloon type stickers, some with prewritten phrases, some blank.

--Tape

--Glue

--Special scissors for scrapbooking used for giving a cut out a custom edge (jagged edges, curved edges, etc)

Once you buy all your scrapbooking materials, store them in a place, you will remember until both of you has the time to start your scrapbooking project.

When you start, you may want to begin by having the child place his/her name on the inside cover of the scrapbook, along with the date, or at least the year, along with his/her age. This will be something he/she may treasure years from now and seeing his/her own name in his/her own handwriting will surely be something endearing.

As for your scrapbook, you may want to give yours a title. You may want to title it by a holiday name, a year, or something of the kind. By giving it a title, later on, you will be able to recognize what is inside the scrapbook without even opening it.

You now may want to organize the photographs, pictures and clippings that you both plan on using. You can do this by date, by event or by person. You may not even have a full organized method. You may just want to do the scrapbook in a more freestyle mode, just picking and choosing as you go, in no real order.

First, securely position the photograph, picture or clipping to the scrapbook. You can do this with tape or glue. Now carefully label or write a description. You may now want to jazz the page up with some stickers or some art work. Let your imagination go wild and decorate it in any way you choose.

If your child is young, you may want to offer some suggestions on how to decorate the page. Plus, remember if you decide to use scissors, even the scrapbooking kind with the numerous jagged edges, etc, for edging projects, be sure to help the young children, to keep them from cutting themselves.

Talk and share memories as you share these special scrapbooking moments. You may even want to talk about such things you used to do as a child your parents.

Continue these scrapbooking events until each scrapbook is finished. Then if the child had a good time, go out and buy a new one. Hopefully, you will start a new tradition and a scrapbooking hobby that you can share with your child for years to come.

Jeffrey Meier of Jam727 Enterprises at http://www.Jam727.com offers information articles on a wide variety of subjects including Scrapbooking at http://www.jam727.com/scrapbooking/index.php Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Meier

8 Tips For Scrapbooking On A Budget

By Jannet Quinn

 

All scrapbook lovers know that scrap booking can get costly. Buying all the supplies, paper, trimmers and embellishments can add up quick. There are so many terrific items and if you're anything like me, you can really go overboard.

You don't have to spend a fortune, and you don't have to give up your passion if you are trying to save money.

1. Pool all unused scraps and materials together with scrap booking friends and swap with each other. Make it a routine to get together for challenging each other, material swaps and idea sharing.

2. Save all of your small scraps. You can make many things out of even the tiny scraps of materials.

3. Shop the internet for discounted items and wholesale prices. Online auctions are an incredible source for saving money on bulk items.

4. Go Digital- Search the internet for scrapbook freebies, use your computer, scan items to print your own papers, use digital photos or scan and save your hard copies.

5. Keep your eyes open for supplies and materials everywhere. Flea markets, garage sales, the classifieds, dollar stores, etc.

6. Keep your materials organized so that you can have a good inventory of what you already have and won't purchase more than you need.

7. Watch the sales - Most stores have seasonal clearance on craft supplies just as they do with clothing. They want to move out the "old" so that they can make room for the "new". If you are planning on scrap booking for years to come, you can really save big on those clearance items. Just be sure to organize and store them properly.

8. Use your imagination and be creative. Many inspiring words and photos can be found in magazines and coloring books, for example.

Jannet Quinn is a Work At Home Mom who manages Discount Digital Scrapbooking, your resource for finding the very best deals online for all your scrapbooking needs. Visit Discount Digital Scrapbooking for deep discounts on scrapbooking software, ideas, freebies, layouts and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jannet_Quinn

Scrapbooking Pet Page Ideas for a Unique Pet Album

By Christine Perry

 

Our pets are part of our families and our memories. Whether they are dogs, cats, hamsters or rabbits, they enrich our lives. Creating a pet-themed scrapbook album will preserve the special moments you share with them. Consider these scrapbooking pet page ideas to make an album just for your pet photos.

Everyone remembers the excitement of bringing home a new pet. Make a scrapbooking page about their first night at home. You can include pictures of your pet's new bed and any toys you bought for your pet. Photos with each family member should be highlighted as well. Journal your thoughts about how you selected your new companion and what inspired you to choose its name.

Another scrapbooking pet page idea is to capture your pet's personality on a page. This can be done through photos and journaling. Dogs might be lazy, energetic or neurotic. Cats can be affectionate, frisky or aloof. Hamsters might be friendly, shy or bold. Consider your own pet's behavior. Funny stories and memories would be a great addition to your journaling.

Create a scrapbooking page of pet memorabilia. You can use pockets and envelopes on your pages to add tufts of fur, old ID tags, baby teeth and labels from your pet's favorite food or treats. A pet-themed album can preserve your pet's adoption papers, paw print impressions, veterinary records and obedience training awards and certificates.

Obedience classes are great photo opportunities. Design pages that show your pet's progress through training courses. More people are involving their dogs in classes beyond basic obedience. Many active owners participate in agility training, fly ball and rally competition. Don't forget to include photos of these events in your dog's album.

Pets are part of our holiday celebrations. Create a Halloween page with your dog in a costume. Around the holidays, pet stores often offer pictures of pets with Santa. Pages of a kitten playing in the wrapping paper on Christmas morning or a puppy sleeping under the tree can be part of both your holiday album and your pet-themed scrapbook.

Document your pet's firsts like your dog's first visit to the veterinarian or your puppy's first bath. Photograph your puppy's growth over its first year. Create a "day in the life" page for your pet. Meal, nap and play times can be more opportunities to show your pet's behavior and personality in photos. Celebrate your pet's birthdays complete with cards, presents and cake. Then, make birthday scrapbooking pages for your album.

Scrapbooking manufacturers are responding to requests for pet-themed albums and embellishments. Most craft stores stock dog and cat stickers, and some even offer small animal stickers, like hamsters and rabbits. Patterned papers come with dog and cat themes. You can find materials for page accents, like die cuts, brads, ribbons, and stamps, designed for pet pages, as well.

Owning a pet is a relationship and a commitment. Pets provide companionship and their lives become part of ours. A pet-themed album is a reflection of your bond with your pet. Think about pet scrapbooking page ideas that capture the essence of your relationship with your pet. Make your next scrapbook one that celebrates the special moments you and your pet share.

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

Scrapbooking Kits - Will I or Won't I?

By Ian McWilliams

 

Scrapbooking Kits are ideal for the new scrapbooker. There are real basic types that let you get your feet wet whilst learning the basics. With all the options available, it would be easy for a newcomer to get confused about the many aspects of scrapbooking.

Using Scrapbooking kits allows you to gain confidence in craft and developing the necessary skills to become somewhat of an expert. One avenue in the future could be to become a scrapbook consultant whereas people hire you to do their layouts etc. The kits are ideal for someone who has had an interest in scrapbooking for years but found time was not in their favor. Children can also start their scrapbooking careers with a kit. It will encourage their imagination to run wild with respect to themes, layouts, embellishments and more.

Keep in mind that Scrapbooking kits are basic. With repeated use you could master this standard of scrapbooking in a few short months. This would then require you to advance to more appropriate levels of scrapbooking. That is where cost starts coming into it.

Your basic scrapbooking kit should contain the following to allow the basics of the craft to be met.

1. Album

2. Papers

3. Stickers

4. Stencils

5. Hole Punch

6. Photos

7. Scissors

This list could go on but you have a good start up list there. Remember, your budget will dictate your stock level. Your local stockist will have all you require to set the scrapbooking world on fire.

One last piece of advice. Please stay within your budget when selecting materials. Like a kid in a lolly shop, your scrapbooking haul could be huge by the time you walk out. Scrapbook to your hearts content.

More fantastic tips like this are included with my e-book, "How To Make Money Scrapbooking" and get started! Available at http://www.craigmcpherson.info Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_McWilliams

Basic Card Making

By J Isaacs

 

What could be more resourceful and fun than using your scrapbooking 'scraps' to make cards, note cards or even gift tags? The options are endless, and can be approached with the same mindset of creating a scrapbook page - keep it simple, make it personal, and all of your handy work will be much appreciated! So why not work your magic at a small scale and test out your new tools and papers by making cards for your friends and family? There are many simple approaches to this fun and easy form of art - take a look!

Start with any cardstock - a standard sized card is typically 4 ¼ x 5 ¾", which is made to fit into a standard 4 ½ x 6" envelope. So your paper's flat size should be 8 ½" x 5 ¾" wide. Then, once it's folded, you'll have your finished standard size. However, your card can ultimately be whatever size you'd like it to be, and it doesn't even need to be put inside of an envelope.

Embellishments - in the same fashion as a scrapbook page, you can add your embellishments to the outside and inside of your card. And the fun of making your own cards comes from adding dimension to them - they don't have to always be flat like store-bought cards. By using objects to personalize your cards, you can toss the envelope and create cards with lots of layers and dimension.

Other Decorations - rubber stamps, stencils, clip art...the list goes on. Wherever you find inspiration, whether it be in images or through words, you can find ways to decorate your cards. Use your favorite verse from a poem or Bible scripture to give your card special meaning. Use a set of rubber stamps to make a collage, then pencil them in with color, or use clip art to decorate children's cards, or you can use photos too.

Gift Sets - homemade cards are great gifts for any occasion. You can use a series of photos that you took at the local botanical garden and create a set of 12 unique cards. Or for the holidays, you can make someone's life so much easier by giving them a set of 20 of the same card for their Christmas card list.

Recycling Cards - throughout the year, we receive so many cards for various occasions. Birthdays, anniversaries, Thank You's and Get Well cards. Why not spread the love and recycle them for their professional images and color schemes! You can cut the front of the card apart to use certain elements to embellish your own card with borders for your photos or text. Pretty soon, you have a fancy recycled card! And as long as you don't sell your homemade card for money, you're free to use store-bought cards as much as you want!

However you approach card making, it's fun and easy, and each card becomes its own work of art, special for keeping, or for sharing as gifts!

In the interest of saving money and time http://www.basicsofscrapbooking.com has setup live auction tracking that continually updates with the latest auction deals on stickers, embellishments and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=J_Isaacs

5 Reasons Why Scrapbooking Should Be Your Next Hobby

By Nicole Fisher

 

Scrapbooks Protect Your Photos

Not only does a well-made scrapbook protect and preserve your photos, it also makes the photos themselves more fun to look at. Most people would much rather thumb through a scrapbook with its extra, fun touches than a plain photo album.

Scrapbooks Make Great Gifts

Because they are so personal, scrapbooks make a great gift for a loved one on a special day. Some especially good occasions to give a scrapbook as a gift are: weddings, anniversaries, milestone birthdays, graduations, and retirement parties.

Scrapbooks show that you put a lot of time and thought into your gift and can be a wonderful keepsake for the receiver.

Scrapbooking Is a Great Creative Outlet

Did you know that you have an artistic, creative side? Everyone does, it's just that not everyone uses it. Scrapbooking, with its colors, themes, cutting and pasting, writing, and arranging, is a great way to express your creativity. The best part is that all of that is enjoyable and so much fun!

Maybe you are one of those people that don't believe you can do any of that very well. Guess what? You're wrong! Even the most un-artistic person can copy a page layout that they found somewhere and really liked. Besides, it's hard not to be inspired when you have some great photos and some fun scrapbooking materials in front of you.

After a while you'll be adding your own personal touches to your pages, and soon you'll be creating your own completely unique layouts that you can be proud of.

Other Scrapbookers!

Nothing will help you make new friends faster than sharing a hobby with someone! Scrapbooking is an especially great hobby for sharing with friends. Many communities have scrapbooking clubs where scrapbookers can get to together to scrapbook, share ideas, show each other photographs, and talk for hours. Some craft stores also have a scrapbooking night for this same purpose (usually with the hope that people will buy a few things).

These scrapbooking nights or "crops", as they are called by scrapbookers, are a great way to get out of the house and spend some time socializing with other people. If you really need some time for yourself, get your club to put on a weekend scrapbooking retreat. It will be two days of nothing but scrapbooking fun!

Your town doesn't have a scrapbooking club? That's easy. Find some friends who scrapbook and start one! If you don't have some other scrapbookers in your life, you're missing out.

Scrapbooking Captures Precious Moments and Memories

In my opinion, this is the most wonderful thing about scrapbooking. The best way to explain it is with a quick story.

When I first started scrapbooking, my grandma was the person in my family most interested in my layouts. Every time she came over we would look through them together and she would point out the things she liked the most.

She was so interested that I finally decided to make a scrapbook with her. We put in photos of us together along with mementos of all the special times we could think of. It took a few weeks to finish, but we had a great time.

Two short months later she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and quickly slipped away. I'm so thankful that we were able to make that scrapbook together. Because now, whenever I miss her, I can just look through that scrapbook and smile at all the precious memories.

Nicole Fisher is a contributing writer for SuperScrapbookingIdeas.com, a fantastic resource for page layout inspiration, useful links, helpful tips, and tons of scrapbooking ideas. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nicole_Fisher

5 Valentine's Day Scrapbook Mini Album ideas

By Peata Hepi

 

Love is in the air and it is time to pull out your red and black patterned papers and all of those heart shaped embellishments to throw together in a mini album which is all about the love. Take a look through these 5 fabulous mini book theme ideas for your next Valentine's Day gift. We have something for everyone including your lover, your family and even your friends.

1. 10 things I love about you

Pick the 10 top reasons you love your partner and dedicate a page to each one.

2. Our Love Story This will be a love story about yourself and your partner. From the very first day that you both met until now and every moment in between.

- When did you meet?

- How did you meet?

- What were your first impressions?

- When did you know it was love?

3. Love coupons

This is a quick and easy gift idea for a loved one. Make up a book of vouchers and pop them into an Valentine's Day card or envelope. Try being really creative and alter an altoid tin or a small cigar box to hold your vouchers along with some candy hearts. Your love vouchers can entitle the bearer to

- One kiss

- A romantic dinner for two

- A night of house duties

- Breakfast in bed

4. The loves in my life A mini album to fill with everyone close to your heart not just your significant other.

5. Valentines Day A mini scrapbook keepsake to treasure. Remember every moment from this special day and base your album around it. Keep any small mementos from the day like dinner menus, matchbooks, movie or concert tickets.

I hope that with these ideas your are well on your way to completing the perfect Valentine's Day mini album. For more mini album ideas to create your Valentines gift visit Scrapbook-crazy.com There are mini album tutorials available for beginners and experts alike. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Peata_Hepi

Make Your Own Scrapbook Albums? Yes, You Can!

By Jeff McRitchie

 

Seasoned scrapbookers know that scrapbooking is an expensive hobby. In addition to costly tools, embellishments, and paper, there are expensive albums into which you insert your family's memories for safekeeping. Sometimes, we want to make event scrapbooks to share as gifts with family, friends, and coworkers, but the cost of these albums can be prohibitive. Fortunately, there is an alternative to traditional scrapbook albums that you purchase in the craft store. You can make your own album with your choice of acid free paper using spiral coil binding.

You can buy spiral coil in a variety of lengths and colors. No matter what the theme of your scrapbook, you can definitely find a coordinating color of coil since it is manufactured in over sixty colors. Some of the newer colors include spiral blue, dark purple, copper, tangerine, lilac, light teal, and charcoal.

In addition to spiral coil's color options, you can also customize your scrapbook's size through coil size selection. No longer must you choose standard sizes selected for you by the craft industry. You can choose to create books ranging in widths from a quarter of an inch up to two inches. Instead of settling for standard six, eight, eleven, or twelve inch lengths, you can go all the way up to three feet with spiral coil. Taking control of your binding allows you to experiment with different sizes and configurations so that you can create unique scrapbooks that are just perfect for the memories contained inside them.

You may think this type of binding equipment is expensive and is not a viable option for scrapbookers on a budget. That simply is not true. For crafters who make 8.5" x 11" scrapbooks, the GBC ProClick P50 is available for about $60. Compared to the price for one album, this equipment is a viable option-especially when it can be used to make album upon album. It will pay for itself in just a few projects.

If you are not an 8.5" x 11" scrapbooker, you will need to look for a machine that can bind scrapbooks of different lengths. The PC200 machine is more expensive (about $250), but it is much more customizable. This machine allows you to shift into creative overdrive since you can bind memory books ranging in length from one inch up to 21 inches long. In addition to its versatility, it uses plastic coils that are slightly less expensive than those used for the GBC ProClick machine.

Not only can spiral coil binding help you create scrapbooks and craft projects for you and your family to enjoy, it can also help you to make money. Think about putting together your own unique scrapbook kits to sell online or in local craft stores. Compared to what you can make-especially by offering products no one else has-the costs associated with binding equipment are minimal. There really is no limit to what sorts of projects you can put together using your imagination and the right equipment.

Jeff McRitchie is the director of marketing for MyBinding.com He writes extensively on topics related to Binding Machines, Binding Covers, Binding Supplies, Binders, Index Tabs, Laminators, Laminating Pouches and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_McRitchie

A Beginners Guide To Card Making Terms

By Vicki Churchill 

 

Acetate - Acetate is a plastic film that has many applications. You can stamp onto it using rubber stamps, use it for making shaker cards, and use it to make an image or embellishment appear to hang independently. You can also paint Acetate with glass paints and glitter glues.

Acid Free - Anything that is acid free is perfect for card making and scrap booking as it will not deteriorate or discolour. Acid free is simply a product that is manufactured free of acid.

Adhesive - Adhesive is something that is used to stick one material to another. Common craft adhesives include glue dots, glue sticks, double sided tape and photo stickers.

Bone Folder - A bone folder is used for scoring and folding paper and card. It is a flat piece of plastic or bone which is pointed at one end and round at the other.

Brads - Brads are available in a wide range of designs, shapes and colours. Brads have two prongs at the back which are pushed through the paper or card and then flattened to hold in place in much the same way as a split pin..

Brayer - A brayer is usually used to create backgrounds or to roll over two pieces of paper to help glue them together. A brayer is a roller that is soft and made of rubber.

Cardstock - Cardstock is a sturdy thick scrapbook paper which is available in many different thicknesses, weights and colors.

Cello Bags - Cello Bags are used to protect your cards and often used when making cards to sell. They are made from thin plastic which is transparent.

Clear Rubber Stamps - Clear rubber stamps are usually used with an acrylic block, clear stamps can be positioned how you like, and can be mixed and matched with other stamps that you add to the acrylic block.

Corner Punch - A corner punch is used for cutting corner shapes, usually to round off the corners of cards.

Craft Knife - A craft knife is an essential item for card making and scrapbooking. It is a very sharp pointed knife that has replaceable blades.

Cutting Mat - A cutting mat is used with the craft knife. It is a mat that protects the surface you are working on.

Decoupage - Decoupage is a technique used to decorate cards. It is a technique where you build up a 3D picture using several pictures as layers.

Die Cut - Is a term that means 'cut out shape'. The shape is usually cut from a metal template called a 'die'.

Distressing - Distressing is a method used to give your project an old and worn look.. This can be achieved in many ways including, stamping, crumpling, inking and tearing.

Double Sided Tape - Double sided tape is sticky on both sides and can either be flat or 3D.

Embellishment - An embellishment is used to decorate a handmade card or scrapbook page layout.

Embossing - A technique used when stamping to create a raised image.

Embossing Powder - Embossing Powder is a fine powder that is available in a variety of colors. Embossing powder is sprinkled over a stamped image and heated to create a raised impression.

Eyelets - Eyelets are metal fasteners with holes in the middle. They are attached to cards and scrapbook pages. Once attached ribbon and fibres can be passed through the holes.

Gel Pens - Gel pens come in many different colors and can be used to colour small areas in a precise color.

Glitter Glue - Glitter glue is glue that is pre mixed with very fine glitter. Glitter glue is usually white and dries clear.

Glue Dots - Glue dots are used to attach embellishments such as buttons or other heavy materials. They are extremely sticky and should not be removed once applied.

Heat Gun - A heat gun is used to heat embossing powder

Iris Folding - A technique where strips of paper are folded and overlapped to create a background in an aperture card.

Light box - A back lit box used with an embossing stencil. The light in the box transmits through the image so that it can be seen through card and paper.

Matting - Matting is also known as mat and layering. It is a technique where a layer of paper is built up to produce a frame around an image or embellishment.

Pigment ink - pigment ink is normally used for embossing because it is like a water based ink that dries slowly enabling the embossing powders to stick to it.

Rub Ons - Rub ons are transfers that are applied by rubbing with a lolly stick. Once applied they are permanent. They are commonly used on scrapbook page layouts and for card making ideas.

Scoring - A way of creating a line that can be used to fold a card.

Vicki Churchill writes for a site that specializes in Card Making Ideas also providing you with excellent tips and ideas for Scrap Booking The site also provides information on Poinsettia Rubber Stamps and why they are traditional for christmas. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vicki_Churchill

How To Start Digital Scrapbooking In 5 Easy Steps

By Delores Robinson

 

Digital scrapbooking is gaining in popularity rather quickly. However, to someone who is just getting started, it can seem like a daunting project to start. It doesn't have to be this way. You can start digital scrapbooking in 5 easy steps.

Step 1. Gather your gear. You'll need photo's on your computer. They can be photo's you've taken with your digital camera, photo's others have emailed you or old photo's you've scanned and imported to your computer. It doesn't matter how you got them on your computer, what's important is they are there!

Step 2. Decide which software you'll be using. There are two types of software for digital scrapbooking. Layout programs and photo editing programs. There are a host of layout programs for digital scrapbooking. Layout programs allow you to assemble and make digital scrapbook pages easily. They help you organize digital photo's, page themes and journaling. Sadly, many of these programs leave something to be desired for serioius digital scrapbooking. If you really want to try a layout program, give Pixel Magic a try.

The other type of program for digital scrapbooking is the Photo Editing software like Photoshop, Corel's Paint Shop Pro, Adobe Photoshop Elements or Microsofts Digital Image Pro. Paint Shop Pro and Adobe's Photoshop Elements are two of the most popular and easy to use Photo Editing software for digital scrapbooking. You can find online tutorials for each program if you don't already know how to use them.

Step 3. Create Your First Digital Scrapbook Page. Here is where the fun starts. You'll want to find some tutorials about laying pages out (layering), resolution count and creating your first basic page. You'll be choosing templates, photo's, embellishments, decorations and other elements for your first page. Don't get carried away, keep it simple until you get a few pages under your belt. You can then try new things and techniques.

Step 4. Store you newly created scrapbook page. There are a number of ways you can choose to store your digital scrapbook pages. You can save them as a high resolution JPG image, in the native format of the program you're using or as a low resolution JPG. Also, make sure you create proper folders on your computer for you digital scrapbook pages. Nothing is more frustrating than hunting for pages you know you created but can't find!

Step 5. Show off your pages. There are many services where you can choose to share your newly created digital scrapbook pages with friends, family and the whole Internet! You can also email them to other people, but be warned, the size of the scrapbook pages can get huge and you could fill up someones email box by sending them a huge file.

It really is this simple to get started with digital scrapbooking. There are many, many places on the web where you can get ideas for you own page. There are galleries of other scrapbookers finished pages, forums and blogs. There are no limits to the resources for a beginning scrapbooker!

Delores Robinson is an experiences scrapbooker. She spends her time helping newcomers to scrapbooking, designing scrapbooks or working on her site DIY Scrapbook Supplies You can find advice, tips and helpful advice as well as the latest scrapbooking supplies on her site. She also has the latest and coolest digital scrapbooking supplies to make your next scrapbook project really jump out! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Delores_Robinson

How to Design an Adoption Scrapbook for Your Child

By Lisa Copen 

 

.

Your child's adoption story can best be told through scrapbooking an amazing album that you can share with one another for many years, all the way to adulthood. As a new mom, however, good intentions are often put aside just trying to keep up with the daily tasks of parenthood. Our best keepsakes and photos end up stuffed into a closet, as we wait for the time in our lives when we will have enough of a chunk of hours to do the story for our child justice.

Don't postpone your child's adoption scrapbook any longer. It's important that they get to flip through this book and share in the photos long before they go off to the university.

Here are a few ideas to guide you in scrapbooking your child's adoption keepsake book (or a "lifebook" as some call it):

[1] Write everything down. As a new parent it's easy to believe you will remember every special moment, but in no time you'll be making loads of memories and some of your favorites will fade.

[2] Record what you know for your child which is appropriate for his or her little ears. Perhaps you were able to spend some time with the birth mom and you have some personal reflections on how kind she was. Or maybe you have no information at all if your child was adopted from an orphanage. It's important to be honest but it also needs to be something that you can read from your book to your 5-year-old. If your child's birth mom has many other children which she is still raising, or your child was the result of an abusive situation, this isn't appropriate for the book.

[3] Layout the photos you want to use. You don't have to use all of them, just the ones that are most important. Are you arranging the book chronologically? Make sure everything is in order.

[4] Decide what size of album to use. They are typically 8" x 8", 12" x 12" or 8.5" x 11". The 8" x 8" albums are a nice size for little hands to hold.

[5] Try to locate whatever supplies you'd like to use. When I had a hard time finding anything other than a couple of stickers that mentioned adoption, I finally designed my own 8" x 8" overlay transparencies. I really like overlays because they give one's book the appearance of class, there is no mess (no glue or tape required) and anyone can use them (no instruction required either).

[6] Keep it simple and don't be tempted to put every thought you have in the book. Consider your child's attention span too. Add more pages later as your child asks questions and you want to answer them in the book (what kind of car did my birth mom drive?) You may also want other things represented, such as your child's country (or even city) or birth.

[7] Add some poems and quotes. When you lack information about your child's birth or are overwhelmed by writing down all your thoughts, it's a nice touch to add a few adoption quotes. But be sue to not rely on them completely. Quotes are nice and can add to the album, but it's your own personal thoughts that will be most precious to your child as they get older.

[8] Use child-friendly language. For example, don't ever write, "Your birth mom loved you so much that she gave you away." This could scare your child into believing that pretty soon you will love him too much and give you away too. Keep the wording simple: "Miss Clara wanted you to have both a mommy and a daddy and she knew that we were really excited to be your parents."

Too often we get caught up in creating a masterpiece of a baby album that will include every bath, haircut, smile and tear. Instead, focus on just the adoption story for this small book and put a lot of the baby or family pages in other books. The sooner it's ready for your child, the more time of their childhood they will reflect on it.

The Adoption Scrapbook Album is a fast, simple way to create a professional life book. Use transparency overlays and friends will admire-even though you aren't crafty. Free poems and quotes from Lisa Copen at http://www.scrapbookadoption.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Copen

How To Make Your Custom Scrapbook Business Stand Out

By Vera Raposo 

 

Logo Location Advertisement

Now that you have decided to start your business, there are a few things that you can do to make your business stand out from the rest. The first is developing a logo. Customers need something that they can easily identify and remember you with, and a logo is the perfect way to brand your name into their mind. The phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" is not only the basis of scrapbooking but a solid key to your business.

For instance, what business stands behind the golden arches? McDonalds is one of the most recognizable symbols across the globe. Even if you are half way around the world, if you see the "golden arches" you know that you can walk through the doors and order a burger and fries, even if you can't speak the language.

To select your logo, do some research on branding. Find out what other companies have done to simplify their message and "brand" their name into the minds of people who use their products or services. Keep your logo simple so that it can be easily transferred to your marketing material (business cards, website, customer reminder cards, letter head, etc.).

Another important aspect of making your business stand out is your business location. Usually the decision for a location is made based on your financial situation. If you have the capital to rent a storefront in the arts and crafts district part of town, go for it. If you do not have the capital to afford a store front, inventory and all of the other things that come from operating a merchant location, you might have to think "outside the box."

Possibly there is an established merchant like a floral shop, antique shop, quilting shop, paper store, bridal boutique, pet store or other complimentary place of business that would allow you to display your business in a portion of their. They might charge you a small fee or they might work with you on a commission basis. If you decide to go this route, make sure that you get whatever agreement you have with the store owner in writing.

If your location is in your home, make sure that you can devote a specific area of your home to your business. This area should be away from the living portion of your home. A new customer will probably not like stepping of over laundry baskets and baby toys to review your work and select their product from you. Although, if your scrapbooking skills are displayed in your home, and you can maintain a neat and business like environment, your home can be a wonderful way to display your work.

Making your business stand out can take a lot of time. To save time, let your work, work for you. If you have friends, family or organizations to which you belong, create something for them to display in their home, office or place of business. Attach your business card or contact information and logo to these creations and let them speak for themselves. For instance, create a small book or framed work for your friend who works at a busy office to display at their desk. When someone says, "that is so nice, where did you get it," it gives the best advertisement of all, word of mouth. The best thing about this kind of promotional advertisement is that it is effective and free.

Vera Raposo is the Scrapper's Business Coach. She is now teaching how to create your very own Custom Scrapbook Artist Business. You can sign up for her exclusive tips at ScrapVenturePro.com to help your business succeed. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Vera_Raposo

Digital Scrapbooking - The Wave Of The Future

By Michael Russell 

 

Digital scrapbooking is one of the newest trends in the scrapbooking hobby. Scrapbookers are using the computer in many ways to enhance their scrapbooking pages, or create their pages entirely on the computer.

Some people use the computer to enhance their photos and scrapbooking pages. With the rise of digital photography, many scrapbookers are editing their photos on the computer before putting them in the album. They are removing red-eye, blurring out distracting backgrounds and enhancing the color of their photos. Some scrapbookers are even printing their own photos at home. Doing this allows you to customize the size of the photo to fit perfectly onto your page.

Some scrapbookers use the computer to make elements for their traditional scrapbooking pages. They will create journal boxes, titles, enhancements and more on the computer, then attach it to the page. The most common use of the computer along these lines is to create titles and text boxes for the page. This is because you have a huge variety of fonts and colors to make your text when using the computer. There is even a type of software on the market today that allows you to make a text out of your own handwriting. This will allow you to save time using the computer to create your text without losing the personalized factor of the page including your own handwriting. You can create stunning titles on the computer, using thousands of fonts.

The biggest trend in digital scrapbooking is to create your page entirely on the computer. Using digital pictures, or scanned pictures and scrapbooking software, you can create stunning pages entirely on the computer. These pages will look a lot like the paper pages you see everywhere. One of the benefits of creating your pages on the computer is that you can share them with friends and family, no matter where they live. If grandma and grandpa live two states away, they can see the grandkids' latest page with the click of the mouse. Not only that, but digital scrapbooking is a lot less time consuming than traditional scrapbooking. You can create pages much quicker and if you make a mistake, you just delete and start over. You have not wasted expensive supplies or ruined priceless photos.

If you are going to enter the field of digital scrapbooking, it is important to purchase a photo-quality printer. If you are going to want 12 x 12 albums, there are printers made specifically to hold 12 x 12 paper. Make sure whatever paper you are printing on is acid-free. You do not want your pages fading with time. Consider printing on photo paper, as this will let your pages look like a traditional photo.

Since digital cameras are becoming the norm, so will digital scrapbooking as the industry develops. You can do many things on the computer that you might not be able to do on paper. Don't think that digital scrapbooking will replace paper scrapbooking, though. The camaraderie that women feel when they get together to scrapbook will be lost on the computer, so paper scrapbooking is going to remain popular.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Scrapbooking Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

Scrapbooking For Your Baby's Future - 9 Must-Do Tips

By Ian McWilliams 

 

Memories are what keeps a person or a moment alive. Long after a loved one has passed over we remind our self of how special they were to us through mental flashbacks or photos or videos etc.

The same can be said for occasions. How many times have you pulled out the school photos or wedding photos to reminisce about a favorite time or occasion?

It is for this reason that scrapbooking for your baby's future is such a fantastic idea, especially for all you expectant Moms out there now. Imagine your child's scrapbook starting with pictures and comments from the day the doctor gave you and your partner the news you were expecting.

How about photos of your first and subsequent ultra scan. Imagine juniors joy in seeing him or herself inside Mommy's tummy or a picture of Mommy standing side on accentuating her big tummy. We are talking about the complete journey here.

You could break the scrapbook up into chapters and have a pre-birth chapter. A chapter for years 0-1 and so on.

Some important moments to capture for the scrapbook could be:

1. Get a hand print at various stages of the child's life.

2. Include some small gifts you received from the baby shower etc.

3. Baby's first haircut. A snip of hair adds reality to the scrapbook.

4. Ensure you get photos of the baby with as many relatives as possible. There will probably come a time one or more shall pass over before your child has really got to know them so by including these, that persons memory is just a glance away for your child.

5. Include your pets. It is a fact that we all remember our pets as kids and having a photo of the child and their pet of the time confirms their relationship with the animal.

6. Include photos of your house. if you move a few times during childhood, they will have the photos to remember joyous times by.

7. List their xmas presents they receive each year. They will love it.

8. Write the words to that special song that Daddy sings to them at night. Chances are Dad and Junior will be still singing it well into the child's development because it signifies special times and the bond they share.

9. A brief Family Tree. If possible, include 4 generations from each side and try to be as specific as possible.

This list can be as long or as short as you want it to be. Be imaginative. Look around your house and objects or moments will flash into your mind. Think of what, as a kid, you would have liked to have kept as a memento. Limitless ideas come to those that explore.

Remember, this is a lifelong keepsake for your child. Long term, you want them to be sitting down going through the scrapbook with their grandchildren.

(What a thought Huh?)

Please place a great importance on your child's scrapbook. Get it right beforehand to ensure all those ultra important memories are saved for prosperity. http://123scrapbooking.blogspot.com gives advice and proven steps to ensure that scrapbooking for your baby is the complete edition. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ian_McWilliams