The Scrapbooking Center Online

Altered Art Scrapbook Embellishments

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 16:03:00 +0000

Why not make your own altered art scrapbook embellishments? The currently fashionable art form known as "altered art" simply refers to taking one object and doing something to alter it. Altered books, for example, are enjoying a popularity surge as altered artists apply their craft to creating works of art from old, used books.

Altered art, in the form of small, flat items, can transform into striking and unique scrapbook embellishments. Not only are these embellishments personal to you, as opposed to the ready-made variety, but they are inexpensive or even free to obtain. Additionally, you have the satisfaction of knowing that by recycling, you are taking a step towards protecting our environment.

To create your own altered art embellishments, simply locate, small, flat items that can be decorated, modified, or altered. Consider using items such as earrings and other old jewelry, zippers, pockets cut from jeans or other clothing, CD disks, optical lenses, buttons, miscellaneous small items found in the hardware store (washers, corner braces, etc.), the rectangular formica countertop samples that you can find at home renovation centers, labels, stickers and related items found at office supply stores, assorted items found at fishing stores (old lures with the hooks removed have many possibilities), ribbons, greeting cards, mirrors, keys, chains, sachets, chopsticks, bamboo skewers, pieces of rubber or wire mesh.

Do you have old glasses or sunglasses hanging around the house? Discard the ear lobes (or figure out a way to use them), then transform the lenses into frames to display pictures or journaling. Add stickers or other small embellishments to the lenses if desired.

How about old film or video tape? Instead of throwing out that broken tape, pull it out of the container and consider ways of incorporating it into a layout. Why not? It's pretty. It's black. It's shiny. What a great border or trim it will make, especially if you alter it by applying colored stamping ink. Solvent inks like Stazon work well on shiny, glossy surfaces like tape.

Who knows what else you might turn up by searching through your junk drawers or the garage? A visit to a flea market, garage sale or the Dollar Store might prove a rich hunting ground for items that you can alter and incorporate in your scrapbook layouts.

When using altered art objects as a scrapbook embellishment, you will need to consider whether the item is acid free and lignon free. This may not be a consideration for you. Many scrapbookers do not necessarily intend that every scrapbook made must be archival quality. If you do not care whether this particular album will last for generations, then use anything you like in your layouts. If archival quality is important, you can purchase deacidification archival products for your embellishments.

The altering process itself can involve any number of activities, including coloring your new-found embellishments with paint or stamping inks, hot embossing with Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, or decorating with papers, beads, wires, stickers, pictures, glitter, fibre, and so on. Consider combining two or more items together to form something new, or cut items into pieces, which you can then use individually or reassemble.

For example, CD or DVD disks can be broken or cut into pieces, and each piece used as a separate item to decorate or alter. Heating the disks in hot water before cutting makes them easier to manage. You can also punch small holes in CD disks, or in pieces of disks, through which you can attach thread to dangle a charm or tag.

The possibilities for using altered embellishments are endless. Please refer to this link for pictures of Altered Art Scrapbook Embellishments

Scrapbooking by Design
Discover the magical world of scrapbooking
with Video demos and tutorials
http://www.scrappingbydesign.com

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

Baby Ultrasound Scrapbook Page Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 01:12:00 +0000

Tracy Ballisager

Before you even meet your new baby, why not start throwing around baby ultrasound scrapbook page ideas? The truth is that there are a lot of baby ultrasound scrapbook page ideas out there, and finding the right one will ensure you that you have a scrapbook that you will be sure to treasure. The first time you see your baby is in the ultrasound picture and when you want to capture that moment of sheer love and awe, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.

When you are thinking about designing your baby's ultrasound scrapbook, there are a number of different formats that you might choose. In most cases, you are going to be dealing with black and white pictures, so make sure that you keep that in mind. The color in the book will not be coming from the pictures, so consider bordering them with something bright and cheerful. Think about the themes of waiting in anticipation and how excited you are. This is what seeing the ultrasound is all about, so consider what your options are going to be.

When looking around for baby ultrasound scrapbook page ideas, consider making it into a combination scrapbook/diary. When kids are young, they love to know what their moms are doing while they are out and about, and this is your chance to show your child what you were doing when they were still inside you! For instance, how did you get to the doctor's office, and what were you eating that day? What did your read and what was in the newspaper? You can make this a terrific archive for those memories.

Similarly, what about making the scrapbook look like a cool, futuristic viewing screen? You can paste in buttons at the bottom that are labeled things like "feed," "sing" and "love," and imagine that you are doing all that to your unborn baby. This is a wonderfully humorous way to set up your baby's ultrasound scrapbook, and you can bet that your family and the child in question will be amused.

Before we leave the top of scrapbooking for your baby's ultrasounds, consider the archival nature of the pictures that you use. For the most part, ultrasound pictures are not of an archival nature, and because of this, you have to take some care if you want to make sure that later generations will be able to see them. There are a few steps to take when you want to make sure that these precious photographs last:

1. Cover and protect

If you want to preserve the photographs themselves, make sure that they stay in a place that does not get any sun. Having a fancy envelope that is pasted into the scrapbook itself is one way to do this.

2. Scan the photograph

Scan the photograph in at at least 300 dpi and save it to your computer or on to a CD. Then you can print it out on archival paper.

There are lots of great baby ultrasound scrapbook page ideas out there. Find the baby ultrasound scrapbook page ideas that best suit you and find out how to put them together.

Tracy Ballisager is a stay at home mum and provide info on baby scrapbooking tips online.See her website for ultrasound scrapbook themes and more

To read more on baby scrapbook go to http://www.babyscrapbooking-ideas.com

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

Scrapbooking Page Ideas - Using the Least to Make the Most of Your Scrapbook

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 21:45:00 +0000

Jennifer Walter

You should not think of any other pastime in life that can enable you come out with something memorable like a scrapbook. In fact, this is a pastime, but it is equally one of these rare ways that you can use to recollect those happy moments and share them with those around you. Remember that scrapbook making is one of the simplest ways that you can use to blend pictures, captions and happy moments and relate them to a particular theme which should be pleasing and nostalgic to every viewer. It may only be through such an art that you will be able to tell people of what happened in the past. Therefore, the art of scrapbook making should be taken as something more important, even than a leisure activity.

Although it is true that making a scrapbook from scratch is one of the easiest pastimes, learners of this art are advised not to focus all their attentions on attempting to use all the materials they have and placing in on the pages. Always keep in mind that it is not much that will be placed on your scrapbook that should reflect some meaning in it. Little can be taken to mean much on the scrapbook. There should also be a balance between everything that will feature on your scrapbook. Remember that the pictures should not overshadow the messages or captions and the captions should in turn not overshadow the pictures.

As it is always said in life that overuse of something is an abuse, so too this is accurate when making a scrapbook. In reality, the greatest problem in making a scrapbook is not found in the paperwork. The real problem is in how you attempt to design your scrapbook so that it should be pleasing and attractive to both the eyes and the minds. Remember that if a lot of information and even beautifications are affixed to your scrapbook, this would not be different from any ordinary album. There would therefore be no need to have created the scrapbook. And of course, an overuse of these would make the scrapbook uninteresting. In another sense, too much representation of information may end up puzzling the viewer as to what subject matter you intend to represent in the scrapbook.

Your aim should be to create something neat and attractive. This is one of the simplest actions. But this seems to be one of the most difficult if you are new into scrapbook making. Remember that you should reasonably mix your pictures and texts. There is no limit as to what you will include in one single page. You can still blend in so much, yet the scrapbook will be fairly made. And you can also include one or two pictures, but with the wrong mixture. Always think of creating something that will not only be beautiful to you, but to the viewers. Keep in mind that the album is meant for them to view.

If you intend to come up with the most attractive scrapbook, you should pay particular attention to the positioning of your pictures, captions and the others. Remember that you cannot finalize everything at your first trial. You can temporally place the items so that you will be able to add or replace any of them until they meet your required specifications. Do you know that the simplest way to do this is to start from the center or the page? This is easy to make the scrapbook beautiful. Remember that once you begin at the center, it is easier to affix anything in relation to the space that is available.

Learn how you can get great scrapbooking ideas without spending a single cent as well as learning how to properly layout scrapbooks from the experts at http://www.scrapbookingnut.com, the Internet's premier resources on scrapbooking paper design and ideas.

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

My Top 10 Card Making Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:22:00 +0000

Nicola Ray

Card making doesn't have to be complicated, in fact, it's one of the easiest crafts to start, since you've got most of the things you need already in the home. Whenever you're starting though a few simple tips will go along way and these card making tips for beginners will set you on the right foot.

1. Keep a notepad of your ideas and take it with you everywhere. You never know when an idea may strike! Pop it by the bed at night as well - late at night and early morning are often times when ideas will come to you.

2. Inspiration comes from anywhere. From fabrics and furnishings to papers and greeting cards. Sometimes looking at what other card makers are doing will give you inspiration too.

3. You don't need lots of fancy equipment - just an ordinary pair of household scissors, a ruler and some card to cut on (it will protect your table). So don't spend a fortune, unless you're going to make it a long term hobby!

4. Using repositionable adhesive will make your card making easy. It allows you to move your paper and embellishments around the card to ensure you've got it just right.

5. Try making your own embellishments with beads, crystals and ribbons. They'll make your cards chic and unique.

6. Experiment with using different areas of the card. The main focal point doesn't always have to be in the centre of the card. Think about using the left hand side, bottom or even top of the card.

7. With your designs, less is often best. If you over do the bits and pieces on your invitation, it will look too much. Less is more and definitely so for elegant greetings cards!

8. Collect bits and pieces from the cards you get given. You can then build up a stock of pretty embellishments to use on your own cards later.

9. Think about 3D effects. You can use foam sheet adhesive to add a little bit of height to your embellishments - then they'll really stand out on the page.

10. Don't throw anything away! You'll be able to use all your bits of paper and left over ribbons and embellishments for other cards. Keep them safe as you will be able to use them again!

Nicola Ray is the editor of Wedding Invitation Ideas where you can design, create and make your own wedding invitations. With free wedding invitation templates, step-by-step instructions and lots of stunning designs, it's the perfect place to start. You can find more articles like this one in the Card Making Tips section.

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

Scrapbooking and Photo Editing

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:24:00 +0000

Sonja Spies

The Scrapbooking phenomenon hit the world with a resounding bang, and has taken hold of our imaginations, leaving us forever changed. And where, till a few years ago, we had to work with negatives and spend heaps of money getting photos developed, and then having to throw half the photos away due to red eyes, shadows and other 'oopses', we can now thankfully turn to the digital age. Not only can we choose and discard photos at the press of a button (and at no cost I might add), but also fixing and editing those little irritating problems are as easy as loading a photo on the home pc.

And as any scrapbooker knows, a perfect picture says a thousand words.

There are a host of photo editing software on the market, that can (in various degrees of success), fix anything from red eyes to bad lighting and poor focus. Yet the question remains: which ones are the best?

My personal favourite happens to be Adobe Photoshop Elements. Adobe manages to amaze me more and more every day with the photo editing capabilities that I discover. Everything from simple red-eye reduction to more complicated projects, such as changing backgrounds on a photo and even adding your cute little girl in her favourite pink fairy dress to a magical fairy scene. The options are only limited by your imagination.

Although in all honesty I must admit that this is not a user-friendly program. But on the upside, there are excellent tutorial programs available for this program, and with a little bit of effort, you will have amazing results.

But if you are looking for a program that is a little easier to handle, then I would suggest Corel Paintshop Pro Photo x2. This program combines ease of use with professional power to allow you to take on any project. It also has an integrated learning center and a selection of one-click photo fixing tools to make it quick and easy to fix most flaws on your photos.

For more information on Scrapbooking, Photo editing programs and tutorials, please visit my site, and go to the links page.

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

Which Cricut Machine Should You Buy?

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sat, 31 Jan 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Dawn Hall

There are three models of the Cricut machine, popular personal die cutters made by the Provo Craft company. With three good options, it can be difficult to decide which one to buy. Should you start small and buy the original Personal Electronic Cutter? Or is the Expression model worth the extra investment? How does the Create, the hybrid model currently being exclusively sold by Michael's Craft Store, stand up against the other two machines?

In a number of ways, all three die cut machines are the same:

All three models are cartridge-based.
You can only produce cutouts based upon the cartridges you own. Each cartridge comes with a keyboard overlay, which is used in selecting specific cuts. The cartridges are not machine-specific - they can be used in any of the three models.

Basic operation of all three machines is the same.
If you own the Personal Electronic Cutter, you will have no problem operating the Cricut Expression or Create (and vice-versa). Why? Well, the basic operation of all three die cutters is the same.

Here's a quick rundown of the process. After plugging in the selected cartridge and corresponding keyboard overlay and turning on the machine, you are ready to start making die cuts. Materials, such as paper or cardstock, are placed on a special cutting mat, which is then loaded into the machine with the press of a button. With another press of the button, the selected design is chosen. All that's left is to select "Cut". The machine does the rest of the work.

All three Cricut machine models use the same accessories.
It was already mentioned that the cartridges are not machine-specific, but this is also the case with most of the other accessories. It does not matter which model you own - the replacement blades, inks, different tools, such as the Cricut spatula, and Design Studio software, can be used with any model. The one exception is the cutting mats. The machines accept different sizes of the mats, and you must get one that is compatible with your specific machine.

Now that you know how the Cricut machines are similar, you are probably wondering how they are different. They vary in several ways:

The size of die cuts produced by each machine are different.
The Personal Electronic Cutter has the capability of making cutouts ranging from 1 inch to 5-1/2 inches in size, in half inch increments. The Create can produce die cuts ranging from 1/4 inch to 11-1/2 inches in size, in quarter inch increments. The Expression gives users the most versatility, producing cutouts from 1/4 inch to 23-1/2 inches in size, in quarter inch increments.

They weight and size of the machines vary.
The Personal Electronic Cutter and Create are both small, portable machines. These models are good for crafters who like to take their projects on the road, and create scrapbook layouts and other projects in group settings. They are also suited for those who do not have a specific area in their home set aside for crafting, because these die cutters are easy to pack up and put away in between uses. The Expression, on the other hand, is much heavier and larger. If you have a crafting room or corner, and do not have the concerns of moving it frequently, it's a good choice.

The three Cricut machine models have different modes and functions.
There are several different modes and functions. For example, the fit to page mode will automatically adjust the size of the die cut based upon the size of the material loaded in the machine. The center point function allows you to align the cutting blade over the center of the material, so that the cut is made around it. The Expression machine has the most versatility as far as the availability of modes and functions. Next in line is the Create, and third place goes to the Personal Electronic Cutter. More information can be found regarding these modes and functions in the machine handbooks, which are available in PDF format on Cricut.com.

The price is different for each model.
The Personal Electronic Cutter is the most inexpensive Cricut cutter, with a suggested retail price of $299.99. The Create is $100.00 more, at $399.99, and the Expression is $499.99. Please note that all three machines can be purchased at significant savings. Many retailers run special sales or have a lower everyday price than the suggested retail price. It's a good idea to shop around when buying your first Cricut machine.

This article was written by Dawn Hall. Find out more about Cricut, including additional information regarding the Cricut machine models, on her website and blog.

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

Scrapbook Paper - Choosing the Right Scrapbook Paper

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 16:09:00 +0000

Robert Nelsons

The notion behind scrapbooking is pretty straight forward, the goal is simple, preserve memories and share them with others in your own way and style. It can be a fun way to spend your time while taking a sentimental walk down memory lane.

Scrapbooking can also reflect your own take on events which took place during those times. You do not need expensive materials to create your own scrapbook, there are lots of choices and a vast product range which cover multiple price points.

Secondly you don't need lots of material. The most important first step you will take is in choosing the paper. Choosing the right paper can get your creative juices flowing but as mentioned there are lots of choices and therefore it can be a little overwhelming.

Many suggest that you use paper that is acid free. The simple reason for this relates to preservation. The last thing you want is to have the very memories which you sought out to preserve deteriorate over time due to choosing the wrong paper.

Choosing the right paper is also important so as to match the theme which you intend to convey. If in the event the memories are distant and evolve to the present day, then you may want to use older styles of paper to start with and then decorate with more modern trimmings.

You can also mix and match papers, this may prove difficult at the beginning because it can be hard to know if they will match and it is not until you try it that you will see. The point is to have fun and play around with it to see what works best.

In conclusion, before you invest in any paper consider what it is you wish to convey and then match the paper that best suits the mood and as mentioned, enjoy and have fun.

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How to Scrapbook Your Own Day Planner!

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:54:00 +0000

Tammy Matthews

Try finding a day planner that affords you the space to stamp and scrapbook month to month! You can create your own monthly masterpiece by applying your favorite photo on an index tab divider, or even on a sturdy calendar page itself.

Apply you favorite stickers and stamps to significant dates to remember or celebrate. Consider tacking pictures of those who will celebrate memorable moments such as birthdays, anniversaries or graduations on the index tab dividers for each month.

Some planners even have a covers that have picture pockets that you could easily modify with the passing seasons! Changing the look of your day planner cover will keep it fresh and exciting all year long.

Try inserting a few mini scrapbook pages within the planner itself. Sharing your favorite photo masterpieces can be as easy as reaching for your purse.

Your creative scrapbooking is meant to be shared and enjoyed. Scrapbooking the pages of your planner could also serve to promote a business, whether its stamping, scrapbooking or day care! Share your talents each and every time you open your planner to make an appointment or just to jot down a note or two.

Adding your own personal scrapbooking touch to your day planner or calendar will encourage you to be more organized and will inspire at the same time!

It can make a great personal gift for you or someone you love. Enjoying the space we live in makes everyday a little easier. Have fun and get scrap happy in January right on through to December!

Author, Tammy Matthews, is a mom of three and creator of the Bizzi2Go Planner. For more information please visit: http://www.bizzimom.com

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

Scrapbook Ideas - How the Experts Get Their Creativity and Avoid Any Mistakes When Creating Them

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 01:07:00 +0000

Paul Kramer

There are a lot of different ideas that can be implemented into scrapbooking and these include hand prints, creating a wide range of borders, using background paper and adding some further details with the use of glue.

The art of scrapbooking is something that can provide children with a vast amount of fun and pleasure so this is a great way for them to spend a rainy day. Before you begin to make the scrapbook it is very important to collect all the pictures and other supplies, which you will want to put into the scrapbook.

Some children and perhaps even some adults will enjoy putting a handprint into the scrapbook. It is best to do these print using water based paints so that they are easy to clean up. It is very important to make sure you get all the paint off once you have done these prints as this will mean that you do not get paint all over the house.

A lot of people who make scrapbooks enjoy experimenting with various different borders if you want to involve children in this you could perhaps visit the beach and collect various different seashells, which you can then use to make your border. Some children especially toddlers would really enjoy gluing shells and sand onto a page of the scrapbook and this would most likely keep them occupied for several hours.

It is also very popular to add background paper into the scrapbook and this is also something that children will enjoy doing. The background paper could be done using tissue paper and water based paint.

Another good way of adding detail is by using glue, by doing this you can add swirls, lines and a wide range of other designs to the page, before the glue dries you should add a substance such as glitter, sand, beads or the such like.

Want Tips And Discount On Scrapbooking Supplies? All You Have To Do Is Click http://www.AbbyScrapbook.com/ Now!

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

10 Valentine's Day Scrapbooking Ideas With or Without Photos

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:29:00 +0000

Christine Perry

Valentine's Day is all about romance, love and friendship. It may not be a common picture-taking opportunity, but with or without a photo, there are still plenty of Valentine's Day scrapbooking ideas. Remember this February 14th and that special someone you asked to be yours with these Valentine's Day scrapbook page tips.

1. Find a Photo- just because you don't have a photo taken on February 14th doesn't mean you can't include photos in your Valentine's layout. Find a photo of you and sweetheart from another occasion to fix that problem. You can go back as far you as you want for a picture of you both together, perhaps even a wedding picture.

2. Choose a Page Title- Need some help coming up with a Valentine's Day themed title? Here are a few suggestions:

How Do I Love Thee?
I Love You
I Want to Kiss You All Over
Crazy Little Thing Called Love
My Heart Belongs to You
This Kiss
Always and Forever
High School Sweethearts
Soulmates
Be Mine

3. Choose Romantic Page Elements: Obvious choices for your page elements are hearts and roses, but look at your other scrapbooking supplies for embellishments that make you think of romance. For example, use white lace, a pink satin ribbon, red bows or Victorian accents.

4. Add Color- Red is the color of the day for Valentines' Day, but too much red on your page may overpower your focal point. Use red as an accent, and try adding more white and pink to your layout.

5. Add Your Valentine's Day Cards- Cards make decorative page elements. You can create a pocket on the page to add the cards you gave to each other. This way they can be removed so you can read the sentiments inside.

6. Write Love Letters- Journaling is just as important on a Valentine's layout as it is on any other scrapbooking page. Use the page title ideas listed above to prompt journaling ideas. You could also include handwritten love letters given any time of the year or from the past.

7. Add a Love Poem- if you want a quick way to add journaling, use a love poem or quote on your page. It's easy to find plenty of choices for poems and quotes by doing a search for "romantic poems" on the internet.

8. Photograph Valentine's Day Gifts- Include a photo of the box of chocolates or roses you received, and scrapbook the gift card. If you had a nice dinner out, put a photo of the restaurant on your page and don't forget to journal what you each ordered for dinner.

9. Remember the Kids- Children celebrate Valentine's Day too. Include cards exchanged from school mates on a special page for your children. Record their feelings about this holiday and what it means to them.

10. Dedicate a Page to Your Valentine- Instead of focusing on the couple, use a page layout to express all the reasons why you love him/her.

With a little creativity, you can create a beautiful Valentine's Day page layout even if you don't have a photo from that day. You don't even need special supplies. You probably already have embellishments with a romantic theme. Add some white and pink cardstock and some red letters, and you have everything you need to make a Valentine's Day scrapbooking page.

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 tips and Valentine's Day scrapbooking ideas.

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

Making a Marriage Book - Documenting Your Romance

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:28:00 +0000

Mel Candea

Scrap-booking has become so popular these days as an ongoing project, something to share or for relaxation. But what about making a marriage book, a tool for communication between you and your partner, a place for memories? Whether you're a newly-wed or a 20-year relationship devotee,
a marriage book can be a positive force for you both. The nicest thing about it is that you tailor it to match you, your partnership, your lifestyle. So how do you begin?

Choose your theme, or your focus. Will it be for writing to each other, for special events like anniversaries, vacation memorabilia? A combination of all of these, as an ongoing physical representation of your time together?

Choose the book type you want, to match the theme. A Moleskin would be perfect for writing each other, with a continuation of replies. Or you could bind your own book, using hand-made paper and a few simple methods that you can find online. Opt for materials that are sturdy and durable- you'll want to keep it a long time.

Talk to your partner about it, what it should represent to you as a couple. Some people won't feel comfortable with writing or gluing constantly, so set some ground rules. Will it be used spontaneously, or some time you both set aside each week? Each month? If you have children, will you include them in the process?

Be creative. Some ideas for its use could be: both short notes or long letters, or it could be used for time-outs when there's a hitch in communication. And the make-ups afterward. It could include mementos from special nights out: tickets, coins, a leaf from a memorable walk, postcards or even drawings. The entire focus of the book should be about the two of you, together.

A few last thoughts:

Don't flaunt your wedding book (or relationship book) the same way you would a scrapbook. It should be treated as a diary. Privately. Not something to show friends or family, unless you both agree it's ok.

Don't use it merely as a vent to gripe or attack the other person- the main focus is on communication and expressing your feelings to your partner. Keep a balance of both positive and negative moments.

Try to keep it going. With all of the business in your daily lives right now, it's easy to forget or get lax on. In a few years, you'll be glad to be able to look back.

Email: Melony73@yahoo.com

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

7 Themes for Children Scrapbooking Based on Seasons at School

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 03:55:00 +0000

Jasmine N

Children at age of five to six are very passion in drawing, art and craft. You can get them involve in scrapbooking to express their interest of crafting. Here I share my seven secret tips for your children scrapbooking ideas.

#1 New Year Family Scrapbooking

January is beginning of the year. You can arrange to do family scrapbooking related to new year with your children. If your child love scrapbooking, this is good theme to train their creativity in scrapbooking.

#2 Friendship Scrapbooking

Every children have their own good friends, including my daughter. Take a few candid photos of your child and his or her good friend, then create a friendship theme or scrapbooking.

#3 Easter Scrapbooking

Easter day is the good celebration day for children to do craft related to this even.You can organize a craft gathering activity, with all your children and friends to have an egg painting session, take some candid photos of the activity, and use it to create an Easter scrapbooking.

#4 Mother Day and Father Day Scrapbooking

Mother and father day is celebration of wonderful mother who has been work their life for their children. It is very meaningful for your child to create a mother and father day scrapbooking, at the same time your child learn about the family value and respect to parents.

#5 Country National Day Scrapbooking

This is a good theme for children to be aware of the country they live and cultivate their love to the country they born. There are a lot of ideas on this theme, such as cultural, tourist attraction locations, life style of the country and a simple flag can be design as national day scrapbooking.

#6 Earth Day Scrapbooking

Earth is the planet we stay, it is critical to let our children aware of how to protect our earth. Earth day scrapbooking is a good theme for children age of 5 to 6 to understand how to be environmental friendly in their daily life.

#7 School Sports Day Scrapbooking

Children like sports a lot! One of the good idea is get your child to do gymnastics scrapbooking, if your child love gymnastics. You can find your own theme that apply to your children interest in other sport activities.

Once your toddlers done, you may put them to their album scrapbooking. Hope you like above themes!

And now I would like to offer you free access to 3 of my Instant Scrapbooking Guide Templates when you subscribe to my free Instant Scrapbooking Guide, you will get my scrapbooking guide report plus free printable design on Scrapbooking that you can use as embellishment or layout. You can get your instant access at http://www.InstantScrapbookingGuide.com From Jasmine N's Circle of Scrapbooking Craz.

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

Design a Scrapbook Calendar

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Mon, 22 Dec 2008 12:47:00 +0000

Lisa Sutherland

We all know, of course, that scrapbooking doesn't necessarily mean that your memories go into a scrapbook. Some of your beautifully laid out pages will go into frames, birthday cards, or websites. Another popular option for your scrapbooking materials is to make a scrapbook calendar.

There are several ways to do this.

Some companies print up a calendar that comes with lay-outs and accessories, and from month to month you can simply design your own family pages that coordinate with that month. This is an excellent option for beginners or for those with little computer experience.
You can custom make your own calendar pages. It is easy to buy or make seasonally appropriate display pages, and to print out the monthly page of dates. You then apply your own pictures and memories and out them together. You can use this technique to custom make gifts for different friends and family members, each one tailored to your special memories of them.
Online calendar services. This is an excellent source for those who do a lot of computer scrapbooking. You design your 12 pages, using either your own templates or ones that they offer, and you email them to the company. The company then prints them out and binds them into a professional looking calendar. You can buy several copies of this calendar to give to relatives as gifts.

One of the best things about scrapbook calendars is that they make meaningful but inexpensive gifts for all your loved ones, and express your unique memories throughout the year.

Lisa is the owner of Modzy.com, the #1 online scrapbooking supplies store. Find thousands of scrapbook products and low prices everyday at http://www.modzy.com

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

Christmas Scrapbooking Ideas and Tradition

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 22:49:00 +0000

Michelle Cardello

Most Christmas scrapbooking ideas stress the importance of tradition. Clearly, Christmas traditions are the easiest subject matter of scrapbook albums. After all, every family has their own tradition, and the individual ones are often the ideal choices for custom photo albums.

Scrappers and their families need to think about their own personal traditions, which make for ideal subject matter for holiday scrapbook albums. Some traditions have their roots back so far, that the family may not even be aware that it is a tradition.

For example, the tradition of opening presents. Some families open presents on Christmas Eve while everyone is gathered, some only open one present on that evening, and others wait until morning. One could easily make a scrapbook page out of that. It might be a good excuse to get the camera and list when everyone else just wants to rip off wrapping.

Other ideas include the "trimming of the tree". If your family gets a Christmas tree and decorates it every year, then every ornament probably has some memory attached to it. Perhaps each ornament is a reminder of some Christmas past. Simply taking pictures of ornaments and writing simple text about them is one of the easiest of Christmas scrapbooking themes.

Decorating the house is always an important Christmas tradition.. It seems like every neighborhood has some person on the block who decorates to the point of over-decorating, but his or her house is always visited by the neighbors. Some scrappers might be the person who actually does all the decorating, and it is worth these ideas in a page.

Another Christmas tradition that may not even be realized is the way trimmings are taken out every year. Many families keep their holiday decorations in their basement, attic, or garage, and pulling them out every year is sort of something of a tradition in and of itself. Surely an event like this would make great subject matter for a special scrapbook.

Christmas firsts are always pretty important. This is often where tradition gets formed. For example, every time there is a new addition to the family, it is the obvious choice to make a "Baby's First Christmas" page. The same applies to a first December 25th in a new place.

Of course, opening presents and decorating a Christmas tree is something that most families will partake in on that special day. The scrapper may need to completely rack his or her brain in order to get more original scrapbook ideas. Therefore, one has to simply ask oneself: "What is it that other families do every year at Christmas time?" It can be something seemingly mundane, such as watching a movie after dinner. It could also be something very unique, like an oversized stocking that hangs by the fire. Every family has different traditions, and the more unusual, the more interesting the photo albums are.

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life Imprints, a scrapbooking and photo albums company in Cleveland, Ohio, offers holiday scrapbooking accessories and 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

Ideas For a Christmas Scrapbooking Card

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 02:45:00 +0000

Jenny Hampdon

That time of the year is coming up, and wouldnt you know it, you havent got your yearly christmas card together. The problem is, you're tired of putting together the same old christmas card every year. Well, hopefully with this article, we'll be able to give you some tips and ideas to get your creative juices flowing, so you can make the most memorable scrapbooking christmas card this year!

First off, dont take the typical family picture. You know the one Im talking about, where all the boys are in green and the girls are in red, or something to that effect. Spice it up. Take some wacky photos. Pick out the most outrageous one. Maybe have the whole family tackling santa claus or something!

You can try and go with the more dramatic effect by taking your family picture in black and white. Most cameras nowadays has the option, and it can give your family shoot a nice look. If you've already done this in years past, then just ignore it and move on to something more exciting. Maybe take inside out pictures, with everyones clothes inside out or on backwards. That would be one wild christmas scrapbooking card, let me tell you.

An idea that might be too late for this year, but bring along some sort of holiday outfit or prop when you and your family are out and about. I think it would be hilarious to see a family on a sandy beach standing next to frosty the snowman, or a big ol santa claus. And who said it has to be the beach, maybe you could go scubadiving with reindeer. Wouldnt that be sweet.

What it all boils down to is your creativity. Hopefully these ideas got something going in your mind. You definitely dont wont to do the same old boring greeting card this year. With a little imagination, and some research of different holiday card companies, you should be able to put together the most memorable christmas card ever, and at a reasonable price. Dont forget to shop around when it comes time to buy. Do your research so that you dont pay too much. Nothing can dampen the perfect christmas card by paying too much for it.

My name is Jenny and scrapbooking is my passion. Check out more christmas scrapbooking cards ideas at my site, http://simplifiedscrapbooking.com

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

2 Halloween Scrapbook Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:26:00 +0000

Lisa Sutherland

Don't get me wrong; you can't go wrong with the traditional orange and black for Halloween. Especially in kid-oriented layouts, spider webs and jack-o-lanterns will always tell exactly the story you have in mind.

But sometimes we forget that there's more to this time of year than spooky costumes and candy. The ancient observances of this date, in both Christian and pagan history, remind us of two important things. One is that the spirit world is not as far removed from us as we usually assume. For pagan cultures, it was our ancestors who stood close to us on this night, reminding us that they had never really left us, and for Christian cultures, it was the time when we remembered that all the saints waited for us to join in their triumphant celebration. Another important theme of this night in both Christian and pagan cultures was that the earth was getting ready to rest, to wrap herself in her blanket of snow and frost and sleep through the long night ahead, not to truly wake until spring, with either the equinox or the celebration of Easter.

If these ideas appeal to you, you might consider different colors for your Halloween layouts.

Silver, gray, black, blue, and white can convey a sense of mystery, of light in darkness, of safety in rest. Black and white pictures are ideal for this sort of layout, but even color pictures of kids in costumes can benefit from the more mystical themes.

The beautiful fall colors of gold, brown, burgundy, red, and deep forest greens can show that the earth is turning away from the vivid colors of summer into colors more suited to short, cold days, and long cozy nights. Halloween is a symbol for this transition, and either of those color schemes can illustrate that transition.

There's nothing wrong with a traditional layout, and we'll all do plenty of them with excellent results. But once in a while we might want to say something a little different, and the above ideas can help you do that.

Lisa is the owner of Modzy.com, the #1 online scrapbooking supplies store. Find thousands of scrapbook products and low prices everyday at http://www.modzy.com

You can also read the scrapbooking blog for the latest tips, tricks, ideas and articles at http://blog.modzy.com

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

Take Advantage of a Scrapbooking Home Show

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:15:00 +0000

Faith Cory

Like Tupperware, Partylite Candles, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and so many other products that have their own parties out of private homes, you can now find many companies that allow you to sell products through a scrapbooking home show. These are great ways to find new products for yourself, share these products with your friends, and make a few dollars from your newfound hobby and endeavor.

For example, Top Line Creations or TLC is one such direct sales company that sells products either on websites or through scrapbooking home shows. It isn't hard to become a independent distributor of these great products, and they have many scrapbooking supplies that you and your friends are sure to love. On top of individual products they also have craft kits that make scrapbooking easier for anyone, and they are always updating their products. You and your friends are sure to love everything you might feature in a scrapbooking home show.

Creative Memories is another direct sales company where you can make money from a scrapbooking home show. They have traditional paper supplies and products for digital scrapbooking on your computer, and they have been in business for years and are one of the leading suppliers of scrapbooking materials. Their line is sure to be a hit at any scrapbooking home show you might hostess.

If you do decide to be a distributor and want to try your hand with a scrapbooking home show keep in mind that you don't want your friends to feel pressured into buying anything and might not make all your sales at that time. You want everything to be relaxed and low-key at the time of the party. Think of any scrapbooking home show you hostess as simply a way to introduce your new line of work to your family and friends and to your products. Oftentimes when you have a home show for any product line you find that people like to go home and think about their purchases for awhile and then come back at a later date when they need those products. You might not sell a lot of products at your party but when someone has an event they want to capture in a scrapbook they'll remember your party and call you up or visit your website for some supplies. This way you may earn an income for years to come.

How can you impress your friends with your page layouts? Get more scrapbooking ideas and information on fall scrapbooking page ideas.

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

Baby Sleeping - Scrapbook Page Layout Ideas

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 22:09:00 +0000

Anna Hart

Your new baby is a precious addition to your family, and you want to keep every little memory safe in a scrapbook – conventional or digital. You have so many cute pictures – many of them with your baby sleeping. You want to feature your baby sleeping with scrapbook page layout ideas that show how sweet your little boy or girl is.

Baby Sleeping Themes

Scrapbook page layout ideas should begin with themes. In this case, you have chosen a theme of baby sleeping, but you may want to consider something that is not so broad.

1. Does baby pout when sleeping? Your theme could be "precious pouter".

2. If baby sleeps with heaps of toys, a theme might be "our priceless toy".

3. "Knitting up the raveled sleeve of care" is a Shakespearean theme that could feature baby sleeping.

As you consider scrapbook page layout ideas, open your mind to a variety of themes.

Baby Sleeping Layout Starters

You can get your creative juices flowing by looking at page layout ideas others have created. Here are 7 page layout ideas to get you started:

1. Baby Sleeping at Baptism: Page layout ideas for a baptism look good with ribbons and lace in antique off-white shades. Use a background paper in a rich wine shade. If baby received a certificate of baptism, this can be used along with photos. Focus attention on baby sleeping by making that photo prominent, framing it in lace. Include photos of parents and others who were a part of the occasion. A row of photos across the top of a 2-page spread could be set off from the rest of the page with a lace ribbon. Be sure the baby's full name is included in rich lettering.

2. Baby Sleeping in Pink: Scrapbook page layout ideas for a little girl in pink will look good with a sprinkling of sugar and spice. Background paper can be a cinnamon brown textured paper. A dictionary definition of "spice" on a torn antique ivory paper could be topped with one photo of baby sleeping. Write "sugar" on a tag, and add a ribbon. Don't forget a bit of journaling to tell about baby's sleep habits. Embellishment candies will carry your theme beautifully.

3. Baby Sleeping in Blue: One of the cute page layout ideas you may want to consider is one that centers on a "Little Boy Blue" theme. Begin with a background in pale blues and whites. Perhaps a wide stripe patterned paper, or even a piece of blue and white fabric would work well. Mount your "baby sleeping" photo on the background with black corners. Add a photo or two of the many "blue" things in his life. Stack blue blankets, sleepers, toys – anything blue – and snap a few photos for further page layout ideas. Add blue embellishments, stickers, and a memento such as a piece of a blue blanket or favorite clothing. Journal in dark blue ink, making your notes encircle the page as a border.

4. Baby Sleeping at Birth: For page layout ideas that feature your baby sleeping during the first weeks of life, consider adding a copy of the birth certificate. If it has footprints on the back, be sure you use a copy of those, too. For digital page layout ideas, consider scanning the foot prints onto your hard drive. Then, in a graphics program, give them a transparent layer. Beneath that, insert a layer with the word "baby" in pastel colors, one color per letter. A few extra "feet" would be a cute embellishment. Frame your baby in pastel frames.

5. Baby Sleeping on Baby Sheets: Scrapbook page layout ideas for a baby asleep might begin with a background of sheet fabric. If you have the actual crib sheets on which baby slept, you might cut a piece the size of your page, and use it for a background. Mount your photos on torn paper in one of the brighter colors from the sheet. If the sheet has pictures of baby animals or toys, use similar embellishments and stickers. Add a corner of baby's favorite blanket as a memento, and a note about how your boy or girl loved it.

6. Baby Sleeping in Family Tree: This is one of those page layout ideas that work well in a family heritage scrapbook. Start with a family tree background that uses a nostalgic tree graphic with family names arranged on it. Don't worry about covering some names. This is just background for this page. mount your baby sleeping in a cradle cut out. Place the cradle strategically in the tree. Photos of parents or grandparents asleep as babies in the 40's or 50's would be fun for comparison. Who does baby resemble more? Add a few bird stickers. Journal on leaf shapes. Add a border of leaves.

7. Baby Sleeping at Dinner: Many babies fall asleep in the high chair, their tiny heads ending up on the tray. Scrapbook page layout ideas that feature such a photo can carry through the dinner theme. Can you tell what was served the time the photo was taken? If it was baby food from jars, get identical jars and set up a photo of what was on the menu. Write out the menu for more interest. Add a menu item of "Zzzzzzzz". If baby sleeping was at a home-made meal, include a recipe as one of your page layout ideas. Arrange a few teddy bear stickers and a spoon.

Whatever scrapbook page layout ideas are used, you will want to remember that each page is a canvas on which you paint a picture. Imagine each scrapbook page hung on the wall of a gallery or displayed on an art easel. All page layout ideas should tell stories without additional comments.

©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about scrapbook page layout ideas at http://www.scrapbooking-for-fun.com Anna is posting new articles every week on that site. You won't want to miss her recent article on scrapbook page layout ideas for baby girls.

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

Find Scrapbooking Titles in Music, Movies and Television

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sat, 23 Aug 2008 20:34:00 +0000

Christine Perry

Are you ever stuck for a perfect phrase for your scrapbooking title? Maybe you just stick with the date or the seasons like summer or fall. Some scrapbookers title every page with the name of the subject in the photograph. It might be a place, like Disney World or the beach, or it could be a person's name like Susan or Grandpa. Being creative with scrapbooking titles adds interest to a page layout just like embellishments and borders. Music, movies and television can offer inspiration and ideas for your scrapbooking titles that will capture the mood and theme of your next page layout.

Scrapbooking Titles in Music

Music inspires us all. How often have you heard a song on the radio and it immediately brings back a memory from years ago. It might be a song that was playing when you first dated your husband, or maybe it's a song from your high school days that reminds you of your senior year. Songs have the ability to spark memories in all of us.

For your next page layout, look to music for your inspiration. Song titles are great sources for scrapbooking page titles. Quoting a single song title may be all you need to say to start singing that song in your head. Some examples of song titles that could be used as scrapbooking page titles are "Simply Irresistible," "Brown-eyed Girl," and "You Are My sunshine." Keep a list of possible song titles that would work well on your scrapbooking projects.

Sometimes it's the lyrics themselves that inspire us. You might want to use more than just the title. A lyric like, "These are the moments, and I could not ask for more," will add just the right mood to a treasured photograph.

Scrapbooking Titles in Television and Movies

Consider adapting television show titles like, "The Brady Bunch" and "Days of Our Lives" to a scrapbook page. Maybe something simple like "Survivor" or "Lost" says it all. Movie titles, such as, "Mission Impossible," "Little Miss Sunshine" or "Back to the Future," might be perfect for one of your layouts.

Many TV and movie characters are known for a certain phrase or saying. These quotes often work well as scrapbooking titles. Does your favorite TV or movie character have a particular line that just fits with one of your photographs or scrapbooking pages? Think of phrases like, "How Sweet It Is," "May the Force Be With You" or "Here's Looking At You, Kid."

Scrapbooking Titles in Commercials and Advertising

Slogans, sayings and jingles can all be a source of inspiration for scrapbooking titles. Those catchy phrases we never seem to forget also make fun headlines for our scrapbook pages. Scrapbooking titles can be found in the lyrics of commercial jingles, as well as, in the slogans on print advertising. The next time you are considering fast forwarding through the commercials of a taping of your favorite television show, you might consider listening to the advertisements for scrapbooking title ideas. There are many slogans that could easily be adapted to a page layout title. Consider using "I'm Lovin' It," or "Zoom, Zoom, Zoom," or perhaps, "It's the Real Thing" or "A Diamond Is Forever."

Movies, music and television can inspire a huge list of potential scrapbooking titles for just about any page layout. The next time you need ideas for a scrapbook page title just turn on your radio or television for inspiration.

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

What is the Secret to Scrapbooking Kits?

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:27:00 +0000

Mike Selvon

The first rule of scrapbooking is that you do not want to spend a lot of money when you are first getting started. You may find yourself wandering through the crafts section of your local Hobby Lobby and wondering just what you should purchase.

The best and easiest way to get started is by buying scrapbooking kits that come pre-assembled and ready for you to begin your journey to becoming a scrapbooker. You will not spend a bunch of money only to find out later that you don't have everything you need. A kit will give you time to ease into the hobby.

There are some pros and cons when it comes to scrapbooking kits. The pros are that your scrapbooking paper and scrapbook layouts are included in the kit. You can find everything from stickers to funny captions that can be added to your pictures to create an exciting memory of a special event or place.

You do not have to worry about finding different scrapbooking paper because there will be theme related paper all in one kit. Take for example summer outings: there are a variety of kits that come with different sports related themes, outdoors themes and even Fourth of July paper.

The con's of using a scrapbook kit are that you will still need to buy other accessories, such as a wheel cutter for cutting certain shapes out on the picture. It may also not contain enough scrapbooking paper and scrapbook layouts to fill a large scrapbook. That means you will have to buy additional kits to fill the pages or you will have to buy the pages one at a time.

It may also not have the exact sheets that you are looking for so you will have to buy additional scrapbook pages to satisfy your creative urge. You will have to examine several kits to determine which one will work for you and your project. A kit may not have that personalized feel that you would prefer.

The best idea is to start small when it comes to scrapbooking kits. Find yourself a small album and start off slowly, gradually acquiring all the tools you need in order to create a one of a kind project, perhaps a family scrapbook.

The most important part is to have fun with it and enjoy what you are doing. This should be a labor of love and not just a labor that has you pulling your hair out. Scrapbooking is an enjoyable hobby that can showcase a lifetime of memories.

Browse to Mike Selvon portal to find out more about scrapbooking kits. We greatly appreciate your feedback at our scrapbooking tips blog.

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

Effective Scrapbooking Design Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 22:31:00 +0000

Joshua Saunders

Scrapbooking is an enjoyable hobby and learning a few simple tips can help you produce a more pleasing result. Although design matters a great deal, it is always good to keep the focus on the subject matter. These can be photographs, newspaper clippings, articles and other printed material.

One great tip is to make a visual triangle to keep the viewers' focus on the subject matter itself and the design simply as an aesthetic. This is especially helpful when the subject matter is consecutive. The odd number rule is useful to keep in mind when working with the visual triangle.

Another great tip is if you are laying out several photographs; leave enough space for any writing. At first, you might not want to bother about writing anything but eventually you might decide to pass it around during gatherings or even give it away as a gift. Others might need explanatory notes you might want to add.

Sticking the photographs, at the edges of the page will draw attention to it rather than sticking it randomly at the page or the center. The subjects on your layout do not necessarily have to be upright all the time. Have fun with it and stick them diagonally and horizontally if it permits.

One page back to back can be for layout; a double-paged layout allows you to have a lot more space to inject creativity into your work. Both pages can either be a continuity of a design, the same design or exciting and different designs for each page. When designing your layout, try to have your designs compliment the subject matter. By following these tips, you can create a beautiful scrapbook

Joshua Saunders is a partner in the online store, http://www.Modzy.com, the #1 online scrapbook store. Modzy.com has thousands of scrapbooking products at low prices everyday.

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

Premade Disney Scrapbooking Pages - Scrapbooking With Disney, the Perfect Summer Activity

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 21:21:00 +0000

Erik Birkeland

Have you been looking for activities to do with your children? Now that summer has arrived and schools are letting out this is a great time to spend time with your kids. One activity that really stands out as a bonding experience with your child is scrapbooking. To get started with this you should take a look at premade Disney scrapbook pages. These will allow you to get going quickly and make beautiful scrapbooks.

To get started you should pick out the Disney characters you would like to work with. You can choose from Winnie The Pooh, Snow White, Sleepy Beauty, Belle, Jasmine, Mickey Mouse just to name a few. If you want your child to be really excited about the project let them pick out the character.

If you are looking to do a project that will be fun and not take a whole lot of artistic talent then take a look at getting a scrapbook kit. These come with everything you are going need to make the scrapbook. They'll have the premade Disney scrapbook pages, embellishments, accents and stickers. If necessary get a pack of words and titles you can use with the scrapbook. These are normally hard to think up. A pack of words and titles will make your scrapbook look that much better.

Of course the idea with this is to not only immortalize your memories but also spend time with your child. All to often we as parents just don't spend enough time with our children. Use the experience of making the scrapbook to connect with your child at a deeper level. You'll find this much more fulfilling than watching TV or a movie together. The premade Disney scrapbook pages will remove the up front work in getting started in making your scrapbook and will interest your child in the experience right from the start. Don't get me wrong making any kind of scrapbook with your child is great but doing it with Disney characters will hold their attention more than if you didn't use them.

Don't pass up the moments of time you have with your children. After all they eventually grow up. Seize the time you have with them now and put together a scrapbook you will enjoy for years to come. Happy scrapbooking.

If you would like to learn more about scrapbooking with Disney thems then visit my site at http://www.freeprintablescrapbooking.com/premade-disney-scrapbook-pages.html

Erik Birkeland writes on business and family related issues.

To read more about scrapbooking and how to enhance your experience with it then visit http://www.freeprintablescrapbooking.com

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

When Words Fail You - Quotes and Ideas For Scrapbooking

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 01:46:00 +0000

Alecia Lehmann

Let's face it: It's not always easy to come up with witty, heartwarming or eye-catching quotes or ideas for other "wordy" scrapbooking elements. But scrapbookers creating their art in the Internet age are in luck! There is a goldmine of resources for quotes and ideas online.

The words on a scrapbook page carry a heavy responsibility. They grab the viewer's attention, they convey emotion, they establish the page's theme, and they fill in the details of the stories told by the photos. That's a heavy load to bear! And although only you know the details of what your photos depict, looking for quotes and ideas for scrapbooking from sources other than your own brain can be an inspiring way to springboard your page into something fantastic.

Quotes can come from anywhere. Are you creating a baby scrapbook? Consider using quotes from your child's favorite bedtime story, or even one of those "darndest things" that come from your wee one's own mouth.

Are you doing a heritage page, full of time-worn sepia photos and trinkets from great-grandma's jewelry box? Perhaps a song lyric from grandma's day might suit. Or how about one of those pearls of wisdom that your grandmother always used to dole out? They just might be the perfect, personalized quote for such a scrapbook page.

Quotes and ideas gleaned from books, magazines, online, or the world around you need not even appear on the page in order to influence the design. Perhaps you are stuck for a layout idea for pictures of your daughter's first trip to the beach? Check out a quote directory site (like quoteland.com, or quotationspage.com, to name just two), enter in "beach" or "ocean" or "swimming" or "summer" or any other keyword that comes to mind when you look at the photos. What you find may inspire your journaling, your embellishment or paper choices, or even the mood of the layout.

Using the keyword "summer," for example, will likely garner the Henry James quote "Summer afternoon - Summer afternoon... the two most beautiful words in the English language." Although this quote may be a little cumbersome for your page, you may be inspired to journal about what you love about summer, or even about what you think the most beautiful words in the English language are.

There are both an abundance of sources for and myriad ways to use scrapbook quotes as inspiration for and components of your pages. Look beyond simple titles and journaling to the ways in which the words of others can spark your own creativity. You are sure to create something great.

Alecia Lehmann is a Scrapbooking enthusiast! Her articles are designed to help scrapbookers enjoy one of the world's fastest growing hobbies using very cheap (in most cases free) ideas and suggestions. If you enjoyed this article, make sure you sign up for "The Ultimate Scrapbooking Ezine" at http://www.megascrapbooking.com

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

Creating a Summer Camp Scrapbook

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:30:00 +0000

Audrey Okaneko

When my daughter goes to camp, she knows I'll be asking her 100 questions when she comes home. This past summer she was gone for an entire month and I'm certain my questions numbered over 100.

Prior to digital cameras being so popular, I always would buy many disposable cameras so that she was able to capture photos of everything she did and everywhere she went. Even today, in the age of digital photography a disposable underwater camera is a wonderful investment.

We discovered the camp my daughter attended this past summer through her attending a one week program earlier in the year. When she attended the one week program the camp gave the kids their summer camp information. We saved those brochures for the beginning of her camp scrapbook.

As the months progressed, we began getting both postal mail and email from the camp about the summer ahead. We saved all of those communications so they could be copied onto acid free paper.

Each week my daughter was gone, the camp leader sent parents an email update of what the kids had done that week. There were also photos added to the camp website that parents could download. On my end, I was saving all of this for inclusion in the summer camp scrapbook.

Meanwhile my daughter was taking photos of the places she visited and the people she was with. She also kept a small journal so she could answer my countless questions when she returned.

In addition to taking photos of the other kids she was with, my daughter also took photos of the many counselors and other camp staff that supported the program while she was there.

For younger children attending day camp, ask if you can spend a bit of time taking photos. I know one of our local camps has a teen counselor who takes photos daily and uploads them to the camp website so the parents can download them for their personal use.

Camp is a lot of fun for kids. Capture that fun through photos and a camp scrapbook!!

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

Digital Scrapbooking And Digital Photography - A Match Made In Heaven

noreply@blogger.com (Dustin Cannon) — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 21:01:00 +0000

Lisa Walstad

Scrapbooking has never been as easy as it is now!

Creating scrapbook pages is one of America's favorite hobbies. What's not to love about documenting the lives of the ones we love and capturing their very special memories? Even those who are not scrapbookers themselves love to look at finished scrapbooks - oohing and awing over the photo's, cute embellishments and the neat papers used to create these one of a kind keepsakes.

And now there's a new way to scrapbook that arrived on the scene a few years ago and it's really taking off! Digital scrapbooking, or as it's sometimes called… computer scrapbooking, is catching on fast. And traditional paper scrappers as well as those who have never scrapbooked before are loving it.

It still incorporates all the favorites of scrapbooking while eliminating a lot of the not so favorite aspects of the craft. When you use your computer to create your scrapbook pages, you no longer have all of the mess and clutter that traditionally was a part of scrapbooking with paper.

Here's just a few of the benefits of computer scrapbooking that I could think of:

No more tiny pieces of paper lying around, getting stuck in all the nooks and crannies of your scrapping area.

Glue getting stuck everywhere - a thing of the past.

Having stacks of scrapbook paper, embellishments and tools lying around - nope.

Your scrapping area is now anywhere your computer can go.

You can move your photo's and page elements all over the place without ever having to start over.

When your done scrapbooking for the day, you don't have to put everything back; only to have to drag it all out again the next time you decide to scrapbook.

You can shop for new digital scrapbooking supplies in your jammies, online; anytime of the day.

You can share your beautiful scrapbook layouts with Grandma, Mom and your best friend with the click of your mouse.

You can even have your finished page layouts printed into a hardcover coffee table book if you want.

Digital scrapbooking supplies are so much more affordable and you can use them over and over.

I'm sure you're getting the idea by now. Another really nice benefit is being able to take your digital photo's right off your digital camera and into your scrapbook pages. No fuss, no printing first. You can resize your photos to fit your scrapbook pages right inside your scrapbooking software.

And speaking of your digital pictures; imagine being able to erase that big pimple off your teenagers face or magically losing a few pounds by using your image editing software. Priceless!

And if you're the kind of person that doesn't consider yourself very creative, there's even help for you! Pre-made digital scrapbooking layouts can be found online. All you need to do is add your photos and a little personalized journaling if you want, and it's done. Your family and friends will think that you are a scrapbooking genius.

If you can't bear letting go of all your paper scrapbooking supplies, there is good news. Many people are combining both paper and digital scrapbooking to create one of a kind layouts. The term for this is hybrid scrapbooking.

So what are you waiting for? Go get started! Digital scrapbooking is so much fun. Just be careful, because this is one hobby that can become quite addicting very fast!

Lisa is a digital scrapbook product designer and owner of several digital scrapbooking websites. Please visit http://www.digiscrapclub.com for digital scrapbooking papers, embellishments, pre-made layouts and coordinated kits. And for some great free digital scrapbooking stuff go to http://www.digitalscrapbooking-free.com. Lessons and tutorials are also available.

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