Craft scissors are a valuable tool for creative scrapbook enthusiasts.
Scrapbooking is a creative way to display cherished photos and treasured mementos. The hobby involves many hours of planning and designing, but results in a wonderful keepsake for generations to enjoy. It allows women to socialize, spend time with family and create albums with personality and special meaning. A few basic tips can lead to quality work.
Stock Up on Materials
The more scrapbooking materials you have on hand, the greater freedom you have to create a great layout. Gather supplies, such as scissors, tape, glue, stickers, stencils and rubber stamps, and stock up on decorative and single-colored paper. Pick up materials whenever there is a coupon or sale on items. Your collection will grow in no time.
Mat Photos
Before placing photos on a decorative background, be sure to mat them on a single-colored sheet of paper. This solid-colored frame around a photo creates a necessary separation between the photo and a busy, patterned background.
Limit Photos
Do not overcrowd a page with photos. Typically, placing two or three photos on a page is the standard way to showcase photos and create a harmonizing layout. This leaves enough room to add embellishments without distracting from the beauty of the photos.
Personal Touches
Add personality to your pages. The patterned paper you choose can set the mood. Journaling also gives life to a page. Write a poem, paragraph, sentence or caption, or place descriptive words within the layout. Special mementos are a great addition too, such as a baby’s hospital bracelet, a concert ticket or pressed flower petals.
Focus on Themes
Each page (or double-page spread) should focus on a different theme. Make sure all the photos and decorative elements placed onto a page relate to each other. Sticking to a color scheme provides harmony to a layout.
Maintain Balance
Do not make all items on a page the same size and shape. Choose one larger photo to be the main focus and surround it with smaller ones. You can tilt the photos or design elements to help guide the viewer’s eyes through the layout. All elements on the page should complement each other. No two objects should be fighting for attention.
Use Cutouts
Pick up the scissors and get creative. Cut photos and paper into circles and other shapes, or remove the background in a photo by cutting around a person or object.
Be Creative
There are no fixed golden rules of scrapbook design. Don’t be afraid to experiment with objects or techniques and try new, creative ideas. You can even look through other scrapbooks or scrapbooking magazines for inspiration.
Use Quality Products
You don’t want to spend a lot of time creating a scrapbook, only to have it start to yellow and age over time. The University of Wisconsin-Extension advises using products labeled "acid-free," "lignin-free," "archive quality" and "photo safe." Protect pages with plastic sheet protectors to make the colors and quality last. An acid neutralizing spray can also be used on outside items, such as ticket stubs and event programs, to maintain their integrity.
