Changing Your Mind

How many times have put the finishing touches on a layout, and then realized that you made a mistake? I have experienced that sinking feeling far too many times to count. Part of me wants to scream while the other wants to sob. In some cases I have lucked out and figured out a way to salvage the page design, but on many occasions I’ve had to start all over again. This is why I have spent a ton of time researching different adhesives. Avid scrapbookers know that some sticky substances are easier to get unstuck than others. For example, … Continue reading →

Taking the First Step

Do you remember the first scrapbook you made all by yourself? My first memory album featured a travel theme and despite nearly 20 years and seven moves, it is still in one piece. If you are contemplating making the move to scrapbooking, but are overwhelmed by the virtually endless amount of themes available, just relax. Take a deep breath and start with a topic you know well. If you are a parent, the answer might be right in front of you. Selecting your children as the topic for your first scrapbook is an excellent choice on many levels. For starters … Continue reading →

Don’t Wait to Create

With the height of the spring break travel season upon us, many scrapbookers are heading out to soak up the sun, sand and surf. However, unless they’re thinking ahead, many of them may be missing the boat when it comes to capturing magical moments to preserve in travel scrapbooks. The key to crafting an exceptional vacation-themed memory book is to plan layouts while you are still enjoying your trip. Don’t wait to create. I learned that from a scrapbooking seminar I attended last year. Basically, it means that you should be formulating your game plan while you in the moment. … Continue reading →

Beating Scrapbooking Block

Even the best crafters suffer from scrapper’s block every once in a while. In fact, after designing hundreds of layouts, it’s not uncommon for the most experienced scrapbookers to resort to beginner techniques or materials. Recently, I was quite shocked to learn that my neighbor and scrapbooking mentor (she has been creating elaborate memory albums for more than 25 years) uses instructional scrapbook paper from time to time. The paper she uses comes from a manual called Layout Blueprints. The spiral bound book features dozens of page designs that you can place on a copier and print out to meet … Continue reading →

Spice Up Chipboard

Painting plain chipboard is an easy and affordable way to give your layouts a boost. However, it’s not the only way to breathe new life into the popular embellishment. If you are trying to save money by making your own chipboard accents, consider decoupage. Frugal scrapbookers know the value of this technique, which can be used on a myriad of materials, including chipboard. Start by collecting patterned paper scraps. Any leftover scrapbook paper that features colors that complement your layout will do. Next, adhere the paper to the chipboard with Mod Podge, and allow it to dry thoroughly before trimming … Continue reading →

Chip Off the Block

Whereas I am a huge advocate of repurposing leftover material to decorate my scrapbook layouts, I don’t go out of my way to embellish exclusively with environmentally-friendly products. To get me to “go green” my neighbor recently gifted me with a large stack of plain chipboard. The specialty scrapbook embellishment (very thick pressed cardboard paper) is made from recycled products. Chipboard is used to add color and dimension to layouts in a variety of ways, including letters for titles, photo corners, frames, decorative shapes, page borders and tags. Scrapbook supply shops sell a variety of chipboard accents. These vibrant embellishments … Continue reading →

The Wonderful World of Ribbon

In the world of scrapbooking, ribbons are your friends. Not only are they easy to work with, but ribbons are also extremely versatile. My recent ribbon kick has included creating more than just a bunch of girly-girl layouts. In fact, I used scrap ribbon I had leftover from the holidays to craft a couple of very masculine page designs. I paired the winter blue and white ribbons I used on a variety of Christmas gifts with mint green and cream colored ribbon to create a frame for a multi-generational grandpa/father/son layout. In addition, I used ribbon with frayed edges to … Continue reading →

Don’t Waste Money on Paper

I haven’t bought new scrapbook paper in more than a year. After crunching some numbers following the purchase of my new computer printer, I discovered I could save money by buying additional ink and simply printing out free paper offered on the Internet. For nearly a decade I spent wads of cash purchasing stacks of patterned paper from scrapbook supply stores. The selection at my local shop is incredible and I don’t regret my buys; however, these days the World Wide Web is the gateway to a plethora of paper options, some of which you don’t need to spend a … Continue reading →

Funny Thanksgiving Layouts

Remember the Thanksgiving when Aunt Lucy made salmon instead of turkey? Okay, maybe that just happens in my family. Whether it’s being served fish instead of bird, or a pumpkin pie exploded in the kitchen, or great-grandpa fell asleep in the middle of saying grace, Thanksgiving is a hotbed for humorous scrapbook material. When you get sick of trying to figure out new and exciting ways to display photos of your family eating turkey, consider adding sidesplitting journaling supplements, funny poems or cute quips to mark the holiday. Many scrappers are afraid of adding poems to their layouts, but if … Continue reading →

The Wonderful World of Words

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but if you are a scrapbooker, then you know that having a layout filled exclusively with photos can make for boring crafting and viewing. Words, whether they are in the form of journaling, titles, famous quotes or sayings, add another dimension to a page design. What’s more, the ideas shared on paper only enhance the images you are featuring on your layout. I use famous quotes, song lyrics or parts of poems to reinforce the themes of my layouts. For example, last May, I designed a Mother’s Day scrapbook and dedicated … Continue reading →