How to Master Scrapbooking 101

A scrapbook is basically a way of preserving all of your memories with photographs and captions. A scrapbook can be completed to fit anyone's style! All it requires is a little creativity. All individuals possess this trait, one just has to learn how to bring out their inner creativity and place it on paper, which can take a let time and patience.

First you need to pick out the proper scrapbook for your project. I usually recommend a 12 '12 because it allows room for more pictures and more design. Some individuals who feel that they are lacking in the creativity department may choose to opt out for a smaller book, but basically any shape or size will do.

One important factor to remember is to only work on one page at a time, so your ideas do not get cluttered together. Place all of your pictures that you want for that one page together, so that you can form a pattern for your page. These pictures can be placed anyway you like and cut out any way you like. I prefer to make frames for my photo out of acid-free scrapbook paper. Remember to always use acid-free supplies so that your scrapbook will be protected and last for years to come.

Once you have chosen your pictures, you need to come up with a theme. For example my daughter and I went to the zoo last spring. I used burnt orange paper as my background, and then I cut spots out in brown paper. I placed the spots sporadically on the background, in order to resemble a giraffe's coat. I then took a light tan colored paper and cut it to frame behind my photos. This theme matched the zoo pictures perfectly and while it was creative it was not too overpowering. As a scrapbooker, you want your pages to be unique but the pictures should stand out more than the design.

You can also make appliques for your page such as birthday cakes, gift boxes, or balloons for a birthday theme. This may not be worth the time for every scrapbooker, so luckily your local craft store sells these appliques. They have many different varieties from vacation to graduation.