Scrapbooking is a fun and creative way to display your photos and keepsakes. When you want to add a personal touch to the way you display your memories, a photo album is just not enough. Some people like to add quotes to their photos or stickers and ticket stubs that go along with them. If you would like to keep all of these things in one album, then a scrapbook is the way to go. It may seem like a lot of work, but getting started scrapbooking is very simple. You just need a few things, a little motivation and alot of 'scraps.'
When you start a scrapbook for the first time, you should collect a few things before you get started. First thing you should do is get all of the photos you wish to use and any memorabilia that go along with them, i.e., ticket stubs, menus, postcards etc, and put them all in one place Once you have all of this together, then you can start collecting scrapbooking tools that you may have around the house, i.e sharp scissors, markers, stickers etc. If you get all of this stuff together and get it organized before you begin, you'll save yourself a lot of time later when you have begun creating your scrapbook.
After you have rummaged through the house for anything you may be able to use for your scrapbook, it's time to hit the store. Some dollar stores and flea markets have scrapbooking materials, so if you are looking for a bargain, check out these types of stores first. Otherwise, your local bookstore or retail store should carry scrapbooking supplies.
You have quite a few options when it comes to scrapbooking materials, but there are a few things that you will definitely need. A sharp pair of scissors, glue sticks or double-sided tape, scrapbook paper and most importantly, a scrapbook, are the essentials. Scrapbook paper comes in many different styles and you can also buy packs that have a variety of papers in them.
Next, you'll need a way to put text in your scrapbook. There are several options for doing this. The first is markers, these are great but if you are looking for a more polished look you may want to go with something more uniform. You can buy alphabet sticker packs in different designs or even stickers with ready-made quotes and names on them. If you want something you can use over and over again then stamps are the best. Stamps come in all shapes and sizes and the inks come in all colors. You can also find stamps with designs or even stamps for paper borders.
There are many ways to decorate a scrapbook, you can buy paper frames that you can use to give your pictures a little dimension. Or you can even make frames. Simply cut them out of any kind of decorative paper you would like to use. You can find stickers with virtually anything on them. These are a great way to fill space. There are even scissors and paper cutters that can give you wavy or jagged edges on your paper or photos.
Another thing that is important to know before you begin is that scrapbooking material can really accumulate. Buying tupperware containers or photo boxes for your supplies will help keep things organized. This also makes things a little less of a hassle when you are working on your project. Some stores even sell scrapbook kits with some of the things mentioned above as well as a handy container to store it all in.
Once you've got all of your supplies together and you're ready to begin, it's a good idea to clear off a table or even a large space on the floor. Scrapbooking can take up room so the more space you have the less of a headache it will be. Once you've got some space you can get started in earnest.
Start by choosing a piece of paper and what photos and memorabilia you want to place on it. Once you do that cut the photos to size with a sharp pair of scissors, if necessary. Then choose where you want them on the page and glue or tape them there. After that it's all filler. Finish decorating the page to your taste and then carefully place it in a sleeve in your scrapbbok. Keep building pages until your book is full and then you have your first scrapbook. Don't forget to show it off.