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When one hears about a scrapbooking party they may feel the need to run the other way due to the overwhelming feeling that you are behind on something; their photos that are sitting in an oversized drawer at home. Scrapbooking does not have to be overwhelming and can be completed quite easily with just a few tools, organization and a little creativity.

Cropping the photos that will adorn your album is a good place to start. Once this is behind you, the real fun can start. This step can be completed in front of the television one night during reruns (summer is the perfect time). Get creative by cutting photos into different shapes and sizes. Use a good, sharp pair of scissors or a cutting set if preferred. Cutting the photos into various shapes is a great way to add pizzazz if you do not have a lot of time to devote to your project. A simple border can be created by using colored pens or pencils; adding new life to a plain photo if you choose not to crop.

Now with the cropping behind you, get to work. Your album doesn't have to be a masterpiece; it is, after all, about the pictures and the story they tell. Use a tape runner or acid-free glue to attach 3 to 4 photos per page, leaving room for simple die-cuts, a quote or even a special date. A tape runner or acid free glue is a good way to ensure each photo will stay in place with accuracy.

The idea is to keep the album simple without it looking so. Add a border of special colored paper down one margin on either sides of the page spread so that it brings life to the pages without taking away from the photos. For instance, if you are doing a spread on Halloween, cut four squares of Halloween themed paper (or interchangeable orange and black), and place them along the sides of the page or across the top. Put captions or quotes under/next to each photo and whoa la, you have created a page without muss and fuss.

One mistake to avoid is using too many stickers. It is easy to get carried away with sticker placement and abundance. Stickers can be used sparingly without overtaking a page. For example, place stickers in a cluster at the top and/or bottom corners of a page and focus on captions for the pictures. If creating an Easter theme, place several Easter egg stickers (about 5) across the top of the page, add some grass with green marker and you have created a nice introduction for your theme.

There is a wide array of die cuts, stickers, and letters that, when put together ingeniously, can generate a simple yet well thought out photo album for all to enjoy for years to come.

Learn more about this author, Allison Hickman.
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