Scrapbooking Basics

Scrapbooking is becoming one of the most popular craft/hobbies in the country as it is both creative and practical. It's easy for anyone to create exciting, artistic pages to enhance their photos. This rewarding hobby provides a family treasure that will endure for countless generations. To plan the page layout of your scrap book, you need a theme, a bit of time, and your creative ideas. Here are some facts and steps to help you get started.

1. Organize

Get those pictures out of shoeboxes and onto the dinning table where they can be enjoyed. Organize and sort your photos by subjects, such as Activities, Events, People, Places, Things, Time, etc. Then sort each category into chronological order. Most people begin with a memory book for each child, a Christmas book, a birthday book or a vacation book. Gather your decorating materials. Everything that touches your photos should be of archival quality, that is, Photo-safe.

2. Create a photo page

Select photos with which to build a theme for your page. If desired, crop photos to desired shapes, using templates, scissors, corner borders, craft punches, etc. Select enhancing papers or stickers, or create a background with rubber stamps. Before adhering anything to your page, experiment with the layout by moving things around until you are satisfied with the results. Then assemble and glue the page. You can use vellum paper as a background or an overlay to give your pictures a touch of beauty. You can also cut different colors of vellum paper into different shapes. Glue the distored shapes of vellum around your picture to create a stained glass look! There are so many creative projects you can do with vellum paper.

3. Arrange your scrapbook

Assemble your finished pages in chronological order to tell the story. Add memorabilia to facing pages, such as letters, awards, programs, tickets, etc. Leave room for journaling. Add information and details.

When you are creating a scapbook that has valuable pictures and documents, you want to protect them with safe products. When purchasing products make sure they have the following qualities.

ACID FREE: Any material that does not contain acid, which destroys photos with time. A neutral pH of 7.0, like that of pure water, is ideal for archival use. If the pH value of stamp pad ink is unknown, mat your photos with acid free paper before mounting on a stamped background. Heat set or emboss stamped images. Heat embossed images should be kept away from direct contact with your photographs, since the pH value of embossing powder cannot be determined.

LIGNIN FREE: Lignin is a natural, acidic substance found in most papers, used for strength and stiffness. It causes chemical degradation of photos.