Learning how to make a scrapbook
Scrapbooking, the activity and craft of making a scrapbook, can definitely be one of the more rewarding, enjoyable, and relaxing hobbies a person can get into. Scrapbooking can bring out the creative and resourceful side of us all, it is also a very practical way to organize your personal memories and keepsakes into one place. People have been collecting photographs and memory filled mementos from their loved ones, family members, and friends throughout the years. Scrapbooking is a great way to organize, keep, and protect these items, and scrapbooks are great for viewing your kept memories, or for showing them to others.
The Scrapbook Album
Scrapbook Album by Scrappy Legg Designs
The most common and simplest method used in scrapbooking is the scrapbook album. This method typically involves the use of photos like you would see in a common photo album. When creating scrapbooks albums, you should first consider the scrapbook album itself. Typically, there are two standard scrapbook album sizes of on the market today, the standard paper size of 8.5 x11 and the lager paper size of 12 x12. Most memory keepers prefer to use the lager 12 x 12 scrapbook page size, as it allows for much room to add comments and decoration around the photos, and gives the scrapper more freedom to be creative with their memory pages.
A common option for scrapbook albums include the post-bound albums that come with white or black cardstock pages and have clear scrapbook page protectors that cover each page. The scrapbook pages are bound into the album with three posts that enable the scrapbook pages to be easily added or removed. This type of scrapbook album also makes it easy for the scrapbookers to change or relocate the scrapbook pages by just pulling the scrapbook page out of the protective sleeve, or simply sliding in a pattered scrapbook page over the blank cardstock.
Strap-hinge scrapbook albums, on the other hand, are those scrapbook albums that have flexible plastic straps in the cover that run through wire loops embedded into each scrapbook page and are expandable, while the 3-ring (or D-ring) binder types are scrapbook albums that are bound using rings that allow you to add or switch around pages quickly and easily. Aside from the scrapbook album itself, other major considerations in scrapbooking is the actual area or room, and the scrapbook supplies required to make a scrapbook album. There are basic Scrapbook Supplies and Materials
Basic Scrapbooking Supplies:
Scrapbook Paper or Scrapbook Pages: Scrapbooking paper creates the background of each scrapbook page, whether it be a blank cardstock page, a printed page, or a premade scrapbook page with pattern and other embellishments already on the page.
Scrapbook Embellishments: Two dimensional embellishments such as stickers, stamps, rub-ons, etc are used to add simple decoration to each scrapbook page. Three dimensional scrapbooking embellishments such as brads, eyelets, buttons, natural fibers, threads, yarns, ribbons, beads, craft wire, sequins, flowers, roses, and leaves. The source for scrapbooking embellishments is as endless as the events in your life that you want to record that give these embellishing items meaning.
Scrapbook paper embellishments: These paper embellishments are usually premade, or you can make them yourself as you get better, and acquire more advanced scrapbooking tools, software, and materials. These paper embellishments can be of almost any shape or pattern you can imagine, including embossed charms, characters, letters, numbers, and special theme layouts.
Scrapbook paper die-cuts: Die-cuts are paper shapes, patterns, designs that can some in almost any color or theme. These The recent use of personal die-cutting machines, and pattern software, and pre-programmed cartridges has allowed scrappers to die-cut out any shape, character, symbol, or font they want to add to make their scrapbook paper embellishments completely unique.
Scrapbook paper punches: Paper punches are simple tools that used to punch shapes out of paper, and unique corner treatments, that can come in shapes and sizes.
Scrapbook chalk: These decorative chalks of various colors come in sets with applicators are perfect for highlighting or shading any scrapbook page.
Scrapbook rubber stamps: The use of rubber stamps is quick and versatile and can be used for other craft activities like personalizing stationary, or card making.
Scrapbook stickers: Stickers , like rubber stamps, are available in many designs, colors, sizes, and themes. Scrapbooking stickers usually come in themed packs and can also be used for other craft activities. Three dimensional stickers are also available.
Learning how to make a scrapbook with these basic scrapbook supplies is just the beginning. Like any hobby, you can put in a lot of time and invest a lot of money into your scrapbooking supplies and materials. But unlike most hobbies, your scrapbook will become a legacy of all of your collective memories that will be recorded and archived for your future family generations.
Advanced Scrapbooking Supplies and Scrapbook Ideas:
Scrapbook Kits
Digital Scrapbook
Scrapbook Software
Scrapbook Storage
Scrapbook Organizer
Scrapbook Journaling
Scrapbook Ideas:
Baby Scrapbook
Wedding Scrapbook
School Scrapbook
Scrapbook Calendar
Recipe Scrapbook
Sports Scrapbook
Pet Scrapbook
Basic Paper Craft and Scrapbook Terminology
When you go craft store, or are viewing scrapbook supplies online, it's important to know a few basic terms so that you know what you are looking for and talking about.
Acid-Free Materials:
Acid-free products are the key to creating and preserving your scrapbook. You want to request materials that do not have acid-based chemical reactive content. The Ph level should be around seven or even higher, to produce a safe keep scrapbook. The products should not have polyvinyl chlorides; therefore look for PVC-Free materials. Instead, look for materials made of polyester, polyethylene, or polypropylene. Lignin-Free materials will prevent your newspapers, or clippings from yellowing. Lignin is acid based. In addition, you want to learn steps to avoid acidy contents touching your scrapbook. You should wash your hands prior to touching your scrapbook, and request that anyone touching your scrapbook wash their hands beforehand.
Archival is a common term in crafts, since many scrapbooks are made up as archrivals. Archival is the process of protecting your scrapbook from fading, yellowing, or deteriorating. Buffer paper is recommended for crafting scrapbooks. Buffer paper will protect your book from defused acids, and acid migrating from damaging your papers and photos. To find buffer paper suitable for scrapbook crafting, look for paper with the label “Photo Activity Test,” approved or P.A.T., which is approved by ANSI. (American National Standards Institute)
If you plan to glue your photos and news clippings, or other materials in your scrapbook, keep in mind that reversible adhesive is optional. The contents will allow you to remove the photos later and re-locate them in necessary.
“CK OK,” is the “Seal of Approval” that provides you a safe keep in scrap booking. If the materials you purchase do not have this seal, leave it alone.
Other Scrapbooking terms and processes include: cropping, mounting and double mounting, embellishment, heading, theme, title page, and memorabilia.
Cropping: Cropping is best done within Photoshop or another photo editing software, otherwise, or you can do it the old fashion way with scissors. The process requires that you trim the photos to fit your scrapbook page. Cropping can also be used as a term for collecting, allocating ideas, and putting the parts in order so that it tells a story.
Mounting: The act of using an adhesive or other attachment device to place your photos on a single sheet of paper is the process of mounting. Double mounting is comparable to matting. The process includes gluing two pieces of paper, sticking them together with the photos resting on top of the papers.
Embellishment is the terms used to define die-cuts, stickers, or related materials that make up a page in your scrapbook.
Heading: The header is your title page. The title scrapbook page is the starting point when you make a scrapbook, and should set the theme for the entire scrapbook layout theme and pages to follow. The scrapbook theme will define your overall scrapbook ideas behind your scrapbook layout.
Layout: The term layout is used to define your scrapbook page grouping or design. You can develop and refine your scrapbook ideas and layouts in Photoshop before you begin.
Page layout is the process of laying out all of the non-photographic materials, such as the journaling, embellishments, etc decorated around your photos. Memorabilia is the souvenirs, artwork, official documents, or other physical items of special life events that you add to your scrapbook pages.
Workshop is the process of working together with other scrappers to come up with ideas and scrapbook page layout designs.
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