The Art of Scrapbooking

Learning the art of  scrapbooking will take some time and commitment, and yes it is really can be like a piece of art when you are finished. Once you have learned the techniques of scrapbooking you will be able to really enjoy the time you give this craft. Before you get started in scrapbooking you will need to know how to use a few basic scrapbooking tools, where to get scrapbooking supplies, and learn some basic scrapbooking skills. Scrapbooking projects can be difficult at first, but the reward you receive will be great when you create a family heirloom full of memories that you can pass down to your children, and their children for generations.

Scrapbooking Pictures

Scrapbooking Pictures Page

First you will need pictures to get started with your scrapbooking. Most people today keep their photos on their computer, but you may have boxes filled with pictures from the pre-digital days, and  you may notice that some photos have became discolored or bent.  Both printed photos and developed photos will break down over time from the acid and moisture around them, causing them to fade or change colors over time.  you will want to make sure that you use only acid free scrapbooking materials to preserve your memories for years to come.

Scrapbooking Tools

Scrapbooking Tools

There are some basics scrapbooking tools that you will need to get before you start your voyage of scrapbooking. Every good scrapbooker needs a cutting tool. You will need to get sharp scissors and specialty scrapbooking scissors that will cut scalloped edges, but you may also want something that will cut a straight line and circles. You will also need some form of scrapbooking adhesive. Beginners may find that the easiest products to buy are photo mounts, which are tiny pre-cut pieces of tape, and glue dots, which are pressure-sensitive strong spots of glue to hold your larger scrapbooking embellishments. Beyond a cutting tool and adhesive, you really don’t need any other tools to get started, but if you want to create fancier pages, many options are available including rubber stamps, paper crimpers, and punches. Start with a few smaller items and increase your inventory as you learn more and more scrapbooking skills.

Scrapbooking Supplies

You will also need a few basic scrapbooking supplies before you begin, the most important of which is your scrapbooking album itself. Make sure whatever you purchase is large enough to hold all the pictures you want to include; two to five pictures will fit on a standard 8 ½ x 11 page with cropping, with the most balanced layouts having three pictures. You will have more freedom to arrange your layout with a larger 12 x 12 scrapbook, which is becoming the standard for most scrappers today, or you can also choose from some smaller albums available. The only other scrapbooking supply that you really need to get started with your scrapbook album is some scrapbooking paper. Most albums come with a plain white paper inside each sheet protector, but there are many colors and designs to choose from to help spice up your album. Other scrapbooking supplies that add interest to your pages will be your scrapbooking embellishments, which include such things as stickers, die cut shapes, and other 3D elements that give your scrapbook your personal flair and meaning to your pages.

 Scrapbooking Ideas

When it comes to the skills that you will need, you can find it to be creativity and you’ll learn how to do things that you see in a magazine or online and mimic it in your art. If you would like to gain some skills the fast way, you will want to attend or join a scrapbook workshop or club. You will find many scrapbooking workshops available at your local paper craft and scrapbooking supply stores. There is a lot of scrapbooking ideas available on the internet, and through scrapbooking books and magazines. Stay committed and you will soon be able to master the art of scrapbooking.