If you are new to the world of scrapbooking then figuring out what papers to use, how to cut your pictures, or finding embellishments to compliment your layout can be difficult and confusing decisions to make. And did I say something about a layout? Yes there are some basics to scrapbooking that can help you learn and understand how to make a scrapbook for the first time. Here are some simple steps to help you make your first scrapbook.
1.Scrapbook size. The first thing you need to decide is what size you want to make your book. Most scrapbookers today will use a 12×12 binder but you are not limited to just that size. If can also use the standard 8 ½ x 11 binders and papers. It depends on the scrapbooker and what size they prefer. When you use the bigger binders and papers you can fit more onto the page and it seems that the layout is more symmetrical; however there are some great scrapbooking pages that have been made from the smaller sizes as well. It’s all up to you. Finding the size of your scrapbook is the first step because then you will know what size papers you need to buy.
2.Choose a theme. For a beginner it might seem out of order to choose a theme before you choose the paper but for an avid scrapbooker that is the next step. The reason you want to choose a theme before you go out and get the paper and embellishments that you want is so that you don’t waste your time buying a million different kinds of papers that won’t work with the pages you want to do. Themes are a great way to start your scrapbook. Choose a memorable occasion, event, vacation, or something that might be coming up in the very near future. Weddings also make for great scrapbook pages, so before you go and buy the store out of all their paper think of a few different themes you will want to scrapbook and then go buy the stuff.
3.Pictures and layout design. Now that you have decided on a few different themes you’ll want to pull out your pictures and try to decide which ones are good and which ones aren’t. By “good” I mean which ones you want to use in the scrapbook; ones that are clear and in focus or don’t have too many other distracting objects in them. Organizing your pictures onto different pages will also help you figure out what kinds of embellishments you want to use and what kind of designs on the paper you want.
Organizing your pictures will also become part of your layout and design. As you begin to figure out what pictures to use, you can begin to figure out what type of layout you want to use for your pages. Don’t get too overwhelmed when it comes to this though; there are plenty of books, magazines, and web sites that can help you come up with some great layouts for your scrapbook pages.
4.Papers and embellishments. Your next step in making a scrapbook is finding the papers to go along with your themes and your pictures. Look for certain colors that are in your pictures so you can coordinate with the papers and really create an eye popping page. As for embellishments you can use ribbons, brads, eyelets, and there are even tools out there to make the edges of your paper look like you have sewn them together. Paper and embellishments are all up to you and what you like; just remember to keep it simple. Too much of something can make your page look confusing and overbearing.
5.Journaling. The last thing you want to do with your page is some journaling. Now depending on the scrapbooker you can journal small poems or short tidbit to help tell parts of the story of your pictures, or you can us half of the page to really get all the details in. Journaling can be done through titles, poetry, and stories and can really help bring the scrapbook pages together nicely.
Hopefully these pointers will help get you started and give you some ideas on how to make your first scrapbook. Always remember that scrapbooking is supposed to be fun, not stressful. Get in touch with your creative side and let the creative juices flow.
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