Scrapbooking for Beginners
56I have been an avid scrapbooker for many years. I started scrapping because I wanted to be able to leave books to my kids that told a story of their lives. I also wanted to be able to write captions and stories in the books that they could take with them through their adult lives. Over the years I have met many people who are scared of scrapbooking. I started to ask and really figure out why this is. A big reason why people are scared to scrapbook is because they don't really know how to do it. But with a little bit of help and a few necessary items it really is very easy with a lot of payoff. There is something very special about seeing your photos in a book created with a special touch by you.
First Things First - The Necessary Tools
A lot of people think they have to spend a lot of money on a lot of fancy tools in order to start a scrapbook. That couldn't be further from the truth. There are only a few items that you need and all can be found at your local scrapbooking store or Michael's. You can even find scrapbook supplies at office supply stores or on the internet.
1. Scrapbook - There are many kinds out on the market and the choices can be overwhelming. Don't let them be. There are two very common sizes. The first is 12 x 12 and the other is 8 x 11. I prefer 12 x 12 so that I can fit many pictures on one particular page. There are also many styles of books that are bound differently such as strap, post-bound, etc. I prefer the post-bound because it is easier to find refill pages for these types of books. They also stay together better and stand up to wear and tear. There are many types at the scrapbook sections of stores that come in many colors and textures. It is just a matter of personal preference. Don't be afraid to try one out and experiment.
2. Paper Trimmer - I like the 12 inch portable trimmer made by Fiskars. There are many other brands and all are good. This tool is extremely valuable not only for scrapping but also for cutting a straight edge for any other project. This also can be found at the local Michael's store in the scrapbook section. I included a photo of it in this article for you assistance.
3. Background paper - If you are using a 12x12 scrapbook you want to use some background paper to mount your photos. The background paper can be any style, color or design. It's all up to you and what your preference is. Again, these papers can be found at any store where scrapbooking supplies are sold.
4. Adhesive - You will need to mount your photos to the background paper to put into the books so you will need a good adhesive. I prefer to use Herma Vario Tab Dispenser which dispenses double sided mounting tape. This might sound fancy but it is also found at the local scrapbooking store or Michaels. If you cannot find it be sure to ask someone for help. I have also included a photo of this dispenser in this article to help you.
5. Scrapbooking Pen - Believe it or not, there are many scrapbooking pens out on the market today for many different uses, styles, and colors. For beginners you only need one or two for writing purposes. Find a couple in the more popular colors for writing such as black or dark blue and with a medium or fine tip that you prefer to write with. Remember that you are going to be using this pen to journal or write on your scrapbook pages.
6. Stickers and other embellishments - I feel obligated to mention this category because stickers and other embellishments are what will give your scrapbook your personal artistic touch. However you can get overwhelmed at the scrapbook store with all of the choices. You can use as many as you prefer or as little as you prefer. It's all up to you. In the beginning, I would not get too carried away with the extras until you get used to mounting pictures with the basic tools.
Next Step - Assembling Your Layouts
Now that you have the basic materials, you will need to assemble your layouts. The first step in doing this is deciding which photos you want to put on your layout. This is a personal decision. There is no right or wrong way to do this. Personally, I use as many photos as I can fit with some journaling onto a page as opposed to filling the page with stickers and embellishments.
Once you have chosen your photos you will need to arrange them on your chosen background paper. Don't use your adhesive just yet because you may change your mind on how the photos will eventually be placed on the paper. Look at the layout with the photos. Do you like it? Do you want to change it? If so, go ahead and change it as many times as you need until you get your desired result. Some people don't like to cut their photos and some people cut their photos into smaller sizes in order to mount more photos on the page. Again, this is your personal preference. Keep in mind that you may want to leave some spaces between photos in order to journal with your pen. When the photos are arranged as you want them to be, use your adhesive to mount your photos to the background paper. When you are finished with creating the page, place your page in your scrapbook. Sit back and admire it. You finished your first layout.
Things To Remember
Scrapbooking is a fun hobby so keep it fun and don't take it too seriously. Your first layout will look very different than your 100th layout. I will never forget the way my first layout looked. It was not very good. Something you should remember is that you get better with practice. Another good piece of advice is that there is no right or wrong way to create your layouts. It is all a matter of personal preference.
So have fun, let your hair down, and happy scrapping.
