1. Just curious about starting to scrapbook? Why not try a kit that provides all the basics and put that together to see if you want to put money into a scrapbooking hobby.
Some people prefer digital scrapbooking as it is no mess and templates are provided. You can also have them printed out and order as many copies as you want.
If you are afraid to try it, you can always hire a pro or specialty company to do it for you.
2. You can also purchase a pre-designed kit that includes everything you need (album, paper, embellishments and suggested layouts), some come with themes, you just supply the photos.
3. Need ideas? There are many books on scrapbooking so try your library or borrow from a friend. The internet is full of page ideas from layouts to materials. Start with a few layouts that you like and then go on from there. If you are a member of Pinterest, you can find all sorts of ideas to pin there then refer back too. You can get help and feedback in a sb forum so why not join one?
4. Save ideas or product wish list in an idea notebook for future reference.
5. Get organized in a space and time frame and have all your tools together before you get started on your crop. Have a goal of what you wish to get accomplished in that time. Think about your next goal for your next session and lay that all out.
6. Don’t like scrapping alone? Check out your local scrapbook store (LSS) to find when they have an open crop. You might get some tips or help from others in the session.
7. Match your colors in your photos to the color of paper.
8. Don’t have time to scrap a page but have an idea, recycle envelopes with a sketch of the page and keep photos in the envelope. You can also make a list of things needed on the envelope to help you get organized for your crop session.
9. Store extra photos for future pages you wish to scrap in a photo box so when you sit down to put a page together, all your photos are already sorted and indexed. Don’t use bad or blurry photos in your work.
10. Start with only using one or three photos in your layout. You can use the same layout on all your pages and make them look different by using different embellishments on each page.
11. You can choose titles for your page but you don’t have to. There are many ideas for scrapbook page titles on the internet if you need help.
12. Layer your images on plain cardstock or patterned paper. You can tilt and tumble images on your page to make it interesting and fun.
13. Layout your pages BEFORE you glue anything down. Once you are satisfied with the page look, start gluing. Use an acid free glue. Most people love a tape runner because it is not as messy as wet glue. Wet glue can also leave bumps, another good reason to use a tape runner.
14. You can print out your journaling or just keep it simple with a handwritten journal card or a tag or just a caption under the photo.
15. Poems, quotes, or songs, are good page elements also.
16. If you write on the paper directly, and make a mistake, cover it up with a photo, embellishment, or a piece of journaling on paper.
17. If you have too many photos for a page, you can simply add an envelope to the page to keep those photos in OR add the envelope to the back of the album.
18. Embellish your page with stickers, borders, die cuts, rub-ons, or punches, paper flowers, buttons, fibers, raffia, or personal memorabilia like tickets or programs, washi tape or ribbon and bows. Glue dots are great for holding on some of these embellishments.
19. To add dimension to any page, use foam pop dots to mount photos or embellishments.
20. Scrapbooking is a relaxing and fun activity. Don’t get stressed out! You want to have fun with making permanent memories into an album.