Category: Scrapbooking

Have You Ever Had a Photo that is Scratched or Stained?

As a Scrapbooker you know that the most important part of your scrapbook is the photo, and if that photo gets messed up by getting it stained by your coffee cup that is on your work station or scratched by one of your Scrapbooking tools, then you don’t have a scrapbook page with a photo now do you.  Well do not worry I have some ideas that I have used personally and some that my friends have used and said that they worked for them and they just may be the ticket to save your scrapbook page. Never think the worse until you try some of these tips.  What do you have to loose?

The most common mistake I have is doing a wonderful layout and then when I think I am done I realize that I have scratched or smudged my photo. Don’t Worry. Reprint the photo and replace the bad with the new.

Well sometimes it’s not as easy as that so here are a few handy ideas:

If the scratch is on the corner of the photo you can easily cover it up by using a corner paper punch, or with a photo frame, or even photo adhesive corner tab to cover up this scratch.

Another method is using an embellishment such as an eyelet, brad, ribbon ties along the edge where the scratch is, or a sticker will work great too!

Another technique to use on a scratched photo, when near the edge, is sanding.  I have not done this personally but a lot of my Scrapbooking friends have and it looks fantastic.  Take a small piece of sandpaper and rough up the edges all around the photo, if you think this effect will not go with the theme of your layout then take some paint and give the photo a brushed border effect.

If you notice the scratch or tear before you have added it to your scrapbook page, of course you can reprint this photo especially if it is in a bad noticeable spot of the photo.  But what if this is the only photo that you have and can not reprint it.  You may want to use your scanner and scan it into your computer and clean up the photo using Photoshop or one of the many computer photography programs that they have on the market.  Doing this your page will be perfect and no one would ever know that there was a problem  OR  if you don’t have a scanner and photo software you can add the scratched  picture to your scrapbook with a little caption “sorry this picture is scratched, but it’s the only one I have”.  This to me just shows that everyone makes mistakes and it can still be perfect!

One of the other fears a Scrapbooker has is when you are scrapping and you spill a drink and the photo gets wet or stained. That is why I always print two pictures. I never know when I am going to need that photo, and if I don’t need to use that second picture it  can go into a frame or I will send it to that special someone who was in the picture or was at that event and give them a smile.

So do not fear, if you have a scratch or a stained photo there is always something you can do to make it look Great!

Have a Great Day and don’t forget to leave time to Craft!

Scrapbook Page Layout & Design

For the beginner Scrapbooker designing your first page can be scary. I know that sounds crazy, but you are looking at all the new supplies that you have purchased and thinking to yourself what happens if I mess up, I just wasted all this money on supplies. Always remember that your scrapbook pages do not have to look like anyone else’s. They can be really simple, just a picture and some journaling on a page or you can make them full of embellishments. It’s all up to you.

A lot of Scrapbookers like to start out by at least having some kind of idea of how there page is going to look like when completed. If you are not that creative you can pickup a Scrapbooking magazine and find a layout that you would like to try or there is a great book written by Becky Higgins called Creative Companion. This is a book that is filled with sample page layouts. Find one that works with the number of photographs you have, and has a design that works with your style. I refer to this book a lot when I am having a scrappers block.

Now that you have the idea it is time to gather all of the supplies you will need to get your scrapbook page looking like the sample that you have chosen. Remember, just because the sample layout that you found is all in blue and green tones, you don’t have to use them, especially is your pictures are geared towards the colors of red and yellows. Use your imagination and you will make a beautiful masterpiece that you can call your own.

Have a Great Day and don’t forget to leave time to Craft!

Join Other Scrapbookers

Now that you are a Scrapbooker a great thing to do is meet other people who share in your passion. And believe me there are tons out there. A good way is to check with your local Scrapbooking store or craft store. They usually offer classes for all levels of Scrapbooking, and as a new Scrapbooker, you will be able to see in person the experienced Scrapbookers and learn some really great tips from them. And I guaranteed that you will make a some new friend along the way that share your passion of Scrapbooking.

As I mentioned earlier, Scrapbooking classes and weekend crops are a great way to get connected with all levels of Scrapbookers. Most of your local Scrapbooking stores offer classes. They are taught by experienced Scrapbookers that have either been Scrapbooking for years or they may have a degree in Scrapbooking. That’s right, now day you can even get a Bachelor of Scrapbooking Degree from Scrapbook Design University. I have one hanging on my wall in my craft room, along with my College degrees, but the Scrapbooking one is the one that really puts a smile on my face. Anyway, the classes are not typically very expensive (and worth every penny that you spend), and in some cases your supplies will be included in the class fee, or you will get a percentage off of the materials used in that class. Classes are great because you will receive a live demonstration of the craft, and have the opportunity to learn directly from experienced Scrapbookers.

If it is hard for you to attend one of these classes, check out some of the classes that they offer online. You will be able to get all the same information and learn the newest and greatest techniques also from experienced Scrapbookers all from the comfort of your own craft room. They often have live chats, so you will be able to ask questions too!

Have a Great Day and don’t forget to leave time to Craft!

Supplies Essential to Scrapbooking:

1. Album: There must be thousands of albums available today it may seem overwhelming at first but before your purchase one think about the kind of album that you want to create.
For example, if you are creating a gift album, consider quick and convenient 6×6 or 8×8 albums. For larger projects, ones that will have a lot of pictures try an expandable 12×12 album.
Look at what albums are out there, and decide which will fit your need and personal style. Also notice the different link of binding styles. There are post bound, strap hinge, and 3-ring. All of these albums usually come with page protectors which are a MUST! and make sure that they are expandable.

2. Paper: You can choose from countless patterns and colors of cardstock and papers. This will be your scrapbook page canvas so choose wisely. Be creative when using patter paper, some of the paper companies put patterns together for you so it takes the guess work out of it, just let your creativity run wild! The most popular size papers is 12×12, but remember even if you are making a 6×6 scrapbook, you can use the other half for more pages or you can use the leftover to make borders, or just use it on other layouts when needed.

3. Paper Trimmers: Get perfect cuts with this easy-to-use tool. Your best bet would be to purchase a large trimmer. This way you will be able to cut 12×12 papers, or crop your photos. I personally have a 12×12 along with a small photo cropper trimmer. It is totally up to you but if you are just starting out and are on a budget get the large one for now, its like two tools in one!

4. Scissors: Always have a good pair of sharp scissors around just for Scrapbooking. EKSuccess makes a Teflon-coated scissors that are fantastic; adhesive from stickers won’t stick to them!

5. Pens: My favorite pens are from Zig Memory System. These pens come in hundreds of colors and also different writing tips, such as Fine & Chisel, Writers, Scroll &Brush, Calligraphy and even photo coloring. Personalize your page with handwritten messaging. Whatever pen that you choose make sure that it is pigment ink, Acid-free and archival quality, waterproof and fade resistant..

6. Adhesive: There are many different kinds of adhesives out there. You will need to test them out for yourself, and find the one that feels right for you. Some come in plastic containers that run across your page, some come on sheets, and you need to find what is comfortable for your needs. Just make sure to select an acid-free adhesive.

Have a Great Day and don’t forget to leave time to Craft!

Tips for the Beginner and the Advanced Scrapbooker

Welcome to Your World of Scrapbooking!

As you already know, Scrapbooking is the best way to preserve your family’s photos, memorabilia and stories. Plus, you get to show your creative side by designing a Scrapbook for a particular event in your life.

When it comes to Scrapbooking, having your own flare, style, and originality is a must. There are tons of books and magazines to give you ideas but you need to find your own personality when it comes to Scrapbooking. The magazine may have the coolest layout but the color scheme is orange and you really dislike that color, so why would you use it in your scrapbook that you will be looking at for years, use the colors that you like. Remember, putting these memories together in a scrapbook is an extension of you.

Here are just some tips to help keep your creative juices flowing.

1. Make it personal: Include journaling on your layouts to tell about the photographs and help you remember what was going on during that time period. It helps make your page more that just an old fashion photo album, the kind that the pictures stick and covered by a piece of plastic.

2. When Journaling, use your own handwriting when possible (even if you don’t like the way you write). Down the road when people are looking at you scrapbook it will have a true piece of YOU incorporated into it. Wouldn’t you like to see what your grandma/grandpa/aunt/uncle etc. handwriting looked like?

3. A quote says it all: Adding the perfect saying/quote to your page can capture the moment and help set the theme. Include a funny saying or quotes from you, a family member or even your child’s first words.

4. Add dimension: There are so many ways to add dimension to your layout now days. You can use various embellishments such as die cuts, chip board, brads, buttons, staples, fibers, the list goes on.

Here are a couple of examples.

a. If you have a die cut of a flower, you can add more dimensions by placing a button or brad in the center of the flower.

b. If you like using chip board lettering, you can add stickers to them; distress them by using sandpaper on the edges. They are usually thick enough so you may not want to add anymore height to them or you will have one chunky page.

c. Fibers – you can use fibers as a border to your page vs. stickers or paper. You can attach the fibers by brads or eyelets on each end. This is a really cool look.

5. Don’t stop with pictures: Pictures are only the beginning when it comes to Scrapbooking. You may have been at the zoo and your camera ran out of film or your batteries died, but you want to share that part in your vacation or travel scrapbook. This is where journaling comes into place. Tell a story of what happened at the zoo, you may have your ticket that got you into the zoo, put that on your page along with your memories. You can also Scrapbooking favorite family recipes, your child’s first drawing, or consider this, Scrapbooking your score card from your best golf game ever. It will be keepsake that everyone will cherish.

6. Keep your scraps from scrapping: Don’t throw out your paper scraps. You can use them to cut out shapes with hole punches, use them in die cutting machines, such as Sizzix, Quickutz, Cricut, etc. to make shapes, or trim them with decorative scissors to make cool borders, paper weaves or striping.

7. Tell a story: Scrapbook pages should tell a story. So remember to enhance the key photograph so that is becomes the focal point of your scrapbook page. If your photo is small it may get lost, to make sure that it doesn’t mat your small photos with a color that will compliment your theme. You can also use a larger mat for your smaller picture for you to embellish and journal on.

Scrapbooking is great way to share your memories with friends, families. It also looks a lot nicer than shoe boxes of pictures that you have on the top shelf of your closet.

Have a Great Day and don’t forget to leave time to Craft!