Ways how to do scrap booking:

With the use of different kinds of paper, pins, and small decorations – a simple scrap book can be done. Paste, scissors, pencil, pens, eraser, crayons, colored pens and pastel are some of the materials needed for scrap booking. Having all the decorations needed, we need the primary thoughts and impact looking into scrap booking – pictures themes and photographs. The way you create your scrap book depends on the materials gathered – may it be on a cheaper style or all-out expense of purchasing the materials.

History of scrap booking:

In the early 15^th century in England, scrap booking was created. It started with the combination of compiled recipes, letters, quotes, poems and more. Each scrap book was created according to the author’s mode of thought. During 16^th century, friendship album became popular in town. In modern times, friendship albums are most likely to be yearbooks, wherein pictures and short captions are there. In Europe, these are known as souvenirs containing memorabilia. In 1570, scrap booking ride into the fashion sense of the generation wherein colored plates portraying popular scenes are used by local artists. These colored plates provide affordable options in comparison to the many original works. These plates are specifically made as embellishments for albums and not as being sold to document in writing a specific event. In 1775, several blank pages at the last part of the book were published in England by James Granger. These pages open the book of the author’s profile being designed relating to his own memorabilia. The preparation of leaving pages behind to personally design at the end of books became common known as grangerizing. And, during 18^th and 19^th centuries, school yearbooks and friendship albums became more popular, giving students a free chance to express themselves in writing personalized information ready to document labeling the photo they want to post. This also enhances their literary skills in describing and re-imagining their friend’s characteristic through writing. During 1826, Joseph Nicephore Niepce created the advent of modern photography, which is a permanent photograph. George Eastman makes photography available to an ever-widening invention in the country during the late 1880s. Kodak Brownie designed a simple camera, specifically for a child in 1900 for mass production. This is the start of incorporating photography in scrap booking.

Photography mounting is the trademark of old scrapbooks. Mounting usually position themselves at the corner of the book or page and had notations when and where the photo was taken. They could also include souvenirs like letters, newspapers or even clippings from magazines and etc. Scrap booking is common in school projects. This is a way in which students express their thoughts in relation to the subject matter.

In relation to our modern technology today, scrap booking could also be into occasions. Most commonly, these could be a token in debut party, weddings or even souvenirs from different countries. However, in shopping malls across all countries, scrap books are into albums and photo frames. They commonly range from the cheapest price depending to the country’s money rate. Scrap book preparations are commonly family ties, friendship bands or even wedding vows. This could also be in a form of a letter in many creative ways.

Most schools had the requirement for every student to know the steps in creating a scrap book. It may not be of use during and after graduation, but it could be a step in revealing the skill of creativeness behind every talent. This is a way in which you can practice how you can recycle things and result from it to be an empowered outcome useful for the environment. Scrap booking itself comes from the word scrap, meaning, and recycling materials. Creating a scrap book is not a requirement but is a talent and skill.

Scrapbooking has been a hobby that is growing in popularity. In fact, it has now evolved into a very popular craft. While some indulge in this hobby for future generations, still others would do this for fun.  Scrapbooking can be addictive, so they say.

Getting Started

Organization of Photos

Organizing photos and memorabilia would consume most of the time in scrapbooking. Below are some tips for making this step a lot easier:

• Gather all the photos and memorabilia in one place. Look into the attic, basement, garage, drawers, files, cabinets, old and new photo albums, photo frames, old Christmas cards, and letters from loved ones.
• Create categories for the photos and memorabilia. The categories can be date, activity, theme, or person.
• Sort the photos according to the categories created.
• Write any special or important details of the photo at the back of it. Use a photo-safe pencil when doing so.
• Store the photos in a safe place.

Memorabilia

Memorabilia enhance one’s scrapbook projects. Large items can be photographed and written about. Flat items can be protected with acid-free laminates. Paper items can be free of acid by using a de-acidification spray.

First Project

Deciding on where to start with the project can really be overwhelming. It is therefore advised to start first with a manageable project that has a clear beginning and an end.

Basic Supplies

Purchasing scrapbook supplies can be expensive. Therefore, it is well-advised that one should start scrapbooking with the most basic supplies and by not rushing out to buy everything at once.

Albums

The choice of the album is very personal. If money is a bit tight, starting on with the pages first will do while the scrapbooker is still saving for the actual album.

• Albums vary in sizes; however, the 12” x 12” size is the most popular.
• The cost of the albums varies from around $20.00 to over $100.00.
• Consider post bound, strap, or ring binder type of album.

Many like the 3 ring binders because of its ease of use when inserting or removing pages. The other two are popular but a little more time-consuming.

Adhesives

Tab dispenser and dots glue dispenser are ideal for beginners. The former is ideal for adhering photos and papers plus it is easy to use. The latter is great for adhering small items and has the added advantage of being repositioned when mistakes are committed.

Vellum tape is used when one is ready to advance from basic pages. It is ideal for adhering see-through paper as it doesn’t make the glue visible.

Double-sided tape is also popular for adhering difficult items. Aside from being transparent, some brands are foamy that give a 3-D effect.

Pens

Pens are used for adding titles and journals to pages. The scrapbooker must make sure to use pens that contain pigment ink that are acid-free, permanent, or waterproof. Pens are available in many colors and styles. The styles include scroll, brush, calligraphy, bullet, chisel, fine, dual, and medium tips.

Scissors

This is definitely an essential in scrapbooking. Choosing a pair of straight, fine tipped scissors enable the scrapbooker to cut precisely in tight spaces.

Paper

Colored papers can be used as backgrounds. They can also be used to create borders, mat photos, or punch out shapes. The material must be acid- and lignin- free. They come in various colors, textures, designs, and thickness.

Ruler

A clear ruler is ideal as the scrapbooker can see through where he rules his lines.

Other Useful Supplies

• Paper Trimmer – available in different cutting shuttles such as wave, zigzag, and scallop

• Cutting Tools – tools that create all sorts of shapes can save time and gives smooth edges

Other Options

• Stickers
• Stencils
• Punches
• Stamps
• Die-cuts
• Decorative edge cutters

Many have discovered that displaying pictures with text can explain the significance of such photos. Therefore, scrapbooking is the perfect way to preserve photos and memories in a creative and unique way.

Scrapbooking makes an enjoyable and artistic hobby. It gives you the chance to dig into your collection of photos and preserve the best ones by mounting them on acid-free paper. Then you get to exercise or practice your creativity by decorating around the photos and all over the pages to make them look nice and interesting. Shopping for embellishments, or looking for pretty little items around the house which you can use for your scrapbook pages, can also be fun in itself.

Aside from mounting photos and gluing the embellishments together, scrapbooking also involves journaling. This means telling the story behind a photo. You indicate who is in the photo, where and when it was taken, and some little anecdotes about that moment. This particular task relieves stress and allows you to reminisce and feel nostalgic.

If you are a new scrapbooking hobbyist, remember that the most impressive and beautiful scrapbook pages are actually those that are simple and clutter-free. Remember that embellishments are there to enhance the photographs and make them look more interesting, not to steal the viewer’s attention from the photos. Remember that the real essence of scrapbooking is to preserve the photos and the memories that come with them. More important than the aesthetic aspect of it is the time and care you devote into preserving your photos and your memories.

So there is no wonder so many people are turning to scrapbooking during their spare time.

And because scrapbooking is so poplar these days, scrapbooking businesses are also sprouting like mushrooms. When before you’d be contented collecting old buttons, ribbons, old gift wrappers, and other unused knick-knacks at home to use on your scrapbook pages, now, you can’t help but get your hands on so many cute and pretty scrapbook materials displayed in craft stores. Commercial stickers, papers, and decorative items of all colors and designs abound.

If you are one who wants to take advantage of the popularity of scrapbooking and get into a scrapbooking business, then take time to know everything there is to know about scrapbooking. Your customers will expect you to be an expert on this kind of craft and may come to you to ask certain questions and suggestions about their hobbies. Read craft books, visit scrapbooking or hobby-related websites, and interact with other scrapbooking enthusiasts.

If you want to try your hands on scrapbooking as a business, this information or pointers will be of great help to you:

* High-quality scrapbooking products, especially those made of 100% acid-free paper and tape can be expected last around 15 to 20 years without discoloring. Scrapbook materials made of mediocre or poor-quality paper (or fake “acid-free” paper) will fade out and discolor after only a short time. Thus, it is very important that you source or get your materials from reputable and reliable suppliers. It is also important that you distribute only products and materials that bear a credible and well-respected brand.

* Make it your hobby as well. Or at least try creating your own personalized scrapbooks in order to get acquainted with the craft. This is the only way for you to understand the nature of your business and to understand what customers or what your market wants and needs. This is also the only way for you to establish a personal relationship with and an attachment to your business and to really learn to love it for what it is.

* Know your market well and establish your business and customer network by joining or attending scrapbooking seminars and workshops. Through events like these, you will get to interact with your market customers and learn about what would sell. This is also a good chance to advertise the products or services you offer and expand your client database.

* Think up of new promotional ideas and projects that would help sustain the people’s interest in the craft or in the hobby. This also helps sustain the interest of your customers in your business.