Scrapbooking for Beginners

Scrapbooking is not a new invention or discovery, precursors of today’s scrapbooks already existed and being used during the 15^th century. “Commonplace Books” as it is earlier called is used to compile diverse information that includes quotes, poems, letters, recipes, and a variety of other things.

Another early form of scrapbook is “Friendship Albums” and became popular during the 16^th century. These albums would normally contain names, messages, and poetry of patrons and friends of the owner and closely resembles our yearbooks today. These may also include souvenirs and local memorabilia’s of places visited or works of artisans they commissioned during visits to other countries.

Although scrapbooking is generally associated with girls, it is also popular with boys though it largely differs in terms of contents and design. Girls are naturally gifted with exceptional creativity and talent for hand-crafted creations.

The invention of photography in the 18^th century is a major breakthrough in scrapbooking. Photographs became incorporated in scrapbooks as well as newspaper clippings.

For Beginners, scrapbooking may seem so overwhelming and exciting. Beginners usually have many ideas but don’t know where to start. First thing to do is to know of the basic scrapbook elements. These basic elements essentially build the scrapbook.

1. Photo. Photos are generally the essence of the layout of scrapbooks. Most scrapbooks usually used pictures as main subject and center of scrapbook layout.
2. Title. Title can be a famous saying, name, or quotes that summarize the content of the scrapbook and give the reader an idea what the scrapbook contains. There are many ways to present or write the title; the most important thing is that title should catch the attention of the reader.
3. Journaling. Journaling is the term used to the text or that explains or describes the photo and expands the theme of the scrapbook. These writing may vary from names and dates, captions, quotes, song lyrics, poetry, and basic information.
4. Embellishment. Decorative add-ups and accents used in the scrapbooks are called Embellishments. These are used to support and dress up the pages of the scrapbooks and can be some of the following; ribbons, buttons, beads, stickers, brads, eyelets, and many other enhancements.
5. Mat. Mats are layers of patterned papers, paints, cardstocks, cloth and other decorative materials that are placed underneath photos. These serve as decorative borders and add an effect on the photos.
6. Anchor. Anchors are decorative elements that attract attention of the readers to the photos. Anchors also act as photo corners where photos are affixed for easy removal when updating or changing layouts. Embellishments can function as anchors.
7. Border. Borders are accents placed along the outskirts of the layout. They add visual impacts and promote visual interest in support to the main contents of the scrapbook’s pages. You can use a variety of materials in borders like metal, tags, fabric, papers, and a lot more.

These elements are the basics of scrapbooking, although these elements may not be always present in a scrapbook altogether. Combinations of these elements are up to your desired layout.

Now that you know the basics and starting to create scrapbooks, here are some useful tips in scrapbooking. These tips are generally helpful for beginners.

1. Learn from others. Try looking and observing other’s scrapbook. It can give you ideas you can also use and incorporate in your design and layout. You can also learn some insights from their mistakes.
2. Be original. Although it is helpful to occasionally copy other’s ideas, modify it and imprint some of your own creativity on it.
3. Organize your ideas and photos. Sort your photos and ideas accordingly; it could be by chronological order, by importance, or by themes. Make sure similar and related photos are grouped together.
4. Use indigent materials. Aside that these materials are abundant and less costly, it can also provide a unique appeal and a peculiar look to your scrapbook.
5. Avoid over-propping. Beginners have too many creative ideas and the tendency to apply these ideas altogether instantly. This results to over-propping the scrapbook. Over-propped scrapbooks are definitely not good to look. It looks very crowded, chaotic, and untidy. Select just few ideas to exploit per scrapbook.

SCRAPBOOKING: An Art and Leisure

Scrapbooking is both an art and a leisure.  It is an art because one expresses his or her personal style by decorating the memory books.  It is a leisure at the same time because one enjoys and have fun doing such activity.

Unlike photo albums that include pictures alone, scrapbooking , creates a story based on the pictures and texts written on the page.  In other words, it documents a maker’s personal history – on the things that happened to him or her. Scrapbooking adds personal touch and makes us enjoy more in looking at the pictures because of its headings, texts, comments or whatever and the decorative materials being added into every page of the memory book.

A lot of people keep their pictures simply on a photo album.  They just insert every picture into the album until every page is consumed.  There are also photographs that we want to put into frames especially family pictures, solo pictures, a couple’s pictures and other pictures that we consider special. However, there are some of us who are not contented with this kind of photo arrangement.  They think it gives little meaning to those who look at the picture and does not fully share the memory it depicts.  They wanted to divert into scrapbooking because they think that it displays the significance of the photos through the added texts and other forms of embellishment that are put  into it.

Scrapbooking is a way of expressing our personal style, our mood, our story and our life.  Photos alone are not enough.  Creative texts, backgrounds, coloured papers, stickers, beads, embroidered materials and other forms of embellishments are very much needed.  These added materials make the memory book unique and more meaningful.  Scrapbooking gives out the best in us as  an artist in our own little way.  It can also serve as a favorite pastime for those who are fond of making scrapbooks.  Lovers of scrapbook making do not experience boredom and tiresome everytime they indulge into this kind of activity.  Fun, enjoyment and excitement are always experienced.

There is no such thing as a correct way or wrong way of scrapbooking.  Because, scrapbook making depends primarily on the makers style.  It reflects who you are and what is important to you as a maker of the scrapbook.  As they say, anything goes.  And  that is what scrapbook- making is all about.  You have the freedom to put what you wanted to put and to write what you wanted to write. No limitations set.  No hassles. Full of fun.  Exciting.  So, why not try scrapbooking?