- Make your photograph your focal point. Other items on your scrapbook page should serve as embellishments to help convey a story or message.
- Matting your photos or scrapbook embellishments helps them stand out from the page. For extra emphasis you could try using foam pads or tape
to help raise the scrapbook image and create a 3D effect.
- When using ribbon on a page, consider using a larger width to wrap around your scrapbook page and using a smaller one to pinch it in
with by tying a small decorative bow.
- For a dramatic background cut a piece of patterned paper into a curved shape and stick this to plain card stock. This help creates
depth on your scrapbook page and if you use a co-ordinating colour it will blend beautifully and create a professional look.
- Use lace instead of ribbon for more romantic pages to create a different type of scrapbooking embellishment. Always try and ensure that
your embellishments are appropriate for your subject matter.
- Create a small envelope and add to your layout so that you can add journal notes at a later date. This is great way to add surprises and
information for the next generation when they look at your scrapbook.
- Save wrapping paper, gift bags, and card boxes from spa toiletries and perfume. All can be used to great effect as embellishments.
- Use brads and buttons in the centre of flower images for added accents.
- Create letters from patterned scrapbook paper. If you are going to be doing a lot of scrapbooking you may want to invest in a Craft Robo
or Cricut machine to cut out lettering.
- To add extra detail to your card stock or paper, cut with decorative edged scissors, and using an ink pad and a sponge, rub ink
over the edges to highlight.. You may also do this with rubbing wax.
- Use strips of paper to make ribbons and wider sections of paper folded into a fan or concertina shape to create paper bows.
- To create an aged effect, tear paper to create a textured look and stain paper with tea or gravy powder.
- To create variety and interest in your scrapbook, use some black and white photos and some in a sepia tint.
- If you have a photo with too many colours to effectively co-ordinate with backing papers, print out the photo in black and white,
then you can use any scrapbook paper of your choice.
- If you really want to use a busy colour photograph, then don't underestimate the power of using plain black as your card stock and just
add a few scrapbooking toppers as your embellishments.
- If you run out of space for journaling, just a gift tag to your scrapbook page and let it hang loose.
- To create secret notes on your scrapbooking layout, create a journal block on a piece of mounted card and then add some velum as a translucent
cover.
- Use fonts creatively. Art deco fonts create and image of old Hollywood glamour and the drama of theatre, whilst handwritten style
fonts will give create a more intimate feel. Mix font style to create fun and childlike scrapbook pages.
- Scraps of fabric will add texture to scrapbook pages, cut with edged sheers to create added detail.
- Look out for co-ordinating scrapbook paper. This will save you time and prevent you from agonizing over your layouts. The less time you
spend on finding co-ordinating papers the more time you will have to create your dream scrapbook pages.
- If you are really stuck for a layout and have a few photos you want to scrapbook, then create a line of small box type frames and create a film
strip. This is works especially well for photographs with movement. Try using this for photos taken from football, soccer or sports day events. This
works well for children jumping in the air, such as on trampolines.
- You don't always need to create a page title, there are no hard and fast rules about scrapbooking. Do what works well for your own
individual style or theme.
- Create your own patterned paper ribbon by using punches to create small shapes out of patterned paper and place onto plain paper.
- Do you have particular scrapbook paper or some scrapbooking toppers that you really want to use but haven't been able to co-ordinate with
a photograph? Well next time you go out for the day, make sure you are wearing a colour that co-ordinates with your favourite paper and you will
have an excuse to get our your scrapbooking supplies out when you get home.
- Get really creative with your scrapbooking by choosing a theme based around a movie title that fits the moment you want to capture.
- If you lose track of all your scrapbooking papers and scraps. Put them in clear plastic wallets and place them in a ring binder.
