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Traditional Scrapbooking

Sunday, March 11th, 2012

Scrapbooking today has taken a new turn.  The new scrapbooking crave is all about becoming digital.  It’s faster, easier, and takes much less time than the traditional way of scrapbooking, but some think that it’s not quite as personal as a traditional scrapbook.  Let’s take a look at digital vs. traditional scrapbooking and then you can decide for yourself what one you like best.

What’s the difference between digital and traditional scrapbooking?
Let’s define the terms for you and then break them down:

  • Digital scrapbooking is quite the same as traditional except that your scrapbook pages are shared on the computer.
  • Traditional scrapbooking is the practice of combining photos, stories, and memorabilia in a scrapbook style album.

Now in layman terms, the biggest difference is that digital scrapbooks are made and shared on the computer, while traditional scrapbooks are made in an album.  Digital scrapbooking is one of the hottest ways to scrapbook pictures.  Most women who scrapbook today are busy and don’t have the time to come up with their own designs, search through pictures, and then put it all together.  That’s why digital scrapbooking has become so popular.  It’s a way to put your pictures into an album without all the fuss of getting the page together.  You just have to input your pictures and you’re done; fast, easy, and fun.  Traditional scrapbooking however takes much more time and consideration in your design, the layout, your theme, and of course putting it all together with the pictures.  It is however the fastest growing craft industry in the United States today and it hasn’t lost favor with many traditional scrapbookers.

There are obviously pros and cons to both digital and traditional ways of scrapbooking, and believe it or not you don’t actually have to choose between one or the other.  Both can exist in the same world and produce unique and creative results.  If you are unfamiliar with the world of digital scrapbooking however, here are some of the reasons people love it so much and why it has become one of the most popular ways to scrapbook:

  • Less messy. Most traditional scrapbookers that have switched to digital simply say that there is less mess.  There’s no cutting, gluing, or searching through papers to find exactly what you need.  Since the entire scrapbook is done on the computer all you have to do is plug the pictures in and hit save.  There’s nothing to clean up.
  • Digital scrapbooking is very versatile. Unlike traditional scrapbooking, the elements of digital scrapbooking can be resized, cut, and edited to your liking.  You can virtually do whatever you want with the pictures.  It’s also nice to know that if you make a mistake you can simply press undo or start over and redo whatever you need to.
  • Affordability. Many of the digital scrapbooks can be purchased at a lower price than what you would simply pay for the paper for your traditional scrapbook.  Saving money seems to be on everyone’s mind these days, and if scrapbookers can save money going digital, most will not hesitate to do so.
  • Longevity. You can keep a digital scrapbook once it’s completed and use it again and again without having to worry about the pictures fading, or the paper getting ripped, etc.  You can print it out as many times as you need, and it will last much longer.

Yes it’s true that traditional scrapbooking offers a very personalized album of memories, but digital can do basically the same thing in half the amount of time.  It’s really a matter of preference; although you might try the digital world of scrapbooking and decide you don’t ever want to go back.

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Tracing and scrapbooking

Saturday, March 10th, 2012

Tracing is a great way to add to your scrapbooking page.  You can do so many things by tracing and have so much fun doing it.  Let’s take a look into what tracing has to do with scrapbooking and some great ways to trace for your scrapbook.

Tracing, for those who don’t know is simply transferring one picture to another by drawing over the original with a paper that is able to be seen through.  There are several ways to do it and it really brings something to a scrapbook page.  It allows you to have some artwork on the page with it look very nice.

One of the most common ways to trace is to use carbon paper.  The carbon simply transfers onto the paper you are writing on.  You can use a whole sheet of carbon or just use carbon around the lines of the design where you will be actually drawing.

Another way to trace is to use chalk.  You can cover the lines with chalk.  The flip the pattern and put it on your paper.  Using a pencil, go over the lines again.  You can then remove the chalked paper and see the lines the chalk made.  You can go over them again and color in where you want to.

A simple way to trace is to simply print out what you want.  There are lots of images that aren’t copyrighted or that the illustrators are OK with people using as long as it’s not for profit.  You can also trace fonts or words.  Use a piece of paper to trace on that is see through and will allow you to trace on it, that won’t break or tear easily.  For this option you can print it out in any size or cut out anything that you have printed out and then trace it with the layout you want.

Vellum is a wonderful material to use for tracing.  There are many different colors available now and you can even print off things from your computer with it.  It is a great material to use when tracing things for your scrapbook.  It is a classic when it comes to scrapbooks.  You can trace the same picture onto the vellum that is on the scrapbook page, put the vellum over it and decorate the vellum so there is a little something extra on the vellum that isn’t on the picture or quote behind it.

Tracing is a great way to add to your scrapbook.  Use vellum or tracing the next time you scrapbook and see how much it adds to your book!

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Tools every scrapbooker should have

Friday, March 9th, 2012

The labor intensive process of scrapbooking lends itself to having a lot of tools and beginning scrappers may be overwhelmed by all the tools there are to choose from in the aisles of craft and scrapbooking stores.  The process of choosing what you really need versus what you may like can be daunting.  And for more experienced scrappers they may find themselves buying a tool that seems unique and fun to use only to find that it is not time or cost effective. In addition those many purchases from the craft or scrapbooking store can add up quickly.  So if you are a beginning scrapper or someone with years of experience here are the tools every scrapbooker should have-

  • An organizational system-While this may not technically be considered a tool this is the first place to start.  Since you will have lots of small tools to work with you will need somewhere to put them.  Scrapbooking experts recommend using a system that includes clear drawers and files so you easily see what is inside.  There are numerous items and systems on the market that can help you get organized. The best choice is the one that works for you.
  • Scissors/Cutters-This is probably the most essential tool for scrapbookers.  Start with a good pair of straight edge scissors.  While there are numerous kinds of scissors with all sorts of edges save buying those for when you are further down the road.  In addition to scissors you may want to consider purchasing a smaller cutter. You can buy these in various sizes and with different edges.  Having one that is medium sized will allow you to trim photos and fairly large sized pieces of paper.  Even if your cutter does not fit inside your tool kit it can be extremely handy to have near by.
  • A Scrapbooking Pen-This is another must for several different reasons. Having a good pen will allow you to journal; make notes, and record information on the scrapbook pages. This pen can be any color you choose, yet blue or black are the most versatile.  Once you know what you want to be doing with your scrapbooks then you expand your pen selection out to different colors and kinds of pens.
  • Adhesive-Scrapbooking experts recommend having liquid glue, as well as photo tabs or photo tape. By having several of these at one time insures you will not run out during a scrapbooking marathon session.  Since adhesives come in several different forms try some of each and find the one that you feel is the easiest to handle.  Just make sure that you using the correct kind of adhesive for scrapbooking.  Consulting with a scrapbook expert at your local craft store can help you determine the right kind to buy.
  • A craft knife-While this may not seem like an essential tool a good craft knife has all sorts of uses including opening packaging, getting into very difficult areas for cutting, etc.  Be sure that you purchase one that is comfortable in your hand as they come in a variety of sizes.
  • Ruler-Some trimmers have a ruler built in, so you may not need a separate one your tool kit.  So if you do not have a ruler built in, you will definitely want to have one for making measurements, drawing straight lines and helpful stamp placement.  Today there are several kinds of flexible scrapbooking rulers that make them even easier to use while working with your photos.
  • A corner rounder-Again while this may not be an essential tool this is a handy gadget to have.  This is the easiest way to round the corners on your photos and pieces of paper for that finished.  Most scrappers find that they use their corner rounder a lot because of the look it gives their photos and pages.

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Titles, making them unique and creative

Thursday, March 8th, 2012

When you are designing your scrapbook layouts you will want to give some thought to your titles.  The title is an extremely important element in your layout and it’s worthwhile to tailor them to suit the topic or people that your scrapbook layout is about. With so many different ideas and things to work with scrapbooking is fast becoming one of the most popular activities around the world. But no one wants to create a page that looks just like someone else’s.  Creating unique scrapbooking pages can be the best part about scrapbooking. You can create your very own special look on every page with a unique and creative title.  Here are some tips for making your titles unique and creative-

  • First-try to make your titles interesting and relevant. Try to avoid just using a bald statement of the event. Sometimes using a phrase that means something or evokes memories can be a better option that just a plain descriptive title. Really examine the event to see if there is a unique way to describing it or a catchphrase that means something special to you.  For example: if there is a special word that is associated with celebrating birthdays in your family be sure to include that in the title rather than “Johnny’s 3rd Birthday”.  This way whenever you or your family (including the birthday boy) look at it in later years, it will immediately evoke all the memories of the time when he was a little boy of three.
  • Keep in mind that you are creating a story. If you put a little extra thought into choosing the titles for your scrapbook layouts, they will really become part of the story you are wanting to tell when creating your overall layout. And they will add an intensely personal dimension which is what a scrapbook layout really is. Keep in mind that if you are going to take the time to create a unique piece of art then you surely want to give it a very unique title.
  • Grab the attention of your viewer-While you do not have to have every title be a work of art you do want it to attract the attention of whoever is viewing your scrapbook and make them interested in looking at what is on the page. Be sure that your title gives an overall picture of everything that is included on your page.
  • Think outside the box. The first step is to think about the event your scrapbook layout is celebrating. And then think about it all over again. Be sure to look beyond the obvious and include something that you may not have first thought about.  You can use humorous phrases, sentimental thoughts, or something else that may go along with a special occasion. Dates, anniversaries, birthday’s, names of the person or people on the page, family crests, or teams and groups are also ways to give your pages a unique title.
  • Think about how your title will look. Using stickers, cut-outs and marker effects can really make your title pop out of the page. You can use paints, building block type letters printed from your computer, letters cut from magazines, and stamping are just a few of the ideas on how to put your titles on. You can place your letters on background paper to make them stand out or outline them with bright markers. It can be as colorful and unique as you want to make it. And if you are creating your scrapbook layout digitally you can  use some of the fun effects and techniques that your graphics editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, can provide to make your title more than just a piece of large text on your page.

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The kinds of stamps and how to use them (clear, rubber, foam, etc.)

Wednesday, March 7th, 2012

Stamps are an essential part of scrapbooking.  They help to create a wonderful way to embellish pages and are also great for card making.  There are so many different types of stamps.  There are clear stamps, your traditional rubber stamps, and foam stamps.  Let’s take a look at all the kinds of stamps and how to use them.

Rubber stamps are the most popular so let’s talk about them first.  They are usually made buy a design being cut from a slab of rubber.  The rubber is cut out from the larger part and attached to a wooden, or other type of material, block.  There is usually a piece of foam in between the rubber and the wood to help cushion and make stamping easier.  To use these type of stamps, you simply put ink all over the wording or design.  Use an ink pad and just lightly press down the stamp onto the ink.  Make sure the ink is all over the wording and looks pretty much even all over.  Then lightly press down onto your paper with the ink side down and you’re done!

Foam stamps are a lot like rubber stamps.  You can buy several different kinds.  You can use ink and paint with them though.  They generally will last longer, but there isn’t as much variety as there is with rubber stamps, simply because they aren’t as popular.

Clear stamps are great because you can see right through the stamp and make sure that you are placing it in the exact spot you want it in.  You usually have to buy a holder for them to actually use them, but they are also a fun and really nice way to stamp.  They again don’t have many options but there are increasingly more stamps becoming available.

With some stamps you need to condition them before you use them.  Many people suggest using sand paper and rubbing it around them, but you will often ruin your stamp by doing that.  Ink the stamp with some light ink and just stamp on a scrap piece of paper several times.  It will help get the stamp ready without sanding it down.

Keep your stamps clean.  Make sure that you get off all the ink and any other substance you were using right after you are done with the stamp.  Baby wipes work great or a wet paper towel does too.  There are many types of stamp cleaners out there that you can use.  Also, never soak your stamp.  It will make the adhesive from the stamp wear off.

The general rule for stamping is to stamp first and then create the rest of the page.  If you can, use a small piece of paper, stamp it, and then attach it to the page.  It will make it easier if you mess up and you will be able to redo the stamp easier.  Plus you won’t have to waste a huge piece of paper if you mess up on a smaller one!

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The 411 on scissors, trimmers, and cutters

Tuesday, March 6th, 2012

There are so many different scrapbooking products out on the market that it is a wonder that there is room for any more.  For people who are just starting out in the scrapbooking world, there are a few things that you should definitely buy and some things that you can probably skip or wait until your birthday to get.  Let’s get the 411 on scissors, trimmers, and cutters.

Scissors, trimmers, and cutters are one of the most important parts to scrapbooking.  You obviously have to have something to cut paper with so let’s find out which things are best.   First, buy a trimmer.  They are about $10 to $20.  You can buy a smaller one or a huge one, but the best size to start off with is usually the one that will cut 12” by 12”.  You don’t need a huge one, but you need one that will cut the paper you might buy that is 12” by 12”.  Most scrapbooking paper is about that size and many packs come in that size as well.

When it comes to scissors, get a general pair.  You can just use a pair that you keep in your desk or somewhere else in your house.  You don’t have to buy a pair to go with your scrapbooking supplies unless you really want it.  If you are thinking about buying some crazy edged scissors they are a great idea.  They help to add some flair to a scrapbook page.  You don’t have to buy the whole selection that your craft store has, but buy some that are general and then slowly build up your collection.  You don’t want to go crazy but buy them as you see a need for them.

Cutters are another helpful tool.  They are great for making designs just like the scissors.  Again, just slowly build up your supply of them like the crazy edged scissors.  You can also use a quilting cutter, but remember that paper dulls a blade really fast and so only use it sparingly unless you have a separate blade for the paper and the material.

Some other helpful tools are hole punchers.  If you use brads or eyelets, you almost have to have something to help you place them.  It can be so hard making a hole in a small piece of paper or on a paper that has lots of layers.  There are many types of multi tools that will punch, place, and set eyelets or brads.  You can buy one of them or just a normal hole punch.  You can buy a hole punch that is about 1/8” which is usually the size of brads and eyelets.  Normal hole punches are about ¼”.  The smaller hole punch is great and has been one of the best tools that I have ever bought, because it helps me put my brads and eyelets in so well.

Scrapbook tools can cost a lot.  Use coupons and check your craft store ads for deals.  They will usually give you a coupon with each mailer or you can sign up to receive coupons and ads in the mail.  It is kind of annoying getting more mail, especially ads, but they are great for when you need to buy something.  You can get your supplies for much cheaper and then be able to buy more, especially if you are on a budget.

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Tear art for scrapbooking

Monday, March 5th, 2012

Tear art has become one of the newest trends in scrapbooking.  This type of art is when paper is torn into specific shapes to enhance and decorate scrapbook pages. You can use this technique for virtually every kind of scrapbook layout.  Best of all there are virtually no rules as to the correct way to do tear art.  There are many benefits to using this technique in your scrapbook.  Some of them are-

  • It can save time. Instead of careful and precise cutting you can simply tear the shape you want.
  • Tear art provides new artistic options. It can help you stretch your creative muscles in a whole new direction.  You can implement things into your scrapbook that you may have only dreamed about.
  • Tear art can draw a new kind of attention to layouts.
  • It can offer quick and easy designs that are easy to implement in a variety of layout themes. Tear art can have a dressy or casual look.
  • Tear art is easy to do since you do not have to be precise. Keep in mind that there is no wrong or right.  If you like the way it looks put it in your scrapbook.
  • Tear art is very versatile and can be finished with numerous techniques and products.  You can stamps, paints, glitter, chalks etc on your tear art pieces to enhance them.

But now that you know why you should use tear art you might be asking: How do you tear paper or cardstock to get the look you want?  Here are some simple instructions on how to tear to get you started doing tear art-

  1. Hold a piece of cardstock in front of you using both hands.
  2. Grasp the paper or cardstock tightly between your thumbs and index fingers (between the first and second knuckles).
  3. Squeeze and pull forward at an angle with your dominant hand while twisting backward with the other. Doing it this way your finger and thumb of your less-dominant hand becomes your anchor and gauge while your dominant hand becomes the tearing machine. Keep in mind that the closer you hold your fingers (especially your thumbs) together, use short pulling motions, and slow down your tear speed the more control you will have.  You can practice on scrap paper until you are comfortable and can achieve the look you want.

There are also certain techniques to follow that will help insure that your finished piece of tear art is what you really want it to be.  These are-

  • Pick or design what you want for your desired finished pattern.
  • Choose your paper or cardstock carefully.
  • Measure on your page where you will place your torn pieces. This will let you know how big or little to tear something.
  • Carefully trace or draw your pattern with a pencil.  This is especially difficult at first to do freehand.
  • Gently tear on or near the penciled line following the above described tearing technique.
  • Completely erase the pencil lines.
  • Decorate or embellish you finished pattern.
  • Add the completed piece to your layout.

Tear art creates a soft edge on paper or cardstock that subdues bold colors, enhances texture, and offers depth to your layout without adding layers of paper. The texture of tear art can work especially well in country, folk, collage, masculine, and heirloom layouts.  Pieces of tear art have torn edges that provide an aged look and feel in heirloom layouts that set off older photos and that the more rugged the rip in masculine layouts the better.

Things to keep in mind about tear art are:

  • Different types of paper will produce different types of tears. Dyed cardstock and paper will create like colored tears while printed papers are varied depending on the core paper or cardstock the paper was printed on. Because of this, torn printed paper will produce a beautiful light against dark contrast when the center layer is exposed.
  • This is a technique that gets easier with practice so don’t wait get your scraps of paper and start tearing away.

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Tags for scrapbooks

Sunday, March 4th, 2012

Using tags in scrapbooking has become one of the hottest and most fun trends to emerge lately in the ever popular world of scrapping.  You can use tags in a variety of ways to enhance your scrapbook pages. Best of all you tags are an inexpensive addition to your scrapbook as you can either print free templates off the computer or make your own from scraps of paper.  If you are looking for tips for using tags in scrapbook layouts here are 8 great tips here for you-

  1. Hot off the press (or computer printer) tag templates-Tags are easy to use and even easier to print.  Doing a search online will show you a variety of tags that can printed off your computer and used as accents in your scrapbook pages and cards.
  2. You can use tags for journaling. Keep in mind that many tags are a convenient size for journaling on. You can use a small one if you just want to add a name, place or date and a large one when you need plenty of space for lists or a story.  All you need to do is make sure that the tag fits into your overall page layout, attach the tag and start journaling.
  3. You can make your title with tags. Tags can make a great title positioned across the top of your page or you can use them in unique ways.  For example: you can use one letter per tag or add an extra word or two on a mini tag to make best use of the space that is available on your layout.
  4. You can make a mini scrapbook. Certain tags can make a pretty and fun front cover for a mini book. Just be sure to choose ones that can stand up to being the covers for a few photographs.  You can make a unique and cherished small heirloom scrapbooking this way.
  5. Add the tags to enhance your photos in your scrapbook layouts. A travel tag makes a great addition to a vacation page or a gift tag can really make a holiday page stand out.  You can also use small tags to serve as frames for photos. Keep in mind that when you want to include extra photos on a layout, put small ones on tags and overlap them. You and also use tags to make a fan with small photos on each long narrow tag as a decorative accent.
  6. Decorate other accents in your scrapbook with a tag. For example you can use a giant slide mount as a frame for your photo and then add a tag to the corner. The tag could then be decorated with rubber stamps or words stamps, or add chipboard shapes to coordinate or contrast with the other elements in your design.
  7. You can make a border with tags. This is easy to do-just affix small items to one or more of the tag shapes on ribbon or fiber to create a pretty border effect on your layout.  Of you can simply line the tags up to create an illusionary wall or other shape on your page.
  8. You can make cards. Card making has become the off-shoot of scrapbooking as scrappers find that their scrapbooking skills transfer effortlessly over to making cards. As well as a scrapbook layout accent, any tag could be a gift tag or the focal point of a greeting card. You can use some of the wonderful new scrapbook papers that are available or use up many of your scraps to make tags for cards.   For example, you can string a ‘washing line’ (embroidery floss) or draw a line with a pen across your card to hold tags spelling out ‘welcome’ on a baby card.  You can also create patterns and shapes to decorate your tags from chipboard, with stamps or paper punches.

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Stickers for scrapbooks, what you should know

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

Stickers are a great way to embellish a scrapbook.  There are so many different kinds and so many different things that you can do with them.  There are many things you have to watch out for with stickers, and some things that are bonuses when it comes to stickers and scrapbooking.  Let’s take a look at what you should know when it comes to stickers for scrapbooks.

First, many stickers aren’t acid free.  You need the sticker to be acid free so that it won’t eat away your paper or help to age is faster.  Paper ages, but having something on it that has acid in it will make the process go faster.

There are many different types of stickers.  You can buy normal ones, bubbly ones, and ones made form things like fake leather.  There are many different options.  Some stickers are soft and velvety while other are firm and plastic like.  Find stickers that go with your theme.  If you are making a baby book, try using stickers that are soft and fluffy or are bubbly.  They help to add to the whole feel of the scrapbook and page.

You can even make your own sticker.  There are machines, like the Xyron machine, that will make most things into a sticker.  You can place a piece of cardstock with a quote on it into the machine and it will come out a sticker.  If you have a die cut or a piece of paper you want made into a sticker, then buy a Xyron machine and make them yourself.

There are many ways to buy stickers.  You don’t just have to buy them in huge packs when you only need a few.  Many craft stores will have rolls of stickers where you can just buy one or a few.  They might be a little more per sticker but you will pay much less overall than if you were to buy a pack for each sticker you wanted.

Some stickers can look really classy or really bad.  The Jolee’s brand of stickers are really embellishments that have a sticky backing.  They are so intricate and have tons of detail on them that they usually are a great addition to a scrap book no matter what.  Some less expensive stickers can look bad, but that doesn’t mean that they aren’t worth buying.  You don’t want to have a hugely expensive sticker on a birthday party page.  You just need a bunch of simple stickers to do the job.

Stickers aren’t for every scrapbook or every scrapbook page but they can be a great addition.  They are fairly inexpensive and can help add to a page when a brad or eyelet wouldn’t do.

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Sketches and layouts for scrapbooks

Friday, March 2nd, 2012

For many beginning scrapbookers, it can be difficult to know where to begin. With so many different ways to arrange a scrapbook page, many people who are unfamiliar with scrapbooking turn to sources for inspiration to help them get started.

Sketches and layouts for scrapbooks are an excellent way to get started with scrapbooking. Even experienced scrapbookers will use sketches and layouts to save time or help get their creative juices flowing.

What are scrapbook sketches and layouts?
A scrapbook layout or sketch is basically a map or sketch of a scrapbook page design. There are areas that show you exactly where to put the photos, the title, and the journaling sections.

There are many benefits to using scrapbooks sketches and layouts. For one thing, they show you exactly what to do, so all you need to do is provide the paper, the photos, and the embellishments.

If you feel you lack creativity, they are a good way to put together a professional looking scrapbook page. They also help to save time. If you are like most scrapbookers, you have a lot of photos to scrapbook. Layouts and sketches do the hardest part for you.

They can also encourage you to experiment with new layouts. Many times, scrapbookers will find their pages start to look the same-photos in the same spots, same types of embellishments, and so forth. Scrapbook layouts and sketches encourage you to mix things up a little.

Sketches are also good to use if you have a lot of photos and want to display them in new and creative ways without making your page look cluttered. Once you find the right sketch, you can arrange all of your photos in an aesthetically pleasing way.

Looking for layouts
You can find layouts and sketches for scrapbooks in a number of places. Becky Higgins, the original scrapbook “sketch” artist, has written numerous books that have a wide range of different scrapbook sketches for different pages and projects.

The internet is a great place to look as well. Scrapbooking sketches and layouts have increased in popularity over recent years, so there are many sites devoted to them. Some of these include:

When choosing a scrapbook sketch, make sure it is something that appeals to you and your individual scrapbook style. Also, make sure it is in line with the number of photos you want to use-it may be a great layout, but will only allow you to display one photo instead of the four you want to use on a page.

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