Craft Blog

Making a scrapbook for your toddler to remember the early years of life is a neat way to keep records and entertain your child both in his youth and as he ages.  As your child grown out of infancy, he begins to develop more distinct likes and dislikes.  He begins to recognize objects, sing songs, and cling to his favorite toy.  There are first haircuts, teeth, and many more milestones that happen during these precious first years of life and you want to make sure that you record them all.

One of the easiest ways of making your toddler scrapbook unique is through the journaling.  Journaling in a scrapbook is the writing that you add to describe a certain picture or memento or just to record a significant event or fun fact that you will want to look back on and remember as you go through your scrapbook.  Many people with toddlers are pressed for time, journaling is even more ideal because you can always jot down ideas at your leisure when you do not have the time to set up a larger scrapbooking project. 

Here are some specific ideas for how you can incorporate journaling and the unique characteristics of your child in your toddler scrapbook:

    Write down your child’s favorite word or phrase and use that word or phrase on a scrapbook page by writing them inside of a speech bubble or using as the title and theme for your page. 
    Another theme for a toddler scrapbook page is a page with all of his favorite things.  This could be a favorite TV show, movie, song, favorite toys, colors, foods, etc.  There are all kinds of favorites that you can use to make many different pages.
    Scrapbook a day in the life of your child.  Start by taking a picture when he wakes up, eats his breakfast, goes outside to play, watches a movie, takes a bath, his nighttime routine, etc.  Then create a sequence of pages that follows these actions.
    Toddlers have many milestones.  In addition to the common first word, first haircut, etc. ones, think of some more unique milestones like the first time he slid down a slide or the first time he played catch with dad.  Don’t forget to include the dates!
    Use your toddler’s artwork as the backdrop for some of your pages.  Or you can use a scanner to shrink pieces of artwork down to a more manageable size. 
    Ask for your toddler’s input when you are creating a page.  Give him his own materials and see what he does.  Ask him questions and record both the questions and the answers in the book. 
    Include pictures and descriptions of other people who are important to your toddler.  Make sure to include pictures of family members, including extended family, as well as common playmates that he may have.
    Cut out illustrations on cards that your toddler gets for birthdays or other holidays and use them on pages that share the same theme.
    Experiment with different angles on your camera when you are taking photos of your toddler.  Take photos that are close up and photos of your toddler looking upside-down through his legs.  Try to see the world through the eyes of your child and you may be inspired that way. 

There are so many things that make your child unique that it should not be hard to translate that into a scrapbook.  Remember that other people may use the same paper or embellishments as you, but no one knows as much about your child as you do and no two kids are exactly the same.  Pay attention to the details and let those things be what makes your toddler scrapbook unique. 

Introduction

The Cricut scrapbooking machine is made by Provo Craft.  The Cricut is a machine that cuts shapes of various sizes out of paper.  In essence, the Cricut is a die-cut machine.  The Cricut scrapbooking machine requires the use of cartridges to make the various shapes and letters.  The Cricut machine is most popular among scrapbookers.  However the Cricut machine is great for teachers to use to decorate classrooms, for card makers, almost anyone who has a need to decorate something can benefit from the Cricut.

Instructions

The Cricut scrapbooking machine has been designed to be very user friendly.  By following some very simple steps you can make beautiful cut-outs of any shape that is contained in the cartridges that you have.  Below is an outline of these steps in easy to follow instructions as well as more details about the items used in each step:

Steps to using the Cricut machine

1.    Choose your Cricut cartridge – The Cricket machine comes with one or two basic cartridges so you will need to buy more cartridges for different shapes.  Cartridges range in price from about $60-88 depending on where you buy them.

2.    Insert your Cricket cartridge into the Cricut machine – There is a place at the front of the machine in the right corner where the cartridge will need to be placed.

3.    Insert the paper – Insert a piece of paper that is not too wide for the Cricut machine but wide enough for whatever size graphic you choose to cut out.  Cricut offers a line of Cricut papers that you can buy that are cut to the exact size of the mouth of the machine.

4.    Put on your coordinating key board face plate – There is a faceplate that coordinates with each Cricut cartridge.  Each faceplate has small pictures of the graphics on that cartridge so it is easy to choose which graphic you want to cut out.  Just push a button.

5.    Pick a size – The Cricut machine can cut your letter or shape out in any one of 12 sizes that range from 1" to 5 ½".  Choose the size that you would like.

6.    Watch the Cricut go to work – The Cricut blade will cut out the shape that you selected form the cartridge in the size that you specified. 

The downside to the Cricut machine

Although the Cricut machine has the possibility to cut out many thousands of different shapes in different sizes, you have to purchase adScrapbooking terms for beginners
Meta description:  Scrapbooking is quickly gaining popularity in the United States.  Many individuals are drawn to this creative way of preserving photos.  If you are a scrapbooking beginner there are some terms that you should familiarize yourself with. 
Key words: scrapbooking, terms, beginners, tape, scissors, embellishment, punch, crop, adhesive, page, protector
Tags: scrapbooking, terms, beginners, tape, scissors, embellishment, punch, crop, adhesive, page, protector

Scrapbooking is quickly gaining popularity in the United States.  Many individuals are drawn to this creative way of preserving photos and other important memories.  If you are a scrapbooking beginner there are some terms that you should familiarize yourself with. 

Scrapbooking:  The process of arranging photos and other mementos on a page of an album.  Other accessories such as ribbon, stickers, and decorative paper are used to embellish the pages in the album.

Scrapbook page: A scrapbook page can come in all different sizes.  The two most common scrapbook page sizes are an 8×10 page and a 12×12 page. 

Crop: To cut a photo or piece of paper to a smaller shape or size to emphasize a focal point in the photo or to re-size a photo or paper so that it fits better with the layout of the scrapbook page.

Embellish: To use paper, stickers, ribbon, brads and other accessories to add dimension, detail and decoration to a page in addition to any photos or writing.

Brad: A brad is a piece of metal that is used as an embellishment in scrapbooking.  Two prongs are inserted into the paper and are separated and bend to be flush with the back side of the paper.  This secures them in place.  Brads come in all shapes, colors and sizes in addition to the traditional round shape.

Eyelet: A round metal embellishment that is added to a page by punching a hole and hammering down the back so that the eyelet is securely fastened to the paper.

Die-cut: A shape that is cut out of paper by a machine.  Much like a cookie cutter cut-out, but for paper.

Punch: A whole punch that can take almost any shape imaginable.  Punches can range in size and there are also paddle punches that allow for a certain shaped hole to be punched out of any part of the paper (even the middle where traditional hole punches do not reach). 

Acid-free:  A term used to describe scrapbooking materials that have a pH balance of 7.0 or higher.   If a product is labeled as acid-free, the acid is removed during the manufacturing process.  Most every paper that has been deemed appropriate for scrapbooking is acid free.  Newspaper and construction paper are not acid free. 

Decorative scissors: Scissors that cut anything but a straight line.  These scissors are used to give visual interest to otherwise simple straight lines. 

Embossing: Creating raised edges on a piece of embellishment.

Journaling: The words or descriptions included in your scrapbook that explain any of the mementos or photos contained on that page.   Journaling is an important part of the recordkeeping purposes behind scrapbooking.

Mounting squares: A small square of double sided tape-like adhesive.  Mounting squares are typically dispensed from a box and make it easier to quickly adhere papers and photos to a page. 

Page protector: A scrapbook safe plastic sleeve that covers and protects each page in a scrapbook. The page protectors contain the holes through which the scrapbook is bound together.

Sticker: A picture or drawing with a backside that is self sticking. 

Tape runner: A dispenser containing many small pieces or one continuous strand of double sided sticky tape.  A tape runner is useful for adhering ribbon and very small objects to paper.  A transparent tape runner is especially useful for adhering transparent items, such as vellum, onto your scrapbook page. 

Vellum: A transparent paper that clouds the paper that it covers.  Vellum can be printed on for journaling that does not cover as much of the pattern on the decorative paper you may be using.

Hopefully this short introduction to the beginner’s scrapbooking terms helps you to better understand what types of techniques and tools are available for today’s scrapbookers.
ditional cartridges in order to have all of these options.  With the Cricut ranging in price from $250-300, and each cartridge being an additional $60-88 on top of that, the whole Cricut system can become quite expensive. 
Additionally, you will have to make sure that you cut a piece of paper to the right size before putting in the machine so that it does not move while the blade is cutting it and so that the entire shape fits on the paper.  A common complaint among early model Cricut owners is that the size of paper that you have to put in the machine is often so large that on a smaller cut out you have a lot of scrap paper left over.  The Cricut blade is powerful so it can cut through your heavier cardstocks, but some users have found that the blade tend to be harder on thinner papers as it pulls lightweight papers out of place during the cutting process.

Conclusion

Despite the disadvantages, if you are the type of person who spends a lot of money on paper supplies or die-cuts, if you are going to use this machine as part of a business, or if you do not mind the hefty price tag, then it is definitely worth your while. 

Introduction

The Cricut scrapbooking machine is made by Provo Craft.  The Cricut is a machine that cuts shapes of various sizes out of paper.  In essence, the Cricut is a die-cut machine.  The Cricut scrapbooking machine requires the use of cartridges to make the various shapes and letters.  The Cricut machine is most popular among scrapbookers.  However the Cricut machine is great for teachers to use to decorate classrooms, for card makers, almost anyone who has a need to decorate something can benefit from the Cricut.

Instructions

The Cricut scrapbooking machine has been designed to be very user friendly.  By following some very simple steps you can make beautiful cut-outs of any shape that is contained in the cartridges that you have.  Below is an outline of these steps in easy to follow instructions as well as more details about the items used in each step:

Steps to using the Cricut machine

1.    Choose your Cricut cartridge – The Cricket machine comes with one or two basic cartridges so you will need to buy more cartridges for different shapes.  Cartridges range in price from about $60-88 depending on where you buy them.

2.    Insert your Cricket cartridge into the Cricut machine – There is a place at the front of the machine in the right corner where the cartridge will need to be placed.

3.    Insert the paper – Insert a piece of paper that is not too wide for the Cricut machine but wide enough for whatever size graphic you choose to cut out.  Cricut offers a line of Cricut papers that you can buy that are cut to the exact size of the mouth of the machine.

4.    Put on your coordinating key board face plate – There is a faceplate that coordinates with each Cricut cartridge.  Each faceplate has small pictures of the graphics on that cartridge so it is easy to choose which graphic you want to cut out.  Just push a button.

5.    Pick a size – The Cricut machine can cut your letter or shape out in any one of 12 sizes that range from 1" to 5 ½".  Choose the size that you would like.

6.    Watch the Cricut go to work – The Cricut blade will cut out the shape that you selected form the cartridge in the size that you specified. 

The downside to the Cricut machine

Although the Cricut machine has the possibility to cut out many thousands of different shapes in different sizes, you have to purchase additional cartridges in order to have all of these options.  With the Cricut ranging in price from $250-300, and each cartridge being an additional $60-88 on top of that, the whole Cricut system can become quite expensive. 
Additionally, you will have to make sure that you cut a piece of paper to the right size before putting in the machine so that it does not move while the blade is cutting it and so that the entire shape fits on the paper.  A common complaint among early model Cricut owners is that the size of paper that you have to put in the machine is often so large that on a smaller cut out you have a lot of scrap paper left over.  The Cricut blade is powerful so it can cut through your heavier cardstocks, but some users have found that the blade tend to be harder on thinner papers as it pulls lightweight papers out of place during the cutting process.

Conclusion

Despite the disadvantages, if you are the type of person who spends a lot of money on paper supplies or die-cuts, if you are going to use this machine as part of a business, or if you do not mind the hefty price tag, then it is definitely worth your while. 

Introduction

If you like to scrapbook you probably have all sorts of materials that you use.  There are papers (of all shaped, sizes and patterns), tapes, stickers, embellishments, cutting tools, the list could go on and on.  Many people enjoy scrapbooking their photos and journaling what that particular picture is about.  But with so many memories that are stored in items such as cards or other mementos, it is hard to know what to do to incorporate all of your precious memories on a flat sheet of paper.

Instructions
How to salvage a scrapbook that got wet
Meta description:  Fortunately there is something that you can do if the unthinkable happens and you experience a flood or an accidental spill and your scrapbook becomes wet.  By following these instructions carefully, you can salvage your scrapbook.
Key words: scrapbook, pages, photos, wet, dry, clean, ventilated, room, salvage, save, paper, steps, hang
Tags: scrapbook, pages, photos, wet, dry, clean, ventilated, room, salvage, save, paper, steps, hang

Introduction

A scrapbook is a very valuable possession to many people, especially if it has been passed down from loved ones.  It is very traumatic when the unfortunate happens and this precious book and its contents become damaged.  Water damage can be particularly distressing especially if your now damaged documents are irreplaceable. 

Instructions

Fortunately there is something that you can do if the unthinkable happens and you experience a flood or an accidental spill and your scrapbook becomes wet.  By following these instructions carefully, you can salvage your scrapbook.

Steps to salvaging a scrapbook that got wet

When salvaging a scrapbook that got wet it is important to treat the photos and the scrapbook pages differently.  Photo paper has properties that are very different from that of scrapbooking paper.  There is some debate over the appropriateness of the following photo drying procedure with digital prints, so it is wise to follow these steps with a test digital photo to ensure that you will not cause more damage. 

Drying out the photos.

1.    Take apart your scrapbook album and space the pages out.  Photos will stick together if they are allowed to dry while still touching.
2.    Start to dry them immediately, the disintegration process begins after only a few days.
3.    If the photos are completely covered in water, put them in clean plastic buckets of cold water.  Add 1/4 cup of formaldehyde for every gallon of cold water. Try to keep the water temperature at 65 degrees or lower.  Allow the photos to soak for only a moment.
4.    As quickly as you can, remove the soaking photos and rinse them in cold running water for about 15 minutes.
5.    Hang the photos to dry on the clothesline in a room that is well ventilated and clean. 

Drying out the scrapbook pages.

6.    Air dry the documents.  Find a safe place in your house that is clean, dry and preferably colder than the rest of your home.  If you have a dehumidifier, turn it on and place it in the room.
7.    Interleave the pages of the scrapbook and put un-inked newsprint or some other type of blotter in between each page.  Fiberglass screens will also work well put can become expensive as you will need one for every page in your scrapbook.
8.    Change out the blotting paper and reposition the pages so that all side of every page are exposed and allowed to dry. Make sure that you maintain the order of the pages as you are moving them around
9.    Make sure that your drying room remains well ventilated throughout this process.  Direct fans away from the scrapbook pages rather than positioning them so that air is blowing on the pages.
10.    To remove the curl from the dry prints, carefully slip them (individually) between 2 pieces of acid-free paper (or other appropriate substance) and flatten them out for a day or two under a heavy book. 

Other tips

After drying out scrapbook pages, some people find that the pages have a mildew or musty smell to them.  Usually a few minutes outside (not in direct sunlight) will help to eliminate this smell.  It is also important to remember to maintain your scrapbook well; this includes storing them the right way.  Scrapbooks should be stored in water tight containers.  Silica gel helps to eliminate the effects of mold and mildew. Silica gel can be found in most craft stores.  Simply put a packet (do not open the solution) in between the pages of the front and the back of the book before putting it into storage.  Using archival paper is another way to lengthen the life of your scrapbook. 

Introduction

If you like to scrapbook you probably have all sorts of materials that you use.  There are papers (of all shaped, sizes and patterns), tapes, stickers, embellishments, cutting tools, the list could go on and on.  Many people enjoy scrapbooking their photos and journaling what that particular picture is about.  But with so many memories that are stored in items such as cards or other mementos, it is hard to know what to do to incorporate all of your precious memories on a flat sheet of paper.

Instructions

There are all sorts of ways that you can recycle cards and mementos for your scrapbook.  With some basic tools and some guidance, you can jumpstart your own imaginative ideas.  Start with an idea for a page that you want to make that incorporates a page or a memento (i.e. a birthday or Christmas page).  Gather the materials that you want to have represented on the page and figure out the format for your page.  If you are having trouble thinking of ways to recycle cards and mementos for your scrapbook, here are just a few suggestions to get you started.

Use card as a photo frame

Often times cards are very big (compared to your pictures and embellishments) and it is difficult to find room for them on the page of your scrapbook.  Instead of displaying your card by itself on a page, use the card as a photo frame for your picture.  You can either simply place the photo on top of the card or you can cut out a window (like a photo mat) for the picture and secure a photo to the inside of the card so that the card serves as a picture frame.  Use the front cover or the inside of the card (where the message and signature is) for both of these scrapbooking ideas.

Cut out card illustrations

If you are looking for something even smaller than a card size, cut out only a portion of the card and use it as a decorative sticker.  Cut out the figures on the card and use them to decorate the scrapbook page. 

If it will stick on a page, use it!

Sometimes it is difficult to think of ways to incorporate large or 3-D mementos to your scrapbook.  This is when it becomes important to be creative.  Let’s say that you got a really special gift for your birthday.  Let’s use the example of a bike.  Obviously you cannot use that memento on your scrapbook page, but you can incorporate the wrapping paper used to wrap the bike, the front page of the bike’s instruction manual or a picture of the bike from a catalog.  If you have some kind of memento that is flat but may not adhere to paper with simple tape, use clear adhesive.  Things like award ribbons, certificates, school papers with a `A+’ mark, can all be incorporated in to a scrapbook and accompanied by a photo that may help to better tell the story of the event.

Take photos or use a piece of larger mementos

Many times there are very special things in our life that we want to be able to incorporate in our scrapbooks but the scale of the objects prohibits us from doing so.  For example, your daughter’s first dance outfit may be very special to you or the first car you bought may hold sentimental value.  Obviously both of these things will not fit in a memory book, however you can capture anything in a photo and incorporate that photo onto a special page.  Another idea is to take only a piece of a larger object and scrapbook that piece instead. One example for this is that you can cut a small part of a special dance outfit out and adhere it to the page next to a picture of the outfit. 

Other tips

It is hard to perfectly capture everything that is important to you in a scrapbook but if you use your imagination you can really do something special.  Another idea to incorporate cards and mementos into your scrapbook is to video record when you receive these items and then use your computer to make a DVD that you can store in your scrapbook and look at from time to time. 

One of the best things about Christmas is decorating your house in a festive mood, nothing says Christmas like red and green decorations. Every year people spend tons of money on buying Christmas decorations because they think it is easier than making their own. But what they don’t realize is how fun and easy some of the Christmas paper or cardboard craft ideas can be. And many times you can complete these crafts with stuff you have sitting around the house, so you don’t have that extra expense at Christmas time.

Here are some Christmas paper craft ideas for children and adults to enjoy.

Craft one:
Snowflakes are a simple and easy paper craft that children of all ages enjoy making, in fact many adults find them fun to make as well. This project is simple and takes a few minutes to complete. And the best thing is you can make it as elaborate or as simple as you want. All you need is a piece of white paper, which ever size and thickness you prefer, and a pair of scissors. You can also mount the snowflakes onto colored construction paper and then attach a string so they can be hung around the room.

Craft two:
Another fun Christmas craft is to decorate and design your own gift bags. Again like the snowflakes this craft can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish and can be enjoyed by children and adults alike. To complete this project you are going to need brown bags of whatever sizes you think you will need, Christmas wrapping paper or construction paper, glitter, glue, scissors and some ribbon. You can use others things as well.

Craft three:
Hands Christmas wreath is a fun and exciting for kids to do each Christmas, plus it also allows Mom and Dad to see how much the children have grown each year. The project is relatively simple as well. To do this project you are going to need colored construction paper, scissors, pencils, and your child’s hand. What you are going to be doing is cutting out your child’s hand print and gluing them in a circle to create a wreath to hang on your front door or above your fireplace. Another idea for a Christmas wreath is to use green construction paper and empty toleit paper rolls that you have painted green, but don’t forget the red construction paper or spray painted cotton balls for the red berries.

Craft four:
Another fun project is to make miniature snowmen or Santa Clauses out of empty toilet paper rolls and construction paper. For the snowmen you can use cotton balls to make the round snowballs, but be sure to layer the snowballs to give the snowman the right shape and size.  You can also use paper towel holders that are cut down to different sizes; this is a good idea if you want to create a family of snowmen. You can also make angels or other Christmas figures out of the same supplies.

Craft five:
You can use a shoebox and paper cut outs to create your own Nativity Scene. One of the best ways to do this is to glue the lid of the shoebox to the side of the box so that you have a wider space to work with. You can buy ceramic or plastic figures in most craft stores and then paint the shoebox to how you want to set up your scene, using cotton balls for the ground cover and real hay is actually easy to do.

Just keep in mind that these are only some of the Christmas paper or cardboard crafts that you can do, you can find even more ideas online.

What are different ways to scrapbook? Whether you are creating a festive holiday scene for your scrapbook page, or if you are simply adding some color to a rather drab page of pictures. There are different scrapbooking ideas that can help your scrapbooks come out truly unique.

Starting with the type of paper you use. The type of paper, with different pictures, colors, shapes etc, will create a very unique way of telling your families stories to the future generations.

That brings me to the next part of this. You can scrapbook both in large albums, or small albums and on the computer with a virtual scrapbook that is saved on DVD or CD. The options for scrapbooking are growing all the time.

You can even do a little of each of these scrapbooking options. You can also use the scrapbooking techniques to increase the creativity used on the pictures you hang on walls, or give as gifts.

There are basic scrapbooking techniques that go along with different theme styles that create more artistic scrapbooking pages.

The color you use to create different types of scrapbooking pages really does matter. The colors will make the base for any pictures page, bright or dark, peaceful or exciting. The main thing is trying to get the colors of the pages to match the idea of the basics of the picture theme.

Also with the coloring, you want to include any stickers, templates, or stamps that add enthusiasm to the pages. With this you can also add on the cropping, ribbons etc.

With all the different decorations, keep in mind that no matter what type of scrapbooking you are working with, too much stuff will take over the vision of the pictures. Therefore lessening the greatness of the creative art you are trying to achieve.

In addition to the different types of art you can use for your scrapbooking pages, you can use journalism to create a storyline that will add to the creativity of your scrapbook. This is a skill that requires a little work, however it will tell the pictures stories for years to come.

It is a good idea to use short to the point paragraphs to describe the pictures being displayed in the scrapbook. This is the case in both the virtual world, and the hard copy scrapbooks you are creating.

There are also pocket pages that add a spice of difference to the scrapbooking options. You can use pocket pages to include all kinds of special items. In some cases a small pocket is create for the first baby hair, or maybe some flowers from the wedding bouquets. There are also many times that special tickets are in a pocket in the scrapbook or other memorabilia.

Whatever different choices you use to create the best scrapbooking for your families records and history, keep in mind that it is your creativity that will make it unique. Do not just follow the crowd. Use your own ideas to make something special for your family. Because your great grandkids will be reading these books or watching those DVD.

What are organic embellishments?

Organic embellishments are nature’s beauty. You can decorate your scrapbook pages with organics, or in other words elements found in the environment made from natural materials. Organic embellishments can really be anything, but the following are some great examples: dried flowers, dried leaves, jute, hemp string, rocks, moss, leather, wood, clay, seeds, feathers, raffia, pine needles, wheat straws, twigs, etc.

When do you use organic embellishments?

You can use organic embellishments whenever you want throughout your scrapbook layouts. You will want to use them whenever you want an embellishment that reflects nature, and the beauty found therein, in addition to your keepsake photos. For example, you could compliment your beautiful daughter’s pages with dried flowers; you could add to your camp out layout by including leaves, jute or hemp string, rocks, moss, etc.; you can combine any number of organic embellishments to turn a basic scrapbook page into a work of art and natural beauty.

How do you use organics?

Obviously you will want to use organics on your pages in addition to your photos of the outdoors, etc. But, the question becomes, how do you use them the best way? The answer—you can use them in their natural state, or stamped, cut, stained, layered, etc. Basically whatever and wherever your imagination takes you with your embellishments. You can layer them to embellish tags, envelopes, titles, borders, photo mats, or can even stand alone on the page. However, they best reflect and support the natural theme when placed beside meaningful journaling and outdoor photos.

Where do you get organic embellishments?

You can purchase organics like dried flowers, etc. at pretty much any craft store, scrapbook store, or hobby store. Or, you can go outside and take a walk. Pick a flower and press it yourself. Take a leaf off the ground and dry it. Simply take a nature walk and see where it leads you and what beautiful additions of nature you can pick up and incorporate into your pages.

Organics have obviously been around for centuries, and have been used in the domestic setting for centuries as well. From flower arrangements that adorn coffee tables, the flower arrangements men give their wives after a fight, for a special occasion, or just because, to the wood carvings that hold meaning for many indigenous nations, and everything in between. Organics are used to express beauty, but also serve function purposes, as we use clay and other organics to make tiles, clothing, and even dinnerware. However, it is not until somewhat recently that people realized what a beautiful addition organics make to scrapbook pages and layouts. And, as you can now see, organics commonly frequent scrapbook pages, but because no two flowers are alike, you find beautiful variation, and every layout is unique. You too can use organics to serve functional purposes (for example, you can use hemp string to tie together a folded journaling, or to hold an album shut), or for cosmetic purposes (such as layering dried flowers and plants on a tag to create a beautiful addition or embellishment for any outdoor themed scrapbook page.

So, now that you know what organics are, where they originated, and how they are best used, it is time to go home and incorporate them into your scrapbook pages. Always be on the look out for broken off flowers you can take home and press, beautiful leaves, twigs, feathers, shells, etc. All of these make great additions to any scrapbook.

When you make a scrapbook for your family, it can be difficult to come up with page ideas for it. You may not be sure what events to include in a family book, and which items should be in individual children’s books, etc. The following are some great scrapbook page ideas for families:

Vacations:

While this is an obvious one, vacations are an important item to include in your family scrapbook. You will want to ensure that you include all vacations, even mini ones because for many families, vacations are some of the only time you spend together as an entire family. This is time that is uninterrupted, and where family is the focus. So, make one vacation page, and include great photos from several different family vacations, or make individual pages for each vacation.

Home:

Your home is an important part of your family. So, be sure to have photographs of your home, and pages in your scrapbook dedicated just to your home. Take a photo of the outside, take photos of the places in your home your family spends the most time together, such as the kitchen, television room, etc. Your home is where your heart is, so include your heart in your family scrapbook. Later you will enjoy seeing the changes you made in décor and layout of your home.

Being a newlywed is exciting and fun, but it is also a time of much change. So, great scrapbook page ideas for newlyweds include documentation of the changes that take place, both good and bad.

The following are some great newlywed page layout ideas:

• Document your new home. Most people do not live together before they get married, and so once you are married, you have to move to a place that fits both of you. This might be a tiny apartment, a basement, or you might be fortunate enough to buy a home. So, no matter home’s threshold you cross over as a newlywed, document. Later in your life you will enjoy looking back at the humble circumstances your marriage started out in.
• Document the things you did not know about each other. No matter how long you know each other before you get married, there are bound to be things about each other you did not know. For example, you may not have known the funny way he fold his socks, and he might not have known how long it takes you to get ready each day. So, take some pictures, and journal on this page. Talk about how you felt when you found this out, and how funny it is that no matter how well you think you know someone, marriage helps you get to know them tons better.
• Document your new bills (like insurance, etc.). For many newlyweds, one of the biggest changes is finances. Many parents continue paying insurance for their children, medical, dental, and even car insurance up to the point that the child gets married. Parents may also have helped you out with rent, groceries, etc. So, one scrapbook page idea for newlyweds that you will want to document are the financial changes in your life.
• Document your lack of money. Ok, not every newlywed couple is broke, but the majority of them are. So, one great scrapbook page idea is to show your lack of money. Document the mac and cheese dinners you eat, and the empty bank accounts. You do not do this to feel bad for yourself, you do it so later in your life you can be grateful for the things you have.
• Document your new friends. Married couples tend to have to find new friends. Most married people do not retain the same friends they had previously, or at least they do not hang out with the same people as often. Why? Because unmarried people do not like hanging out with married people very often. So, as you make new friends, and leave the old behind, document it. Some of the friends you make in the first few years of marriage will remain your best friends for years to come.
• Document your new weekend activities, etc. When you date, you spend your weekends going on dates, eating at nice restaurants, and having a great time, seeing all the new movies. Newlywed life changes…instead, you get frozen pizzas, and rent older movies, as new releases cost more. You go to bed earlier, etc. So, document it.

All of the changes in your new life make great scrapbook page ideas for newlyweds. So, take a few minutes and think about the changes that have occurred in your life, and make your newlywed scrapbook around those changes.

Pets:

Your pets are a part of your family. They help teach your children responsibility, and they give your child a playmate and friend. So, make sure that one of your scrapbook pages for your family scrapbook is of the playmates and extra siblings in your family’s life…your pets. It does not matter if your pets are dogs, cats, birds, or fish.

Car:

The family car is a big part of a family. It is what gets you to soccer practice, ballet recitals, church, school, friend’s houses, the grocery store, etc. Many families eat, sleep, read, watch movies, and more in the family car, it is the all function vehicle. So, include this important part of your family’s life in your scrapbook. You may not realize how important the family car is, but just think about what you would do without it.

People in family: obviously one of the things you want to do is include pages dedicated to each person in the family. However, you will likely have individual scrapbooks for each child. So, for the family scrapbook, you should include pages that document each person’s role in the family. You may want to show Dad leaving for work, mom dropping the kids off at school, brother taking out the trash, sister folding laundry, etc. The role each of us play in our families is important, so they make great scrapbook page additions.

Favorite relatives:

Extended family is family too, so make one of your scrapbook pages dedicated to documenting extended family. You may want to show photos of family reunions on this page, or even just portraits of your relatives, or cousins having fun etc.

Traditions:

Family tradition pages are an important part of every family scrapbook. You will want to include traditions that are done at holidays, Saturday mornings, first day of school, etc. You family probably has a number of traditions, so document them in your scrapbook pages.

Holidays:

Most families try and spend the holidays together, so they are a great time to take pictures and make memories, so be sure that some of your scrapbook page ideas are centered around the holidays.

Favorite family fun:

There is likely something your family enjoys doing together on a regular basis, whether this is playing tennis, seeing movies at the dollar theater, or playing bocce in the back yard, document it in your family pages scrapbook.

When you make a scrapbook for your family, it can be difficult to come up with page ideas for it. You may not be sure what events to include in a family book, and which items should be in individual children’s books, etc. The following are some great scrapbook page ideas for families:

Vacations: while this is an obvious one, vacations are an important item to include in your family scrapbook. You will want to ensure that you include all vacations, even mini ones because for many families, vacations are some of the only time you spend together as an entire family. This is time that is uninterrupted, and where family is the focus. So, make one vacation page, and include great photos from several different family vacations, or make individual pages for each vacation.

Home: your home is an important part of your family. So, be sure to have photographs of your home, and pages in your scrapbook dedicated just to your home. Take a photo of the outside, take photos of the places in your home your family spends the most time together, such as the kitchen, television room, etc. Your home is where your heart is, so include your heart in your family scrapbook. Later you will enjoy seeing the changes you made in décor and layout of your home.

Pets: for many, your pets are a part of your family. They help teach your children responsibility, and they give your child a playmate and friend. So, make sure that one of your scrapbook pages for your family scrapbook is of the playmates and extra siblings in your family’s life…your pets. It does not matter if your pets are dogs, cats, birds, or fish.

Car: the family car is a big part of a family. It is what gets you to soccer practice, ballet recitals, church, school, friend’s houses, the grocery store, etc. Many families eat, sleep, read, watch movies, and more in the family car, it is the all function vehicle. So, include this important part of your family’s life in your scrapbook. You may not realize how important the family car is, but just think about what you would do without it.

People in family: obviously one of the things you want to do is include pages dedicated to each person in the family. However, you will likely have individual scrapbooks for each child. So, for the family scrapbook, you should include pages that document each person’s role in the family. You may want to show Dad leaving for work, mom dropping the kids off at school, brother taking out the trash, sister folding laundry, etc. The role each of us play in our families is important, so they make great scrapbook page additions.

Favorite relatives: extended family is family too, so make one of your scrapbook pages dedicated to documenting extended family. You may want to show photos of family reunions on this page, or even just portraits of your relatives, or cousins having fun etc.

Traditions: family tradition pages are an important part of every family scrapbook. You will want to include traditions that are done at holidays, Saturday mornings, first day of school, etc. You family probably has a number of traditions, so document them in your scrapbook pages.

Holidays: most families try and spend the holidays together, so they are a great time to take pictures and make memories, so be sure that some of your scrapbook page ideas are centered around the holidays.

Favorite family fun: there is likely something your family enjoys doing together on a regular basis, whether this is playing tennis, seeing movies at the dollar theater, or playing bocce in the back yard, document it in your family pages scrapbook.