How to get started in scrapbooking
Before heading to the store, you should know what theme you want to do. This will prevent you from buying pretty materials, but don’t have anything to do with your theme. List down details such as the number of photos you might use, the main colours of your photos and bring them to the store with you. Using this list, you can mix and match colours of papers and other embellishments to complement your theme.
The basic materials you need are acid-free paper, sharp scissors with comfortable grip, adhesives, permanent fine-tipped pens, sheet protectors, and a binder. You can also purchase albums in which the papers are already bound. Albums come in either post bound, which needs screwdrivers to add extra pages, or strap hinge, in which you just have to undo and redo the strap to add pages. Select album size, colour and pattern according to your theme. Additional items such as decorative scissors, stickers, punches and other embellishments are optional.
Gather your favourite photographs. Choose the ones holding a special meaning to you and your family. Don’t include photographs that are blurred or out of focused and those which have an awful background or bad lighting. Organize them by category or theme in a chronological order so you will know where to find them and which picture comes first.
Next step would be laying out the pages. Let your creative juices flow. There are no rules in designing your pages, so design however you wish. Remember that you are telling a story about your precious and one-of-a-kind memories. Photos and other memorabilia are important part of this story-telling process so make you sure you select your best ones. The best advice in designing your pages is to keep them simple and straightforward. Make sure to arrange everything to your liking before sticking them permanently into place.
You can browse books, search the internet, attend scrapbooking workshops and classes, and talk to other enthusiasts for ideas, should you encounter a ‘creative block’. People also involved in scrapbooking will readily lend you a hand and give you lots of ideas. Keep a journal of creative ideas. That way, you can easily jot down random artistic ideas that pop in your head during the day which you can use later on in your pages.
Scrapbooking is both fun and rewarding. Like any hobbies, getting used to scrapbooking may take time. Don’t get discouraged. Your scrapbook doesn’t have to be like the ones featured in crafting magazines. What is important is that you are able to preserve your memories in a beautiful way for coming generations to enjoy.