Learn to Scrapbook
by Jami Petersen, Scrapbooking.com Magazine
Scrapbooking is a wonderful and rewarding hobby. Making art out of favorite photographs to document our histories can be a unique legacy for our families and future generations. However, it can be an intimidating and overwhelming experience. Pictures seem to pile up and life’s events come and go. It’s easy to get pulled under by the expectations of having to complete pages or finish albums.
How to Scrapbook: A Beginner’s Guide for Getting Started
For me, the most important step in starting a scrapbooking project is to be very selective about the photographs I want to use. Narrowing down images to use is a great way to stave off the feeling of being weighed down before you even begin. Separate into piles or digital files those photos that you definitely want to use, and also create a “maybe” file/pile in case you have extra room on your page. Trust your first instincts in this task and don’t over analyze it. It shouldn’t be a stressful experience; you can always go back later and do more pages with the extra photos.
Now you can put your energy into designing your pages. Most people are familiar with traditional scrapbooking, which uses paper, glue and embellishments to complete layouts. Also, digital scrapbooking is becoming more and more popular. Digital scrapbooking is done with the computer and design software. It is particularly convenient for people who have less time to commit to the hobby.
It is certainly understandable that people who feel they are not creative would be reluctant to start scrapbooking. But in my experience, everyone can be successful regardless of artistic abilities. Both traditional and digital scrapbooking have pre-made pages that are easy to use without worrying about any designing. There are also books, videos and magazines that teach beginners and experienced crafters alike. This is a great way to get ideas and inspiration. There is nothing wrong with imitating a layout done by someone else, think of using it as a guideline for proportion and design elements.
For more information about scrapbooking, I invite you to visit our website, www.scrapbooking.com. Our magazine changes content every month so there are always new projects to check out. And our extensive archives have projects and tutorials about every imaginable topic. Each article is accompanied by directions and supplies used, and projects are not limited to scrapbooking only. There is something for everyone, whether you are a beginner or an experienced artist.
Do you have any great scrapbooking tips? Share them with us below!