10 Tips and Tricks of the Trade
New to the world of scrapbooking? Maybe you took an extended break and are ready to "dive back in." Or perhaps you scrap every day and just need a few tips to brush up your skills. Follow these 10 simple rules and you can't go wrong. So get ready and get scrapping!
1. Set Your Own Expectations
So often, we see all of the gorgeous pages in magazines and in the Scrapjazz.com gallery. Don't forget that many of these artists spent hours on those pages. If you are a super artistic scrapbooker, that's fantastic. Embrace your passion and go with it. However, perhaps you're a mom with three kids and your scrapbook goal is to record your memories in a fun and pretty way, yet simply and effectively. Maybe the super artistic look isn't for you. Let that be okay. Browse online for simpler page designs, or try working from one of the layout sketches available here at Scrapjazz. You'll find that you can create simple and effective layouts in a decent amount of time and still love the results.
2. Start with Error-Proof Tools
There are many tools available to you to help make your scrapping easier, and to save you from making critical errors. Repositionable adhesive will let you try out many different looks without damaging your page. If you are journaling by hand, pull out the pencil before you lay down the ink. It may cost you a little extra time, but getting to the end of your final paragraph of three only to discover you've run out of room or made a spelling error can be devastating. Skip the potential headache by penciling your journaling first.
3. You Don't Need Everything (Seriously)
Many scrapbookers will eventually find that they’ve become "scrapbook supply collectors." Don't forget that the reason you decided to pursue this hobby is because you wanted to have fun creating a unique way to display your memories. Curb your shopping addictions by always taking a list to the store with you, or by setting a monthly budget. You CAN create beautiful pages with nothing but cardstock. Think of how many supplies you've purchased over the years that you "had to have" but then never even opened. Stick to what you know you can use, and you can't go wrong.
4. Invest in the Basics
Don't be afraid to spend a little more money on the supplies you're going to use all the time. Start with a good camera. There are many affordable choices in both digital and film. Digital cameras are fantastic because you have more creative control over your prints. Try selecting one with good automatic options, but manual choices as well. The automatic features will help give you a good start (and make it easier for friends and family to take photos). As your photography skills grow, you can begin to explore the manual options. Other great investments are a high-quality printer and a die-cut system. You'll save money on photo developing and embellishments by making your own at home. Finally, don't be afraid to splurge a little on your albums themselves. Did you spend all of that time and money creating beautiful pages only to put them in an $8 clearance album? I didn't think so.
5. Journal. Journal. Journal.
Many beginning scrapbookers don't include journaling on their pages. While the "gallery" style of page (one large photo, a title, beautiful accents, and nothing else) is gorgeous, and can be very effective for album title pages, it's not always the best approach for your everyday pages. When I began scrapbooking, I was working primarily on my college album. I only included page titles and photographs. Looking back, the names of some friends and details of events are lost to me. I can't remember, and since I didn't write it down, I'm out of luck. Save yourself this critical error and be sure to record at least the basics, every time.
6. Get (and stay) organized.
I can't stress this enough. If you can't find what you need, scrapbooking becomes a chore and your excitement for your project will start to fade. So many times, scrapbookers will end up having to head to the store because that piece of patterned paper they know they bought just can't be located—it's lost among a stack of other papers, or perhaps it got damaged because it wasn't stored correctly. Setting up an effective system and keeping up with it regularly can save you both time and money in the long run.
7. Take Classes and Attend Workshops
Does your local scrapbook or craft store offer scrapbooking classes? Sign up for one! Classes are fun ways to learn new techniques and ideas. Even seasoned scrapbookers can always learn something new. Plus, they are fantastic social events. You never know when you might meet a new friend! Don't have a local store nearby? Consider purchasing a product with video lessons, such as CD-ROMs from the Scrap Tutor series.
8. Scrap out of Order
Don't be afraid to break the chronological order of your pages. Scrapbooking is meant to be fun, not a chore. If you haven't finished your wedding album yet, and want to go ahead and scrap those photos from your child's fifth birthday, feel free. Scrapbooking out of order gives you the freedom to try new things and work on what means the most to you at the moment. Let's face it—we're never going to be completely caught up. So don’t worry about it, and create pages about whatever strikes your fancy. Then, place your pages into your chronological albums in order. This way, your memories will still be right on track, even though your creativity can roam free.
9. Look for Inspiration Everywhere
You never know when the inspiration for a layout will hit you. Shopping for clothes? Take note of what strikes you. You might find the perfect color combination or accent idea on an evening gown. Headed to the grocery store? Packaging designs can provide instant inspiration, and some products come in boxes that will provide you with free chipboard, as well. Keep a small notebook in your purse or backpack to jot down ideas as they come to you, and you'll be ready to go when it's time to sit down and scrap.
10. Break the Rules
Don't be afraid to break the rules every so often. Want to use a product that's not acid-free? Go ahead! (Though I would recommend making a copy of the photo first.) Want to skip the photos altogether and include only some of your most heartfelt journaling? Why not? Your scrapbooks are just that—yours. Make them truly personal by finding your own style on your own terms.
Scrapbooking is all about you. It’s about saving your memories, and preserving a piece of yourself and your family for future generations. Let your true colors shine through in your scrapbooking. Follow these simple tips to keep yourself organized, have the tools you need to get started, and focus on what really matters—creating beautiful pages and having fun doing it.
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