Creative Scrapbooking For Beginners

[Earl Fehr]

I think it's important for those new to scrapbooking to remember there
really is no right or wrong way to create a scrapbook. All you need is
the skill to use papers, scissors, glue or pastes, and the heart to do
the hobby. Yes, it is a hobby.
After all, a scrapbook is basically a collection of book size pages
containing memories of collaged images. A sophisticated scrapbook can
be bought at bookshops, where you can get them hardbound ready to fill
up. Actually, it is nothing more than empty pages. If you like
laborious details, you could create collective empty pages, bind it ,
then that's it---you have a scrapbook!
Anyone who has done scrapbooks for a while may not even remember when
they started. For beginning scrapbookers, the important thing is to
have a good concept to start with. Usually scrapbooks are motivated by
good memories with family and friends. If you join forces to create
your scrapbook, combine ideas and work hand in hand in putting up
personal scrapbooks, then the outcome is priceless.
Remember that scrapbooks don't need to be perfect. Most of the time,
they are simply a random combination of pictures with cut outs from
magazines to give meaning to the expression and mood related to the
picture being collaged. Don't try and be to structured with the
result, feel free to create very informal compositions. After all, you
have no one to please but yourself because it is a personal scrapbook.
With of the availability of digital printing, pictures for scrapbooks
don't need to be original developed photos from film. You can copy,
scan and print them digitally. This technique can save important
photos from being accidentally ruined, in case something goes wrong
with the pasting and cutting.
If you are a beginner, how will you start doing your own scrapbook?
You could start with a definite theme coming from grouped sets of
pictures. You can accomplish this on your own or invite friends or
family to help you. If the pictures contain people who are close to
you, I would suggest you recopy the pictures to have the freedom of
cropping each photo without worrying about losing your only copy. Pick
an over all color scheme of your choice to enhance harmony in the
composition of each page. For example, you might make use of bright
earth colors to blend with the overall theme of a sunny beach party.
Try recycling and making use of old magazines instead of just throwing
them away. Sometimes, you can use images that will make your
composition richer with this technique.
Once you feel satisfied with your compilation, you can include it as
your personal memorabilia. Keep it away from dust just like the way
you take care of your photo albums. Scrapbooks are much more enjoyable
to look at than just photos in an album. When you show your scrapbooks
to friends and family, scrapbooks are definitely more entertaining.
As a beginner, use your creativity by making use of what is available
at home. Remember, it does not have to be expensive, unless you really
want to use special materials to enhance what you want to accomplish.
Remember the most important ingredient in doing scrapbooks. Use your
own sentiment and heart to make your scrapbooks. Only then will you
realize how much fun and productive scrapbooking can be.