Scrapbooking tips for beginners
People have been scrapbooking for centuries as a way to keep hold of keepsakes, such as letters and drawings. It was also used as a way to keep track of important events and to organise paperwork.
In modern times, scrapbooking has taken the form of a creative hobby. Crafters can sit down and while away the hours cutting and sticking into their scrapbooks. Although there is artistic freedom with this type of hobby, many people need a helping hand to get going.
In this article, we’ll try to give you inspiration for your scrapbook project. There are plenty of tips to make your crafting process easier and to help your book look its best.
The top nine scrapbooking tips for beginners
There is so much choice when it comes to selecting the materials and tools for your art projects. Scrapbooking can seem especially daunting as there is no rule book or instructions that everyone has to follow.
To help you on your way, we’ve compiled a list of our top tips for newcomers to scrapbooking. Whether you’re unsure which layout or theme to opt for or you don’t have a clue where to begin, we’ve got you covered!
1) Books
The first decision that you’ve got to make before you crack out your art supplies is which book you are going to use. Everyone has their own preference, but the most important thing to look for is a book that can accommodate thicker pages. This is because you will be padding out the book with photos and decorations that will increase the width. It’s handy to find a book that has a ribbon to tie it closed, as this will accommodate the growing thickness.
Your scrapbook pages should also be big enough to fit your paper and other decorations on. It can be helpful to have a rough idea of what you will be putting in your book so that you can buy one that will have enough pages and will be the right size. Kraft page scrapbooks are particularly popular due to their sturdy pages.
2) Theme
There are so many scrapbooking ideas that you can use for your book. You might decide to make a summer scrapbook or focus on another season. The scrapbook could also be based on a holiday or school year. You might want to include a handwritten letter from a friend or tickets to a theatre show.
You can look at online crafting resources for ideas on aesthetics and the type of imagery that you might like to use in your scrapbook. Some crafters decide to collect inspiration images as a way to help them find a theme that they like.
3) Colour scheme
A big part of scrapbooking is creating attractive pages that tell a story. You could use the colours on each page to link the photos and decorations together. For example, you could use red and green paper, pens and tape on a page that features your Christmas photos, whilst using greens and yellows on a summer page.
Another option would be to keep the colour scheme consistent throughout the book. Try to think of colours and shades that complement one another. If you are unsure about which colours to opt for, it’s a good idea to consult a colour wheel. The colours that sit opposite each other on the wheel tend to work well together.
4) Layout
It can seem difficult to come up with artistic scrapbook layouts when you are staring at the blank paper. There’s no need to worry, though. You can use lots of decorative elements to create layouts in your book.
From sketches to photos and tickets to ribbons, there is so much that you can use in your scrapbook. Make use of negative space to create a minimalistic look or fill up every space with patterned paper and stickers.
Keeping the same layout throughout the book can give a nice uniform appearance, but it’s up to you as to which direction you go on each page.
5) Type of paper
There are lots of different types of paper that you can use in your project. Patterned paper can add visual interest to a page, whilst tissue paper can add a different texture. You don’t have to spend lots of money on paper if you don’t want to. Paper scraps that you may have lying around the house are not only an eco-friendly option, but they can also add a nostalgic touch. Leftover wrapping paper is also a cheap option.
6) Type of glue
Making sure that your decorations and photos are secure on your pages is an important aspect of scrapbooking. PVA glue is a child-friendly adhesive, although a glue gun will work well to stick on objects that are heavy or don’t have a flat side.
You can use double-sided tape for a mess-free alternative to glue, or washi tape if you want to make the tape a design feature.
7) Photos
A big part of most people’s scrapbooks is the photos. They can be anything from random snaps you’ve taken on your phone to professional images from a wedding you attended. Photos scrapbooking is a lovely way to keep a physical record of your memories with friends and family.
You can add a few descriptive words alongside the photos you put in the book to remind yourself of where the image was taken or a fun memory from the day. Captions can also make the photos more interesting to anyone else that you show the book to.
8) Decoration
One of the best ways to decorate your scrapbook is through tokens that you have collected over a number of months. Why not have a look around your house to see if you have any pretty ribbons or stickers that you could use on a page.
It can be tempting to copy the style and decoration of scrapbooks that you have seen online, but creating your own decorative elements is even more rewarding. Collect interesting objects that catch your eye or mean something to you so that your book is entirely personal to you.
9) Tools
The tools that you need for scrapbooking vary from the basics to more professional setups. Most beginners start out with a pair of scissors, a ruler and glue, along with whatever paper or images they are using. However, you could even decide to skip using the scissors and rip the paper with your hands instead!
Some of the more popular tools for scrapbooking include the Cricut machine, which can be used to cut out different shapes from a variety of materials. You might also want to buy a craft knife to cut out things by hand.
The joy of scrapbooking means that there is no right or wrong way to go about it. You can create a book that is entirely unique and personal to you and your experiences.
