Digital Scrapbooking Templates - Saving Time and Cost?

Digital Scrapbooking Templates - what are they, and how can they save you time, reduce your hobby costs, and liberate your creativity all in one go?

In just the last few years there has been such a huge surge in computer use that many people now have an internet connection, and use it.

To keep in touch with friends and family, by email, social networks,
For entertainment - music, videos and TV online, and, of course,
For crafts such as scrapbooking.

In fact, the internet is changing our lives in many ways, and for scrappers, that provides the opportunity to get into digital or online scrapbooking in some form. Going online to scrapbooking websites provides fast and easy access to the work of expert designers and crafters, bringing a wealth of high quality scrapbooking ideas and resources, as well as downloadable digital products, into the home of the average scrapper.

Instead of having the expense of traveling to your local scrapbook store (LSS) to browse products, see a demo or participate in a workshop, you can now view scrapbook sketches and example layouts online, watch streaming tutorial videos, and even more conveniently, use downloadable scrapbooking templates. These you can open in your favorite digital scrapbook software (such as Photoshop Elements), adapt the design as you wish, then drop in and adjust your digital photos. Just as when paper scrapping, you need to personalise the page layout by adding your embellishments, journalling, tags etc.

If you're not yet up to speed with computer scrapbooking, you can create paper pages by printing off your downloaded template, and either use these as the basis for building a traditional scrapbook page, or to store in your ideas file for later use.

Digital scrapbook templates and supplies save you time and money by reducing the amount of stock you need to store, and make scrapbooking possible conveniently without having to get all your supplies out to work on your projects. All you need is enough space for a laptop computer and you can scrapbook anywhere.

Another benefit of digital products is that they save you time by eliminating many of the usual repetitive tasks as you create a series of pages for an album, and save you wasting photos through cutting errors. Also, its easier for your computer to search for that elusive embellishment, saving you the frustration of hunting through paper stock for that special paper or tag...

Digital scrapbook products are usually less expensive than their physical equivalent, and they can be used over and over again. With so many internet scrapbooking templates available at little or no cost, you have access to as many sketches, templates, papers, and embellishments, as you could possibly need, so you'll probably spend much less than you would normally spend on your stash.

Here are just a few more benefits of the digital approach to scrapbooking:

Easy to find and share layout ideas
You can re-use digital "papers" and embellishments many times over, with zero replacement costs
Very much easier to duplicate your scrapbook pages or completed album. So if you want each granny to have the same album, with extra copies for a couple of aunts and a favorite uncle, you just create the album once.
You have easy online access to resources for every season and every kind of life-event

You can think of your digital scrapbooking templates as a fast start to page layout designs. You can use them either in your paper-based projects, or you can create pages and albums completely on your computer, then share the finished project with friends, family and fellow scrappers easily and freely across the internet.

Genie Balfour is a paper crafter and scrapbooker for many years, Genie is well-versed in the ins and outs of paper and digital scrapbooking. As the founder of the popular website ScrapbookingGems.com, she writes regularly on paper and digital scrapbooking topics.

You can get Genie's sketch designs and downloadable digital scrapbooking templates, or click here and check out her free exclusive scrapbook sketches and layouts series.

7 Themes for Children Scrapbooking Based on Seasons at School

Kinderen op de leeftijd van vijf tot zes zijn zeer passie bij de opstelling, kunst en ambacht. Je kunt ze krijgen in schroot verzocht hun belangstelling van crafting kenbaar te betrekken. Hier deel ik mijn zeven geheime tips voor uw kinderen scrapbooking ideeën.

# 1 Nieuwjaar familie Scrapbooking

Januari is het begin van het jaar. U kunt regelen doen familie scrapbooking met nieuw jaar in verband met uw kinderen. Als uw kind scrapbooking liefde, is dit goed thema om te trainen hun creativiteit in schroot.

# 2 Vriendschap Scrapbooking

Elke kinderen hebben hun eigen goede vrienden, met inbegrip van mijn dochter. Neem een paar candid foto's van uw kind en zijn of haar goede vriend, dan maken een vriendschap thema of scrapbooking.

# 3 Pasen Scrapbooking

Pasen dag is de feestdag goed voor kinderen te doen aan dit zelfs gerelateerde ambachtelijke.U kunt een ambachtelijke activiteit, met alle uw kinderen en vrienden te hebben een ei schilderij sessie, nemen sommige candid foto's van de activiteit, gebruiken voor het maken van een Pasen scrapbooking verzamelen.

# 4 Dag van de moeder en vader dag Scrapbooking

Moeder en vader dag is viering van prachtige moeder die heeft zijn werk hun leven voor hun kinderen. Is het zeer zinvol voor uw kind om het maken van een moeder en vader dag scrapbooking, op hetzelfde moment uw kind leren over de familie waarde en respect voor de ouders.

# 5 Land nationale dag Scrapbooking

Dit is een goed thema voor kinderen bewust te zijn van het land zij wonen en hun liefde voor het land te cultiveren zij geboren. Er zijn een heleboel ideeën over dit thema, zoals culturele, toeristische attractie locaties, leven stijl van het land en een eenvoudige vlag kunnen ontwerp als nationale dag scrapbooking.

# 6 Aarde dag Scrapbooking

De aarde is de planeet die wij blijven, is het essentieel om te laten onze kinderen weten hoe om te beschermen van onze aarde. Aarde dag scrapbooking is een goed thema voor de leeftijd van de kinderen van 5 tot en met 6 om te begrijpen hoe milieuvriendelijk in hun dagelijks leven worden.

# 7 School sport dag Scrapbooking

Kinderen graag sport zootje! Het goede idee is krijgen van uw kind om te turnen scrapbooking, doen als uw kind gymnastiek liefde. Kunt u uw eigen thema die gelden voor uw kinderen interesse in andere sportieve activiteiten.

Eenmaal uw peuters gedaan, kan je hen aan hun album scrapbooking. Hoop die u zoals hierboven thema's!

En nu zou ik graag bieden u gratis toegang tot 3 van mijn Instant Scrapbooking gids sjablonen als u zich abonneert op mijn vrije handleiding voor Instant Scrapbooking, krijg je mijn gids scrapbooking verslag plus gratis afdrukbare ontwerp op Scrapbooking die u als versiering of lay-out gebruiken kunt. U kunt uw onmiddellijke toegang krijgen op http://www.InstantScrapbookingGuide.com van jasmijn N's cirkel van Scrapbooking Craz.

Scrapbooking Websites - Some Of The Best Ideas Can Be Grabbed Online

Looking at your marriage album? Found good snaps that tend to bring back fond memories? Retaining the photos in the same album doesn't distinguish itself from the others. Such pictures need a special place. Scrapbooking these photos can make it exceptional. Worthy!

When scrapbooking strikes you, you are automatically attracted to provenances such as journals, websites, magazines, newspapers, print ads etc... Such provenances are always reliable as they portray very well what the determined product exactly brings out!!

Details regarding the start of a project, required materials-that are worthy and how to proceed with scrapbooking are elaborated well. Hearing your friend's talks on what they actually do with their scrapbooks, you must have imagined more on how to explore it yourself. Your interests may be boosted with the photographer's ideas of preserving the pictures in a impressive manner.

Don't be afraid if you are new to scrapbooking. One does not require professionalism in photography for this. There are ample quantities of websites that provide you with scrapbooks. So what improves the quality of your scrapbook? What makes the photos prominent? What are the steps to be followed to create a scrapbook?

Basic Thoughts:

Wondering how your start can stay for days? In the end, the difficult thing in scrapbooking is the optimization of the design and the preferred design. You can then move on to think about the products that can be utilized for scrapbooks after the opinions are recognized. With all these confusions, the required help and guidance can be sought from the websites that you consult.

Behind every remarkable scrapbook are highly refined supplies for it that has been mixed and matched artistically. Nothing would cherish in a scrapbook when the supplies are not considered. You can get amazed when you look at scrapbook supplies that online stores sell. They are available in many colors and designs. They come in different shapes and sizes too. So when you are ready for scrapbooking, what you have to do is just choose and conclude which scrapbook supply to put in use.

Now your caption for your scrapbook is your wedding day. Select the colors that perfectly suit your theme. Take special care that it should also match with the garments in the photo (worn on that day). The color combinations of the material should correlate the colors in the picture.

Some colors that would fit a wedding album are gold, silver and white. But you can have it as per your wish. Dealing with the content you can start the first page with the wedding invitation narrating the story to give it a good start followed by the remaining pictures.

Decorate the borders and male it attractive. You can choose your favorites and leave the remaining. Exceptions arise when you would like to have your scrapbook, a worthy of remembrance.

Scrapbooking websites-in the round:

People often surf the internet for scrapbooking websites. On visiting them, you can come across loads of ready-made designs and contents you need for your scrapbook. Some websites allow you to print them. Some do not. If you can utilize the internet to its maximum then you can extract very good ideas from such websites. In the end, it's their service for our purposes.

Scrapbooking websites teach the beginners on how to use its supplies to bring out an outstanding product. It also teaches the steps to be followed, and designs to make it stylish. In short they can be merely called tutorial websites.

Abhishek is a Scrapbooking expert and he has got some great Scrapbooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 73 Page Ebook, "Scrapbooking Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/821/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Fun Scrapbooking Ideas

Scrapbooking can be a great way for children and adults to be creative, however it is often difficult to think of exciting scrapbooking ideas. A scrapbook can essentially be made of any interesting event in order to preserve important memories. As an alternative to a basic photo album, a scrapbook can contain photographs, mementos, clippings, and much more. There are several ways for people to get started with this fun and fascinating hobby.

One of the easiest scrapbooks for a person to begin building is centered around their family. They will have the subject immediately available to them, and most families will have a whole range of photographs which can be included to start the scrapbook off. One of the best scrapbooking page ideas is to set up an individual page for each member of the family. This can include photographs, descriptions of likes and dislikes, and any achievements which have been earned. Family scrapbooks often grow substantially over time as information is added about extended family members. In this way it can become a very interesting record of a family's history, dating back for generations.

Another type of scrapbook which is fun to create is one based on the seasons. Seasonal scrapbooks are convenient because they can be started at any time, and they can quickly be filled with interesting content. A spring scrapbook can be compiled and then just a few months later a summer one can be begun. Each season will provide its own unique content, but a good seasonal scrapbook will give a sense of the time in which it was made. For example, a fall scrapbook might include a dried leaf which has turned brown, and which acts as a reminder of a walk in the park. A seasonal scrapbook can also include photographs and mementos from special occasions, so a winter scrapbook could include content about Christmas, for example.

Inspiration for scrapbooking ideas can come from anywhere. Often it will come from relationships, and it can make a very thoughtful gift to create a scrapbook for a best friend. This is often very effective when given as a surprise gift, although it can also be interesting for best friends to make a scrapbook for each other. A best friend scrapbook will usually involve a lot of photographs to evoke happy memories of times shared together. It can also include content which defines what best friends mean to each other, and why they are special. One of the best scrapbooking page ideas is to devote a full-page to how they met. It can also be a good idea for best friends to show how well they know each other by including, for example, clippings about their respective favorite bands or movies.

These are just some examples of the types of fun scrapbooking projects which can be created. They can be started quickly, easily, and inexpensively. This is such an enjoyable hobby that most people find that after completing a couple of projects they are inspired to come up with many more fun and exciting scrapbooking ideas.

To learn more secrets of scrapbooking, check out the Scrapbooking Ideas on my website. http://www.success-with-me.com right now.

It's All About Digital Scrapbooking

Today we live in a high technological world, where everything is instant and easy to use. From typical paper scrapbooking before, today`s scrapbooker are also interested in the fast and fun of making digital scrapbooking. Digital scrapbooking is a form of scrapbooking that uses desktop publishing, page layout programs, and advanced printing. It is done by the use of a computer program. People prefer this kind of scrapbooking because of its ease, quick learning and comfortable method of usage. In this article you will be provided with the reasons why some modern scrapbookers prefer digital scrapbooking compared to traditional paper scrapbooking:

Variety

With scrapbooking, you can pick two ways on how to publish your craft. You can print out your digital scrapbooking to put as a page in your album. The second one is online. You can post your scrapbook design in some websites by making a slide show of the pictures you have or just by putting it on some social sites for friends and family to view.

Less mess

Electronic scrapbooking does not require you to use the normal materials. Making digital scrapbooks has less mess compared to the typical paper scrapbooking. You are not able to use mediums here so it will free you from smearing ink, paint etc on the pages of your scrapbook. And you are really free from using scissors to cut some images or pages of your scrapbook.

Safety

With Electronic scrapbooking you are not going to use scissors or cutters that might hurt you. Digital scrapbooking only requires you to hold the mouse of your computer or the touch pad of your laptop. You also don`t need to worry about fumes from chemicals. Oil paints are very smelly and need a lot of open windows to air out the smell.

Neatness

Making a digital scrapbook will definitely give you a very neat result in the end. You can actually edit or undo the move that you have just done if you don`t like the result, you don`t have to worry about messy glue or sticky tape ripping the page. Some people say that digital scrapbooking is the easiest way to make a scrapbook or a scrapbook design.

Electronic scrapbooking is commonly used by teens and young adults. It`s because teenagers are really into new and cutting edge technology and they love using things that are new and smart. So try it yourself now, there are lots of websites that offers digital scrapbooking-have fun.

Find more great info about Digital Scrapbooking My Scrapbook Page Ideas.

Downloadable Albums For Free Photo Scrapbooking - Advantages And Disadvantages

Technology has changed our way of life. In the past couple of decades, computers and the Internet have changed the world. They've changed the way we do business, the way we find and use information, and the way we interact with each other. And the Internet has been a revolution in the area of entertainment. Perhaps someone out there may disagree, but the Internet is perhaps the most revolutionary thing to come along for centuries. It has opened so many doors for people.

And technology evolves to create new and better tools. Think of the mobile phone, as it was once called. A few years ago, mobile phones were large bulky devices that people used more like walkie-talkies. They just weren't practical for everyday use by all of us. But today, cellular phones are small and capable of providing many services beyond simple calls. You can use a cell phone to check your e-mail, shop, watch videos, listen to music, and transmit and receive text messages.

Technology has definitely revolutionized scrapbooking. Many years ago, scrapbooks were simple collections of photos and newspaper articles with no particular design or artistic flare. Then they evolved to colorful collections of mementos with lots of extras like stickers, ribbons, and unique embellishments.

In order to create a scrapbook, you needed a good unifying theme and plenty of paper, scissors, pens, lots of glue, and your photos and memorabilia. Making a scrapbook took lots of time and work, and creative talent was a definite plus.

The Internet has changed all that. Today, you can find downloadable albums for free scrapbooking at any number of innovative scrapbooking websites. You can create a virtual scrapbook, loading your photos and images to the Internet where they are protected from loss and available to many people. The technology has both advantages and disadvantages you'll want to consider.

Advantages:

1. Saving Time and Effort. It's much faster to download albums for free scrapbooking than to create or purchase them. They give you the base of an overall theme and color scheme. You don't have to waste your time on the basics. You can focus on making your scrapbook unique and creative.

Making your own scrapbook from scratch requires commitment and dedication. You have to put a lot of thought and effort into each page. In addition to deciding how to use your photos and memorabilia, you have to think through and decide on your theme, layout, color scheme, and materials. But in today's busy world, most people don't have the time to invest in every scrapbooking detail. With free downloadable albums, free photo scrapbooking lets you focus on the most important scrapbook element - your memories.

2. Sharing your Scrapbook. Free photo scrapbooking on the Internet gives you access to downloadable albums that you can share with all of your friends and family. You simply upload your photos and images to create a virtual scrapbook. You can have a special password that allows only those people you choose to see your scrapbook, or you can leave it open for everyone. It's an easy way to let people enjoy your scrapbook without running the risk of losing it.

A virtual scrapbook may not be the solution for everybody. It doesn't compare to the traditional scrapbook full of photos, favorite mementos, interesting textures, ribbons, and love. But a virtual scrapbook is great for people who want instant connectivity and ease of access.

Disadvantages:

1. Losing your Uniqueness. Downloadable albums for free photo scrapbooking allows you to choose from a variety of designs, but the designs are not easy to change. There may be many other people using the design you selected for their own virtual scrapbooks. Your virtual scrapbook won't have the same unique quality that your handmade scrapbooks had. It won't reflect your unique personality and creativity.

2. Using only Images. When you create a virtual scrapbook, you're limited to documents you can upload to the Internet. Photos are the most likely documents, though you might also upload scanned images of memorabilia, articles, or things like invitations and announcements. You can't add those interesting political campaign buttons, locks of hair, or pieces of fabric from the prom gown or wedding dress. Your virtual scrapbook won't capture your life experience, just images of it.

So there you have it. The beauty of using downloadable albums for free photo scrapbooking is applying technology to save and share your memories in a prepared format, saving you time and effort. The downside is limits on your creativity and the things you can include in your scrapbook.

A virtual scrapbook is the perfect way to document an event and share the photos from it with your family and friends. It allows you to get these things up quickly so that people can refresh their memories and continue to enjoy the event for a long time. It helps bring people together, and it is a quick easy way to create a simple free scrapbook.

But if you want to create a family heirloom that can be enjoyed for years to come, you may want to create a traditional scrapbook that expresses your personality with lots of different media and materials. You'll want to invest time and effort in this treasure, and you'll have a beautiful permanent record of whole lives and whole phases of life. You are the only true judge for what you want and need.

The best solution is a combination of both! Use a virtual scrapbook using a free downloadable album to collect images recalling a single event for a quick and easy solution. But create a handmade traditional scrapbook to have a collection of memories and memorabilia to document a lifetime.

Abhishek is a Scrapbooking expert and he has got some great Scrapbooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 73 Pages Ebook, "Scrapbooking Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/821/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

3 Obvious Places to Look For Scrapbooking Layout Ideas

You have pictures, papers, punches, stickers, scissors, and other scrapbooking accoutrements laid out before you, ready to be used. Now all you need is a really good plan concerning how to put them all together. Planning a great scrapbooking layout will make your pages interesting, help focus your thoughts, and bring order to an otherwise overwhelming display of supplies. Having trouble coming up with your own scrapbooking layout ideas? Thankfully, there are many sources to turn to that might spark some creativity. Here are three obvious places to find great scrapbooking layout ideas:

In Books and Magazines

There are a number of monthly and bi-monthly subscription magazines devoted to the craft of scrapbooking. Not only will there be page after page of unique layout ideas, often inspired by the season, but tips on organization, reviews of scrapbooking tools, and scrapbooking tutorials. Some scrapbooking magazines are Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc., Memory Makers Magazine, and Simple Scrapbooks.

Magazines are especially useful because of their versatility. You can easily lay them out on your craft table as you are working. Create your own inspirational notebook by cutting out favorite scrapbooking layout ideas and putting them in a binder for future reference.

Books are another great source for ideas and layout plans. Books tend to be more expensive, but are great when you are looking for a specific type of layout, say a complete resource for holiday layouts, ideas devoted to baby layouts, or a book about how to scrapbook vintage photographs.

Your local craft store should carry scrapbooking books. Browse through book websites like Amazon.com and check out customer reviews. There are a number of craft book clubs that offer seriously discounted craft books. This might be a good option for the serious scrapbooker. Don't forget to check garage sales, used book stores, and auction sites for books. You will never find yourself in a creative rut again if you surround yourself with inspiring material!

On the Internet

The internet is an excellent resource for finding great ideas for layouts; however, the internet provides less versatility than a magazine or a book. Unless your computer monitor is right next to your craft area, you won't be able to a scrapbooking website as constant reference while you are working.

On the other hand, if you find a layout you absolutely love, you can print it out on your color printer and stick it in your "inspiration binder." This can save lots of money; instead of spending money on a book or magazine that contains only a few ideas you really love, you can select just the project ideas you deem useful. Browsing through the web can certainly spark creative ideas and give you a great starting point. The gallery on scrapbook.com contains page after page of beautiful layouts. The scrapbooking magazine websites listed above all have online idea galleries (with tutorials) as well.

From Others

Often, the very best way to get great scrapbooking layout ideas is from another person who also loves to scrapbook. A friend or teacher can give you a direction you may not have considered going. Scrapbooking is even more fun when it's a collaborative effort! Getting ideas, stealing other people's great layout ideas, and learning new tricks is best done with a partner or in a group of people who share your interest. Consider joining a scrapbooking class, going on a scrapbooking retreat, or just calling up a few friends and getting together to share ideas and work on individual projects.

For more scrapbooking layout ideas and to receive your free scrapbooking mini course, visit http://ScrapbookingBeginner.com/

Tiana Lee is a scrapbooking enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this awesome hobby. Her newest book, "Scrapbooking for Beginners," teaches scrappers everything they need to know about creating their first layout and album.

Scrapbooking - 3 Must-Haves For the Scrapbooker in You

Are you new to the scrapbooking hobby and don't know how to start? For your cute scrapbook ideas, here are your must-haves.

1. Scrapbook kits. There are many benefits of having scrapbook kits. Even the most experienced scrapbookers find scrapbook kits a must-have in scrapbooking. First, it sparks your own imagination and give you the drive you need to finish finish your current scrapbook projects and move on to the next with ease and confidence. And if your running out of ideas, you can always rely on scrapbook kits. Oftentimes scrapbook kits can help you finish a long-dead project, or even help bring out your creative side to give you the resolve to finish. There are many different types of kits for your to choose from including album kits, page kits, and embellishment kits.

a. Scrapbook Album Kits. The album kits are great for setting a base for the scrapbook. They give you the foundation, and allow you to 'build the house'.. Use these kits to get you started, and then let your imagination and creativity flow free as you create your first few scrapbooks. Let them help guide you, and give you ideas for the future.

b. Scrapbooking Page Kits. Page kits are great for getting the ball rolling. Using a page kit for one page can inspire creativity for the next twenty. Page kits, like album kits, have been known to come in different levels. Some page kits are for beginners, and do all of the page planning for you. Others give you an outline and let you add the finishing touches. Try to challenge yourself. Use a page kit for one page, then use a similar theme for that entire section of your scrapbook. See if you can't make a page that looks even better on your own without the use of a kit!

c. Scrapbook Embellishment Kits. Scrapbooking embellishment kits are generally for those who have experience in page design and know the basic information about scrapbooking. Embellishment kits usually come with stickers, stencils, and other design pieces to help aid you in the creation of your page or of your entire book. Embellishment scrapbook kits are great for creating a 'scrapbook theme'.

2. Scrapbook Pages. There are many different types of scrapbooking pages. Depending on what you are attempting to do with your scrapbook, you may want to look into kits, or themed pages. Kits and themed pages provide you with a basic outline for each page, and allow you to expand on what has been laid down for you. Your goal should be to take what they have given you with the kit of theme, and make it more personal. When purchasing scrapbook pages for your scrapbook, you should keep two things in mind. All of your pages should be on acid free paper, because acidity can cause your photos and layouts to fade with time. Also make sure that the pages are lignin-free, because lignin makes the papers turn yellow with time. Below are the types of scrapbooking pages.

a. Cardstock Paper. Carstock is a heavyweight, acid-free paper that is usually used for scrapbook backgrounds and comes in many different colors and textures.

b. Patterned Paper. Acid-free, patterned paper comes in a large variety of different designs and textures. Patterned paper is mostly used as different scrapbooking backgrounds, and accents to backgrounds.

c. Transparencies. Transparencies are clear acetate sheets that have mostly been used for different overlays, or windows. Get creative with transparencies. There are many different options.

d. Vellum. Vellum is mostly used for layering and stamping. Vellum is a wonderful paper for softening the look of other bolder colors on your scrapbook page.

3. Scrapbooking Page Themes. All sorts of different scrapbooking page themes areavailable online. Pretty much anything under the sun for any occasion is accessible online either for free or at a low cost. Take a look around at the different vendors and see if anything appeals to you. There are many choices available for holiday seasons and for baby scrapbooks.

Remember to be creative and wise in your choice with papers, and to make sure that any paper you choose is both acid free and lignin free to preserve your scrapbook for a very long time. Take your time to use your imagination and create scrapbooks that will last a lifetime. Happy scrapbooking!

For more information on cute scrapbook ideas [http://freescrapbookingideas.us] check out freescrapbookingideas.us where you will find heaps more tips and advice on scrapbook page layouts [http://www.freescrapbookingideas.us], scrapbooking idea and much more.

Creating Scrapbooks From Kits - 6 Ways to Get Started With a Scrapbooking Kit

When I first started scrapbooking, I had joined a group that was very old school. They felt that everything should be done by hand and that at no time, should you ever crack open a scrapbooking kit to finish a page. It was a bit overwhelming and after a few failed attempts to get the perfect layout, I snuck my first scrapbooking kit.

And I have to say that there is something wonderful with kits. Although there is a set look that you can create, there are actually some ways that you can use the kit so that you aren't simply creating a carbon copy. After all, one of the biggest benefits of scrapbooking is that the books are unique to the individual.

Before we look at scrapbooking kits, we should start by explaining what a kit is. First, kits come in all different sizes and they are designed to make scrapbooking easier, especially if you are just starting out. They can be found in small packages that only make one page or in larger packages that allow you to make an entire book. Some have cut outs, while others have cutters, rulers and a number of other tools to use.

1 - Understand what you want to Achieve Because there are such a large variety of kits available out there, it is important to really understand what you want. In addition, it can be very easy to purchase something that ends up becoming unusable as your ideas are formed.

2 - Use them for Inspiration Since everyone wants to have a unique scrapbook, I recommend that you purchase a scrapbooking kit and use it for some inspiration instead of as the blueprint for your page. Usually, the scrapbooking kit will have two or three page "inspirations" using the materials in the kit and you can build off those ideas to create something unique.

3 - Mix and Match the Scrapbooking Kits It may seem like a strange practice, purchasing two different kits to make one unique page but this is a great way to get your scrapbooking box full. Both kits will eventually make more than one page, but every page will have a unique touch that can only be created by mixing and matching a few kits.

4 - Embellish The third point that you should keep in mind is to build on the kit. Many times, the scrapbooking kit can be rather flat and it is always better to take the base of what you have and embellish on it a bit. Use die cuts, stickers, 3 dimensional shapes and embellishments to add an extra pop to the page.

5 - Find a Theme Another step to using a scrapbooking kit is to find a theme since most kits are theme based. This makes it very easy to find the inspiration when it is lacking for a page since you can find just about any theme from a vacation to a baby shower. Saving the scrapbooking kits for when you need a theme is actually a very cost effective way to scrapbook with kits.

6 - Have Fun Finally, make sure that you have fun when you scrapbook. There is no right or wrong way to use a scrapbooking kit and whether you use it for one page or all of the pages, the end result will be a sense of pride in the book you have created.

Emma Taylor is Chief Editor at http://ScrapbookingOnlineTips.com an information site that discusses scrapbooking ideas, layouts and how to create scrapbooks.

For more detailed information on how to create a scrapbook then visit our scrapbooks kits page.

Free Scrapbooking Catalogs - 5 Tips To Use One To Create Your Own Scrapbook

Well, it's time for another general house cleaning. This is the time when you stumble across those valuable sentimental items you want to keep forever. Pictures of you and your best friends, family gatherings, and those great shots of the kids doing the fantastic recall happy times you never want to lose. Then the idea strikes: How can I keep these in a safe place?

This is the perfect time to start building a scrapbook to preserve and protect your favorite memories. Scrapbooking is a fast-growing hobby - so fast, in fact, a new industry is growing up around it. Scrapbooking is a great way to express your individual personality and creativity while creating something your whole family will treasure and enjoy for years to come. It takes time and effort, but it's so worth it!

If you're a novice at scrapbooking, you may want to try some free scrapbooking catalogs for your first efforts. You can find free scrapbooking catalogs in local stores and on the Internet. They are full of useful information that will give you a lot of great ideas for your scrapbooking projects. Even better, they outline the basic steps in scrapbooking so that beginners will be able to create beautiful pieces right off the bat.

If you have a shoe box full or a big stack of photos, why not get them organized? Sort them by event or occasion or by specific people. This way, you'll get your photos organized and stimulate your mind to think about how you might want to present them in a scrapbook. A very helpful addition to your photo sorting task is attaching notes to each one. Your notes describe the photo, its context in time and place and its importance to you.

This is a critical step everyone who scrapbooks goes through before they begin a project. Inventorying your materials and pondering the best way to assemble them prepares you for your project and helps you decide what materials you need. And if you can't find a retail supplier nearby, you can order your materials through the catalog or the company's online store.

Free scrapbooking catalogs are a great tool for shopping without getting in the car. They will describe the following steps in more detail, and they will give you images of the kinds of supplies available including decorative papers and paper sets, stick-on borders and alphabets, ribbons and trims, cut-outs and die-cuts, frames, felt flowers and paper blossoms, rubber stamps, glitter pens and cuts, and colorful acid-free pens.

And you'll find all the tools you need in free scrapbooking catalogs: paper cutters, scissors, organizers, brads and clips, and the ever present acid-free glues. These days, you can even find special pieces and embellishments to use on the Internet when you decide to make your first web-based scrapbook!

To get a free scrapbooking catalog, look for one of these three outstanding companies who'll mail you a paper catalog: A.C. Bailey Designs, Times to Cherish, or Creative Express. Of course, there are dozens of online catalogs you can browse while you're surfing the web.

No matter what free scrapbooking catalog you use or what supplies you need, there are some basic first steps involved in scrapbooking.

1. Gather Your Photos and Memorabilia

If you're like most of us, you have photos and other mementos scattered all over the place - ticket stubs in coat pockets, receipts stuffed in pants pockets or purses, invitations stacked with your old bills, confetti from that great New Year's Party, buttons from political events, and many other precious items.

Gather these mementos in one place. Search closets, drawers, the attic, even the garage to find them. Now, just pile them up on a table and start spreading them out so you can see what you have. As you go through them, put them in individual stacks of items that are related to each other. You may have enough treasures to build several scrapbooks!

2. Sort Your Mementos

After you have separated the items into related groups, you'll want to sort through them to figure out which ones to use in a scrapbook, which ones to throw away, and a logical order for the ones you want to keep.

There are several ways to group your photos and memorabilia: by family or family member, by how you're related, by friend or groups of friends, by clubs or associations. Those are a few approaches for sorting by people.

But you can also sort by events and times. Perhaps you have a bunch of memories for a specific wedding, anniversary, or the birth of a new baby. Maybe you want to group them by a time in your life like your college days or your first job. You can also sort them chronologically, showing the passage of time in your life.

3. Label Your Items

It's important to add some information to each piece you plan to use in your scrapbook. Short notes may simply remind you when and where photos were taken or the date and place where a ticket stub was used. You may want to write more about the event or person, though. Detailed notes can be used to give depth and meaning to the items you mount in your scrapbook. Clip or tape your notes to the item for later use.

4. Store Your Treasures

Now that you've got them organized and labeled, you may need a break before starting your scrapbook. This time, you'll protect them from further damage by keeping them cool and dry. You can use any number of organizing systems - bookshelves, filing cabinets, bins. Whatever is most appropriate for your space and the way you operate is best for you. One note: when you use plastic containers or bins, avoid PVC plastic. It's corrosive and can damage your photos and delicate pieces beyond repair. And remember when you prepare your storage space that there are three elements to protect your treasures from: light, humidity, and heat.

5. Plan Your Scrapbook

Now the time has come. You've got your photos and memorabilia nicely organized, and you know what you want to include in your scrapbook. It's time to give some serious thought to your presentation.

Think about the type of scrapbooking album you'll use. The amount of photos and keepsakes will determine the size of your scrapbook. Albums come in a variety of sizes and shapes. The smaller square ones (6x6") are portable and easy to handle. But they won't give you as much space for creative touches and embellishments. The larger ones, usually 8-1/2x11" or a foot square, give you plenty of room to decorate the pages and insert larger mementos.

Now you know what you want to include and what album type you'll use to present your memories. It's time to think about your theme. The theme will determine page layout, color scheme, and the types of embellishments you choose. Themes vary widely. You'll want to think about your memento group and the common thread that ties it all together.

Is your material related to a holiday season? A baby?s first years? Your family's history and heritage? A specific person's whole life? A period in your life? A favorite sport or family activity? A special relationship?

As you can see, the themes you can choose are limitless. The important thing about YOUR theme is that it's personal and meaningful to you. When you've decided on a theme, it's time to get your supplies, and that's where the free scrapbooking catalog will come in very handy.

You can select and coordinate your paper and your decorative touches. You can find or make a scrapbooking template that will be the basic design for each page. You can choose from a wide range of embellishments. You can spend a fortune or stick to a set budget. This may be the most fun part of the scrapbooking project, so enjoy!

See how great it is to use free scrapbooking catalogs?

Abhishek is a Scrapbooking expert and he has got some great Scrapbooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 73 Pages Ebook, "Scrapbooking Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/821/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Scrapbook Ideas and Creative Scrapbooking

Many people have a passion for scrapbooking and always want to learn new scrapbook ideas on creative scrapbooking.

Creative thinking always discovers a way out and a person who create a new ideas always exercises his creativity in every aspect of life. People want to channel out their personal aesthetic and creative true talent. Every person has a such gift and can use it in daily routine. Scrapbooking is a great way to encourage your creativity and make scrapbooks in your own creative manner. You also able to use creative scrapbooking as a finest and innovative way to preserve your cherished memories. Creative scrapbook ideas allows easier to tell the life story and capture the mood and all aspects of the events and bring it to life.

You can create your own scrapbook ideas in a different ways. You have photos of wedding moment, baby shower and other cherished moments. Start to combine photos and journaling together to expend your ideas and thoughts. Combine this elements with different layouts, quotes, stickers and other embelishments to make your unique project. Try to learn and use new techniques to enhance your pages. New designs and techniques can add to your scrapbooking skills some creativity. Play around with your photos, favorite pics. Try to change particular arrangements of pages elements, color schemes, your scrapbook strategies.

Do not compare your work to it of someone else. Your art of work express your personality, your own creative scrapbook ideas. Be the best judge for yourself and your creative scrapbooking talent. You can simply get a common ideas from other and create your own more amazing scrapbook ideas, new themes, new designs. Contemporary scrapbooking supplies makes all your dreams alive. You can get a lot of fantastic ideas from craft books, scrapbooking magazines, catalogues, Internet. Be free to use them. Go ahead,go wild.

Creative scrapbook ideas are everywhere, they can come to you at any minute, even a daily routine can spark great ideas. So get ready to catch them and realize in new creative project. For more inspiration you can visit eBay auction to view what scrapbook suggestions other folks are offering to buy. Visit Amazon stores to search most popular scrapbook items. It is a great chance to find more wonderful ideas. Try to consider an unusual sources of inspiration. Example, visit your local library, visit an art exposition, visit a creative scrapbooking party.

Creative scrapbooking is a great chance to find yourself or express other people who you are. Use creative scrapbook ideas and do not forget that scrapbooking become now an art.

I am a scrapbooking fanatic and I love creative scrapbook ideas. Scrapbook Ideas

Scrapbooking - How to Get Started

The art of scrapbooking is now a popular hobby for people who want to preserve their special memories in a creative and artistic way. To begin with it may seem a little overwhelming for people just getting started, with a deluge of scrapbooking supplies, instructional books and classes available.

However, it doesn't need to be that way. By adopting a few simple guidelines you will find out how to buy the right supplies to create beautiful, everlasting scrapbooking pages

How To Choose Your Scrapbooking Supplies

Although the options in scrapbooking supplies are seemingly endless, there are just a few basic items that are required to begin with:

*Your photos and other memorable keepsake items and embellishments;

*An album with acid free pages so that your photos and memorabilia do not become damaged with time;

*Page protectors for your album pages;

*Decorative paper that will complement your photos and memorabilia;

*A small table-top paper cutter and scissors. There are many different scrapbooking scissors available with decorative edging effects;

*Photo safe pens;

These items are the very basics that will get you started. There are many stores dedicated solely to scrapbooking, however as the popularity of scrapbooking is growing, many department stores are now stocking a large variety of scrapbooking supplies.

How To Create Memorable Scrapbook Pages

The main purpose of your scrapbook is to use your memorable photos and keepsakes to tell a story. Some scrapbookers prefer to produce detailed pages that are like timeless artistic creations. Many literally involve hours to produce just one page and the pages sure enough are both beautiful and memorable. However, many scrapbookers do not have the time to spend hours or even days working on one page, the best way is often to keep it simple.

*Decide on a theme for your scrapbook and continue it throughout the album. It could be an album showcasing annual events, a wedding, a baby's first year, or even an album of your family Christmas pictures.

*Pick out a couple of colours of papers and pens that complement each other, and follow the theme throughout the album;

*Use stickers and other embellishments lightly;

*Journaling is probably the finest way to create a memorable scrapbook. This allows your scrapbook to tell the stories behind the photos. People will be more impressed by the stories than of the elaborate decorations on the page;

How To Preserve Your Scrapbooks Correctly

Storing your scrapbook is important. A lot of time and effort has been invested in your creation, so care needs to be taken to store your scrapbooks correctly in order to preserve your memories.

*Make sure all of the materials you use to create your scrapbook, such as your album, papers, stickers and even the pens, are photo safe and acid free;

*Always use page protectors to prevent your pages from being damaged;

*Do not expose your scrapbooks to extreme temperatures, or damp environments such as basements or attics. Always store your albums in a temperature controlled room in an upright position;

Following these simple guidelines should make it easy for you to start capturing your special memories. Creating your very own scrapbook is something that will be enjoyed by generations to come.

Visit Kelly Yuile's website http://scrapbookingplace.info the online scrapbooking supplies store where you will find hundreds of great scrapbooking supplies, resources and daily bargains.

Journaling Exercises: Journaling Ideas For Your Scrapbook

Does your mind go blank when it's time to add journaling to your scrapbook pages? You're not alone. Learning some simple journaling exercises can get that pen moving. Many consider journaling their least favorite part of scrapbooking. Don't let journaling get you down, it is a vital part of our scrapbook page layouts.

Journaling adds depth and meaning to our layouts. It captures so much more about the stories behind the photos. There are many ways to include journaling in our scrapbooks, and lots of places to look for inspiration. Let's take a look at some journaling ideas for your scrapbook.

Divide and Conquer
Why do we have a difficult time journaling on the scrapbook pages we just created? Creating the scrapbook page layouts is a right brain activity, while journaling on those pages is a left brain activity. Some may find it difficult to switch gears easily. Try creating page layouts and journaling at separate times.


Write a letter
Journaling in your scrapbook may feel awkward. Try journaling as if you were writing a letter to someone. Who will be looking at your scrapbooks? Write as if you were speaking to them. Most of us will be sharing our scrapbooks with good friends and family.


Spur of the moment
Jot down poems, quotes, phrases and other journaling ideas right when the inspiration hits. If you wait until you have time to scrapbook, you may forget. Carry a small notebook with you to write in. Keep one in your purse or in the car.


Resource File
Create a resource file to organize and store information that you may want to include in your scrapbooks. Use a binder or find some space in a filing cabinet. An expandable file or a storage container might do the trick. Some items you may consider storing for future use are...

Postcards
brochures
pamphlets
magazine/newspaper clippings
programs
invitations
greeting cards
notes and letters

Email

Save or print emails from your family and friends. These may contain some real treasures; remarks, sayings and stories to use in your scrapbooks.
Lists and bullet points

Using lists and bullet points can keep information clear and to the point. This is a great technique for organizing a lot of information in a small amount of space.


How to get started

Handwritten journaling is a great method for traditional scrapbooking. Your handwriting leaves your personal touch on the page, becoming a legacy for future generations. What if you don't like your handwriting? Here are some alternatives

Computer generated
Using a computer to generate your journaling gives you many choices of fonts, sizes and colors, but you lose the personal quality of handwriting. Be sure to print your journaling on acid free paper.


Handwriting font
Turn your handwriting into a font. This allows you to print your journaling from your computer, but still maintains some of the personal element of your handwriting.


Combination
Add your handwriting in small areas such as dates and photo labels, while printing the journaling from your computer. This will keep the personal element of your writing on the page.

Your families memories are important. Regardless of the method you choose, just make sure you journal on your scrapbook pages.

What to write on a page

We've looked at some ways to add journaling to the page. Are you wondering what to journal about? Here are some important items to include.

Scrapbooking page title
A title let's others know what the pages is about. It can also help set the mood for the page. A title can be added in handwriting, with stencils, stickers or pre-made titles.


The five W's
The basics of each layout should be the five W's; who, what, when, where and why. Write the names of the people in the photos. List full names, not everyone knows who Uncle Jim is. Include the dates the photos were taken. As time passes it will be harder to remember. Don't forget where you are and what you were doing, why the photos were taken. You may also want to include the funny stories and memorable events not shown in the photos. Include your thoughts and feelings.


Poems and quotes
Not sure you can find just the right words? Still have a bit of space you want to fill? Try adding a poem or quote to the page. Lyrics from your favorite song are another great idea. Poems and quotes also help set the mood for your layout.

Make it interesting

The information journaling adds to the page is important, but let's look at how journaling can add interest to your page as well.

Outline your journaling
Draw an outline around your journaling with one of your permanent acid-free pens. This will make your journaling stand out on the page. You can also add a frame around it.


Journaling box
Write in a journaling box. Many companies offer journaling boxes You can make your own by matting lined paper with a coordinating color paper. Add a sticker to spice up the journaling box.


Monogram
Use a larger size for the beginning letter in the first word of your title or journaling to add some interest.


What are you waiting for? Let's get journaling on those pages. Put these journaling exercises to work. Your scrapbook albums will be cherished for generations to come.

About the Author

Melanie Hansen simply-stunning-scrapbooks.com http://www.simply-stunning-scrapbooks.com/

Melanie Hansen is an avid scrapbooker. She loves to share the ideas, tips and techniques she has learned. Visit http://www.simply-stunning-scrapbooks.com/How-to-Make-a-Scrapbook-blog.html to stay up-to-date with ideas, tips and tutorials on traditional and digital scrapbooking.

How to Get Scrapbooking Jobs With No Experience

It is not necessary to have professional experience in a scrapbooking-related field when searching for scrapbooking jobs. It is a good idea to have a personal passion for scrapbooking and knowledge about the subject. In an interview, you can be guaranteed that you will be quizzed about scrapbooking specifics. If your interviewer or potential client asks you what you think of quilling and you reply that you think quill pens are so last century, you won't get the job.

Here are three ways to get great scrapbooking jobs when you have no professional scrapbooking experience!

1) Find a Job that Fits Your Background

There are a variety of positions that deal with scrapbooking one way or another. Various magazines and online magazines are always on the lookout for copy editors or freelance journalists. Parlay your English degree and passion for scrapbooking into a career writing about it!

Scrapbooking companies are on the look out for marketing associates, buyers, salespeople, advertisers, store managers, graphic designers, illustrators, and consultants. Even if you only have experience in retail working as a clerk at the local JCPenney, use it to show how well you deal with people, how skilled you are at selling a product, and how comfortable you are working in a store environment.

People who work in the field of scrapbooking have all kinds of college degrees, including marketing degrees, business degrees, art degrees, English degrees, and computer science degrees! An education in any of these fields combined with a love of scrapbooking is a good step towards getting a cool scrapbooking gig.

2) Build a Scrapbooking Portfolio

The best way to prove to an employer or a potential client that you have mad scrapbooking skills is to provide them with concrete evidence. It is impractical to bring several scrapbooking projects with you to interviews. Consider creating a scrapbooking portfolio, or, in scrapbooking terms, a scrapbook of your scrapbooking.

You can do this two ways. You can build a professional, informational website that highlights your past work or make an actual physical, portable portfolio to take with you. You will need pictures of your projects and a written guide explaining your work. In a portable portfolio, it's a good idea to have actual samples of your work. Your portfolio should detail your scrapbooking style and philosophy, the products used, and the cost of the total project. You should definitely include a variety of projects with different layouts, colors, and embellishments used.

3) Act Confident

Even if you do not yet have a single client, creating business cards lends an air or professionalism. List your name, contact information, and website on them. Hand them to potential clients with confidence. You don't care that you haven't had an actual job yet. You will soon. You know your work is good, you believe in what you are doing, and you have no doubt that you will find success.

Confidence makes employers and clients want to work with you; it gives them a sense of security knowing that you are poised and ready for anything.

Remember that anyone looking to start a new career or advance a career should always be looking to gain knowledge and experience through continuing education, by staying informed of new trends through magazines and books, and by actively networking with and maintaining relationships with others in the same field. The same goes for scrapbooking jobs. Showing clients and potential employers that you are genuinely interested in and keep up with the scrapbooking world will give you an edge over others. It will also help you to be more confident and capable of turning a hobby into a rewarding job.

For more scrapbooking jobs tips and to receive your free scrapbooking mini course, visit http://ScrapbookingBeginner.com/.

Tiana Lee is a scrapbooking enthusiast, and enjoys helping others get started in this awesome hobby. Her newest book, "Scrapbooking for Beginners," teaches scrappers everything they need to know about creating their first layout and album.

8 Scrapbooking Materials - Tips To Choose Them Wisely

Years ago, it was hard to find stores that sold scrapbooking materials. But avid scrapbookers created a demand, and today you can find local stores devoted to scrapbooking and other retailers like craft stores that sell a huge variety of books, papers, and decorations. In fact, the hard part today is choosing what to use in your scrapbook. This article covers some basis that will help you make wise purchases and create a beautiful scrapbook.

Beginners are overwhelmed by their choices when they get into the store. There is so much variety that it's hard to pick out items from over-stocked shelves. And if you're making your first scrapbook, the excitement of discovering so much variety of color, design, layout, and concept available to you is overwhelming.

The trick for beginners is realizing that there are a few basic things to buy in the beginning. It's best not to get everything at once. The best start is selecting a few key pieces and building some test pages first to be sure you enjoy the hobby and to see if those materials are what you really want to support your theme.

Planning your project is a great way to limit initial purchases and focus on a few items. That way, you're not overwhelmed by the range of options, and you don't get home with many items you'll never use. Making that first trip for scrapbooking materials can be an expensive lesson in planning!

Even seasoned scrapbookers fall into this trap. Stumbling upon a great sale is a sure way to overstock your own scrapbooking supplies. We see things that look great on the shelf and, even though we don't have a use for it now, we just have to have it for later on. Planning your shopping trip by focusing on a few pieces will help you practice some self-restraint and save your hard-earned pennies.

Your first step for creating a wonderful scrapbook without going broke is planning. Sit down and think about what you want the final product to look like. Your vision doesn't have to be detailed, but you should have a good feeling for your subject, colors, and how much material your scrapbook will contain.

1. Finding the Right Album

The most important material for your scrapbook is the book itself. You'll find hundreds of sizes, designs, and presentation formats at the store. These are a few basic choices that make sense.

Traditional albums are the size of typing or copy paper (8-1/2x11") or one-foot squares (12x12"). Smaller albums are growing in popularity as new scrapbooking approaches increase. You'll find smaller squares that are easy to pack, carry, and decorate (for example, 6x6" to 8x8").

2. Page Protectors that Don't Also Detract

You'll need page protectors to preserve your pages and the photos, memorabilia, and decorations they contain. Scrapbook pages can be vulnerable to tearing and other damages. Page protectors also help keep stock-on items from falling out of the book as it ages.

There are two basic choices for page protectors: clear transparent protectors and non-glare protectors.

3. Using the Right Papers

Papers are basic to your color theme and overall design. The paper you choose for your background is an important part of the overall appeal of your scrapbook. Patterned papers are the most popular today. But it's important to remember that your backgrounds should frame your pages, not overwhelm them. They should be in subtle colors to help focus the eye on the photos and central items rather than the background paper.

4. Selecting Card stock

Card stock is a staple in the world of scrapbooking. Card stock is heavier than normal paper, though not as heavy as cardboard. Many office supply stores sell card stock for report covers and mailers. It's heavy enough not to crease or fold easily but light enough to bend. Used in a scrapbook, card stock is an effective foundation for embellishments, memorabilia, and photographs.

5. Picking an Adhesive

Adhesive holds everything together - literally. There are many types of adhesive available, but experienced scrapbookers know how important it is to use the appropriate type. You should always look for acid-free adhesives that are safe for photos. Adhesives with acids can cause the pictures to oxidize, paper colors to bleed or fade, and cause spots in embellishments like fabric, ribbons, or lace.

6. Take Care with the Paper Cutter

Sizing your inserts is a very important part of scrapbooking. Paper cutters are good for cropping photos, creating interesting shapes, and customizing standard decorations. But be careful! Paper cutters can also make you a bit over-enthusiastic, and you may destroy your item before it gets to the pages of your scrapbook. Avoid using the paper cutter with anything other than paper. While they keep the edges of photos and other paper items straight and clean, you should not try to use them with heavier decorations or fabric.

7. Scissors - a Necessity

The number one tool for scrapbooking is a pair of good scissors. They help you make custom shapes and make clean cuts in fabrics, ribbons, and other decorations. They'll help you make interesting pieces to fit your pages. By using similar shapes, your scissor-cut inserts can even make their own design theme.

8. Rulers

A beautiful scrapbook is precise and clean. Each item on the page must be neatly cut, balanced, and straight. Your ruler will save much time in marking guidelines and making sure the pieces fit properly.

There are hundreds of materials and tools available for scrapbookers today. Among those we haven't discussed are vellum, white plastic erasers, self-healing cutting mats, glue erasers, pens and pencils, photo corners, lettering stencils and fonts, and the trusty X-acto knife. You'll probably want to organize your scrapbooking materials in a toolkit of some kind. That way, you can keep everything together and avoid buying duplicates.

Abhishek is a Scrapbooking expert and he has got some great Scrapbooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 73 Pages Ebook, "Scrapbooking Made Easy!" from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/821/index.htm. Only limited Free Copies available.

Scrapbooking Techniques

Take a notebook or a mundane daily diary or journal and add some decoration with a border and you end up with a scrapbook. The notebook, diary, journal or scrapbooks have the same basis for production. They all are filled with thoughts, ideas and feelings. What separates a scrapbook from the others is the visual impact and beauty of the production. In a way, the scrapbook allows you to show off your events or thoughts so that other people will enjoy seeing it. All these mentioned items preserve memorabilia and legacies. It is just that the scrapbook dabbles in creativity and imagination whereas the other items are plain and simple.

Just as with many other facets of life these days, scrapbooking has also been changed with the advent of the computer, internet and things like printers and scanners. These items of hardware have the same effect as the printing press on scrapbook presentations. They all make the process faster and easier. Desktop publishing and new software has also made scrapbooking easier for everyone. You could have a scrapbook and not use a single piece of paper. Doing this is known as digital scrapbooking and it has taken off in popularity. Whereas all these new-fangled computerized methods use to be the domain of geeks and techno-nerds, they have now branched out to the practice of scrapbooking. People of all ages from anywhere in the world now have access to many things to help them produce their own special scrapbooks. Because of the internet and lots of scrapbook oriented websites, the options have skyrocketed. Never in the past could someone do as much as they can now. Another facet of digital scrapbooking fits in very nicely with the world of social networking. Sites like Myspace and Facebook are a good match for displaying your scrapbooking skills.

Over the years, scrapbooking has gone from a hobby for elitists to today where it is a viable commercial activity. Both brick-and-mortar locations and websites have mushroomed into what you see today. It used to be a small scale activity but now it is expanding day by day. With all the new entries into the scrapbooking industry, there are new scrapbooking techniques and lots of them. Because of the myriad of choices for scrapbooking, it is hard to pigeonhole particular scrapbooking techniques. There really is no right or wrong way to decorate a scrapbook. This leads to new and unique scrapbooking techniques every day. Don't get me wrong, there are scrapbook techniques that will definitely benefit your presentation but a little bit of imagination with a smidgeon of creativity will go a long way.

So where does one go to look for new and different scrapbooking techniques? There are websites, books, and friends who also scrapbook. Scrapbooking is a learning experience and while you are creating your masterpiece, you will see interesting techniques you may not have thought of in the past. Go ahead use them and share them with your friends. Get them to share their scrapbooking techniques too.

When you plan your scrapbook, take some time and think the whole process through to the finished project. You start out with the most important portion of the scrapbook; the paper. Paper should be sturdy with a long life and be acid-free. You want your work around for a long time and the correct paper is essential for long life. As you plan the design of your scrapbook, keep mental notes about different supplies needed. Supplies such as pens, inks and stencils should be carefully planned for to make your project. Go into each scrapbook with the correct planning and you will find it easier to express your thoughts and end up with beautiful presentations.

A lot of scrapbooking techniques highlight the need to have index pages or highlight pages. They will inform you about where to locate them and how to display them. These special pages should be instantly noticeable as special pages with unique colors and symbols. Another way to distinguish pages is with bookmarks with tassels. Tassels are both decorative and functional in a scrapbook.

There are many elements to the art of decoration. Decoration shouldn't be overdone as it will make your project look gaudy. The right type of decoration is critical in scrapbooking techniques. Choose decoration carefully with planning before you start. Visualize it and then go with it. There are many choices you can use. Stamps, embellishments, rub-ons, stickers, snow globes etc. can really glitz up your scrapbook if not done to excess. Choose carefully and use each appropriately.

Want more versatility for your scrapbook? Here are a few ways to add impact to your project. You can add pop-up pages, trinkets that are attached to pages, punch craft, peek-a-boo and panoramic pages to make your scrapbook unique and wonderful. Scrapbook techniques are limitless and very diverse. Go ahead and explore these techniques and add versatility to your scrapbooks.

Been there, done that, scrapped a page about it

Ken

A Beginner's Guide to Digital Scrapbooking

Throughout the years, digital scrapbooking has steadily grown into a fully-developed niche; one that is able to be viewed as a viable alternative to traditional scrapbooking. But is digital scrapbooking really a different way to create a totally different form of art, or is it merely a newfangled tool used by traditional scrappers? I'm going to share the sum and substance of both niches with you and let you decide which is which.

Digital scrapbooking and its traditional form have several important similarities. A traditional scrapbook is created with paper of different types, styles, and colors. Photographs are usually mounted on the pages using a variety of methods and adhesives, and the pages themselves are decorated with a number of embellishments. Scrapbookers also use several other materials and techniques to embellish and adorn a scrapbook page as they see fit. Some of the common materials used are inks, paints, stamps, die cuts or cutouts, ribbon, and metal items (to name just a few).

The most glaring difference between the two is how the scrapbook is created, not the principle behind the craft. What sets digital scrapbooking apart from the traditional form is that the processes mentioned above are all done using a computer. With digital scrapbooking, the paper, embellishments, inks, photos, and all the other traditional supplies and materials are replaced with computer graphics.

However, some scrapbookers will argue that creating a traditional scrapbook is definitely harder than the digital method. After all, a digital scrapbooker only has to use a mouse and keyboard to design the layouts and mount all the elements needed for the page, while a traditional scrapper actually needs to handle the materials with her hands and use actual tools to do the job and accomplish the desired results. But there are also several instances wherein the two methods are identical to each other.

For example, a traditional scrapbook will be designed using a layout or template, upon which the photos, journaling elements, and embellishments will be arranged and mounted. Usually, the most common process that traditional scrapbookers follow is this: find a background paper they like, place the photos on the background paper, look for embellishments and place those on the page, and then do some journaling and place that also on the page.

With digital scrapbooking, you will use software to create your scrapbook page. That software will already have several templates to choose from, and also several styles, patterns, and colors for your background paper. Your photos will have to be scanned (if they are not already in digital form) and then placed on the design with your selected background. You will then need to type some text for your journaling elements, place that on the design, and then look for more graphical items to add as embellishments. Edit the colors, placements, and sizes as you wish, do some work on the borders, and you're finally done.

It cannot be denied, however, that there are also several instances wherein creating a digital scrapbook is a lot easier than traditional scrapbooking. This is due to the software that you use to create scrapbooks. You already have templates, fonts for journaling, backgrounds, and a huge selection of graphical items for embellishments, all ready to use. You also have the editing tools to crop and re-size your photos. If you need more templates, you won't even have to go out of the house, since you can just download more templates online. The same goes for backgrounds and other graphics that you need.

Whether you prefer digital scrapbooking or the traditional way, it's to you and your personal tastes. It wouldn't do you any good to go for a particular method just because everybody else is doing it. If you prefer one way over the other, that's perfectly fine, as long as you enjoy what you are doing and the process in which you are doing it.

Aside from being an accomplished artist and art/design teacher, Kimmo Hakonen is also the author of "Scrap Ideas". You can read more about Kimmo and the "Scrap Ideas" e-book here: http://www.scrapideas.net

Get a free course in scrapbooking that is loaded with information about scrapbooking sayings, themes and other ideas from pro scrapbookers, as well as lots of other highly useful tips and techniques. Please go here digital scrapbooking layouts

A Basic Guide to Simple Scrapbooks

Have you ever tried creating simple scrapbooks? Most scrapbookers have, although they are often unsure about the differences between a simple scrapbook and what should be considered as a "normal" one. So how can you tell which is which, and what are the ingredients that make it a "simple" in the first place?

When you want to create simple scrapbooks, the first thing you should do is to ignore the habit of designing them according to chronological events, like what you would usually do with your projects. Simple scrapbooking themes are not dependent on the common subjects like weddings, birthdays, Christmas, or heritage and family traditions. You will be creating something that doesn't take a lot of time doing, small in scope, and not overly complicated. In short, it is different from what you would expect in a traditional scrapbook album.

This can be readily defined as a project that focuses more on the simple things in your life. It does not need a worldly subject like your family tree, your hopes and dreams, etc. Instead, creating this kind of scrapbook is more like preserving a few details in your life that is not normally seen or noticed by others. It is about highlighting the tiny but significant moments that surround the bigger picture. For example, you might create a traditional scrapbook about your daughter's wedding, but you can also create simple scrapbooks about the menu, the dances at the reception, or even about the wedding preparations.

All you need to think about when planning this scrapbook are these factors: freedom, format, finished, and fast. I will provide a more detailed explanation below for these concepts.

Freedom, as it relates to simple scrapbooking, is the liberty of being able to simplify an event and reduce it to its most basic form, then translate that to the scrapbook. It is also the freedom to capture other aspects of an important event or moment in your life, as opposed to the main subject or topic that is usually preserved on regular scrapbooks.

Format means that the uniqueness of a simple scrapbook's layout and design will stand out from the rest of the regular scrapbook albums, primarily because of the way that the contents are laid out and presented. You will be able to recognize the work as a scrapbook, but it will still have a uniqueness that makes it different from the rest.

Another defining feature of a simple scrapbook is that it is easier to finish once started. Think about all the scrapbook albums that you or your friends have started, then think about how many of those albums have actually been finished as of this moment. Simple scrapbooking means that you are creating something simple, small, and manageable that it can be finished much more easily and quickly than regular albums.

This is because a simple scrapbook is not dependent on chronological events alone, thus it doesn't need to be filled up once in a while when new events happen in your life. A chronological scrapbook takes a lot of time to create, and some may take years to finish. A simple scrapbook, however, can be finished once you started it. As a matter of fact, once you have gathered all the contents needed and you have an idea how to lay them all out, you're halfway done already.

Aside from being an accomplished artist and art/design teacher, Kimmo Hakonen is also the author of "Scrap Ideas". You can read more about Kimmo and the "Scrap Ideas" e-book here: scrapbooking ideas

Get a free course in scrapbooking that is loaded with information about simple and advanced scrapbooks, themes and other ideas from pro scrapbookers, as well as lots of other highly useful tips and techniques. Please go here simple scrapbooks

You Are A Diamond So Scrapbook About Yourself

As a devoted scrapper, you probably gain satisfaction from scrapbooking about others.

Oftentimes, you are the one glaring missing light in your scrapbook albums. Simply because you're so caught up with hiding behind the camera and being a fixated shutterbug. Either that or you're tied up scrapbooking about others that you missed out on scrapbooking about yourself.

Somehow, it's happening too frequently.

Ever thought about why you should take a step back and start scrapbooking about yourself? Ever wonder how scrapbooking about "you" could bring out the shine in you?

Come on, you are special, there's no way to deny it. Rare like a diamond. Just probably covered up in layers and needed some polishing to bring out the natural shine. And scrapbooking is a powerful method to reveal the rareness in you.

There's so many glowing benefits to creating scrapbooks all about you:

1) Leaving Behind an Everlasting Legacy

For the people who will never get the chance of meeting and knowing you, your scrapbooks about yourself will leave behind memories of you as a person. It's a mean of letting them discover and know about you.

I once read of a mother who was seized with terminal stage of cancer. In her final days, instead of resting, she struggled to put together scrapbook albums of herself. Why? Just so that her two very young toddlers will get to know about the mommy whom they'll never see in person again. The scrapbooks will be constant reminders to the kids of their mommy's love for them and her thoughts about them.

It's a heart-wrenching story, but it's a wake up call that you don't have an eternity. You have to take steps now to make time to leave behind a part of who you are. Like they said, "You'll never know"...

2) Showing the World of You as an Individual

Yes, besides being known as the scrapbooker who so lovingly and tenderly put together the family scrapbooks, your children and present or future grandchildren would want to know how you look like. They'll wonder "How did Granny Kate look like when she's a baby? And what did she look like when she's a young woman?"

You're likely to have the same curiosity of your ancestors too. So do showcase your changing faces or appearances throughout the years or decades. Come out from behind your camera, and ask or plead with someone else to take over the role of the photographer.

You are important and you need to be in those pages.

3) Revealing the Real You

By scrapbooking, you'll immortalize a part of yourself in a permanent way. And through reading your journaling, others will get to know you in an intimate sort of way. You are granting them permission to be privy to your inner world of thoughts, which are usually hidden by the superficialities of your daily life. Your journaling will reveal the authentic side of you that many may not have the privilege to know of otherwise.

Do consider leaving those alluring computer fonts aside for a while, and write in your own handwriting. It may not be perfect but it's much more personal. Your handwriting is undeniably a part of you.

4) Passing on Your Beliefs and Values

Worried that your values and beliefs will be lost forever to your future generations? Scrapbooking about them is a great way to ensue that they'll get passed on from one generation to the next. "Great-grandma Emily is a strong believer of filial piety. It's her strongest trait..."

Your scrapbook albums will likely become treasured family keepsakes, where your words will echo and impact on your future generations' lives.

5) Pulling You Out from a Crossroad

There's probably times in your life when you feel uncertain and lost about yourself. It's like your identity has gone missing. I've been at such a crossroad before too.

At such disheartening moments, try scrapbooking on themes like "What Makes Me So Unique", "The Many Hats That I wear" and "Top 10 Things that I'm Most Proud". These themes will once again call attention to your own uniqueness. Such meaningful pages will reinforce the value in you as an individual.

If you're daring enough, try "10 Things I Like About You". This is where you'll have to get a couple of your closest kin and friends to each make a list of things they like about you. You'll have to cast away your shyness and get those lists from the people you care about.

Because someday when you feel like you're in the dumps, pull out these precious little lists, read over them and call to your mind that you are wanted and loved by others.

So instead of dwelling on your failures and imperfections, these powerful lists will push you forward and make you look at the positive traits of yourself.

6) Pump You Up with Pride

When you're done with some scrapbooks on yourself, flip through them occasionally.

You'll find yourself looking at you with a renewed sense of respect and pride. Be it as a mother, nurturer, wife, partner, daughter, sister, colleague or dreamer, your scrapbook albums will showcase you in different roles. It'll tell others that you aren't merely just a mom.

The pages will remind you that you have meaningful contributions to make in various roles.

Are you beginning to see the therapeutic wonders of scrapbooking about yourself? Doesn't it reaffirm the goodness within you and unleash the power of you being a diamond?

Aren't the above reasons compelling enough to cajole you into scrapbooking about yourself?

Each delayed moment is a moment lost forever. So take positive steps now to uncover the diamond in you to share with others.

Happy scrapping about yourself!

About the Author:
Fion Lim is the creator of http://www.everything-about-scrapbooking.com. She enjoys scrapbooking as a hobby and finds pleasure in sharing scrapbooking ideas, tips and techniques with beginner scrapbookers through her scrapbooking site.

Scrapbooking for Beginners-a step by step guide to your first Notepad

In my scrapbooking for beginners guide, I hope to save you all the mistakes I made when I began my first scrapbook and the mistakes which other guides have cost me.

When I began my first scrapbook I spent nearly two hundred dollars on everything from how to books to layouts and magazines. Five years later I haven't used half of what I bought, despite having several scrapbooks. My mistakes were two-fold. First I had no organization, and second I had no planning. While not as fun as buying all the stickers and layouts, planning your first scrapbook album will save money and save time.

Step One - Choose Your Theme!

The very first step in your scrapbook should be to decide the theme. Picking your theme will be important in many ways, not the least of which is to have the correct photos for each page. Its also important to choose your theme before you organize your photographs so that when you are browsing your photographs you can add them to multiple themes later.

The first scrapbooking guide I read began by telling me to get a few pictures, card stock, pens and embellishments. That was actually terrible advice. Once I had everything in front of me, I realized that it was nowhere near the items for what I wanted my scrapbook pages to look like. In order to make a scrapbook which you can call your own, choose your theme before buying the materials.

Themes can include scrapbooks about The Disney Vacation. Our Wedding Day. Our Honeymoon. Baby's First Year. Each theme will need certain photographs which depict days or moments you want to remember. You can have as many themes as you wish and can even have the same photograph in multiple themes. For your first scrapbook try and pick a theme for which you know you have numerous photographs.

Step Two - Choose Your Photographs!

Now that you have a theme in mind, its time to pick out photographs to use. Photographs get scattered everywhere so its best to find the ones you wish to use at the start your scrapbook. When we got married my husband and I had a DVD of pictures, professional photographer pictures, pictures from my mother and father, disposable reception camera pictures, friends sent pictures, friends of parent sent pictures. I had to stop most of the time when making my scrapbook to find the right pictures someplace else. My biggest mistake was missing photos when I began scrapbooking because I had forgotten to pick them out beforehand.

The great thing about scrapbooking is that if you do forget a picture or two, you can just add another page in your scrapbook. The bad part is if you want a picture to be part of a page you've already designed and glued together, you have to remake the page.

When choosing photographs, its best to have two to three photographs per page but you can have as few as one or as many as eight. You can have as many pages as you want in each scrapbook album.

My wedding scrapbook album has two hundred photographs and four different sections. Each of my four sections was part of a separate album which I incorporated into one album. Its very large, but its also very dear to my heart. That is what scrapbooking is about, making each scrapbook a memory in itself which can be reviewed and enjoyed by anyone. Each album chronicles an event or time which is important to you.

Step Three - Make copies

In my opinion this step is the most important part of starting a new scrapbook album. Make copies of every photograph you will use at the start. Make two copies if possible. There will be times when you wish to cut a photograph to fit an idea for your scrapbook. Or glue something onto the photograph. If you want to use the photograph in multiple albums, an album for each of your children with the same themes for example, you'll need 1 copy of each photo for each album plus the original. (and if you're clumsy like me, you'll want an extra copy for when you mess up! haha)

Photographs can be made digital and saved onto computer discs. You can upload them to webites like Flickr so you can have physical copies made at a later time or you can make online scrapbook albums.

Store the negatives and back up discs (DVDs) of all photographs in a special area away from the actual photographs.

Step Four - Write and gather a list of items to include in the scrapbook album

When I speak about what you'll include I mean besides pictures and journal entries. Each page of your scrapbook album includes pictures, a small piece of writing about the picture and whats known as "embellishments". Purchased embellishments will be included in the later part of this guide, however at this point I'm writing about personal embellishments.

The wedding album I put together had pieces of my dress as backing of photographs. I used ribbon from the linen napkins for bows on other pages. Some pages had little pieces of the sequins from my gown, the Ashcroft my husband wore was on another page with his picture. You may not want to glue those items to your books but I chose to do so. Maybe you have a blanket you child used, part of a stuffed animal to include, the buttons off your cheerleading uniform. There are hundreds of little embellishments you can include from your personal life which make your album even more special. One of my friends used sand colored with food dye she got on her honeymoon in her album about her honeymoon.

Plenty of guides speak about the little embellishments to add in your scrapbook album. Their embellishments include glitter and little pieces of beading from the stores etc. Before you spend your money on those, find the items in your house to include in your scrapbook. Old Christmas or wedding cards, Birthday cards, towels, an old cat toy etc etc..

Step five - Sort and Build Each Page (if possible take a picture)

You now have all you need to build your first scrapbook album. Organize the pages of your album with the photographs and embellishments. Use manila envelopes if necessary and number each one. The reason it is important to organize your photographs and embellishments now is so that when you go shopping you will have an idea about what you want on each of your pages. At this point you do not need to know where or how to place the pictures on each page. The only important information we want from this exercise is which pictures and home-embellishments we want to add on a certain page, what the general theme is and how many pages we will have. Its much easier to find what we want at the craft store or online when we have the base of our scrapbook album.

Scrapbooking for Beginners - Step Six - It's time to go shopping!

When you're shopping you'll want the following scrapbook supplies:

1. Pens, crayons, paints, fabric paints and markers for each page's note writing, picture drawing, and for wrting on fabric (if you use any in your scrapbook)

2. Backing to make mini frames on the page. Photographs can have a matte which can include cardboard, old greeting cards (my personal favorite's are the ones from the occasions the scrapbook is about), wrapping paper, felt board, or anything really.

3. Scrapbook album

4. Paper trimmer

5. Glue and tape

6. Paper - Different types of paper for the albums - Paper for the designs (like card stock, material, wax paper.. anything your imagination can come up with). Paper for the journal entries like stationary, index cards, plain black and white paper to cut out letters.

7. Scissors

8. Embellishments - stickers, material, beads, pressed flowers, sand, feathers, candy. Pretty much anything goes here. Each page is what your imagination makes it.

9. Stencils - Letter, number and design stencils

10. Page protectors - Make sure they are the correct size for the album

You can make your first album as elaborate, expensive, inexpensive, big, small. You can decorate the outside and inside. You can add hand prints from your kids. Let your imagination guide you. Have fun. Put little frames around photos. Cut out hearts and stick them on the photographs. Glue buttons, write on them.

The important part of scrapbooking is just beginning.

Stay Tuned for Scrapbooking For Beginners - The Wedding Album

Sara - http://scrapbooking-for-beginners.com . Spending my free time with scrapbooks, pictures, memories and my new website! Welcome to Scrapbooking for Beginners and stay tuned for more guides!

Heritage Scrapbooking has its own charm

Historically, much in the tradition with similar stories was scrapbooking, but with a palpable, wistful and Visual focus. Heritage scrapbooking maintains a legacy of recorded history in the form of memorabilia, photos and print media in furnished Scrapbook albums. Heritage scrapbooking with photos since around photos was available for the average person. Traditional scrapbooks tend to photos mounted with mount photo corners and formats with who was on the picture and when and where the photo was taken. The photos included in heritage scrap pieces of memorabilia such as letters, and newspaper clippings.

Creating a family tree with Scrapbooking

Heritage scrapbooking and family tree ideas include scrapbooking layouts, scrapbook page ideas, scrapbooking supplies, and journaling techniques and tips. A computer can run in the precious family photos in a beautiful Notepad or decorative album through the creativity of digital scrapbooking useful. En route to scrapbooking, digital scrapbooking, instead of traditional means less costs paid to scrapbooking supplies and the possibility to print Scrapbook copies of beautiful scrapbook layouts. There are step-by-step guides available for the use of memorabilia, memories and old pictures to create a Visual and historical Scrapbook of family heritage and history.

Heritage scrapbooking can the beloved pictures of family and loved ones, documents, stories and memorabilia for generations to immortalize. Scrapbooks can much more than just albums with photos, namely when it comes to sharing and preservation of the family history. Normally offers a scrapbooking website family scrapbooking articles, a collection of scrapbooking poems for heritage, history-Theme Notepad tips and ClipBook page layouts. There are lots of scrapbooking websites that monthly Scrapbook Layouts for the hobbyist scrapbooking heritage. Family members can be included, along with a pedigree that is organised by the works of the latest generation back in time.

Peter Foster has special interest in art. He gives advice for anyone who wants to know about online art school and scrapbooking and others. Www.layersofourlives.com he refers to in many of his sessions for art school class for scrapbooking, scrapbooking and DIY scrapbooking art, close to my heartheritage scrapbooking scrapbooking,