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.
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