CREATIVE CRAFTING

Archive for the ‘Scrapbooks’ Category

Some ideas for Journaling In Your Scrapbook

When I first started to scrapbook, I did it the traditional way, with paper and glue sticks. Now of course I have embraced digital scrapbooks. However the ideas I am going to give you here apply to both.

Quite a few scrapbook fans prefer to include words or phrases within their scrapbook pages. Words and phrases help to explain the photos. As you might expect there are many ways to incorporate the written word into your scrapbooking; it is generally called Journaling.

We have all seen in our shopping for scrapbook embellishments sheets of paper with phrases, words, or the alphabet. All of these can be used put the written word on your page, simply pick the ones that apply to the photo and attach. You can also use stickers, diecuts and in some cases word cutouts.

Remember all of this can be applied to both digital and paper scrapbooks. There are no rules when it comes to scrapbooking.

Some scrappers don’t want to use prewritten words but they want to use their own. If you want to write on your pages here are a few tips.

1. Select an ink shade that suits the color scheme of your page
2. If you have a photograph or newspapers clipping that you want to add, I suggest copying the pieces onto acid free paper, this way they won’t yellow over time.

There is no limit to the items you can put into your scrapbook. Extra items can help tell the overall story.

Whether you are doing digital or paper scrapbooks don’t limit yourself to just the purchased embellishments or papers. Did you ever have a scrapbook as a child? Or how about your high school yearbook, did you ever put mementos to remember? I did and so have many others.

Scrapbooks are meant to remind us of a time and place that we were. What we were doing at that time in our history, or what our family was doing.

I have often wondered when talking to other people who scrapbook why they limit themselves to only what they can buy? There are scrapbooking materials all around us in everyday life. There is the newspaper article, the ticket stubs from a concert we went to, even candy wrappers.

With todays’ technology you can preserve anything with the use of a scanner and printer. If you don’t have the actual item or if it is too far gone to be put in a scrapbook. I have a few of those mementos, believe me.

If you are a regular reader of this blog you know that my husband and I were treated to a trip to Germany recently to visit our daughter who is working over there. Believe me it was a trip of a lifetime and the memories will last that long. But to the point of mementos if you look at the page below you will see sticking out of the back of the actual picture are our airline stubs.

The hardest part of any scrapbooking endeavor is to get your ideas together. For some the scrapbook is considered a work of art while others can slap together a page in a few minutes. It is always hardest, at least for me, at the start. So I came up with a few ideas to help get going on the scrapbook page. I prefer digital scrapbooking, but these principles apply to both digital and traditional scrapbooking.

1. Deciding on a color for the page. This should be the easiest to decide, but for many it is not. I usually try and find a background color to compliment the picture, maybe some obscure color in the picture itself. However, making the scrapbook page out of one color only is not always the best idea. Try laying out a few colors on your table, then laying the picture on top, then pick out which colors “pop” out for you. Don’t be afraid to try different textures too, sometimes a boring color will come alive with a little texture added to it.

2. Have you ever thought of using a literary character as your inspiration for a scrapbook page? If you have a favorite book or author getting ideas from some of their cover art is a great way to incorporate some of your

interest into a page. Taking a character out of your favorite book is another idea. Writers have wonderful imaginations and often portray their hero and heroines as larger than life, incorporate some of those characters into your pages. A scrapbook page, aside from showcasing a picture, should show your character as well.

Nothing says “Merry Christmas” than something given from the heart. I know most of the crafters are thinking decorations and gifts, but for those of us who have embraced Digital Scrapbooking start with your Christmas Card.

I feel Christmas cards have gone a little out of style what with the cost of the cards to start with, then the postage it can get quite expensive.  So save some of the expense by using your digital scrapbook papers, embellishments and pictures and make your own cards.

Here is an example of one I just made, don’t know if I will use this particular one or not, but it is a start and I think it came out quite nicely.

 I just love the free kits at My Memories Suite.  If you like Digital Scrapbooking try them out they have both free and paid kits.  This card was made with all free material.

I have been very busy with my scrapbooking as you can see.   I have a lot more pictures but unfortunately I cannot post them all here..sorry Cindi.

Getting busy now making some scrapbook recipe cards for family and friends, incorporating some polymer clay ornaments to give as gifts.  Making Christmas cards is another holiday plan, so I will be busy.

I hope you have enjoyed my few endeavors with my pages.

I have been putting some thought into what I want to give family and friends for Christmas.  Since we are retired and money is not something I have a lot of  they can forget about the electronic toys they want!

So how can I combine my love for crafting (digital scrapbooking by far my favorite) and cooking?  I have an idea to make recipe cards using as a background pictures of family, favorite vacation spots and whatever I can find that would make a nice background for the card, print some of my favorite recipes, then put them in a box that would be decorated by me again with family photos or favorite pictures.

Not only would this be a inexpensive gift but one that is truly given from the heart.  Below is an example of what I am talking about.  See if you can come up with some ideas of your own using digital scrapbooking, favorite recipes and a plain cardboard box purchased at your favorite craft store.

Here is one simple idea I came up with…it will be printed on 4×6 cardstock..remember this is just an idea of what you can do with digital scrapbooking.

Happy Holidays

I know I write about Digital Scrapbooking quite a bit, but it is so easy and fun.     Minimal expense  is required if any at all.  Anyone can do it.   Why don’t you just try it?  Free scrapbooking papers and embellishments are available on the Internet.

As promised here  are some more pictures of my Germany trip.   All done for free!

Recently my husband and I were treated to a trip to Germany by our daughter and her husband.  She is living over there now for at least the next two years.  It was our first trip to Europe and very exciting for us.  I have longed dreamed of going abroad but never seemed to have either the time nor the money so when she said for us to come and she would pay for it, we jumped at the chance.  Literally!  Who in their right mind wouldn’t?

We were able to visit the Rhine Valley area of Germany, Prague, and Innsbrook Austria.  Of course I took pictures, lots and lots of pictures.  I want to remember this special time with my girl forever, so I started to scrapbook some of the pictures to remind my husband and myself of the great time we had.

Here are a few of the simple pages I have done today…7 in all.  I might add more embellishments once I get them printed to give a more 3-Dimensional look or I might not.