Operation Scrapbook

Archive for the ‘Scrapbooking’ Category

custom scrapbooking is one of the hottest crazes in the country today. A significant segment of the hobby and craft industry in the United States is now linked with these custom scrap booking books. In fact, many believe that this extremely popular hobby by the Americans has overtaken golf in terms of popularity. Studies have shown that there is one scrap booker in every three households while there is one golfer in every 4 American households. Many books are available on the latest trends in scrapbook design ideas and updates on scrapbooking supplies.

In a recent article written by Elaine Jarvik, it was reported that Marielen Christensen is responsible for the craze. She has started with her craft primarily as a hobby; designing custom pages for the photo albums of her family. Christensen then would put her beautiful pages in sheet protectors of her 3-ring photo binders. She is responsible in the development of a new approach in the design of scrap booking which is popularly referred to by scrap bookers as archival quality.

Today, active scrap bookers in the US regularly congregate and work on their scrapbooks all over the place. The major scrap bookers’ events, referred to as “crops” by those who are engaged in the craft, give opportunity for scrap bookers to share tips and other valuable information to further improve their crafts.

There are now three popular ways in making custom design scrapbooks. These scrapbook designs are characterized by interesting and unique design elements making the finished craft a stunning eye-catcher. Many scrap bookers are also adding interesting tags to their specially-designed scrap book pages. This is an easy, practical and enjoyable way to make your very own scrap book filled with your own memories. Scrap bookers for color accent in the pages, thought bubbles and for text captions can utilize these interesting and unique tags used in the scrapbooks. These tags are also popular when scrap bookers add personal dedications in the pages of their scrapbooks. For those who want to achieve a lighter character in their scrapbooks, these tags can be used to write just about anything funny.

The content, color and design idea for your tags can be as eclectic as you wish them to be. You can try out various design themes and ideas as you have the flexibility in coming up withthe most unique ideas. You can have a small or a big tag, depending on the design requirements and orientation that you are adopting in making the scrapbook. It can also be angled or custom cut to match up with your individual taste. You can also use a specific colored tag to blend with the dominant color of your scrapbook or you can go generic or neutral if you are being a bit conservative in your design.

In order to obtain more unique ideas for your custom scrapbook, you have to do your research. You can check out scrapbook websites, special shops and craft stores, and follow the latest auctions at eBay when looking for your very own tags.

If you are in your mid-twenties and beginning to watch your friends get married and get pregnant, you are probably attending numerous showers. Trying to think of an interesting gift that won’t break the bank for those lucky parents to be can be pretty difficult. A simple gift idea is to give them scrapbooking supplies. Allowing the parents to do custom scrapbooking is allowing them to remember all the events leading up to their child’s birth and after will be like handing them memories in a binder. It is a really thoughtful gift.

Another gift idea is to plan and throw the shower for the mother-to-be. Though this can be stressful, it can be a fun and creative process. The first step of the process is to go over a guest list with the future mommy. Once the guest list is approved, you can pick out the invitations. There are lots of party stores that carry interesting invitations for baby showers. If you are going for a more elegant baby shower, there are lots of little boutiques that carry one-of-a-kind invitations with adorable additions for baby showers. It is very important to get the invitations in the mail early. Also you want to make sure the parents are already registered at a few places so guests can check the registry for gift ideas. Doing online gift registry is a much simpler way to do that, and then you can include the websites they are registered at on the invitations.

Once the invitations and registry is done, you can begin getting the supplies for the party. Like any party, food is an important aspect. Typically baby showers do not need to be stocked with food that is considered a real meal, but mostly little appetizers and finger food. Baby shower food seems to be cute and little. You should decide early on if you want to cook yourself or if you want to get food from a restaurant or catering service. Making the food would be a less expensive method, but sometimes that can be stressful. Whereas catering the shower would be pricier, but would save you the time and hassle. It is important to talk over the possible menu with the future mother to make sure she approves and that there are no food allergies you need to be aware of.

Decorating for a baby shower can be very simple or very extravagant depending on your style. Typically the color themes for baby showers are yellow or white to stay neutral and not create any gender stereotypes with the colors pink and blue. Personally, simple white decorations are always easy and beautiful. To create a simple elegant feeling, add a few fresh flowers like lilies. If you want to go over the top, there are plenty of party supply stores with a large selection of baby shower decorations. Little aspects like having a guest book for people to leave little notes expressing their wishes for the parents-to-be is a way to make a simple party very classy.

Anyone who wants to begin custom scrapbooking will probably be a little intimidated when they start looking around the craft stores for scrapbooking supplies. Memory pages can be basic or complicated, colorful or monochromatic. Whatever the style or taste, the same products work for every need. It involves more than purchasing an empty album and some page protectors in which to slide photos. While there is a seemingly endless assortment of products to choose from, most everything one needs can be grouped into simple categories.

Cardstock and paper – Solid colored cardstock and paper are the basic building blocks for matting and embellishing photos. Paper can be found in every color of the rainbow and then some. Solid colored paper can be used as the background for the photos or it can be cut into shapes, letter or borders, for example. Patterned paper also can be found in a wide array of colors, patterns and themes. Papers that depict some theme, such as holidays or sports, is an easy way to tie a memory page together. Patterned paper can be used as a foundation for the page or as a decorative element. Always be sure to use paper that is lignin and acid free. Only this type of paper will hold up while regular paper will turn yellow and crumble over time.

Scissors and Trimmers – Scissors are used extensively in the making of memory books. They should not be not be left out for daily use but should be reserved for photo pages only. This will keep them in tip top condition. Trimmers are useful for cutting paper and cardstock to the desired size as well as cropping photos. Some styles offer both a guillotine cutter and rotary trimmer. It may be helpful over time to purchase a trimmer that is self-sharpening or that comes with replacement blades.

Adhesive – There are so many different types of adhesive from which to choose because the types of materials used in memory pages are so varied in texture and weight. Read the product label to help select the appropriate product for the job. Some examples of the different kinds of adhesives are glue dots, double-sided tape, glue stick, photo corners and liquid glue. Make sure that the adhesive states that it is safe to use for archiving photos.

Embellishments – This is the area that can make one’s head spin. There seems to be an unending supply of stickers, rub-ons, letters, borders, tags, felt pieces brads, buttons and ribbons, just to name a few. There isn’t a theme that cannot be found in this area.

Pens – It shouldn’t shock anyone that memory page pens come in a wide variety of colors and tip styles. Black is an essential choice since it will coordinate with anything. Pens used in making memory pages must only contain pigment ink and be fade proof and water proof. Recording precious moments, noting dates, journaling and writing names and descriptions are done quickly and neatly with these special pens.

As daunting as it is to begin to start a memory book project, the multitude of choices can also be extremely fun once it gets started. There is just no limit to what can be created.

You don’t have to invest hundreds of dollars and hours of time to create your own special scrapbooking albums. With the right tools and supplies, anyone can get started scrapbooking right away. No need to feel intimidated as you peruse isle after isle of memory book products. Stay tuned and you’ll find out how to start preserving your cherished memories without too much muss or fuss.

First, you’ll need to choose what photos you want to work with. Rather than choosing many photos that would fill an entire book about a family vacation, it might be easier to begin with just a handful that focuses on a smaller event, such as junior’s first baseball game. Once the photos are selected, arrange them to determine what size each should be, keeping in mind the total size of the page.

Next, choose the background paper. This can be a solid or patterned paper that coordinates with the event of the page you are creating. If you would like to highlight the photos, they can be matted onto cardstock. You are welcome to use as many or as few colors as you’d like. Photos can have a uniform frame all around or they can be placed at interesting angles. For added pizzazz, decorative edge scissors may be used to cut the mat. Take care that all paper and card stock is lignin and acid free.

Once, the photos are in place, you might consider adding a border on some or all the sides of the page. Simple strips of paper or ribbon would work as well as wavy strips or polka dots. You get to be as creative as you want.

Next, think of a title or name for this page. Both the color and style of the lettering will draw attention to it. Use alphabet stickers to spell out the title, die-cut letters, or ready-to-use title strips that you simply peel and stick. Stickers should also be acid and lignin free.

Now, take those special pens or markers and write about the event, note important dates, names and descriptions of places and activities. If you’re worried you might make a mistake, write on a separate piece of paper and apply it to the background paper when it looks just right. Only use pens that use pigment ink.

When used strategically, embellishments can turn a nice looking page into a work of art. Embellishments are considered anything that is decorative such as ribbons, buttons, tags, stickers, eyelets and charms. Remember that less is more so resist the urge to add too many do dads.

Keep in mind that until you become more proficient, it’s best to lay out all the components of the page and play around with them before deciding on the final layout. Once you know how the final page will look, then it is okay to start gluing things in place.

If you get stuck for ideas, there are tons of books, magazines and websites you can look at for inspiration. These precious creations even can be created on and printed from your computer. Whatever method you choose, don’t be afraid to dive right in because every page is a unique creation.