She's Crafty

SHE'S CRAFTY
SCRAPBOOKING EXPERT RACHEL PAXTON WANTS TO HELP YOU MAKE A MEMORY.
HERE ARE HER SCRAPPY DOS AND DON'TS.

So you're wanting to put together a scrapbook of your family photographs, but you're unsure of
where to start. As daunting—and time consuming—as it appears, scrapbooking is easier than you
think with these top twelve tips.

1	Decide on a theme verses a general family album. Some people create a scrapbook for every year. I like to do theme scrapbooks. I have made baby books for each of my children and my daughter has a high school scrapbook, a graduation scrapbook and a scrapbook of a trip to Walt Disney World.
2	Get some supplies. There are many scrapbook stores out there. Nowadays, most craft stores and even larger chain stores, have scrapbooking sections. You can also buy stickers and scrapbook paper at a lot of dollar stores.
3	Scout for savings. When I'm shopping I usually look for sales. Stores like Joann Fabrics often put their large packages of scrapbooking paper on sale. If you buy a couple of those at once, it will keep you busy for quite a while. I also pick up stickers whenever I find some I like—scrapbooking is an ongoing process. There are many other embellishments you can use, too; however, if you are short on time stickers are definitely the way to go.
4	Save it. One of my favorite ways to embellish scrapbook pages is with mementos and other keepsakes. In my daughter's graduation scrapbook, we put her graduations cards, announcement, newspaper clippings, etc. In her high school scrapbook, we put her driver's permit, pay stub from her first job, concert tickets, handouts from plays she was in—you get the idea. After you get the hang of it, you'll be collecting all kinds of mementos for your scrapbook pages.
5	To page or not to page? When buying an album for your scrapbook pages, you can buy one with pages already in it or you can buy one that has plastic inserts in which you can place your finished pages. I like both kinds. I use the albums with pages for scrapbooks that I want to put together fairly quickly—you just glue the photos and embellishments to the pages and you're done. With the other kind, I spend more time creating my masterpiece on a separate piece of paper and then place it into the plastic insert. This option is also great if you think you may want to rearrange pages in your album later.
6	Size things up. You can use any sized paper you like for your scrapbook pages. I have done several smaller albums, but for the pages I spend more time on I usually use 12x12 sheets of scrapbooking paper.
7	Make the cut. You can buy templates to cut your photos into different shapes. I used to spend a lot of time doing this but eventually decided it wasn't really necessary. I do cut down photos to cut out blank spaces in pictures and to make more room on a page, but that's about it. You can buy pre-cut mats to put behind your pictures, but I usually cut my own with my paper cutter. I also usually use a patterned background with solid colors for mats or a solid background with contrasting or patterned mats. After I glue my photos to the mats I arrange them on the page and then embellish with stickers.
8	Don't skimp on interesting. Another way to add interest to a page is with decorative scissors. You can use them to cut around your photos or mats.
9	Write it down. If you want to add journaling to a page, you can handwrite your sentiments with journaling pens. I also like to print them out on my computer and mat them onto the page with the photos. You can buy some neat scrapbooking font programs for your computer.
10	Stick it. Make sure you use glue products that are suitable for scrapbooking. They should be archive safe. This scrapbooking must is denoted on the package. I have used many different glue products, tape, etc. and I prefer good ol' glue sticks. This is just my preference though—you'll have to find your favorite.
11	Seek inspiration. There are many websites, books and magazines to give you great scrapbooking ideas. I like to check them out for inspiration but find when I am short on time (which is often), my simple layouts work just fine.
12	Find time. It's really easy—you just have to get started. If you're not doing a theme book, then just choose enough pictures for one page and start from there. During the summer, my mother-in-law and I try to get together once a week to put pages together during my boys' nap. It's easier to make the time when you've planned it with someone else.

Happy scrapbooking!

Rachel Paxton is a freelance writer and mom of four. For scrapbooking, card making, gift-giving ideas, and more family memory-making activities, go to www.crafty-moms.com.

Get Sentimental. Check out this month's article on mementos and keepsakes.