Scrapbooking is the art of telling your life’s story through your photographs and memorabilia, and no one else can tell your story better than you can. Here is an easy step-by-step guide to help beginners make their very first scrapbook.
Over the years you have put together heaps of snapshots of yourself, family, friends, places you've been and all sorts of memories. At this point you have a huge drawer loaded with of your most prized collection, but how are you going to organize it?
The answer is simple: it's time you make your own scrapbook.
The process of creating a scrapbook is not as simple as it may seem, though. For beginners making a scrapbook can actually be very intimidating. Some people even give up on the first try and opt to purchase pre-made scrapbooks online. The point, however, can be easily missed when you choose to use other people's ideas. Will a pre-made scrapbook do justice to the memories you have collected and cherished for many years?
Scrapbooking is the art of telling your life's story through your photographs and memorabilia. No one else can tell your story better than you do. Although scrapbooking may be complicated, the key is to know exactly what to do. Here is an easy step-by-step guide to help beginners make their very first scrapbook.
Decide on the subject of the scrapbook
Before putting your pictures together, it is very important you have decided on the subject matter of your scrapbook. Like any other storybook, your scrapbook should have a theme. This theme could revolve around a particular person, a particular place, or a specific period in your life. Please do not make an autobiography of your scrapbook. You cannot fit all your photos in one book. Remember your life is made up of many short stories, and you should be able create a scrapbook for each one.
Select the photos you are going to use
Select your photos based on a theme or occasion. You do not have to use all the photos you have taken on one particular occasion for the scrapbook you are creating. Remember that some of those photos might make more sense if they find themselves in another scrapbook you might make later on a different theme. For example, if you see yourself getting married someday, you might want to reserve some of your special photos for your pre-nuptial album. They might mean more if they are first seen there.
Always sort your pictures into different categories related to your theme. A single page of a regular-sized scrapbook can usually fit between four and six photos. By narrowing down your theme into different categories, you are able to create a single theme for the layout of each page of your scrapbook.
Chose the colors and pattern design for your scrapbook
The colors you use for your scrapbook are your personal choice. It is important, however, that you choose colors that complement the photos you have selected. If most of your photos are dark, it would probably be best to use a color that would allow those photos to stand out.
A great scrapbook page includes about two to three colors. Make sure, though, that these colors blend together well. To make the scrapbook album as visually interesting as possible, you can play with the mix of busy patterns and textured solids. It is advisable, though, not to overdo the pattern design in order not to draw away the emphasis you want to give to your photos. Remember, the color scheme and pattern designs should work together to make the photos stand out.
Visualize the overall layout of your photos.
Make sure you have chosen the photos you want to appear on the center of the pages of your scrapbook. From here, try to conceive of where to place the rest of the pictures you have assigned to each page. If you are to add a narrative to your page, also think of the best place to set it. If you are sure that some photos should definitely appear on one page but the sizes do not fit perfectly well, do not be afraid to crop. Cropping can bring out your creative ideas better and eliminate unnecessary background or even unwanted faces in your photos.
Mat your photos.
Photo matting is an easy step to make your pictures stand out. It is advisable to use neutral colors like black, white or beige to mat your photos, as these colors don't clash with the pattern and the other colors you have chosen.
Although it is not often necessary, journaling can bring meaning to the pages of a scrapbook. Written words can bring out the emotions of the pictures and let the story unfold. Again, however, do not overdo journaling. Remember that a scrapbook is not a storybook. Your photos should be able to speak for themselves if you arrange them correctly.
Final Advice.
When placing the photos in your scrapbook, be easy with the adhesive. It has been advised to use adhesive only on the corners of the photos so if you change your mind they can come out easily. Your photos are precious, but glue can easily ruin them.
Don't forget to gather all your scrapbooking supplies before you start this project, so you don't have to stop and interrupt your creative thoughts!
