Scrapbooking 101

By Brittney St.Amant, Aug 23, 2021

Nowadays, everything is accessible at the click of a button. Although this offers convenience, there is still something to be said about holding a physical copy of something in your hands – including photo albums. Imagine sitting to show someone memorable moments from your life, but rather than having them swipe through a series of photos with the backlight of your mobile phone, having them instead of looking down at these candid moments in a beautifully made photo album. The once-popular art of scrapbooking has been lost to the mobile world. It is a form of art that can be very precious and something that can be passed down through generations, linking family and moments together. When you are first getting started, scrapbooking can seem a bit intimidating and perhaps a long process. If you’re interested in getting creative and making your first scrapbook, check the tips below to help get you started!

Process

The first thing you should do before getting started on your scrapbook is to brainstorm ideas and organize your thoughts as to how you would like your scrapbook to look. Planning out colours, themes, and design will help you when you’re starting out so that you are happy with the final product.  There are countless craft stores both in-person and online to purchase materials. Michaels has a huge selection in-store and online to choose from, and you can get it delivered right to your door. Once you’ve done this, you’re ready to create!

First, you will need to print the photos and then organize them in the timeline you want. From there, you can create the layout you want to display on each page of the album. Once you glue the photos in place, you can add your own creative flair and design to each page! Other than photos, you can also add things like ribbons, newspaper clippings, or any other sentimental pieces.

Scrapbooking Essentials

To begin scrapbooking, you’ll need a variety of craft supplies. Listed below are some of the basics to get you started:

• Album: Choose any size and length of album you wish, making sure it is a scrapbooking album with thick paper.
• Page Protectors: Some albums already come with page protectors, but if not, it is important to get some. Once you finish a scrapbook page, you can slide it into the page protector, which will keep it from getting bent or ruined.
• Adhesives: You will need adhesives for the photos and decorations. There are a variety of options such as glue sticks, liquid pens, photo tape…etc.
• Cutting Tools: You will need scissors and other cutting tools to shape your photos and decorations to fit the page of the album. There are more decorative scissors to give your designs a more creative edge.
• Die Cuts: There are specific shapes and designs that can be added for the aesthetic of your scrapbook
• Decorative Paper: Decorative paper comes in all sorts of colours and textures and is used to go underneath photos and die cuts for extra design.
• Pens/Markers: Make sure you get ink that is fadeproof and waterproof. Be sure to let the marked pages dry before closing the album to make sure the ink doesn’t smudge!

Benefits

Making a scrapbook may be just the thing to get you back into a creative flow and motivate you to get out and take more photos! If you’re been distant from family and friends throughout the pandemic, it can be a great way to feel more connected to your loved ones. It is a great hobby to keep busy and feel nostalgic as you look back on past memories. People use scrapbooking as a way to tell the story of their lives and cherish important moments. As with other creative projects, you may find scrapbooking to be a source of relaxation and stress relief. From beginning to end, making a scrapbook can be a very fulfilling creative project.

Other Options

If you are not able to get to a place to print your own photos, there are many online platforms that let you design and purchase your own scrapbook online! Photobook is a great website that allows you to submit your photos, choose a photobook design, and have it printed and shipped to you! There are many other websites that allow you to get your photos printed onto mugs, magnets, keychains, calendars, and more! Not only is it a great idea to create a lasting physical copy of cherished memories but can also be a great gift idea for your loved ones!