Scrapbooking Tips
This is scrapbooking tips
Lots of Photos
Trying to figure out how to scrapbook all of those pictures into one layout? Try creating a frame for one large focal photo out of lots of smaller photos!
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Paper Cutter
Keep an extra blade for your paper cutter on hand at all times. Dull blades make it hard to cut nice, straight edges.
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Scoring
Need to score fold lines at intervals? Use the measurements on your paper cutter and score with your bone folder along the cutting edge.
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Markers
Store your markers either flat or in a container with the point down. This will keep the point moist and ready to use.
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Punched Photos
Have lots of photos with smaller subjects? Create an index print-style layout by punching out the subjects from a bunch of pictures with a square punch. Mat some or all punched photos for added emphasis.
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Detail Scissors
Keep a pair of tiny, sharp-pointed scissors in your work area just for cutting out tiny details or intricate curved edges.
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Doodling
Not an artist? Don’t be afraid to try doodling on your layouts. Draw around the outside edge of a punch, photo mat or entire page. Mix straight and wavy lines with dots and squiggles to create a unique hand-drawn style.
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Creative Caps
Start a title or journaling block with a large letter like old style story books. Try chipboard letters, stickers or stamps to call out the first letter.
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Mix it Up!
Create a unique journaling block by mixing handwriting, stamps, stickers and other letter embellishments in a varied “ransom” style.
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Dimensional Photos
Print multiple copies of a photo. Trim out important details and layer with adhesive foam circles to create a unique layered look.
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Custom Ribbons
Use small clear stamps to spell out your wedding date or the name of an expected baby. Stamp onto ribbons and tie onto shower favors for a truly customized gift!
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Photo Crazy
Always be ready to catch the perfect picture – if you normally shoot with a larger camera, purchase an inexpensive point and shoot model to keep in your purse.
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Paper Scraps
Save your scraps of leftover paper, they are perfect for punching!
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Sewing
Do you love the look of stitching on layouts but don’t sew? Imitate the look by adding a decorative zigzag line with an archival pigment ink marker.
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Heritage Photos
Scan heritage photos and print on flat vanilla cardstock to preserve your original photographs
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Stitched Matting
Use your sewing machine to “mat” your photos by stitching a simple straight stitch around the edge.
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Freehand Cutting
If you are uneasy about freehand cutting, draw out the lightly first and erase any pencil that you may still see later.
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Machine Stitching
Use the edge of your paper as a guide to stitch straight lines on your page. If the edge is too far away, use a pencil to make a light mark to use as a stitching guide.
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Knots and Bows
Instead of tying a bow with ribbon, I like to tie a half-knot. Bows can come untied and leave you with one end of the loop hanging on your page. A knot is less bulky and won’t come untied.
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Strips of Patterned Paper
Strips of a contrasting patterned paper can help to provide balance on your layout help move your eye across the page.
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Embossing
Customize chipboard and other embellishments to match your layouts. Ink the edges or coat the entire surface with embossing ink and then apply an embossing powder that coordinates with your page. Heat-set and you have a one-of-a-kind, matching embellishment!
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Punch Art
Punch art is a great easy technique for a striking result on your projects. Your circle and square punches can be your best friends when layered!
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Dual Tipped Marker
Use a dual tipped marker to create both find and bold words in your journaling.
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Color Wheel
Are you intimidated by all of the choices in cardstock and patterned papers? Try using a color wheel to help you select colors that will coordinate with and enhance your photos and embellishments.
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Matting Photos
Are your photos getting lost on your page? Mat them onto cardstock or even a contrasting patterned paper to make them the star of your page.
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Altering Alphabets
If you have alphabet stickers that don’t match your project, recolor them with archival markers, ink or paint. If the sticker surface is shiny, sand first to ensure that it holds the new color.
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Incorporating Stickers
Do you love stickers but have a hard time figuring out how to use them on your layouts? Incorporate them into your title, journaling and embellishments to tie the entire page together.
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Edge Effects
For added depth, ink or chalk the edges of paper or embellishments before adhering to your page.
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Puzzle Embellishments
Create your own puzzle embellishments! Use pieces from an old puzzle and match them to you project with patterned paper or paint. Distress the edges with ink and add character with stickers, rub ons or stamps.
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Lots of Journaling
Have more journaling that you can fit on your layout? Create a journaling booklet by writing or printing on multiple pages; bind with thread, brads or staples and add the booklet to your page!
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Enhancing Embellishments
Do you like a pre-made embellishment but don’t think it’s exactly right for your project? Don’t be afraid to deconstruct it, add to it, and make it uniquely yours!
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Emphasizing Stickers
To make stickers stand out, mount them onto patterned paper or cardstock. Also, lift them off of the page with adhesive foam dots for even more dimension!
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Adding Dimension
Want even more dimension on your projects? Raise some elements with a single layer of adhesive foam dots, and use a double or triple layer to lift other pieces even further off of the page.
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Powder Tool
When adhesive embellishments hang off the edge or are lifted off your page with adhesive foam dots, use a powder tool to deactivate the adhesive on the overhanging edges.
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Paper Pads
When you remove papers from a paper pad or mat pad, you’ll usually need to trim off the strip from the top that includes the hanging hole before using the paper.
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Grouping Stickers
Smaller stickers can sometimes get lost on a scrapbook page. Keep them from being overlooked by grouping them or by lifting them from the page with adhesive foam dots.
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Consistency
Use consistent shapes to create a unified feel to your layout. For example, if you use a lot of circles, then try a corner rounder on your pictures.
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Strong Colors
Are the colors in the photos you want to scrapbook too bright or do they not match? Try turning your photos into black and white before printing to even out the color selection.
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Tweezers
Use tweezers when placing small stickers onto pages. The tweezers allow for easier and more accurate sticker placement.
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Scalloped Edges
By taking the guard off of a corner rounder punch you can make a scalloped edge for your paper. Use your punch upside down and carefully line up the punches from edge to edge. The result is a perfect scallop every time!
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