Essential Scrapbooking Techniques

• Image
• Video

Alleviate scrapping confusion with an understanding of basic scrapbooking techniques like cropping, punching, chalking and more.

Author: Corrine Mihlek-Brzys

Since the inception of the craft, scrapbooking techniques have gone through innumerable changes. Trends have come and gone (and have even been recycled a time or two), product options have exploded into dizzying arrays filling store aisles, and the very definition of what a “scrapbook” is has morphed. Putting a page together can be as confusing to the longtime scrapper as it is to the novice. And nothing puts a stopper on creative flow like confusion.

Let’s alleviate that overwhelmed feeling by taking a look at scrapbooking at its most basic - by paring it down to its essential techniques. The following nuts-and-bolts definitions and simple suggestions will help clear your head and get you creating in no time.

CROPPING:

• Cropping refers to trimming a photo to accentuate its focal point or to eliminate distracting background.
• While you can trim your pictures into any shape, it’s advisable to stick with basics like squares and rectangles, throwing in the occasional circle and oval for effect.
• Also, use copies instead of originals when dealing with one-of-a-kind or heritage photos.
  

JOURNALING:

• Journaling is just another word for “your story”!
• You can make it as short or long as you want.
• Create a pocket to hide more private journaling.
• You can type, stamp, or write your words out yourself.
• You can journal in straight lines, but you don’t have to. Try writing around a photo or decorative element for a fresh and funky effect.
• Remember - handwriting is a beautiful way to leave a truly personal piece of yourself behind in your books.
  
  
  

MATTING:

• Matting is layering a larger piece of cardstock under your photo.
• This can be of any width, for one photo or for all.
• Done mostly for accenting and emphasis, this is also a great way to provide a visual break between busy patterned paper and your pictures.
• Try double-matting just one photo, or matting with a contrasting color.
  
  
  

PAPER TEARING

• Paper Tearing means what it implies: tearing paper to expose a rough, uneven edge.
• For best effect, hold the paper down with one hand (or use a ruler as a guide) and tear toward yourself slowly.
• Try this technique for interesting borders, photo mats, and page titles, to start.
  
  
  

COLOR BLOCKING:

• Color Blocking is a technique in which you use large blocks of color as a background for your page.
• The look is simple and yet visually powerful, especially if you use colors which contrast your photos.
• Start with a solid background and add blocks of color in varying sizes, layering your other pieces (photos, title, etc.) over them.
  

PAPER PUNCHING:

• Paper Punching can take your scrapbooking to the next level!
• Punches come in hundreds of shapes, sizes and designs.
• These versatile workhorses really earn their keep when you use not only the “positive” (the punched piece) but the “negative” (the shaped hole left by the punch) parts.
• Need to see exactly where you’re punching? Simply flip the tool upside down!
  
  
  

STAMPING:

• Stamping, at it’s most basic definition, it is using a rubber (or foam or acrylic) stamp with inks to create images on your pages.
• Use stamping to create titles, accents & embellishments, journaling, and even your own patterned paper.
  

INKING and DISTRESSING:

• Inking and Distressing are methods to make something new look “shabby chic” or “aged.”
• It also adds shading and depth to page elements.
• To ink, run an inkpad over the edges of your item.
• Distressing also includes using sandpaper, paints, tearing, and crumpling.
• Try lightly sanding the edges of a photo, or crumpling a photo mat for a textured look.
  
  
  

CHALKING:

• Chalking is another way to add color and emphasis to your layouts.
• For best results, apply with a chalk applicator in a circular motion.
• Make a mistake? Erase with a white gum eraser.
• Use chalks to highlight words in an otherwise blah journaling block, to color in a stamped or printed title, or even to “distress” the edges of a piece.
  

PAINTING:

• Painting also makes for a fabulous coloring addition to your repertoire.
• Acrylic paints are great for stamping with foam stamp sets.
• Watercolors make great backgrounds and are lovely for coloring in stamped images.
• Try painting strips of acrylic paint on the edges of a photo for a funky “mat” effect, or create a pretty border with a soft swath of watercolors.
  

STITCHING:

• Stitching can be done by machine or by hand.
• It lends a folksy, fresh touch to a page.
• If stitching by hand, draw your design or shape on the back side of the paper, and punch your holes first.
• Try creating simple designs like hearts, flowers, frames, borders, or sew a pocket for hidden journaling.

PENWORK, DOODLING and PEN ART:

• Penwork is also known as “doodling” or pen art.
• This is a great way let loose your inner child and create a unique, highly personal visual statement in your scrapbooks!
• If you’re a little leery of starting right in with markers, use a sharp pencil very lightly to freehand your designs first, adding permanent pen over it later.
• If you’re still a little shy about it, try tracing shapes you find around the house or use a template, adding little flourishes as you feel comfortable.
  

Save this article and refer back to it often. Pick a few essential scrapbooking techniques, go with them, explore their possibilities, and leave all the confusion behind!