Scrapbooking Made Easy

Scrapbooking Made Easy

Scrapbook 101 - What do I do? How do I do it? Where do I go to get inspiration?

Scrapbooking is a lot of fun and can be challenging.  I've put together a short synopsis of what a scrapbook page should/could have.  Remember, you are recording your memories and moments of fun, joy and remembrance.  There really is not any set rules.

1.  Most scrapbook pages start out with title bar/header.  As an alternative you can use a side bar.  What is the difference?  The first photograph is a 6" x 6" scrapbook page with a title bar and the second photograph is a 6" x 6" scrapbook page with a side bar.  They both contain the same thing (a short description of what you are scrapbooking),in a different format.


These scrapbook pages are for a wedding display.  Do you take this man (woman) for your wife (husband)...

I prefer to double mat, but that does not mean that you need to double mat everything.  What does double mat mean?  Let's look at the following scrapbook page.  The scrapbook page shows how you can portray the title. The bottom title is not matted, the second one is shown with a single mat and the first one is shown as double matted.  It is your preference.  You might not mat one scrapbook page or use a single mat, while on another scrapbook page you may prefer to use a double mat.  It is YOUR scrapbook and should reflect your personality.

2.  Photo Mats/Photo Corners. This is exactly as it says -- you are attaching your photo to a mat or adding photo corners to your picture.  You can use a single mat or a double mat.  Again, it is what you prefer.  In some instances you may not want to use a mat at all.

This scrapbook page shows a variety of techniques.  First, is the photo mat in Night of Navy.  A photo corner is displayed in the upper right corner of the photo mat. Along the bottom of the page is a journaling block (single mat) showing the date, time and where the wedding took place.

3.  Journaling Box.  Yep, you guessed it.  This is an area where you can express your thoughts.  It can be any shape or form that you want.  I have seen scrapbook pages for newborns where the scrapbooker has used a baby bottle cutout to journal on.  Others have used squares or rectangles, circles, balloons -- let your imagination roam free!  (see above scrapbook page for journaling box)

4.  Borders.  Use these for visual interest.  It can be related to theme of the scrapbook page, or color coordinate with the page.  Again, no set rules.  Add where and when you want to spice up the page.

Borders can be fun, like the tea pots shown above.  For a little boy you could use a row of dinosaurs, for a little girl you could use a row of ballet dancers.  The ideas are limitless.

5.  Photos.  Choose the photo/photos you want displayed on your page, you may even want to do a two-page layout to include more photos or more journaling.  Especially if the phots are large. 

6.  Page Accents.  This can be anything -- stickers, die cuts, stamping, buttons, brads, eyelets, ribbons, flowers, pockets (to hide or showcase something, such as a lock of your baby's hair).  These are added to enhance your page.  Be sure to not "over do".  Too many accents can detract.  Lay out your page, step back and take a look.  Maybe even have a sister, mother or friend look at it if you are not sure.  Be creative!

I've used the same scrapbook page to show a page accent, the heart in the upper left corner of the photo mat.  The sentiment in the heart answers the question "Do you take …" and the answer is "I Do".


Please leave me a comment and let me know if you feel this post has been helpful.  Have a great day and come back soon.


BE SURE to check out my Page, Scrapbook Ideas and Themes at the top of my blog.