How to Scrapbook Simply and Beautifully - Part 1 / Overview
you still scrapbook?
Yes, even after 25 years, I’m still scrapbooking. How do I find the time to make all these fantastic albums for my family and friends? That is an interesting story. A few years back I found myself with loads of paper, stickers, embellishments, tools, —you name it— I had it, all piled up around me. Yet, even though my “stash” was growing, my completed albums were not!
I knew I was taking too long laboring over the simplest of 2-page spreads. What sketch should I use, what paper pack, what embellishment, what punch, what technique? I felt like each page had to be better than the last. I had so many choices to make I couldn’t make any. And then the digital photo phenomenon happened (that is a topic for another post), and then I didn’t want to scrapbook anymore.
Sound familiar?
Frustrated and overwhelmed, I decided I had to reconsider why I was scrapbooking. Was it for the craft (I do love the craft) or was it for preserving my family history and celebrating the special people in my life. Was there a way to do both? With a new perspective, I began to rethink how I was making my scrapbooks.
And then some things changed for me in the world of scrapbooking, and —fast forward— I was asked to design traditional scrapbooking products for a new company. This work gave me a chance to really think about how to get people excited about scrapbooking again, make it accessible, and easy!
I also needed a way to get myself scrapping again so I could complete my own pages. So I simplified, streamlined, and re-focused and finally began making progress on my own album projects. I was no longer paralyzed about making a decision on how to create my pages because I had too many things to choose from. And yes, it still filled my need to craft and create and have fun!
My design philosophy and techniques for creating pages emerged, and I began completing albums!
my design philosophy
So what is this design philosophy? It’s simple: Your photos should be the star of your pages, and your story is what makes those photos come to life. Everything else is secondary. The paper, stickers, embellishments, and all those goodies in your craft stash are just the frosting on the cupcake. Because even with just pictures and words, you can celebrate your life beautifully in a scrapbook!
how does it work?
So how does this philosophy help in making your pages? By focusing on techniques that can be duplicated and repeated over and over on your pages you can learn a simple system for scrapbooking. This system is the essential design strategy for your pages that you can enhance, embellish and make your own. This strategy focuses on consistency, simple layouts, color blocking, layering and patterns, each of which gives life and style to your pages without the process becoming overwhelming. Embellishing with purpose using border strips, titles, textures and embellishments give your pages flair, while your eyes are still drawn to what matters most: Your pictures and your story.
There are a lot of tips and techniques I have learned along the way that I will continue to share here on my blog that will hopefully inspire you to take another look at making albums of your own. So, if you are ready to get started again, or get motivated again, see my next post!