Beginners Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is a great way to preserve photos and mementos while expressing your creativity - and it's a lot easier than you think! Kidzworld walks you through the basics supplies and techniques of this picture-perfect craft.

C'mon Get Scrappy

The supplies you use to build your scrapbook are only limited by your imagination, but we've got a few ideas to get you started. Don't forget that a scrapbook is only as good as its content - so keep collecting cool pics, ticket stubs, valentines and anything else of sentimental value.

Supplies:

An album - If you get one that's "acid free" or "archival quality," your pictures be better preserved.

Glue stick - Again, "acid-free" or "photo safe" is best.

Scissors - Tons of scrapbooking and craft stores sell a variety of different-shaped scissors that will help you to make fun, ornamental edges on pics and background paper.

Colored Paper - Pick colors and patterns that you like best. "Acid Free" is the best with this too - and really for anything that comes in contact with your photos.

Decorations - Use ribbon, stickers, fabric - whatever you want to use to decorate your album.

Five Steps to Success

1. Crop your pictures into fun shapes to show off the subject at its best. Use your creativity!
2. Mat your pictures on colored paper. Glue your picture on whatever paper you like. For an interesting look, try double-matting the picture by gluing a second, slightly larger, piece of paper to the back of the first one so it creates a cool frame effect.
3. Complete the story you're trying to tell on the page - or album - by journaling or adding brochures, postcards, ticket stubs or anything else you can think of.
4. Glue your mounted pictures onto the page. Make sure to lay everything out first - so you can play around with the look before it's all glued in.
5. Decorate the page with whatever you'd like. Add stickers, headlines, sketches, small beads or anything else you can think of. But remember, don't use anything too bulky or the album won't close!

Scrapbooking Tips

Pick a theme! Make an album about a vacation, birthday or school year - or break a larger album up into themed pages.

Don't cut up one-of-a-kind pictures!!! Get a second set of prints and ask the 'rents if they're okay with you snipping up their pics.

Simplicity is key - pick a color palette you want to work with and try to stick to it.

Glue unsealed envelopes in your scrapbook to keep loose items organized.

Try tearing the edge of the paper you mount your photos to instead of cutting it for a cute, unfinished look.

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