Sometimes it is hard to come up with your own original and unique scrapbook page layouts, but you can take other people’s layout ideas, and make them unique to you.

The following are some ways to and ideas for using other people’s layouts, but making them unique to you:

• First, look through scrapbooking books, magazines, websites etc. to find layouts that are appealing to you. You may also want to look for layouts that are at the same skill level you have, as attempting to copy an idea you don’t know how to do, without instructions could leave you disappointed.

• Once you have several good ideas, narrow them down, or highlight the parts that you like, and the parts you do not like. For example, you may really like the photo mosaic found on one layout, but hate their choice of border.

• Next take the elements of the pages you like best and figure out how to adapt them to your pages. So, or example, let’s say that on a layout you love there is a metallic phrase, like dream, hope, laugh, or love. Well, if you do not have metallics of this, you can make your own by twisting wire, or use something else, like paper. The point is you can use the idea, without copying it exactly. You are going to make their layout unique to what you have, and your photos, color scheme, etc.

• That brings us to the next point, choose a color scheme. If they use all shades of pink, but you want to use that layout for a boy’s page, you can use all shades of blue, red, or green. You still use the idea, but just on a different spot on the color wheel.

• A great way to copy people’s layout ideas is to take similar photos. Say you see a cute layout for a potty training page where they have shot all sorts of pictures of every stage of getting on and off the throne. Well, the only way to use that page is to have similar photos. So, make your unique by shooting several, but maybe instead of as a sequence of one day, shoot several through out the week of potty training, then arrange them as if they were a sequence of a day. This will give your page a unique twist to theirs, and add extra interest.
Really, the best way to use another person’s layout but make it unique to you is to look to them for inspiration, but add your own elements. Sometimes our lack of flare on our pages is not because we do not have talent, but because we run out of ideas. So, look to others for ideas on where to start, then let your imagination take you from there. It is amazing what a couple of ideas from someone else can lead to. By copying other people’s layouts, you have a starting point, and you can let your likes, dislikes, and supplies take you from there.

As you scrapbook, take a look at what other people do, if you see something you like, take note of it, keep ideas in an idea folder. Cut layouts you like out of magazines, and file them away. That way, when you get stuck, you can look to other people and find elements, or whole pages that you can incorporate into your own design.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Techniques on Thu 31 May 2007 No Comments 

If you wish you could scrapbook more, but just do not have the space, you will be happy to know, that you can turn a small closet into a scrapbooker’s paradise. The following are some tips and suggestions for how you can turn a closet into a scrapbooker’s paradise:

1. Create a work space. So, no matter what type of closet it is, you need to have a flat space large enough to work on. So, either build a wide shelf that can act to store supplies when closed, and as a desk top or table top for scrapbooking when open, or build a fold out space. If you are using a small closet like a half sized coat closet, you will not want to build a shelf at seating level because there won’t be enough elbow room to work. Instead you will want to build a space that is on hinges, and can be pulled down and expanded when you are working, and folded up and secured against the wall when you are not. Evaluate your closet space, and determine how much space there is, and what type of workspace would suit you best, a built in, or a fold out.

2. Get storage. If you do not have good storage options for your supplies, it will not matter how big your scrapbooking space it, it will not be a paradise. So, buy plastic boxes, cover shoe boxes in cute paper, or cloth, etc. but have a storage device for everything. Then label them. Use tags to determine where your adhesives are, where your scissors are, and your punches, rulers, etc. No matter how extensive your supplies are, or how limited, you need containers to store them in.

3. Now determine how you use them. If you have a bunch of stamps, but you very rarely use them, put them up high in your scrapbook closet. Most closets have very tall ceilings with shelves. If you do not have shelves, install some. You are going to want to have a work space at your seating level, a blank space for about three feet above that, and then shelves above that.

4. You will want to get over the door hanging plastic pocket shoe racks. These are great for holding everything from your baubles and embellishments to your scissors and gluesticks, and the great thing is, they hang right over the door, so you do not need and space for them. If you have accordion doors, this will not be an option for your doors, but can work well for inside one of the walls.

5. In your blank space you will want to put a magnetic board, a bulletin board, etc to hold other supplies; you can use magnetic baskets, or push pins (be careful not to push holes in anything you want hole-less) to hold pages, photos, stickers, etc.

6. Your shelves above can hold boxes of supplies, paper, etc. You will want to organize it so the items you use most are lowest, and the items you use least are highest. You will also want to take advantage of the space on the inside walls, you can use narrow shelving to store stamps, negatives, ribbon spools, etc.

7. You will want to install a light, so that you get the light you need to make quality pages, and get a comfortable chair that you can store under the desk space, stick a garbage can in, and you are good to go. You can now scrapbook like a pro out of a closet.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Techniques on Wed 30 May 2007 No Comments 

Scrapbooks are more than just paper and embellishments, to have a great scrapbook, you have to start with great pictures. So, let’s first take a look at some ideas for actually shooting better photos, and then take a look at some ideas for the photos you will want to take.

How to shoot better photos:

1. Look for light. You will want to look for reflected light to fill in the subject’s features. So, take photos in hallways and small rooms because these areas will bounce light around, which can counter the hardness of the flash. It is best to take photos in areas with 10-foot ceilings and stand 3 to 4 feet from the wall behind you.

2. Don’t pose subjects. While posed pictures are nice sometimes, for your scrapbook, you will want people to look relaxed and comfortable. People look this way when they’re engaged in activity whether that is eating a burger, fixing their hair, petting the dog, or whatever. If it is a small child, try to assume that they will pose, so have them do anything that keeps their mind off your lens. This will make for much better scrapbook photos.

3. Use the naked eye. Yes, you have a great LCD screen. However, forget that your camera has a viewfinder and an LCD. Instead, focus your camera, then just hold it out and take some photos. If you hold the cam in front of you and rely on your own sight, your photos will be more natural, and better. This lets your subjects warm up to you and helps you read their expressions. This means much better photos.

4. Shoot first. Don’t worry about framing the perfect shot while the camera is in your hand. Instead, be grateful for photo editing. Keep moving, getting as many angles and moods as possible. Click fast and often. The more shots you have to choose from and edit, the better. By editing, this does not mean heavy duty, this simply means when you are at the lab to print, zoom, crop, and frame your photos on the computer.

Photos you will want to take:

1. Photos of interaction.

These are the photos you will love the most. These are the photos that make your scrapbook interesting and fun. Put your portraits on your wall, and your interaction photos in your scrapbook.

2. Candids.

Candid shots are fun. They make your scrapbook better, more real, and interesting.

3. Close ups.

If you go to the beach, don’t forget to zoom in on the sand and sea shells, these add a lot of interest to your scrapbooks, and it helps you remember the details.

4. Cuisine.

What you eat is part of who you are, so don’t just take shots before and after meals, take them during mealtimes to. Zoom in on your plate. You will love these shots for your scrapbook later.

5. Action shots.

Don’t just take photos of the course, and the golf bag, get a shot mid swing, walking, etc. these are great for those pages that need some extra umph.

Now that you know how to take great scrapbook photos, and know what photos to take you can go and make great scrapbook page layouts. You will love your scrapbook more, find it more interesting, and you will cherish the moments you capture on film, the real, un-posed photos.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Techniques on Tue 29 May 2007 No Comments 

Small to no budget: When you have small to no budget, you may think that you can’t find scrapbook supply storage devices to fit your needs. Well, think again. You can use shoe boxes to store your scrapbook stuff. Shoe boxes? Yep! Ok, so now you are thinking how ugly that would look, and how you would rather not. Well guess what. You can cover an assortment of shoe boxes with your favorite print of paper, or with cloth. You can often get this for very inexpensive. It gives your supplies a unified and fun look. You can get shoe boxes from shoe stores, or from shoes you bought. Let your friends and family know you would like any shoe boxes they have, and you will be amazed to see how many you get. Then, make labels for the outside, and stack. You can use other things you have around the house as well. Use a belt and tie rack to hold your decorative scissors. Use baby food jars, empty film canisters, a tackle box, a seven-day pill organizer, or a spice rack with jars to hold embellishments, cans to hold pens, pencils, and markets, and Tupperware to hold stamps etc.

Medium sized budget: If you have a medium sized budget, you can use the same ideas as the above budget, but also visit thrift shops and flea markets looking for a card table to use as a work space, small make-up cases to hold embellishments and tools, VHS clamshell cases to hold diecuts or pens, plastic or clear containers for punches, decorative scissors, tools, pens, colorants, stamps, etc., stackable spice jars for embellishments, baskets for storing books, and magazines, a small file cabinet for papers, ideas, poems, quotes and sayings, a small bookshelf to hold your bins, a pegboard, a bulletin board, etc. It is amazing the little knick knacks and odds and ends you can turn into really great scrapbook supply storage. Just be sure to keep some spray paint and covering materials on hand to give everything a unified fun look!

Large budget: If you have a large budget, you can use any of the above ideas and combine it with beautiful furnishings and places to store your supplies. Many craft stores offer lines of stackable storage spaces that look great. You can buy a nice desk, nice storage cabinets, etc. The best thing to do is take stock of what you have, then take an inventory list shopping with you so that you get proper storage for each item you commonly use when scrapbooking.

Unlimited budget: With an unlimited budget you can get the perfect scrapbook supply storage. Call Martha Stewart and have her come design your space. Just kidding. However, you can have a contractor build you a scrapbooking space with lots of drawers, cubbies, slots, and a nice big countertop work space. Of course, even though you have an unlimited budget, does not mean you have to use it, you can use any of the above ideas as well.

It does not matter what size of budget you have, with a little creativity, and an eye for a deal, you can find scrapbook supply storage perfect for your space, use, and needs. So, visit your local flea market, keep those empty jars of baby food, or other household items (pickle jars, jelly jars, etc.) and with a little paint and glue you can turn them into a cute, decorative way to display and store your scrapbook supplies.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Products on Mon 28 May 2007 No Comments 

Life is full of firsts, but it seems like those first few years have them jam packed in. So the question becomes, which firsts and childhood milestones should you document? I mean really, should you scrapbook their first invitation to a birthday party? Their first hiccup? Their first runny nose? Literally everything they do for a while becomes a first, so when is enough, enough?

That is up to you! If you want a million page scrapbook, and tons of pages to do, then go ahead, scrapbook your child’s first burp, fart, and booger… (okay that sounds gross, but you know what I mean…).

However, there are some childhood milestones and firsts that are commonly documented, and that even though the list is extensive, and it sounds like a lot of work to document each of these, you will probably never regret it if you do. They are as follows:

• The first time your child feeds themselves.

• The first time your child builds something.

• The first time your child uses words that everyone understands, not just you.

• The first time your child puts two words together.

• The first time your child throws a ball.

• The first time your child catches a ball.

• The first time your child sits in a normal chair.

• The first time your child swims.

• The first time your child swims on their own.

• The first time your child writes their own name.

• The first time your child tells a joke.

• The first time your child brushes their teeth, with or without help.

• The first time your child sleeps in a “big kid” bed.

• The first time your child writes letters on a paper.

• The first time your child does a puzzle.

• The first time your child draws a picture that is not just scribbles, but recognizable figures.

• The first time your child learns a color name, and recites it back.

• The first time your child counts to ten.

• The first time your child gets their hair cut.

• The first time your child skips.

• The first time your child hops on one foot.

• The first time your child dresses themselves and properly.

• The first time your child recites a nursery rhyme on their own.

Some of these do not seem like something you would want to document, but the truth is, these are big milestone’s in your child’s life. When they begin to recognize colors, shapes, numbers, etc. that is an indication of a cognitive development, and that they are growing up. It is the ability to do things like dress ourselves that make us adults not children, so these are important things to recognize as milestones, and they are the things you will cherish later. Obviously firsts like lost teeth, haircuts, steps, words, etc. will be things you want to document, but don’t forget the other little things you may not think about now, but will want to remember and love forever later. So, make these pages, and be on the lookout for when these things happen so you can snap a photo to go with the milestone.

Also, you do not have to make separate pages for each of these milestones. Often, a child will have several of these in a single week. You could certainly make a page titled: “Milestones I hurdled the week of ________.” And you could do a series of photos and explanations. For example, they may get themselves dressed and use the toilet for the first time on the same day. So, make it a milestones or first page, and document the day, or the week, instead of just the events.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Journalling on Sun 27 May 2007 No Comments 

The poems, quotes, and saying you use in your scrapbook pages can make a great impact on the overall look and feel of the page. These can really add to the page, or distract from it. Many people run into, stumble upon, or find great poems, quotes, and sayings, that they could later use in their scrapbooks to make a big splash. The problem is, most people do not have a good system for keeping track of great poems, quotes, and sayings, and so they lose them, or forget about them before they get their pages done that it could have gone on. The following are a few simple ideas for keeping track of great poems, quotes, and sayings for your scrapbook:
1. Use a disk or rewritable CD and store all poetry, quotes, and sayings for your scrapbook. Just be sure that you keep it near your computer so it is easy to access when you have something to add to it. And, be sure that each time you gather a poem quote or saying, whether offline or online, that you put it in right away. You can create folders on one CD where you separate the seasons, events, and types of writing, or you can use separate CDs for each season and event.
2. Print any poems, quotes, or sayings you find out, and keep a hanging file folder divided by topics on hand. This way you can file the poems and sayings away into your file folder, and retrieve them by topic when needed.
3. If you love it a lot, immediately print poems, quotes, or sayings onto vellum in a basic font, that way they are already to use, and pre made up for your scrapbook pages. Then you simply have to stick them in where you want them. However, be sure to file them by type so that you can find the one you are looking for easily.
4. Use a word processing program like Wordperfect or Microsoft Word to keep a database file in your computer with all the quotes, poems, and sayings you like, then you can simply add to it whenever you find a new one. You can create folder with these sorted by themes, seasons, person, etc.
5. Make a 3 ring notebook just for poems, sayings, quotes, etc. You can write them in your own handwriting, or print them off and punch holes in them, or staple a pre-printed copy to a punched paper. Use folder dividers with tabs to keep them organized according to season, theme, type, etc.
6. Write them in a spiral notebook. This takes a little more work, but it is easily carried with you, you can get a small spiral flip book, and keep it in your purse. Then whenever you hear a poem, saying, quote, etc. you like, jot it down. If you get one with a pocket in the front, you can also include scraps of paper with notes on it, or print outs of poems, etc. you like.

It really does not matter what method you choose to use of the above, or if you make up your own. The point is that you want to have a centralized place to keep all of the great poems, quotes, and sayings you find so that you can access them easily when you need something for one of your scrapbook pages. This does not mean throw them all in a shoe box though. If you do that you may have to sort through hundreds of other poems, quotes, or sayings before finding the one you want. So, sort them. Choose themes like Christmas, love, Valentine’s Day, Birthday, Toddler, Baby, Parent, etc. and file things in the appropriate category. Then, if you are looking for the perfect poem, quote, or saying for your photo of your child taking a nap, you can look under toddler, and wha la, there it is!

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Journalling on Sat 26 May 2007 No Comments 

Have you ever bought the school portrait package claiming it has 144 photos of your child, but because you neglected to read the fine print your child came home with one eight by ten, two five by sevens, eight wallets, and 143 itty bitty, teeny, wheeny photos? It has happened to all of us. So, what can you do with those tiny photos that come in professional portrait packages? Well, let’s face it, most of us never use them. We either file them away, or toss them. You do not have to file away those tiny portraits you get in professional portrait packages, there are some big uses for those tiny photos. So, let’s take a look at some ideas for using those tiny little pictures:

• Make a growth timeline in the front of their scrapbook. It will be incomplete, but each year you can add one of those tiny portraits to the timeline, and still have space for next years’. It is a perfect use of a seemingly useless photo.

• Make a border for a scrapbook page out of it by making it into a mini “filmstrip”. You can use paper to mount it on, punched with a film strip border punch. It is a fun and unique use of these small photos.

• Create a shaped photo montage. For example, if the picture features your child with their soccer ball, block out a soccer ball, and use the photos for the white spaces or the black. If they are wearing a cowboy hat, cut it in the shape of a cowboy hat, etc.

• These small portraits work great for framing. You can make a photo frame for a larger photo of your child on the same page. Just try and choose a different pose for a better effect.

• You can use them to make personalized greeting cards, or thank you cards. For your child’s next birthday, send thank you’s to their relatives for cards and gifts with a photo inside. Be sure to include one in their scrapbook for the memory.

• These small photos are great for your die cut windows of houses, cars, etc. If you go on a road trip, use a car, and stick these photos in the car windows where everyone was sitting, it is unique, it is fun, and it cements in a memory.

• You can silhouette crop these photos and tuck them into paper-pieced designs. This gives for a fun feel, and is another great use.
• You can also silhouette crop these photos and use them for borders.

• Create a family tree. These little tiny photos make for a great family tree, so you get two for one. You use the photos and you help your child understand their genealogy and heritage.

• You can make them look like a postage stamp on a page by trimming the edges with decorative scissors, and using a fine tipped craft pen to draw the post mark over the top. This gives your pages a fun unique feel, and uses up another one of those photos.

• Crop and stack, and shape them to spell out a child’s name, age, or some other title. It is fun, uses your photos, and adds character and depth to your pages.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Techniques on Fri 25 May 2007 No Comments 

Without the right title, even the cutest scrapbook pages could be missing something, and you might not be able to put your finger on it. So, how can you come up with great page title ideas?

The following are some great ways to come up with your great page titles, as well as some examples:
1. Consider the activity, and determine a category it falls under or could be linked to, then go online and look for sayings associated with that category. So, for example, if your child is bike riding, and giving rides, think transportation. A common expression for transportation is “Taxi!” or “Beep, Beep!” So, think category and generalize.
2. Use clichés. Cliches are often really cute titles, and you can probably find cute graphics and artwork to go with such phrases. For example, the cliché “All boy” can be accompanied by fishing gear, sports equipment, bugs, mud, whatever, but it really sums up an activity (even if your daughter is doing it too!). So, don’t ignore them just because they seem typical, they are often typical because of their perfect descriptive ability.
3. Find a link. If you have something in the photo or picture, even if it is not directly related to what your child is doing, you can play off it for ideas. For example, construction zones have warning signs around them, so if your child was dressed up in their hard hat playing in the sand box, “Warning! Kids at Play!” could be the perfect title.

If you just don’t think your creative abilities can do this, try some of the following on for size (Most work best for toddlers and small children):

Toddlers:
• A day in the life of…
• It’s toddler time!
• Just hangin’ out
• Our day in review
• Simple pleasures
• Welcome to our zoo
• No, No, No

Meals:
• My favorite foods…
• Finger lickin’ good
• (for a child) Floor food’s the best
• I’m not a mess, I’m artistic
Bath:
• Bathing beauty
• Bubble, bubble, toil, and trouble
• You clean up well

For your mischievous moments:
• Spoiled rotten
• My name’s “No No,” what’s yours?
• Pantry raid
• It’s my smile that keeps me out of trouble
• Miniature mayhem
• Caught in the act

Family
• A hug to remember
• Sibling rivalry at its best
• Sisters are forever
• We are family!
• Mommy’s angel
• It’s all relative
• Home, sweet home
• Family ties
• Count your blessings
• Brotherly love

Trips and Vacations:
• Away we go
• Beach boys
• Life’s a beach
• Wish you were here
• Road rules
• Peelin’ rubber

Portraits:
• 100% _______ (doll, angel, beautiful, perfect, last name)
• Cute as a bug
• Cute as a button
• Hollywood smile
• Our shining star
• Say cheese
• Sew cute
• Smile
• Say cheese!

Milestones:
• I did it!
• All by myself
• It’s potty time
• Potty training 101
• Snip, snip, snip
• I’m a big kid now
• Big boy
• Big girl
• Once upon a potty

As you can see, there are different type titles for every event; these are just a few to get you started. If you ever have a cute one come to you, jot it down until you are ready to use it so that you do not forget. Even little things like “Uh-oh!” can make really cute titles. Listen to what your kids say, use phrases, and be creative. “Nothing that a little soap and water won’t cure,” is a great title for tub time, and adds tons of character to your page. So, get great page titles, they act as the lens in which you see your page through, so prescribe it right and you will enjoy it more.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Embellishments , Scrapbook Techniques on Thu 24 May 2007 No Comments 

You can make your scrapbook pages look better, and more interesting without spending a fortune on baubles, embellishments, and do-dads. How? Try showcasing your photos in a different way, using weaving, mosaics, montages, and collages. The following is a brief description of how to apply said techniques, and why they are so great:

Photo weaving
Weaving is an innovative way to showcase your photo, and make it the center of attention on the page. A woven photo becomes a textured and mosaic like-background. It is a great way to add texture without adding bulk. There are many different methods for using weaving, you can weave a black and white print with a color print of the same photo for a unique look. You can weave the outer edges of a photo for a self-framing effect, etc. One popular method is using weaving to highlight the focus of the photo. In order to do this form of weaving, you need a good candidate. So, choose a photo with a main focus. Busy photos do not work for this technique. Then print 3 copies of this photo. You will use one to cut the main focus out, and the other two to weave. Follow these three easy steps to a crafty, innovative, and unique way of showcasing your photos:
1. Cut one of the prints into 4, vertical 1” wide strips, cut another print into 6, horizontal 1” strips. Cut the silhouette of the item photographed from the third print.
2. Start weaving at the center using 2 vertical strips and two horizontal. Weave all strips together to recreate the original photo.
3. Using foam spacers with adhesive backing, mount the silhouetted item on to the photo in its original position.

Photo mosaics
Photo mosaics have been around for a long time, but there has been a lot of fresh ways of turning photo mosaics upside down into innovative, photo showcasing works of art. The following are a few examples of how to get creative with photo mosaics:
 Freehand-cut: create an interesting effect with your photo by freehand cutting, use wavy lines to a wind blown look, etc. then reassemble on craft paper leaving slight spaces. 

 Mosaic borders: you can add interest to your photo by cutting mosaic squares out of the corners then mounting your photo on a bright paper. Or, try cutting on edge, and reassembling, add brads, or eyelets for more interest, and you have a great looking photo.
 Mosaic-minis: you can take a photo with a big blank space, say of water skiing, and cut a mini-mosaic into the lake itself. It draws the focus to the picture without adding bulk.

 Embed: one interesting mosaic technique is to mosaic a large photo and embed small photos into some of the spaces.

Photo montages and collages

A montage is a collage that is just photos. A collage incorporates photos with other items.

One great way to do an interesting montage is to use 4 copies of the same photo, two color, one sepia, one black and white. The freehand cut, and assemble on top of one another for a unique look. You would want to use one colored photo as the background, then one for cutting out the focus of the photo. Then use pieces of the other two photos to recreate the photo for a visually stunning and artistic photo.

Another great idea is to use pieces of photos to create an abstract background for a portrait. This adds great visual impact to a page. You can use a predrawn design or freehand cutting.

Use a geometric shape to frame a number of silhouettes of faces. For example, use a circle, and frame layered photos. This makes for a big impact, and it is also a great way to fit all those background faces and photos into a page.

Another popular idea is to make a lifetime collage where you use photos of different times in your life, and silhouette them on a themed paper.

The ideas are endless, just look around and you will get inspiration, but remember, you do not have to have all the bells and whistles to showcase a photo. You can use weaving, mosaics, montages, and collages to get huge visual impact and unique design and pages you will cherish and love.

Posted by Don under Scrapbook Techniques on Wed 23 May 2007 No Comments