Week 5: A Favorite Tool

From time to time I'd like to show you a product that can really add something to your page layouts. One tool I use all the time is Creative Memories' Square Maker. This allows you to punch two different size squares. Most people use punches with paper but I use my punch with photos. If you flip your photo over, you can see where the square will frame the object (obviously you might need to trim the photo a bit to get the punch in the exact right spot). Some of my all-time layouts have been by using the small square to create a photo mosaic. Theses are certainly a bit more time consuming but you often find a really great use for all your left over photos.

I am sure that other companies make a similar punch. I bought mine from Creative Memories over 5 years ago and still use it regularly. Can't say the same for a lot of my "had to have it but now never think about it" tools. (Boy that list is sadly long and a topic for another time!!)

Have fun!
Sue

Week 4: Digital Scrapbooking

Week 3: Chronological or Themed?

A good friend asked me this question recently - do I create my albums based on a theme or do I stick to a chronological order? My answer is that I rarely follow any rules while I scrapbook. I scrap for the feeling of accomplishment and the satisfaction in knowing that at this moment I am a creative person. I can't draw a stick figure well (trust me on this one!) but scrapbooking lets me feel like a true artist. So I just don't worry about themes and timelines and being sure every page matches every next page. I treat each set of photos as either a one-page or two-page layout, and then I repeat the process until I've completed the album. In the end it probably is fairly orderly in terms of chronology and often several pages might have a theme (birthday party, swimming in the ocean, vacation, etc.) but the entire album is usually a mixture of moments. (see photos below showing two theme wedding pages within my Year in Review album)

That is not to say that I don't make themed albums because I do. And I've already said that I make a Year in Review album which is definitely a chronological album. It's just that I don't always create my albums with a clear plan. A lot of times they just evolve into a collection of favorite memories. I trust in my journaling to keep track of when and where the events happened.

Enjoy the ride!
Sue

Week 2: Patterned Paper

I am careful about buying patterned papers. They do call to me the Michael's aisle because they are usually so cheerful and kid-themed but once I get them home I find them hard to use. As the background to a layout, the pattern that was so cute is now overwhelming. To tone them down a bit I generally choose a solid color for the background and use the patterned paper to frame my photos or add a border.

However sometimes the patterns are so beautiful that they deserve to be seen and when I find sheets like this one (see photo right) I can't help but use a very simple layout with few photos. The result is two-fold:

1. the background creates a great backdrop and I don't need many (or any) embellishments
2. the photos that are chosen have true pride of place and really show off something special

Good luck!
Sue

Week 1: Using Collages with Photos and Memorabilia

Each year I put together a Year in Review album. I do this for a few reasons:

1. It helps me gather together all the loose ends of my projects, photos and journaling
2. It is a favorite keepsake of all that happens throughout the year (It's embarrassing to admit but I have a terrible memory so if I don't capture it with paper, ink and photo I just might forget it altogether...)
3. Some years are so hectic that the only significant scrapbooking I'm able to handle is this one album. And I am always filled with satisfaction when I finish it (even if it is the only I do finish over the next few months!)

When I make this type of an album, I generally make each page a collage to represent what happened all through the month. While a year in review connotes a chronological theme, I don't worry too much about exact order and just cluster favorite photos and memorabilia together to create a look that by my eye is not too busy but shows a fullness to each page. I rarely take the time to frame each photo though often I crop them. I keep reminding myself that the goal is about showing life's abundance, its ups and downs and the paths we take. I want it to look just the right kind of cluttered and busy, mirroring what our daily life is like.

Come to think of it, I even arrange photo frames in my house as a collage!

Regardless of your personal philosophy or preferences on page layouts, making collages is a huge time saver. And if you think my pages are too busy, just keep yours cleaner and simpler.

Happy New Year,
Sue

Scrapbooking Resources

Here is a paper I wrote about some of the best ways to learn more about scrapbooking. It was written for a library science class I was taking and I think it reads less geeky than it would seem!

http://librariansuzanne.blogspot.com/2006/11/lsc-504-pathfinders-for-scrapbooking.html

Welcome to my Scrapbooking Blog!

It's a new year and I'm inspired to share some of my best ideas and layouts. In truth I've gained so much guidance and creativity from "scrap-lifting" over the years, that it is only fair that I now offer my own ideas for brainstorming and inspiration. I've been scrapbooking for over twenty years in one manner or another. It's a hobby that has become an integral part of who I am. I am often thinking of layout ideas even before I take the photos! My goal is to add a tip a week for 2008. (I'll have to spend this week catching up a bit!)

Speaking of photos, you might want to browse Flickr for some great ideas shared by fellow scrapbookers. I am forever grateful to how generous crafters are with their masterpieces!

Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas with me too!