Scrapbook Photographs — How A Picture Can Be Worth A Thousand Words-Hobbies
Scrapbook Photographs -- How A Picture Can Be Worth A Thousand Words
For many people, photos are at the heart of their scrapbooks -- and for a very good reason. We all treasure photgraphs of friends and loved ones, and many of us carry some with us wherever we go in a wallet or locket or keep photos on our desk at work. And if disaster were to strike and you had to evacuate your house, many people say they would save their photo albums before any other possessions!So most scrapbooks will contain photographs. Even the most disinterested reader of
your scrapbook will look at them. A picture really is worth a thousand words.
Therefore, it is important to choose photographs that are of good quality and clearly
illustrate your scrapbook theme.Any photograph can be used in a scrapbook. Even instant photographs can be used
in scrapbooking. Just be careful that the chemicals within the photograph do not
spill out on the rest of your scrapbook. Digital pictures can easily be printed right
onto lignin-free and acid -free paper.Always bear in mind that scrapbooking is permanent. For this reason, it is probably
better to use copies of your only picture of Great Aunt Betsy rather than risk ruining
the original photograph forever. So just scan the picture on your computer scanner
and print the image on lignin free and acid free paper.Everybody loves looking at photos of family, friends and special places. That's why
they have such a special place in any scrapbook. It can be a lot of fun to use photos
in imaginative layouts and for abstract effects -- don't feel confined just to
mounting your photos as you would in a traditional photo album.You can find inspiration for new scrapbooking ideas from magazines and visits to
art museums. Just keep your eyes open and let your imagination run free!Nigel Patterson is a writer on arts and crafts and the publisher of Create Your Own Scrapbooks.Visit his website for new and imaginative scrapbooking tips and ideas -- so you can
maintain your most treasured mementos and present them artistically for you, your
family and your friends to enjoy.
Scrapbook Photos — Getting Adventurous With Your Layouts-Hobbies
Scrapbook Photos -- Getting Adventurous With Your Layouts
When you have selected the photos for your scrapbook, you'll need to decide how best to lay them out on the pages. Don't feel obliged to follow any principles that don't suit your own design. There are no specific rules stating that all photographs
or mementos must be placed in chronological order. It is completely up you to
decide in what order you wish to place your items and embellishments.Choosing Your LayoutYou can place your photos in a formal chronological order if you want. You can also
group them into formal or informal categories according to similar colors, events,
activities, individuals or families. Photographs can also be placed into random or
abstract arrangements, or collages.Each style has its own place in scrapbooking. For instance, a chronological order
might be useful for an anniversary scrapbook. Pictures and mementos of the
couple's years together could be placed from the first day they met through the
wedding day to the present day with each time period on a different page.On the other hand, a scrapbook for a parent might just have a collage of photos
and drawings to create a sense of the character of their family and their lives
together.Getting Creative With Borders And FramesNext time you want to find materials to make scrapbook photo frames, have a look
in your sewing box or craft cupboard. You'll almost certainly find bits of ribbon, lace
or embroidery cotton that can be re-used to make fascinating and unusual borders
for pictures, photos, text or even entire pages.These items can be used in many different ways by the scrapbooker and help create
a sense of theme or mood, as well as contributing color and texture to your pages.Ribbons and LaceRibbon and lace are by far the most common and most beautiful border
embellishments. The flowing nature of both materials encourages a touch of
softness and elegance. Ribbon and lace are especially popular in gift and memory
scrapbooks. Ribbon is easy to glue and attach. Lace requires a bit more patience.For an interesting change from ribbon and lace, try using jute or raffia.Embroidery CottonEmbroidery cotton can be used in a number of interesting scrapbooking ways.
Individual fibers can be used to add a focus to special items or used to give
dimension to artwork or drawings.Embroidery fibers can also be twisted or braided for use in artwork or as imaginative
borders. Embroidery cotton can even be used to tie down other items in a beautiful
and creative way.HempHemp can be used for a number of purposes in scrapbooking. Single, twisted, or
braided fibers can be used to add focus as picture frames, or along the edges of the
scrapbook page as a border. Hemp looks especially good in scrapbooks with a
western theme. In general, hemp can also be used to make a scrapbook appear
more masculine.Hemp glues quite easily and hides glue messes well. To increase the likelihood that
a piece of hemp will stay in place while the glue is drying, place a piece of scotch
tape over the rope until the piece dries fully.Always trust your own instincts and have the confidence to organize and decorate
your scrapbook according to how you see the people and events it represents. That
way your work will form a unique record and have even greater personal value.Nigel Patterson is a writer on arts and crafts and the publisher of
Create Your Own
Scrapbooks.Visit his website for new and imaginative scrapbooking tips and ideas -- so you can
maintain your most treasured mementos and present them artistically for you, your
family and your friends to enjoy.
A Scrapbook Page To Celebrate Your Childs First Haircut-Hobbies
A Scrapbook Page To Celebrate Your Childs First Haircut
Here's a great idea for making a special 'first haircut' scrapbook page. Between the ages of about 12 and 18 months, a baby boy or girl may go for their first hair cut. You've probably seen that there are many children's hair salons that offer special deals for a child's first visit. They have a special chair, take a photo or even video the visit -- and then later you take away the photo or video and a lock of hair as a keepsake. So why not create a scrap book page to celebrate this event in a special way!Here are some tips to give the page a fresh angle. And of course these ideas could be re-worked for all kinds of different kids' scrapbook projects.Use Homemade PaperFor a unique background, try using homemade paper. You can make your own customized paper of any color and texture you want. This takes a bit of time and effort. Alternatively, try soaking a piece of card-stock. After a few minutes, crumple the paper a bit and then iron it flat again. This will closely approximate the appearance of homemade paper.Painted Tissue PaperPainted tissue paper can add a colorful flair to your child's 'first haircut' scrapbook page. To paint tissue paper, punch or tear bits of tissue paper into various shapes. Then, using watercolor pencils and a wet paintbrush, thoroughly coat the tissue paper. Now dip the painted tissue paper in a mixture of scrapbook glue and water and place it on white card-stock.Let the pieces dry completely. Use the dry colored tissue paper as a background, a border, or as a fancy embellishment.BeadingBeads are another way to add color and design to the page. Beading can be as simple as gluing a few beads onto a scrapbook page or as complex as a sewn beaded design. When arranged in an abstract pattern, they can create a child-like effect -- or place them carefully to make a fun title or artistic design.Beads, micro-beads, and necklaces can be attached using two-sided tape or Xyron adhesive.Make a PocketIf you've kept a lock of your child's hair, why not store it in a pocket? Pockets allow you take out and put back items as you see fit and replace them without damage to your scrapbook page.The easiest pocket is simply an envelope. But pockets can also quickly and easily made by folding a piece of paper in half and then gluing three of the side edges.Pockets can also be made from pieces of fabric sewn together. In this way, pockets can be virtually any texture, color, and weave to suit your required needs.There are so many events in a child's life that you can celebrate with your scrapbooking. From first haircuts to birthday parties, holidays and school celebrations, you can use your scrapbooking expertise to preserve the memories for years to come.Nigel Patterson is a writer on arts and crafts and the publisher of Create Your Own Scrapbooks.Visit his website for new and imaginative scrapbooking tips and ideas -- so you can maintain your most treasured mementos and present them artistically for you, your family and your friends to enjoy.