Simple Scrapbooking: what "simple" really means

Simple Scrapbooking is, in fact, in the eye of the beholder. My ten plus years creating layouts, teach skills scrapbook to thousands of women and write on this hobby for some of the major magazines, I've seen people who consider "simple" to be a single photo and a caption to be sufficient to capture their memories, while others need yards of tape, pounds of glitter and a page and a half of journaling to tell their story. Both are simple! You might wonder how this might be so. Here is what I believe is true about scrapbooking simple:

"Simple" means recoverable. What is your bottom line of what needs to be on your scrapbook page to be complete? For me, it's a photo, a title, some journaling and a simple embellishment or two. Often you do more, but if I have nothing less than these elements, the layout will not feel complete to me. The list could be very different; just as some women do not feel complete without makeup and dressed rings on each finger, others feel dressed to kill with a coat of cocoa butter and their wedding. Understand what you must have for your page to be "done".

Means "simple".If you spend three weeks researching a scrapbook page sketches, deciding between a dozen different page, improve your photos on Photoshop Elements, colour and black and white and sepia and hand-beading and full title of the page ... you're going to get burnt out pretty fast, if this is your standard for each page, going forward. Sure, it's fun to spend a little more time to create a special layout, but every now and then spending two or three days on each page is not an option for most of us.

Means "simple".If you need to create a seven-course gourmet, organic to feel like you're feeding your family well every night, which is fantastic-if you enjoy the process. But if you resent every nut and leaf of Arugula, what's the point? Might as well order Domino and sit at a table set with paper plates with a smile on your face. The same goes for scrapbooking; you need to enjoy the process. There is so much in our lives that we have to do, why do scrapbooking "should" or "grape?" The only "should" in scrapbooking is that "should" be fun!

For the most creative simple scrapbooking ideas and inspiration, visit the blog of scrapbook of Lain Ehmann at http://www.layoutaday.com. Through the video scrapbooking tutorials, projects, and inspiration, Lain helps its readers make scrapbooking fun, fast and fabulous!

Scrapbooking Techniques: How To Use Flocking Powder for Texture

Floccaggio è un divertente modo per aggiungere alcuni extra texture alle vostre carte e pagine di album. Con tutti i colori che si tratta di oggi, si possono aggiungere un divertimento o sofisticato aspetto. È più facile da usare che è facile immaginare! Quindi venite con me, mentre ti mostrerò qualche divertimento tecniche!

Si potrebbe chiedere cosa gregge è? Si compone di minuscole particelle di tutti i materiali, tagliati in pezzi microscopici. Questo è ciò che fa sentire morbido e fuzzy, come velluto schiacciato. Si tratta di una trama che è deliziosa! Se sei un bambino degli anni settanta, si ricorderà il meraviglioso sfondo sfocato da allora. Lei non poteva tenere le mani fuori di esso

non importa ciò che la mamma ha detto! Bene, con pochi semplici passi, è possibile aggiungere quella stessa nostalgia ai vostri progetti.

Per iniziare, è necessario gregge polvere e una penna di smalto Sakura, una penna di colla o una colla bagnata con una piccola mancia così facilmente è possibile controllare l'applicazione. Successivamente, avrete bisogno di un pezzo di carta con un design che è facile da tracciare, o se sei bravo a fare un disegno a mano, puoi utilizzare carta normale e scrivere prima il vostro disegno con una matita.

Se si utilizza una penna gel d'inchiostro colorati per rendere il vostro disegno, scegliere un colore di inchiostro che corrisponde a vostra scelta di polvere gregge. La ragione di questo è, se perdete una macchia, non avrete un evidente punto calvo. Si può anche facilmente tornare indietro e correggere un'area che non dispone di un'adeguata copertura.

Lavoreremo in piccole sezioni così l'inchiostro non secca prima di applicare la polvere del gregge. Così vada avanti e disegnare o tracciare un'area sulla tua carta. Potrebbe essere turbinii, fiori o foglie, appena un design che non è troppo intricato.

Prima si asciuga inchiostro (avete circa 30 secondi o giù di lì), versare una generosa quantità di polvere di gregge sul luogo che hanno rintracciato. Io trovo più facile al cucchiaio la polvere sul mio progetto con un cucchiaio di alimentari del bambino, poi saldamente premere la polvere con il dorso di un cucchiaio per assicurarsi che aderisce bene all'inchiostro. Ora toccare l'eccesso di gregge polvere dal progetto e sfogliare la carta per rimuovere qualsiasi supplementare. È quindi possibile iniziare sulla piccola sezione successiva. Dopo che sono finiti con tutta la progettazione e hanno permesso a tutti di asciugare per diversi minuti, basta prendere un piccolo pennello e spennellare leggermente tutta la progettazione per rimuovere tutti i bit di polvere gregge supplementare. Questo è tutto! Semplice, non è vero?

Qui sono alcune idee più. Si applicano ad altri documenti di lussuosi, come perla papers, extra texture. Rendere perfettamente dritta linee di floccaggio usando nastro biadesivo come terribilmente Tacky nastro. Utilizzare più di un colore di floccaggio per aggiungere l'interesse al vostro progetto. Spero vi siate divertiti imparando un'altra tecnica per rendere i vostri progetti straordinari di divertimento! Quindi, andare, afferrare la vostra polvere floccaggio e aggiungere alcuni funky fuzz solo per divertimento!

Deborah Leaverton è il proprietario di Scrapbooking di Dinglefoot, un rivenditore internet basato su delle forniture di scrapbooking.

Siamo specializzati nella carta di scrapbooking e abbellimenti scrapbooking. Visitate il nostro sito e Iscriviti alla newsletter per nostra mailing list ricevere un istante 10% fuori dal buono sul tuo primo ordine!

Free Digital Scrapbook Templates

Digital scrapbooking presents a unique way to capture special memories for posterity. Whether you are a computer veteran or a novice, you can create digital scrapbooks that go a step beyond conventional photo albums. You can add to the photos: small notes, embellishments, and stickers to tell the story more fully.
Free digital scrapbook templates can make the job easier for you. The scrapbooking paper, frames, titles - even embellishments or stickers are already placed for you. You don't need to find or prepare each element. Just slip your photographs into place, add a journaling note or caption, and you have finished pages. Free digital scrapbook templates are, in a sense, scrapbooking kits.
Free digital scrapbook templates are a great way to learn digital scrapbooking. They are also a great way to see, before you invest money, whether you enjoy digital scrapbooking. Templates show you what you can do, and take the work out of it.
These free digital scrapbook templates are often provided as samples, with themes that appeal to a large number of people. The hope is that you will enjoy your experience and return to the website to purchase more materials.
Understanding Free Digital Scrapbook Templates
Free digital scrapbook templates are nearly-finished scrapbook pages. Some call them pre-made pages, or pre-made layouts. To use free digital scrapbook templates, you follow a few easy steps.
1. Download your free digital scrapbook templates. They should be in "png" format. Many will be zipped to reduce size. Unzip your downloads, and place them in a computer folder.
2. Open the software program you will use with your free digital scrapbook templates. Many programs you may already have will work well. Microsoft Word, PhotoShop, and similar programs are good. You may have purchased digital scrapbooking software.
3. Scan photos for your digital scrapbook pages.
4. Open the free digital scrapbook template you want to use. Open photo files, and place your photos on the page. Crop photos, if necessary to fit the opening. Send them to the back layer, and slide them into place.
5. If the colors of the papers in your free digital scrapbook templates do not complement your photos, simply use your

paintbrush" tool to change the colors.
6. Add a small box on your page, and type in a note about memories that go with the photos. This "journaling" might be as short as a caption, or a paragraph that will help viewers understand the photos.
7. When you are satisfied with your page, flatten all layers, and save it as a new file.
8. Now you are ready to print. Use acid-free paper so your colors will remain bright and true for years. Print it as a page of a larger scrapbook. Or print your page as a scrapbook card.
9. Optionally, you may want to save your pages to a CD - or send a finished page to a friend or family member. You might even want to send your completed free digital scrapbook templates to a "print-on-demand" company to have them bound into a permanent book.
Free Digital Scrapbook Templates Changes
As mentioned above, you may want to make changes to your free digital scrapbook templates. At first, those changes may be as slight as changing the color of the scrapbooking paper. As you learn more about digital scrapbooking, the changes may take in other elements.
You may want to add digital charms to empty spots - or place charms across corners or edges of your photos. If you have a photo of a child receiving a skateboard for Christmas, you might want to place a couple of skateboarding embellishments on a page. These extras add a personal touch to the themes of free digital scrapbook pages.
Helpful tip: Even if you are a veteran scrapbooker, you will find free digital scrapbook templates a help in getting fresh ideas. Start with downloads of free digital scrapbook templates, and customize them to your creative satisfaction.



©2007, Anna Hart. Anna Hart invites you to read more of her articles about free digital scrapbook stuff at http://www.scrapbooking-for-fun.com. Anna is posting new articles regularly on that site. You won?t want to miss her recent articles on digital scrapbook free downloads.

Scrapbooking Ideas Are Everywhere

Scrapbooking has become an extremely popular hobby. To begin scrapbooking, you must choose a theme or group of themes on which to base your material. There are many possibilities on which you could base your scrapbooks, but a good rule of thumb is to scrapbook things which are of importance and have sentimental value to you.

Scrapbooking is a hobby that is rapidly increasing in popularity. Everyone has photographs and bits and pieces of their lives that they would like to preserve. Scrapbooking is an excellent way to do this. You will not have to look far to pinpoint which parts of your life you would like to preserve in a scrapbook. Many people begin their scrapbooking by chronicling their wedding day photos and small mementos such as wedding invitations, guests lists, and perhaps dried flowers.

Possible scrapbooking themes do not end with weddings. The birth of a child is a time that is precious to all parents. Scrapbooking ideas for a new baby include baby shower photos and invitations, ultrasound pictures, and perhaps even ribbons and balloons. Any items of sentimental value can easily be incorporated into your scrapbook. Most parents like to continue this theme with scrapbooks that follow the growth and development of their child.

Another excellent topic for a scrapbook would be an activity or club that a person cherishes. Sports and similar activities are great ideas for a scrapbook. A collection of team photos, rosters, and team memorabilia would create a permanent record of these special times in a person's life. You could even consider having teammates or club members 'autograph' your scrapbook beside team or individual photos.

Family reunions and activities are fantastic themes for scrapbooks. Family photos, amusing happenings or anecdotes, and a schedule of events are great ways to remember the treasured times spent with family. Bringing your scrapbooks to each year's reunion is sure to spark conversation and fond memories. You could even create a scrapbook to be given away to the family member who brings the oldest family photo or as a prize for the oldest or youngest family member present

There are numerous ideas for scrapbooking based on various aspects of your life. Office parties, job promotions, and starting your own business are fun scrapbooking concepts. Work related scrapbooks give you an opportunity to introduce a bit of light-heartedness into what is normally a professional, routine atmosphere. Caricatures of staff members, business cards, photos, and humorous quotes from coworkers are excellent ideas for a work related scrapbook. Your coworkers will surely be impressed and appreciate your efforts.

The possible themes for scrapbooks based on your life are almost endless. The only requirement for scrapbooking is that you base them on the people and activities that are important in your life. Over time, your scrapbooks can become an important tradition to you and your family. Scrapbooks can invoke laughter, tears, and most importantly, create quality time spent with your friends and family reminiscing about the precious moments in your lives.

Adam Daniels offers a Free Video on Scrapbooking. Watch the video at [http://www.ScrapBookProfit.com]

Your Wedding Scrapbook - Preserving Your Special Occasion

There are many events that are perfect for archiving such memories, and what better occasion to do so than your own wedding. Whether you had a small, intimate wedding with only a few guests present, or opted for a large celebration with everyone you know, and perhaps some you didn't, there are plenty of items you could include in your wedding scrapbook, and many ways to arrange them in order to recapture that very special day over and over again.

Selecting Photos for your Wedding Scrapbook

The first items you will probably want to scrapbook will be your wedding pictures. Photos can, and often do, tell a story. They can walk you through the events of that special day every time your scrapbook is viewed. The only difficulty may be choosing which ones you should include, since you will probably have many from which to choose. They will also give your children and grandchildren something to talk about as the book is passed down through generations.

Your wedding scrapbook would not be complete without pictures of the building where the ceremony took place, you walking down the aisle, and, of course, the wedding ceremony itself. You may also want to include photos of the reception, the cutting of the cake, and you and your new spouse leaving the building. These special events will then be cataloged for years of enjoyment in your very own special wedding scrapbook.

Choosing a Theme

Creating a theme that depicts your thoughts and feelings you had on your wedding day is important. A distinctive wedding scrapbook or album is essential, as it will help you to always remember the people who helped to make your day what it was. Writing down the events and the emotions you had when they occurred will also serve as a record or journal, and will supplement the pictures quite nicely.

Organizing Your Memories

There are several ways to organize a wedding scrapbook, and many layouts from which to choose. When putting together your wedding scrapbook, color is extremely important, as it will accentuate the photos and other material. Many people choose to use their own wedding colors, but you can choose other color combinations if you prefer. Even if you do choose to use your wedding colors, you may want to use other colors to add variety to your scrapbook pages and layouts. For example, if your colors were burgundy and green, you could add cream, light pink, or yellow to accent the darker colors. Putting different colors together will give your layouts a distinctive look and set them apart from other wedding scrapbooks.

Your wedding scrapbook should look elegant and charming, so you might want to add embellishments. These, as well as the right color scheme will make your wedding scrapbook unique and appealing. One option is to use vellum paper. Vellum looks elegant and is easy to find. Eyelets, brads, and ribbons are also suggested embellishments that will add character and personality to your wedding scrapbook.

Floral patterns also work great for wedding scrapbooks. They tend to match well with wedding décor, and lend themselves to the overall wedding theme. Your choices are numerous, so don't be afraid to experiment until you find the color scheme, embellishments, and patterns that work best for you.

There are many different themes you can use to capture the love and affection felt by everyone on your wedding day. One idea is to include marriage tips from more experienced individuals. These tips may serve as simple ideas or advice that might be useful to you and your spouse on down the road. Interesting anecdotes may also serve as a fun read. You can even incorporate this as an activity at your bridal shower or bachelor party, whereby, other married people write down their tips and give them to you for the scrapbook. You can also include photos of the married couples that will serve as captions for the tips.

Another wedding scrapbooking idea is to incorporate any interests of the bride and groom that may have been a part of the overall wedding theme. For example, some couples choose to make personal interests a part of their wedding. If you or your spouse to be enjoys playing golf, you may depict this at your wedding reception. Guests may be provided with wedding favors that are golf-related and have been customized for the event. You might want to devote a page or two in your wedding scrapbook to this, and include photos or items small enough to fit on a page. This is your opportunity to be as creative as possible, while making a wedding scrapbook that will truly record your very special day.

A More Personal Approach

You may want to create a wedding scrapbook that is not considered to be traditional. There are many ways to set yours apart from others, thereby, taking the untraditional route. When planning your wedding scrapbook, you should focus around your lives together, while catering to your individual personalities. If desired, you can include pictures of memorable events that took place before your marriage, their respective dates, and any photos you may wish to add. You may also want to include your spouse in the scrapbooking activities. This will allow both your personalities to come through, and will be something the two of you can work on together.

You can add mementos and items such as the wedding invitations, reception napkins or cards. Scrapbook stores sell memory pockets for these types of items, and are easy to incorporate in your wedding scrapbook. You also might want to include any congratulatory notes or cards from friends and family you may have received during your engagement. This will add a more personal touch, and will further personalize your scrapbook. It will also serve as a reminder of your feelings during such an anticipatory time.

No matter what you decide to include in your wedding scrapbook, choose carefully. Take as much time as you need when deciding on colors, a theme, and the various photos and items you will include. Your wedding scrapbook will be a very important part of your new family, and will help preserve memories for many years to come.

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life Imprints, a wedding scrapbook [http://www.lifeimprints.com] and scrapbooking supplies company in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.

Debunking the Myths About Digital Scrapbooks

Many traditional scrapbookers resist the temptation to experiment with digital scrapping because of some prevalent myths about going digital. This article will debunk these notions and explain the advantages of dipping your toes in the digital scrapping world.

Digital Myth #1.

To create digital scrapbooks, I need to be a computer guru and learn complicated software.

Fact.

Today's digital scrapbooking software is easier than ever to use- even for the amateur. Most programs offer free 30-day trial downloads, which is generally enough time to give it a try. And while it might take a little time to learn, you'll find that the endless array of beautiful, innovative scrapbook designs and photo collage frames is well worth the minimal effort.

Digital Myth #2.

My digital scrapbooks will look amateurish because I lack experience with them.

Fact.

Even the beginner digital scrapper can produce professional-looking photo collages with the wide variety of easy-to-use scrapbook designs and collage frames available today. Electronically edited photos are of higher quality, computer text is consistently straight, and computer font is always legible. Generally, digital scrapbook pages look more professional than traditional creations and boost the pride scrappers feel in their projects.

Digital Myth #3.

Digital scrapbooking is more expensive than traditional scrapbooking.

Fact.

By switching to digital scrapbook designs, you can actually save yourself money ... and time. If you already own a computer, all you need to buy is the scrapbook layout software and digital scrapbook kits, which are fairly inexpensive. The equivalent in paper, scissors, glue, embellishments and albums is far more expensive, and once you use them, they're gone. Digital scrapbook designs and collage frames, on the other hand, can be used indefinitely. Think of the money you'll save on gas driving to and from the craft stores, and the money you could save on gifts by giving personalized photo collages to friends and family.

Digital Myth #4.

Switching to digital scrapbook designs will limit my creativity.

Fact.

You can take your creativity to exciting new levels with the variety of digital scrapbook designs and collage frames available now. Choose any design you like and turn it into just about anything you want. You can mix and match or create your own unique styles. Adjust the colors, sizes, patterns, arrangements ... add audio and even video... your options are limitless.

Digital Myth #5.

I don't have time to learn how to make digital scrapbooks.

Fact.

Today's digital scrapbooking software programs are so user-friendly and intuitive that they make learning them a breeze. Once you get the hang of it, digital scrapbooking is a great timesaver. Correcting mistakes, editing, moving items around and revising are much easier and quicker to do digitally than they are by hand. You can size and resize your backgrounds and photo collage frames with a few simple mouse clicks and create beautiful keepsakes in no time.

Digital Myth #6.

I need to own a digital camera to create digital scrapbooks.

Fact.

Even if you only have a film camera, you can still create digital scrapbooks by scanning your images onto a computer or having your film images put on a CD. And you can finally put to use those electronic photos your friends and family members have e-mailed to you. Of course, with today's digital camera prices going down all the time, you may find you'd like to buy a digital camera anyway!

Digital Myth #7.

If I move to digital scrapbooks, I'll have to give up the traditional art of scrapbooking and the social and bonding aspects that come with joining my friends and family in making scrapbooks.

Fact.

On the contrary, digital scrapbooking broadens social circles. Many digital scrappers get together to share their digital resources and knowledge about editing programs. They go to scrapbook conventions and meet others in online digital scrapbooking chat rooms. Plus, you can take advantage of the digital scrapbook's ability to help you keep in touch with faraway friends and relatives via e-mail, Web sites and easily printed copies of scrapbook pages that you can mail to them. You can also burn them to CDs and DVDs.

Of course, you can still make traditional albums and consider integrating your digital scrapbook designs into them. And as you learn new techniques and tricks digitally, you're apt to spark your creativity with traditional scrapbooking.

You don't need to become an expert digital scrapbooker overnight. Start out small by making a simple digital photo album, then work your way up to a full-fledged scrapbook. Happy scrapping!

Digital scrapbooking diva Sasha Byers explores the world of documenting memories digitally, providing insight and ideas on how to create digital photo collages and scrapbooks. She offers tips on scrapbooking important events, travels and major life periods such as childhood, school athletics and a child's transition out of the nest. She also debunks common myths about digital scrapbooking and addresses frequent questions on this popular new hobby. Sasha's blogs provide answers, tips and digital scrapbooking ideas to help you create sharper, more attractive scrapbooks in half the time.
Connect with other photo collage enthusiasts at the Artopia Photo Collage Maker Community.
Share your scrapbook pages and download others at the Artopia Photo Collage Maker Community.

Starting a Successful Creative Scrapbooking Business, Part III

Every scrapbook is unique and inviting; as a creative scrapbooking professional, your marketing should be as eye-catching and irresistible as your creations. Even if you have only a few hundred dollars to spend, you can absolutely woo clientele using grassroots methods to showcase your creative scrapbooking acumen.

Educate Others in the Art Form of Creative Scrapbooking

One of the fastest ways to turn yourself from an unknown scrapbooker into a creative scrapbooking "expert" is to teach a class on the art of creating a fabulous, memorable scrapbook.

Though you might initially be wary that if you tell others your creative scrapbooking "secrets", they won't use your creative scrapbooking business, that usually doesn't happen. Instead, what occurs is that your students see you as a professional in the arena of scrapbook design and development. Thus, when they want an important scrapbook (e.g., for their daughter's Bar Mitzvah or husband's retirement celebration), they will immediately think of you. After all, they might enjoy creative scrapbooking, but they don't necessarily feel confident enough to construct a special scrapbook on their own.

You can work with many community centers, schools, college campuses, and libraries to offer your creative scrapbooking courses. Expect to spend a bit of money on advertising, room rental (though you can often snag a free space if you're a start-up), and creative scrapbooking paraphernalia, though it's still much less of an investment than if you paid for a full page, 4-color ad in the Sunday paper.

Write About Scrapbooking

Another way to become an instant creative scrapbooking "guru" is to write articles or tips about creative scrapbooking. Sometimes, smaller community papers will print such items as "filler" for their circulars. Alternately, if a local sewing center or arts and crafts store offers a newsletter to patrons, you might be able to become a "guest columnist." (Or perhaps you can offer to write your own "creative scrapbooking newsletter" gratis if they agree to pass it out to consumers.)

Will you receive a ton of creative scrapbooking business from this type of subtle "marketing"? Probably not. But you will be building your reputation as your area's premier creative scrapbooking authority. You will also be able to tell prospective customers that you've published items on the topic of creative scrapbooking, always an impressive credential to tout (and a resume booster as well.)

Start a Scrapbooking Blog and/or Web site

In today's cyber society, blogs and Web sites are fairly inexpensive, so there's no reason not to get online and start talking about your creative scrapbooking know-how and burgeoning creative scrapbooking company.

For example, you could quickly set up a blog 100% devoted to the tricks of the creative scrapbooking trade in an effort to attract persons from around the world to your site. Though most of them won't become clients, you stand to gain instant exposure. And who knows? The family down the street may wind up stopping by your creative scrapbooking Web site and hiring you to redo their three sons' baby books!

Never Stop Selling Yourself or Your Scrapbooking Abilities!

It's critical that you never stop selling yourself and your creative scrapbooking business if you are serious about succeeding in this infant industry with huge profit potential.

This may mean stepping out of your "comfort zone" and becoming a master at self-promotion. If you have an innate fear of networking, it's time to overcome your worries and learn how to shake some hands. Remember that you won't be the first entrepreneur who took a plunge into the unknown.

To become a better press generator on behalf of your creative scrapbooking business, you'll have to force yourself to try again and again. However, if the process becomes achingly difficult and hampers your desire to scrapbook, it may be time to hire someone to promote your business on your behalf. Yes, this is a "last ditch" measure, but if it keeps your dream alive, it's worth the cost to bring on a partner who isn't afraid of a good sales pitch. (And many individuals will work with start-ups on a commission basis, which is terrific news for your budget!)

A Final Note about Ethics and Your Scrapbooking Venture

Though it's imperative that you keep up standards and operate ethically and legally (the tax man will cometh whether you like it or not!), that doesn't mean you can't be innovative. Constantly seek out ways to differentiate yourself from other scrapbook artists and allow yourself to grow personally and professionally.

Love your work, and that positive attitude mingled with creative scrapbooking talent will draw customer inquiries and have you wondering why you didn't begin your creative scrapbooking company sooner.

Michele Cardello, director of marketing and creative for Life Imprints, a creative scrapbooking [http://www.lifeimprints.com] supplies company also offering contemporary picture frames, in Cleveland, Ohio, has worked in the photo packaging industry for 10 years. Cardello helps customers find creative ways to preserve and appreciate a lifetime of memories.