Search Results for: blog creating a journal scrapbook

Scrapbooks Made Easy

I am a huge fan of Shutterfly albums. While some call them an insult to scrapbooks, when you are in a hurry or simply don’t have the creative juices to craft a traditional memory album, the hardcover digitally generated books featuring your favorite photos and journaling, simply can’t be beat. I like to refer to the albums as scrapbooks made easy. You simply can’t fail when crafting the digital albums, as the directions are a cinch to follow and the actual steps are short and sweet. Several companies offer these types of books, including Shutterfly and Snapfish, which have designed … Continue reading →

Summer Concert Scrapbooks

Country music may reign supreme deep in the heart of Texas, but here in Northern Wisconsin people are quite fond of boot scootin’ too. In fact, the Dairy State is home to one of the premier country music and camping festivals in the nation, Country USA. My country music-loving neighbor just returned from the multi-day concert which featured the likes of Sugarland, Keith Urban and The Band Perry. She ended up renting a VIP RV with a bunch of friends rather than camp in a tent. Judging by all of the photos she shared with me, she and her pals … Continue reading →

High-Tech Scrapbook Resources

Computers are a priceless resource when it comes to scrapbooking, and not just digital scrapbooking. I am a traditionalist when it comes to creating memory albums, which is why I don’t have too many examples of digital scrapbooking masterpieces. However, that doesn’t mean I don’t utilize my computer to create amazing layouts. When people hear about computers being used to enhance scrapbooking, most automatically focus on the different digital software options available on the market. For example, Photoshop is one of the most incredible resources for scrapbookers whose pictures need help, be it in the cropping, lighting, contrast or focus … Continue reading →

Beating Scrapbooking Block

Even the best crafters suffer from scrapper’s block every once in a while. In fact, after designing hundreds of layouts, it’s not uncommon for the most experienced scrapbookers to resort to beginner techniques or materials. Recently, I was quite shocked to learn that my neighbor and scrapbooking mentor (she has been creating elaborate memory albums for more than 25 years) uses instructional scrapbook paper from time to time. The paper she uses comes from a manual called Layout Blueprints. The spiral bound book features dozens of page designs that you can place on a copier and print out to meet … Continue reading →

Personalized Scrapbooking

Personalized scrapbooks seem redundant. After all, it’s not like you are going to create layouts with photos of random people. Rather, our albums are filled with personal memories and embellishments that can be customized to further illustrate our individual preferences. In fact, even pre-made albums and scrapbook-in-a-box type kits can be adjusted to display individual creativity. While the kits come with pre-selected supplies, that doesn’t mean you can’t take liberties to make the finished page designs uniquely yours. What’s more, you can take the concept of pre-fabricated scrapbooks to another level by creating your own skeleton album and giving it … Continue reading →

Winter Scrapbooking Sub-Themes

After I put the finishing touches on my holiday-themed memory books, I usually take a break from scrapbooking for a few weeks. January is typically a quiet month in our family. We celebrate very few birthdays and even fewer anniversaries during the first month of the year. However, since I am obligated to create a monthly layout for my Year in Review scrapbook, I still have to come up with at least one event to scrap. In years past I have crafted pages with photos of my daughter’s outdoor winter adventures, including skiing, sledding, ice skating, and snowman-building. So far … Continue reading →

Seasonal Scrapbook Checklist

T-minus five days until Santa sets out on his annual gift-giving all-nighter. By now your halls should be decked and ready for loved ones to share in the holiday merriment. If you are planning to document the upcoming seasonal celebrations in a scrapbook, now is the time to make your list and check it twice. Make sure your camera has extra batteries and an empty memory card, so you don’t have to worry about missing any of the magical moments. Also, have a pen and pad ready to document funny anecdotes that abound when you have multiple generations of family … Continue reading →

Help with Journaling

I get paid to write, but that doesn’t mean that my scrapbook journaling blocks rock. In fact, there are many times I end up talking myself out of including them in a layout because I feel as though people will judge them too harshly. Meaning, I don’t feel I can casually jot down random thoughts and feelings because people expect more from my entries. For example, I am currently creating a collection of mini scrapbooks for my mom’s birthday. Unfortunately, I am under a severe time crunch, and while one of the books demands that I include journaling, I am … Continue reading →

Homemade Independence Day Scrapbook Embellishments

You might be surprised by how much money you can save on scrapbooking materials by simply looking around your home. With the Fourth of July rapidly approaching, many avid scrappers are prepping to snap super shots of their holiday festivities. The pictures will be used to create Independence Day-themed layouts filled with patriotic tributes and memorable moments with family and friends. Creating these holiday-inspired page designs can be costly, which is why I highly recommend making your own paper and embellishments. Take a moment to channel your inner Martha Stewart and turn every day items into works of art. For … Continue reading →

Scrapbook Challenges

What is the most difficult part of putting together a scrapbook layout? For some it’s finding just the right photos to tell a story. Others struggle to keep embellishments from taking over a design, while still others find it challenging to mix and match different scrapbook paper. For me, one of the toughest parts of creating a memorable page design is coming up with a really amazing title. In my opinion, page titles are an essential part of a layout. While some opt to skip titles all together, I think they make layouts so much easier to understand. After all, … Continue reading →