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27 March 2008

Make your memories last with scrapbooking

Learn all about scrapbooking, the craft that's taken the world by storm!

What is it?
Scrapbooking is the craft of preserving treasured photographs and telling personal stories in a decorative and creative way. It’s an intimate and unique way of keeping memories alive and passing them on from generation to generation. There are many interesting scrapbooking techniques, specialised materials and tools available on the market.

Why do it?
In our fast-paced world, ‘cocooning’ is still a very big trend − people want to spend more time at home. Because this time is so limited, the emphasis is on spending it wisely, and on creating memories that will last. That’s where scrapbooking comes in. Apart from being a rewarding creative outlet, enthusiasts say they love scrapbooking because it gives them an opportunity to create their own memories, and to preserve them.

Start with the basics and use them to develop your personal style and techniques as you become more proficient. You will be amazed at how easy it is and how much fun it can be once you get going with scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking terminology
Framing
The framing of the photograph starts the moment you take the photo, so if possible, make sure that you arrange the elements and people in the photo before taking the picture.

Framing can also be done on the scrapbook page by creating a frame from cardboard, decorative paper or embellishments. Correct poor photo composition by cropping the picture before you glue it onto the page. Then frame the cropped photo.

Cropping
Cropping means to cut or trim a photo to the desired framing and size. Cut two L-shaped pieces of cardboard to make the cropping easier. Move the pieces of cardboard around until satisfied with the crop, mark with a pencil and cut it out.

Matting or mounting
Matting or mounting is a technique for making a photo stand out on the edge by gluing in onto another piece of paper to form a border right around. Double matting refers to the addition of another layer of paper to enhance the effect. Experiment with fabric and different pieces of paper.

Journaling
Add words to contextualise the subject of your page. This is called journaling and can take the form of a short poem, personalised wording or factual details such as the date or age of the person being featured.

Basic tools and materials
Before you get started with scrapbooking, there are a few basic tools that are worth investing in.
Cutting tools

Paper scissors and fabric scissors. Ensure that they stay sharp by using each pair of scissors for one purpose only – either to cut paper or to cut fabric.

Specialised pattern scissors to cut decorative edges around paper or card.

Paper trimmer – handy for cutting straight lines.

Craft knife with replaceable blades and self-healing cutting mat. The craft knife will make it easier to cut out intricate shapes and patterns, or it can be used with a metal ruler to cut straight lines.

Adhesives
There are many different adhesives to choose from. Start out with two basic ones – one made to stick paper and cardboard and one that will hold most embellishments securely.

Double-sided tape can be bought on a roll and is useful for attaching most paper and cardboard to the scrapbook page. Cut squares, stick them to the page, remove backing paper and mount the paper or card.

Strong glue in liquid form comes in a choice of pen or bottle applications and is handy for mounting three-dimensional objects and embellishments on scrapbook pages.

Glue dots in different sizes can be used to elevate parts of the layout to create a more three-dimensional effect.

Paper and card
To prolong the life of the photos you use, paper and card that will be in direct contact with the photos should not contain any acid or lignin. If you’re not using paper from a reputable scrapbooking dealer, check that it is acid free. Embellishments, paper and card placed next to photos, and not at that back or on top of them, will not harm the pictures if they’re not acid free. Otherwise, check for products labelled ‘archival’ or ‘photo safe’.

Getting started
1. Buy a scrapbooking album.
2. Decide on the theme of the page or the entire album by selecting the photos you want to feature. The theme could be a person, holiday trip, outing or event.
3. Choose a colour scheme that will go with most of your photos. Buy paper and embellishments that fit in with and enhance your chosen theme and colour scheme.
4. Choose a heading – the title of the page. 5. Do the layout of the photos, journaling and embellishments on the actual scrapbook page before gluing anything down.
6. Once you’re satisfied with the layout, use appropriate adhesives to glue everything in place securely.
7. Add the finishing touches by using elements such as extra journaling if there are areas that you’re not happy with.

Decorating techniques
There are a number of ways to add unique touches to scrapbooking pages. Use this list of ideas as inspiration.

Scrunch up paper and smooth it out to create a creased effect. Glue it onto the page as matting, a background for journaling or simply as a decoration – it will be flat, but the creases will give a textured and aged effect.

Apply paint with different types of brushes, sponges and other applicators to create frames, backgrounds, aged effects or to emphasise edges. Experiment with different techniques such as stippling and dry brushing on a piece of scrap paper before attempting it on the pages of the scrapbook.

Machine stitching can be used to create unique mini scrapbook albums. Stitch a few pages together down the middle, or use the stitching as a decorative way of keeping fabric and paper in place. Sew a few stitches by hand in a colourful embroidery thread, or attach small embellishments to the page in this way.

Transfer an image from printed paper onto plastic by gluing it to the back of contact adhesive and soaking it in water until the paper can be rubbed off. Alternatively, use a transfer medium such as those available from craft shops.

Use some of the vast array of scrapbooking tools and embellishments available from scrapbook dealers. These include die cuts (cardboard picture or letter cutouts), stickers, rub-on letters, stamps, fluid chalk inkpads, charms, ribbons, buttons, chipboard, letters, pen and patterned paper.

Fabric, ribbons and trimmings also make beautiful decorations. Glue or sew them on.

Previously published in Ideas, Subscribe now and save