8 Ways to Embellish Your Scrapbooking Layouts

So, you've sat down to do your scrapbooking and now your wondering, "How can I jazz up this layout?" Well, read on, because there are plenty of tips for you in this article.

1. An easy way to add some elegance or softness to your layout is to use paper tearing. Use a patterned paper to tear either diagonally, vertically in the middle or on either side about 1/3rd of a 12"x12" sheet and adhere it on coordinating cardstock.

2. If you want to use embellishments such as die-cuts and they look a little plain to you, then use a darker shade of chalk to shade the edges to give it more depth. You can even use foam pads to adhere the diecuts for a 3D look, making it really stand out. The same can be done with punched out patterned paper or cardstock.

3. For adhering certain items that you do not wish to use glue with, such as vellum, you can use scrapbooking embellishments like eyelets, brads, staples, safety pins, or ribbon. Vellum really adds elegance and softness to your page.

4. Shaker boxes are really easy to make and gives your layout that special look. Use a sturdy cardstock or chipboard to make the frame. Cut out a window and pick out some things you might want to put into the shaker box... beads or mini diecuts or punches work well. Adhere a piece of transparency for the cut out window. Then place foam tape around the inside edge of the window making sure there are no spaces in between. Pour the "filling" into the upside down frame and adhere a patterned paper piece for the back of the shaker box. Adhere to the layout and you're done!

5. Heat embossing is another good way to make a layout elegant or special. You'll need an embossing heat tool, embossing powder and embossing clear ink. Stamp the pad with your stamp and stamp it on your layout. Immediately pour the powder onto the stamped area, then shake off excess. Heat with the embossing heat until the powder melts.

6. Dry embossing is also pretty easy. You'll need an embossing tool, stencils and a light box. Just place the cardstock on the lightbox, place stencil where you need it and trace around the shape of the stencil pushing down on the cardstock (not too hard). When you're done you can chalk the embossed area to make it stand out a little more.

7. If your journaling looks boring to you, use a tag to emphasize it. Embellish the tag with ribbons, eyelets, etc. and your journaling will stand out.

8. Another beautiful and wonderful way to embellish a page is with quilling. Quilling looks difficult, but it's really not! Even using a toothpick you can make pretty flowers or little animals and shapes that look like a million bucks! Use various thin long or short strips of cardstock, twist around a toothpick, then let go, shape and glue.

There are so many ways to make your layout special. Have fun trying out new techniques for scrapbooking.


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Scrapbooking - Common Mistakes to Avoid

When you first start scrapbooking, it's easy to make some mistakes on your scrapbook. Many people make mistakes, but you can avoid them if you learn about them now. Here is a look at some common mistakes that many scrapbookers end up regretting as they become more experienced.

Mistake #1 - Buying Too Many Supplies
It is very easy to buy a lot of scrapbook supplies before you even know much about layouts and how to design them. Then you end up with loud papers that you never use. Avoid buying too much in the beginning until you learn more about scrapbooking.

Mistake #2 - Too Many Shapes
Another common mistake is using too many shapes. It's easy to start cutting pictures into all different strange shapes. You don't want to overdo things. Go with simple shapes and add in some ovals or circles from time to time.

Mistake #3 - Going Overboard with Embellishments
Embellishments can be a lot of fun to use when scrapbooking. The problem is when you go overboard with them and end up making your page look cluttered and overdone. Simply pick a few that compliment your layout instead of allowing them to overtake the layout.

Mistake #4 - Not Writing Yourself
Sure, it's fun to use all the cool fonts that are readily available on your computer. However, many scapbookers regret not writing in their own handwriting. It's important to write out a few lines and stories in your own writing. This is a special part of you that you definitely want to include in scrapbooks, since they are cherished books that you will keep for years to come.

These are a few scrapbooking mistakes that you should try to keep in mind as you are getting started. You want scrapbooks that you will be proud of in the end. Try to avoid these mistakes and make sure you make the most of the memories that you are creating. Remember, you can find just the right papers, stickers, embellishments, and layout ideas at StickerPlanetPlus.com.  Visit us today!


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Using Scrapbook Stickers

The easiest way to jazz up a scrapbooking page is with scrapbook stickers. There is no tricky or confusing technique that you need to learn in order to use them. They are quick and easy to apply, inexpensive, and best of all... they come in every design and color that you could possibly imagine!

The manufacturers in the scrapbooking industry continue to wow us with fabulous new and fresh designs. Whether you are doing a page about basketball, your best friend's new baby or a recent visit from a family member, there is a sticker for everything.

There are also several different types of stickers. The most popular is the flat sticker. These can have a variety of finishes... matte, glossy, sparkly, glittery, or pearl.. Most are precision cut but some do come with a white border. These are the types of stickers you grew up with, although now they are acid and lignin free to ensure your memories are well-preserved.

Cardstock stickers are also popular. They are precision cut so you do not end up with unwanted borders around your stickers. They are also relatively thick so that an uneven background does not show through the sticker.

Dimensional stickers continue to grow in popularity since they allow us to add dimension and texture to our pages with little effort. Their composition generally includes non-paper items like fabric, beads and gemstones that are often tricky and time-consuming to use any other way.

With so many choices available, you will have no trouble finding what you want. The only trouble you may have is deciding which scrapbook stickers are your favorite!


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How to Make a Christmas Holiday Scrapbook

A holiday can be a wonderful opportunity to make a scrapbook. Scrapbooking is the most popular and one of the easiest ways to celebrate and document the important, memorable times of life. A Christmas scrapbook can be added to your holiday scrapbook collection for remembering all the little details.

Christmas is a time filled with joy, gift giving, and memory making with family and friends. A scrapbook can be created for yourself or dedicated and gifted to someone special.

Here's what you'll need:

• Album
• Holiday themed paper or cardstock
• Holiday themed stickers
• Acid free adhesive or glue
• Decorative edge scissors
• Paper trimmer
• Photos
• Acid free scrapbooking pen
• Embellishments such as ribbon or buttons
• Sparkle pen

Putting it all together:
Choose a page and the photos you would like displayed on the page.
Trim the photo with decorative edge scissors and then adhere it with acid free adhesive.

Use the embellishments and stickers to decorate the page. Ribbons are great for borders and outlining.

Add text with the pen to include notes, names and dates of the event as desired.
Make snowflakes and other designs with the sparkle pen to further decorate the page.

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What Do You Need to Start Scrapbooking?

Scrapbooking, a popular and world-wide hobby, involves creating albums (most often with a particular theme) to record special events or people in one's life in a decorative manner.

There are some basic items and tools that you will need to start scrapbooking:

A Scrapbook album - these are available in various designs and sizes. They can be purchased for a specific event with a built-in theme or as a plain book.

Paper/Card stock - Acid free paper and cardstock - there are numerous designs of paper that you can get to go with your theme, whether it be a holiday, for a special event, or color scheme.

Photo-safe adhesive – These come in several forms to choose from: glue, glue dots, or mounting squares for photos. Basically anything that you can use to attach your items to the paper.

Cutting Tools- such as a paper cutter for even lines and measurements, scissors (which can either be straight craft scissors or with a decorative edge) and maybe a corner rounder.

Acid-free Pens - specific scrapbooking pens are specially made for the papers and keeping items long-term.

Other than these basic items, you'll need to supply your own photos and memorabilia. There are also other optional items that you can buy to embellish your scrapbook. These include decorative stickers, ribbons, rubber stamps, rub-on transfers, flowers, charms, and brads. Stickerplanet.com can provide you with all the items that you might need.

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby and a way of saving your memories as well as creating beautiful gifts for friends and family.



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Scrapbooking: Getting Started

Scrapbooking, in one form or another, has been around for centuries. The hobby has recently taken this country by storm. Scrapbooks have gone way beyond simple photographs taped to a page with some notes, and is now considered a whole new art form. Over the past decade an entire industry has emerged selling products, tips, tutorials, and magazines for scrapbookers. Avid scrapbookers can even attend conferences to showcase their work and swap ideas with other scrappers from all over the country.

The purpose of this article is to give some helpful tips for scrapbooking, to encourage even those who feel inexperienced and are late to arrive on the scrapbooking scene.

Get Organized

First you need to get together all your pictures and anything else you plan to include in your scrapbook. If you don’t already have some scrapbooking supplies, visit your local craft store and buy some paper and a few things to get going. Once you start the scrapbook you'll find there may be more tools or craft supplies that you would like to use... you can always go back and get more supplies later on.

Start Small

Don’t expect to create scrapbook pages documenting your whole life in one day. It took many years to create the memories, it will certainly take a while to display all of it in a scrapbook. Choose some pictures from a meaningful event and start working on a page for that event. Once you finish that, you can move on to another event, then another, and another

Keep it Simple

Don’t expect the first scrapbook page you create to make the cover of a magazine for scrapbook enthusiasts and professionals. The important thing is that you’re getting started and organizing your memories into a precious heirloom for your family. Don’t worry about getting too creative or adding lots of embellishment on your first page. Focus on presenting the pictures and adding commentary that will get the story across the way you want it to. The layout is not nearly as important as the photos and the story you tell.

Ask For Help

Scrapbookers love to share ideas and techniques with other scrapbookers. Part of the fun of scrapbooking is sharing time with friends as you create these pages. Find a friend who’s into scrapbooking and ask to see some of their scrapbooks. They will love you for asking and you’ll be able to get some great ideas for layouts and page designs that you can use in your own scrapbooks. You can even show your friend the pictures you want to use and get input on how they would design the page. If they’ve been scrapping for a while, chances are they will have some great suggestions and can give some good direction on how to design your pages.

Just Do It

No matter how good your intentions, those scrapbook pages won’t create themselves. Even if you only have 30 minutes or so, sit down and start putting that first page together. Once you get started, it’ll be difficult to put down the scissors and glue... So get started today in the exciting world of scrapbooking!

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