The first step is to organize your photos. You will want to classify all your photos according to:
- the event or occasion when the pictures were taken like your school's intramurals or your wedding day;
- the people whom you are with, your family, friends or significant other; or
- the stages of your life when it happened such as your high school or college days.
Place and compile the photos in a photo organizer or in separate envelopes to avoid mixing it all again together.
Next, you have to pick a scrapbook theme. Choose which among the photos you have sorted you want to work on first and decide what kind of theme you would want for your pictures. Most of the time, the pictures themselves dictate the theme of the scrapbook especially if the pictures are of a special event or occasion such as a wedding or graduation party as examples.
Sometimes the theme might also take on a prominent color or item in the photos. Other times, you may also just get inspiration from scrapbook layouts online for your scrapbook theme.
The third step is to prepare all your scrapbooking supplies. This may include different sizes and shapes of Paper Trimmer, various kinds of adhesives such as double-sided tapes and tape runners, archival quality pens, card stock and paper in different colors and quality and of course, scrapbook embellishments. Just make sure that whatever materials you use, it is acid-free so that it will not bring damage to your pictures in the long run.
Now, you need to start to think about how you are going to put everything together. Try doing some sketches first before laying and gluing everything onto one of your scrapbook pages to minimize mistakes. Start by creating a focal point on your page before placing all other elements around it.
The basic elements of a scrapbooking layout are:
- Journaling, which tells the story behind the pictures;
- Page Title, which summarizes what the page is all about; and
- Embellishments and Decorations, which beautify the scrapbook page layout.
Have You Created A Scrapbook?
I am trying to start a scrapbook for our now grown daughter, but have no idea where to start!You have many great ideas, thanks! My supplies are limited. Having said that, it seems like I have so much to work with that it's overwhelming.
Yes I have! I started with scrapbooks for my 3 children (given as gifts on 21st birthday). Also completed a Heritage, Vacation and Baby scrapbook. Busy with a Sweet 16 scrapbook now. They make awesome gifts!
Yes, I finally made my first complete scrapbook for my daughter's 18th birthday! I bought a nice scrapbook with a place on the cover for her photo, a package of black, gold, and white cardstock to fill the book, and a package of white glitter flowers. I printed off a bunch of digital photos and just started filling the pages. Making a scrapbook is something I have wanted to do for YEARS but was always such a perfectionist that I knew it would take me forever to create one. Well, I finally dropped the perfection and just did it! I wish I would have read this post first, though. Such good ideas, thank you!
I started my first scrapbook when me and my now-husband were just dating. It was definitely fun! Then I made another one of my baby boy's first year (more than halfway done so far). I think I spent way more money than I should've, especially after getting married and being more independent. But I love how special and full of love it is. Homemade. My boy (a toddler now) already loves to look at his book, loves it too much, in fact. He'll play with banners I made and I'll have to fix them and glue them on again. He also names the people in the pictures.
@CherylFay thank you that's very kind of you and I hope you get chance to create a scrapbook or two!
@Mira thanks for the great feedback and I do hope you give it a try
I love the idea of making scrapbooks. Perhaps I'll give it a try. I have created collages in the past, but never scrapbooks. I'll look for supplies. I like your suggestions.