Scrapbooking Embellishments

There are a lot of terms to become familiar with in the scrapbooking world. You hear the term Scrapbooking Embelishments, yet you are unclear on what actually can be used as an embellishment. You simply want to create the perfect scrapbook to hold your favorite memories.

Scrapbooking embellishments are available in many places. The most popular, and in the simplest form, are either two-dimensional or three dimensional scrapbooking stickers you add to your scrapbook page. Stick to the theme of your layout when adding stickers and embellishments so they will coordinate with your photos and color scheme. Rubber stamping is considered a type of embellishment as well. Gently applying the stamp to different areas of the page adds additional design elements. Along with rubber stamps, journaling with specially colored ink pens adds a new dimension as well.

Other types of embellishments include ribbon, charms, old letters and souvenirs, baby's footprints, pressed flowers and small objects that lay flat. Use scissors and glues and glitter to make the photos stand out on the page. Colored papers can be cut with whimsical scissors to add a special frame. Use your imagination when considering which scrapbook embellishments to add to your pages.

Choosing the Right Scrapbook Embellishments
Scrapbook embellishments are a great way to add just the right touch to a page. There is a wide variety of choices to use so you could be tempted to jump in with both feet and buy as many as you can. A better approach, however, is to have a plan of what you are looking for and your budget. You'll want to have a theme and colors picked out before going on the search for the perfect embellishment.

The types of scrapbook embellishment you choose is entirely up to you! You might have ideas in mind when you begin your quest, and will most likely get more as you shop. Get a variety but not too many so that it distracts. Embellishments span everything from specialty papers to ribbons, brads, eyelets, tags, and photo anchors. There are specialty ribbons in a variety of textures, embossed, textured and different weights of paper and buttons for every theme. Pick a complimentary embellishment that fits your theme, and adds a special touch.

Less expensive alternatives include scrapbook embellishments made from keepsakes and other special items. Add an extra piece of yarn from the heirloom baby blanket to the photo of the child wrapped in it. Add small keepsakes from a special trip to your vacation themed book. Pressed flowers from your garden can be added to a wedding or garden themed scrapbook. The perfect scrapbook embellishment is the one that adds just the right finishing touch.

If the scrapbooking embellishment you've chosen distracts from your photos, you'll be better off putting that piece on another page. Scrapbooking is about the photos themselves, after all.

* Be leery of fads. If the reason you want to use a page accent is because it is a hot trend, you might want to rethink that idea. Remember how some of your biggest fashion mistakes made you cringe in horror. The same can be said for scrapbooking too.

* A single photo, especially of a close-up can be sparked up with your most daring embellishments. Multiple photos on a page, should have simpler embellishments.

* Add the embellishment if is used for a functional purpose such as adding balance to the layout, hiding an unsightly part of the photo or holding something else in place.

* By all means add the scrapbook embellishment if it is a major part of your story telling skill for that page.

* Don't copy what you've seen in a magazine with your embellishments. This doesn't show your style. Follow your instincts and use what expresses your style!