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Scrapbooking for Cool Girls: Where to begin

Superwife by Superwife

If you are a cool girl new to scrapbooking, this is especially for you.

Years ago, I went to a scrapbooking party, and it just didn't seem to be for me. Everything was supposed to go in a certain spot - it was all so square. The rule was that you had to give your pages each a title, and you had to put a border on it and there was supposed to be a little spot for writing notes.

It just seemed too "rule-ish" for me, like I'd probably do it wrong and they'd all judge my scrapbooks. So I never got into it, until recently when I saw some scrapbooks that were so out there and chaotic, I just had to learn more!

Yes, scrapbooking can be cool and you can completely throw the rules out the window. Your photos will never be the same.

*Digital file folders available at Two Peas in a Bucket

Let's begin.

First, you need pictures. (usually)

So when you think of a scrapbook, you probably think of colorful paper and lots of pictures, and maybe things like ticket stubs or other keepsakes thrown in that have some sort of sentimental value.

The great thing about tossing all the rules out the window is- there are no rules, so you really don't need a photograph if you don't have one. A scrapbook could just be a journal of sorts, that you paint and decorate artfully to express yourself. Or you can just single out a page in your scrapbook that you journal on.

However you decide to go about it, figure out what your starting point will be. A photograph? A letter? An entry in your blog? A love note? It could be anything you hold dear and deem fit to keep forevermore in a scrapbook.

So this is step #1: Find your starting point item.

If you need inspiration or have beginner's questions, this site has a gallery and a message board with lots of helpful people:

Coupons for A Cherry on Top

In case you decide to really get into scrapbooking.

Now that you've found your starting point, you're scrapbooking!

Let's go on to step #2.

Let's use this photograph of roses as our starting point. Why include a picture of flowers in a scrapbook you ask?

Well, as I see it, and this is just me, you can't keep flowers forever. They die. And then you might forget about the occasion they were brought to you for. In this case, my husband brought these gorgeous roses to me because I am just that fabulous. (quit laughing)

Anyway, here we have this pretty photograph, and now we want to remember how we felt when we got them and maybe even press a flower to include on the page.

This part is a much overlooked part to scrapbooking, the WHY. Why are you keeping this photograph/ticket/letter... whatever?

To put it in perspective, have you ever looked at a really old photo album and asked your grandma, "who are these people?" And if your grandparents are no longer with you, well, who do you ask? Wouldn't it have been nice for someone to have at least jotted down some notes?

To sum up thus far:
step one: figure out what you want to scrap
step two: figure out what you want to say about it and why

Step #3: Gather your scrapbooking supplies

This can be addicting.

So now we want to make a scrapbook page dedicated to the man that brought these gorgeously beautiful flowers home, because we never want to forget how we felt upon seeing this hardworking, big manly man coming through the door with such a wonderful gift.

Isn't that sweet?? :)

So now we progress on to step #3: Gathering supplies.

I have a love/hate thing with this part because on the one hand, there are so many fabulous things available to work with but on the other hand, I really need to be saving money right now. If you love paper and pens and office supplies and that sort of thing, you will have no problem finding your style and buying just too much stuff.

The basics we will need are:

Cardstock
Adhesive
Good writing pen (I prefer Zig pens)

Optional stuff: (which eventually become necessities)

Patterned papers
Ribbon
Flowers
Letter stickers
Chipboard
Digital kits
Stickers
Dimentional adhesive
Stamps

A very nice place to browse and find all this stuff:

A few more scrapbooking finds:

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Step #4: Put it all together

Do it your way.

Now, it is entirely possible that I've over-simplified things here. But, this is the way I see it:
It's your scrapbook, and nobody can tell you that you've done something wrong.
Things have come a long way since that old scrapbooking party I attended.

Anyway, it is time to put everything together: The photo (or whatever item it is you'd like to preserve in your scrapbook), the journaling, the fun supplies.

Start with a clean, flat surface and lay out a sheet cardstock. Arrange everything on that cardstock until it looks pleasing to you, then adhere it all. This is where browsing galleries for inspiration takes on new meaning. Check out what other cool girls are doing, and you'll get your own ideas for how you want your pages to look.

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Another great place to browse:

Once you get into this hobby, you'll need to think about organization.

Hey there, I'm still working here.

please check back here, I'm still adding to this lens! :)

There are loads of photos to add...

As always, I love some love.

Comments? Questions? Please leave 'em here.

  • Melanie Nov 11, 2009 @ 3:10 pm | delete
    Thaaanks ! this really helped alooot. I have to do this project & i was tottaly lost then when i was looking for some ideas i came across this age & i thought it was just awesome! Thanks again.. Melanie. I'll be back at this webpage forsuree.
  • Superwife Jan 8, 2010 @ 9:22 pm | delete
    Thanks for coming by Melanie, I hope your project turned out fantastic! I need to work on some photos for this article, will be coming soon :)
  • Rose27 Sep 6, 2010 @ 4:31 am | delete
    can u plz tell why we need chipboard?
  • Superwife Sep 7, 2010 @ 2:17 pm | delete
    um, well, why do we need stickers or paper or ribbon... chipboard is fun!
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Superwife

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I cook and clean and play here at squidoo.
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