May 25, 2007

Ideas for Scrapbooking Pages

Finding ideas to apply to your scrapbooking can be such a big pain. You are faced with the prospect of creating a masterpiece, yet you don’t really know how to begin. Here are some suggestions for you to try out:

1) Color – The simplest idea for a scrapbooking page should be a color. Basing your scrapbook pages on a single color though, can be quite complex if you want it to be. There are shades to experiments with. By trying on different shades of a color, you can have variety and yet stick with the same scrapbooking idea.

Another fun scrapbooking page idea that involves colors has you researching their different interpretations. By using colors this way, you can actually have a message that means something special to you.

2) Literature – Think of your favorite piece of literature and base your scrapbook on that. Taking inspiration from books or a poem is a really good scrapbooking idea. You see, authors sometimes picture their characters and stories so vividly, that you can visualize them in your mind. By placing these images on paper, you can actually share with people something that so inspired you.

Basing your scrapbook on a piece of literature can be pretty deep for some people to take. You may have to do a bit of explaining before someone gets the message of the scrapbook. In doing so, you get to show a part of your soul to the readers. It may also inspire people to take up reading.

3) Characters –Characters abound in the world that people can take inspiration from. In using characters, you have two options:
A. Fiction – this idea for scrapbooking pages involves you taking a fictional character and using that character as an inspiration for your scrapbooking page. Contrary to what most people think, fictional characters are actually harder to research on than actual, living characters.

One reason is the fact that different people have different interpretations of them. Take Batman, for example. In the sixties, the TV series portrayed him as this campy superhero who wears grey and blue spandex. In the 1989 movie, he’s a bit more brooding, and wears protective armor. In the movie “Batman and Robin” he is portrayed as this not so brooding, talkative character who wears a rubber suit with nipples. See how different people’s perceptions of a fictional character can be?

One advantage to this, though, is the fact that you can have more freedom with this idea for a scrapbooking page. You see, not many people will question your interpretation of a fictional character. B. Non-fiction – In this idea for a scrapbooking page, you take your inspiration from a real person. It doesn’t really matter if they are alive or dead. However, remember that people change all the time. Just take a look at Britney Spears and you’ll probably realize the meaning of this statement.

By using real persons as your inspiration, you are actually offered a whole lot of detail on their lives. However, you won’t really have the same freedom as when you are trying to do a fictional character.

4) Activities – Try getting an idea for scrapbooking pages from your favorite activity. Most guys would choose sports and stuff, and nothing’s wrong with that. However, you may want to try being different and think outside the box. Base your scrapbook on an interest which no one can really guess. In doing this, you’ll get to have additional fun by having people guess the connection of the page to the activity.

Sometimes, people tend to categorize us through our activities. However, you might want to prove to others your true depth by showing in your scrapbook that a certain activity foes not define the “whole” you.

You might want to show, using your scrapbook that even though you enjoy a particular activity, it is only a minor part of your existence and that you have a deeper facet to your personality than being a computer whiz, basketball jock and other stereotypical labels.

There you go: those are just some ideas for scrapbooking pages you might think about trying out. By trying out different things before you actually use them, you can actually see if those ideas for scrapbooking pages fit your personality.

May 12, 2007

Starting Out With Scrapbooking . . .


Scrapbooking is an ideal way for you to preserve memories and share thoughts. It is a great way to spend some time too. Every one of us has memories that mean so much to us and the thought of losing them is something that no one really wants to think about. Yet, when we get them together and get them on paper, they can be with us for a long while and they will be there even when we are not.

But, getting started in scrapbooking may seem overwhelming. If you walk into the local craft store, you are likely to see a wide range of products to purchase. You’ll find a lot of kits that you can use, stickers, papers and fun colored markers and paint. You’ll find a wide range of choices and this may have you thinking that you need to purchase all of this to create a great looking scrapbook. The fact is, though, that you really do not need to do all of that at all.

When getting started in scrapbooking, you should carefully consider the options that you have and the things that you really would like to use. You don’t have to use pricy products to have a great looking scrapbook either. Here are some tips that can help anyone to get started with their scrapbooking project.

  • What will you put your thoughts in? The first thing that you should consider is the book or album that you will use for your scrapbook. You can do these on the computer if you like. You can use a photo album or your can purchase a specific scrapbooking album. But, whatever you use, make sure it is what will give you the most freedom in design. This way, you can make it personal.
  • What will you use to personalize it? Adding pictures to the scrapbook is easy. But, from here, you’ll need to personalize it. Now, you can do this in many ways. If you enjoy stickers, you can use them. Or, you can take some colored paper, cut fun shapes and sizes out and use these. There are plenty of ways to add sayings and messages that are easy to do.
  • How will you preserve the images? It is essential that you use paper that is acid free and preserve your images. This will help you to get the best results and it will help you to get a scrapbook that is going to last for many years.