Showcase your memories and unleash your creativity.
Below we have provided you with a little information to help you get started.
Materials
Adhesives
There are many different scrapbooking adhesives to chose from depending on what you are trying to adhere. Photo tabs, Glue Dots and glue sticks are the three most commonly used today. Specialty adhesives that invisibly adhere vellum and foam mounting tape to add dimension are among the many other adhesives available in a scrapbooking format.
Albums
Choose from a wide variety of scrapbook albums available in various formats and sizes. The most common album in use today is the 12"x12" Top-loading, postbound scrapbook and it has been the industry standard for some time. 6x6, 8x8, 9x9, 8.5x11 albums are also available to satisfy your project requirements in a wide variety of colours and prints.
Cardstock
This is the base element to any scrapbook layout and the first thing you should start with. We carry over 500 different colours and various textures to match your layout perfectly. Make sure that the cardstock you will be using in your scrapbooks is acid-free and of archival quality.
Embellishments
An embellsihments can be virtually anything that you add to your page including memorabilia like ticket stubs, road maps and even a shoelace from your child’s favourite pair of old shoes.
Manufactured scrapbook embellishments include items that are grouped by theme and packaged together making embellishing your pages easy and simple
Metals
There are many different metal embellishments, from eyelets and brads to charms and plaques. Be sure to ask which adhesive will work best to attach your metallic items.
Diecuts
Diecuts can be one of a few things. Most commonly are shapes cut out of cardstock using a diecut machine with special dies like the ones manufactured by Accu-Cut. A diecut can also refer to any printed image or alphabet or tag that is cut into different shapes and sizes by the manufacturer.
Eyelets & Brads
A great alternative when your regular adhesive won't do. These popular paper fasteners can be used throughout your albums in so many different ways. Eyelets do require a hole punch and eyelet setter to finish the job, but definitely a great investment.
Fibers & Ribbons
Another nice page embellishment to pull your pages together. Hundreds of colours and patterns in various textures and sizes are available for purchase by the yard.
Stickers
Stickers are a great way to embellish a page and are available by the sheet, usually separated by theme. Stickers are easy to use with their peel and stick adhesive backing.
Idea Books & Magazines
Perhaps the best place for inspiration and ideas are found in the many paper crafting publications. Monthly magazines and topic specific books are available that cover a wide range of arts and crafts with tips and techniques galore!
Chalks & Paints
Both of these products can be used in a number of different ways to add subtle touches to accent you pages or to create a focal point by using them in conjunction with your other tools. An acid free acrylic based paint works well with foam stamps to create titles and textures while archival chalks add dimension and warmth.
Organizers & Totes
Keeping your workspace organized and clean is an important element of any workplace. We offer a range of organizers and totes to move your stuff from place to place or keep it all in one place. Totes are available in various styles and sizes to suit your needs.
Pens
Not any pen will do when it comes to your scrapbooks. Choose good quality pens that use archival pigment based inks. A collection of good journalling pens will make things a lot easier as you move ahead with your projects.
Printed, Patterned, Specialty Papers & Vellum
Paper is the main ingredient of any scrapbook album. An endless selection of printed papers are at your disposal , but be sure to select papers that are both acid and lignin free. Some handmade papers and specialty papers are not acid free, but can still be used in your albums when layered properly. 12x12 is the industry standard for scrapbooking papers.
Punches
These handy tools punch shapes out of most paper and cardstock. Similar to diecuts, punches are generally smaller and are designed for use on a smaller scale. A corner rounder is a very common type of punch used to round off sharp corners.
Scissors
It is important to have at least one pair of good quality scissors in your scrapbooking tool kit. Most scrapbookers boast having 5 or 6 pairs, all with a different purpose. You should look for a pair that is going to suit you best. The most common type includes a fine tip for detailed cutting but you may want a non-stick coating if you use a lot of stickers. No matter what, you are sure to find a pair to call your own!
Stamping
Stamping has made a huge impact on the scrapbooking world by introducing rubber stamps, inks and embossing powders to the long list of mediums that are used in scrapbooks today. Archival quality inks, foam stamps, embossing powders and other stamping related goodies are available now!
Tools
This heading covers a long list of items but the single most important tool you must have is a 12" Personal Paper Trimmer. There are a lot of other tools made for scrapbooking like heat guns, bone folders, punches, scissors, pens, templates, adhesive dispensers and much more.
Themes
Scrapbooking is an expression of memories and experiences. The theme of your albums or a single scrapbook page depends on how you want to display your work. Remember there is no right or wrong way to express yourself.
Some common scrapbooking themes include:
- Heritage
- Baby
- Wedding
- Birthday
- Special Events
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- Travel
- Memorial
- Growing Up
- Friends
- Christmas
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- Special Events
- School
- Holidays
- Family
- Pets
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10 Scrapbooking Tips
- Arrange your photographs so that the eyes of people in the pictures look inward towards the center of the page and/or lead the viewer to the next item on your page. It is natural for us to follow the line of sight of other people. Doing this will create a natural story line and keep the viewer interested in every aspect of your layout.
- Create a visual triangle with photos and embellishments. Triangles pull all of the items together, while pairs or groups of 4 will separate them into sections. The triangle is the strongest shape in nature and it can prove to be as powerful in your scrapbook pages.
- Avoid trapped white space. Trapped white space is a block of unused space trapped in the gutter of a page. Try to include every inch into the composition of the overall layout. Leaving blank spots can draw attention away from what is important.
- Try to use the same element in odd numbers. 1, 3, or 5 of the same item will typically have a more finished look. Odd numbers are more pleasing to the eye and create better flow. (Also see tip #2)
- Keep your metals matched. For example, use all gold, all silver, or all brass accents rather than mixing the colours. The same goes for paper, use the same tones or shades to create a balanced page.
- Remember the "Rule of Thirds". If you divide your layout into thirds vertically and horizontally, where those lines meet is generally a good place to put the main focus of your layout.
- Create contrast in your pages. Avoid elements on the page that are merely similar. If the elements (font, color, size, line thickness, shape, space, etc.) are not the same, then make them VERY different to create a visual contrast.
- Repeat visual elements of the design throughout the layout. You can repeat colour, shape, texture, spatial relationships, sizes, etc. By repeating certain elements you are tying the page together as a unit, this is especially important on double page (or more) layouts.
- Be aware of the alignment of all of the items on your page. Nothing should be placed on a page arbitrarily. Every element should have a visual connection with another element on the page. This will create natural flow and unity within your pages.
- Items relating to each other should be grouped close together. When several items are in close proximity to each other, they become one visual unit rather than several separate units, again tying everything together.
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