How To Start Scrapbooking - 7 Free Scrapbooking Ideas

Buy some basic supplies at the local scrapbook store or craft store. Or if you have a friend already into scrapbooking, borrow some tools.

You'll want to buy an album, some printed paper, a pack of colored paper (the same size as your album), card stock (construction paper), a trimmer, a tape runner, a corner rounder, good scissors, and some stickers or other embellishments. Don't go overboard buying a lot of stuff on your first trip to the scrapbook store; it will overwhelm you before you even get started.

Find a scrapping partner or take a mini-class.

Partnering with someone when you're just starting out is a great way to learn scrapbook techniques and borrow supplies. Many independent scrapbook consultants hold parties where you can "make and take" a few pages in one night for under $10. There are many different materials and techniques that you will learn and can incorporate into your scrapbooks. Stamping, chalking, embossing, fastening (eyelets and brags), paper tearing, and using fabric to name a few.

Organize your pictures for page layouts long before you sit down to scrapbook.

Most people organize their pictures in chronological order for their scrapbook. Others will group similar themed pictures together for a page layout, like “sports”. Limit the amount of pictures per page to 4 unless your album is a larger size, like 12" x 12". This will keep your album classy and not cluttered.

Use magazines for page layout ideas.

Purchase a scrapbook magazine or borrow from your friends for page layout ideas. (The library is also great place to get ideas from scrapbooking magazines). Using another source for your inspiration may seem like cheating, but browsing through a magazine will jump start your creativity every time. I make notes on the page, rip it out and clip it to the pictures I want to use for that layout. This is a huge time saver. Huge!

Trimming, matting and journaling are the basic skills you should master.

Trim your pictures to eliminate any distracting background or foreground images. Use a corner rounder to give your pictures a softer look. Pick a complementary card stock color. Use the tape runner on the corners of the back of the picture. Adhere the picture to the card stock and trim the card stock to 1/4" border around the picture. Then adhere the matted pictures to your album page with the tape runner. Matting will make your pictures the focal point of the page.

Once your pictures are arranged on the page, journal the day's events or describe what is happening in the pictures. Using your penmanship in scrapbooks is a great way to pass on a piece of yourself to future generations.

Incorporate memorabilia into your scrapbook.

Mementos from an event or milestone are great scrapbook embellishments. Some scrapbook companies even have special pages that have transparent pockets to hold your treasures.

Don't get stuck on finishing a page.

Many times you will look at your latest page and think "there is something missing". Don't spend time staring at a page that is 90% done, move onto the next page layout. When you use a tape runner adhesive, it’s very easy to go back and move or change a layout later without ruining anything.

Scrapbooking is easy if you don't pressure yourself to be perfect. Start out using these simple techniques and once you gain confidence, learn more complicated techniques and embellishing.

Anyone can learn to scrapbook with these 7 free scrapbooking tips. The possibilities are endless for what you can create. I like to keep a box of "Things to Scrapbook," including tickets, ribbons, crayon drawings, birthday cards, wrapping paper scraps, pieces of fabric, on and on. Hold on to those precious memories in your own unique way, now that you know how to start scrapbooking.