What is Scrapbooking in Today’s World?

Odds are, if you are an avid crafter, you know what is scrapbooking. However, what you might not know is how much it’s evolved since its inception. Gone are the days of cookie-cutter scrapbooking. Say hello to the days of making scrapbooks that are personal to you and your loved ones.

What is Scrapbooking?

Someone once described scrapbooking as “preserving today’s memories for tomorrow.” This is often quite true. Many scrapbookers are inspired to display their memories in a book so they can be passed down for generations. In fact, scrapbooking began in the 15th Century just for that very reason. However today, scrapbooking has so much more potential. So, let’s talk about what is scrapbooking today, in the 21st Century.

With the increase of technology and easy access to share ideas, scrapbooking is now more than just organizing photos. It’s a way to document family history, preserve milestone events, design goals, and journal creatively. Today, scrapbooking is more than just a practical approach to document the past. It’s also the perfect way to unleash your creativity. Scrapbooking is a popular hobby among women of all ages because it’s soothing, creative, and sentimental. It’s a proven way to reduce anxiety levels, so why not consider scrapbooking today?

Whether it’s a hobby you plan to pick up by yourself or with a small group of friends; we can’t say enough good things about scrapbooking! And you’ll feel the same after giving it a try.

But perhaps you’ve always known “what is scrapbooking,” but you’re not sure where to start. If that sounds like you, then fear no more. We’re happy to show you the way down below!

How to Scrapbook

Just as we said before, there is no one way to scrapbook.  Don’t think of this as a task that has a “right” or “wrong” way to go about it. Consider scrapbooking to be the opposite. Toss aside any judgments and let your creativity flow. So long as you’re staying true to yourself, we’re sure your scrapbook will be delightful to make and show off!

Step 1) Pick a Theme

Probably the best way to get started with scrapbooking is to pick an overall theme. It’s sometimes said that the best scrapbooks tell a story, and we couldn’t agree more! And while this may seem overwhelming if this is your first time scrapbooking, remember that the sky is the limit!

Your theme could be as simple as “Fall Family Traditions,” which allows you to span many years’ worth of photos. Or you might want to keep it extremely specific, just memorializing one event such as a wedding or baby shower.

Whatever you choose to do will be great! Just remember that selecting a guiding theme helps your audience understand the flow of the book’s journey. A theme can also help you decide what color papers and embellishments to use. If you’re really stuck on coming up with a theme idea, don’t sweat it! You can check out some unique scrapbook ideas for inspiration at Top 5 Creative Scrapbook Ideas. 

Step 2) Sort Photos and Memorabilia

Once you’ve decided upon your book’s theme, it’s time to get started on locating everything you want to include! From handwritten family recipes to concert tickets to boarding passes, there’s no limit on what can be in a scrapbook.

Remember, this is your story, and you’re the author, so have fun with it! Once you’ve collected all the memories you’d like to add, start sorting them. You might choose to sort them by the order they occurred in, or the people included in them.

Step 3) Start Considering and Designing Page Layouts

Again, there’s no “right” way to do this, but when it comes to page design, you have a few options. Will each page be standalone? Or do you want a double-page spread where text and photos can go across the middle seam?

Other questions you might ask yourself include: What pages should have text and which shouldn’t? Which photos should appear on the same page together and which deserve their own page?  You might also consider having a “focal point photo” on each page. This is a photo that might be larger or more eye-catching than the others. Think of this photo as the “main character” with the other smaller photos on the page being “supporting characters.”

Step 4) Select Paper

Now that you have a general idea of page layout, you can begin to select paper for each page.

If you’ve decided on a two-page spread layout, you may want the left and right pages to be the same color/design. If not, each page may have its own color, design, and personality. If you’re nervous about selecting the proper kind of paper for your first scrapbooking project, check here for 10 Types of Crafting Paper Every Paper Crafter Needs.

Step 5) Consider Framing or Matting Focal Photos

Remember how we said you might choose a “focal point” photo on each page? If you’ve decided to go this route, you’ll want to make it stand out even further with frames or mattes! There are many ways to do this, including buying photo frame stickers.

However, the easiest and cheapest way is to cut out a paper backing and adhere it behind the photo. Now, with a pop of color behind it, that photo is sure to stand out!

Step 6) Add Embellishments and Get Creative!

Once the general layout of your pages is complete, you get to add your own flair! You can type up photo captions, purchase theme-friendly stickers, or die-cut or draw your own eye-catching designs.

You can even think of ways to make your scrapbook interactive for the reader! Such as gluing an envelope onto the page, and leaving the flap towards the reader. Put a letter, delicate photo, or another piece of memorabilia inside. Additions such as these are cute, intriguing, and make the book uniquely you!

Step 7) Put it All Together!

The final step is putting all your hard work together! Once all your pages are complete, all you need to do is put them together into a book. Perhaps this means laminating your pages and binding them together. Or maybe you need to put each page in a sleeve protector and add them to your binder. Whatever you choose to do, we’re sure it’ll be great! And not only will you feel accomplished when it’s done, but you’ll have a fantastic memory book to share too.

With the increase of technology and easy access to share ideas, scrapbooking is now more than just organizing photos. It’s a way to document family history, preserve milestone events, design goals, and journal creatively. Today, scrapbooking is more than just a practical approach to document the past. It’s also the perfect way to unleash your creativity. Scrapbooking is a popular hobby among women of all ages because it’s soothing, creative, and sentimental. It’s a proven way to reduce anxiety levels, so why not consider scrapbooking today?

Whether it’s a hobby you plan to pick up by yourself or with a small group of friends; we can’t say enough good things about scrapbooking! And you’ll feel the same after giving it a try.

But perhaps you’ve always known “what is scrapbooking,” but you’re not sure where to start. If that sounds like you, then fear no more. We’re happy to show you the way down below!

Tools You Need to Get Started

Now that you understand how to make your very own scrapbook, perhaps you notice that you lack some supplies! While some advanced scrapbookers have many tools and a seemingly endless stock of materials, don’t sweat it! One day they were just like you figuring out how to put their very first scrapbook together. And so remember that you don’t need so many bells and whistles to make your first scrapbook. In fact, you can get started with four simple things, some of which you might already have in your home.

1) Scissors

As you probably already figured out, cutting out photos and decorative paper is a big part of scrapbooking. This will be quite difficult without a pair of scissors. And while odds are you already have a pair of scissors in your home, you can also invest in crafting scissors with a decorative edge. These are reasonably priced and can add a little bit more personality to your book.

2) Archival Pens

“Archival” pens just means pens, or other writing utensils, without acid. The reason products with acid aren’t recommended for scrapbooking is because they deteriorate your photos and paper over time. And the last thing you want is for your scrapbook to fall apart just because you used the wrong pens! So, to avoid that, check out our blog post Diffrerent Types of Pens for Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts.

3) Archival Tapes

Just like archival pens, archival tapes are photo and scrapbooking safe. AKA: they’ll last a long time without ruining your photos. This is the recommended adhesive type for adhering photos, mattes, and other embellishments into your book. You might also see this sold as “acid-free” tape or “double-sided crafting tape.” Washi tape, a decorative tape from Japan, can also keep your photos safely in place with a more contemporary look. Also take a look at our blog post “What are the Best Types of Craft Adhesives?”.

4) The Book Itself

Of course there cannot be a scrapbook without the book itself. While you might already have a book in mind, we’d like to recommend a couple scrapbooking kits to you! These kits are reasonably priced, come in different colors and patterns, and include everything you need to get started. From paper, to stickers, to tape, to stencils, you can start your scrapbooking supply arsenal with just one simple purchase!

Butterfly Themed Scrapbooking Kit:
 

Mandala Themed Scrapbooking Kit:

5) Additional Supplies (Optional) If you’ve already got these starter scrapbooking tools and want to take it to the next level, check out the “Top 15 Paper Craft Tools Needed in your Craft Toolbox”.

You now have the basics you need to get started with scrapbooking. Remember that this does not need to be overwhelming but a joy.  Start with the basics and create a simple Scrapbook and expand out and try new techniques as you progress.  And more importantly, we hope you can find time in your schedule to figure out what is scrapbooking for you. How do you want to tell your story?

So what are you going to Scrapbook?  Join us and share your projects on Facebook and Instagram and  for great Scrapbooking Ideas check out our Pinterest Boards.

Crafting Out,

Iva

Below is a Pinterest Friendly Photo so you can pin it to your Crafting Boards with ease!