Scrapbook Page Design

I find scrapbook page design is great fun!

I can play with a huge variety of colors, textures, types of paper or fabric, photos, perspective. I can create a busy, informal "mess", or an elegant and tasteful work of art, whatever I feel like!

Here's some of my everyday stock-in-trade. For any readers new to desiging scrapbook albums and using scrapbook supplies, I've tried to be clear and concise - for each, you'll discover "what it is", "how I use it", etc...

Let's start with the basic component of any scrapbook - photos? Well, yes, but even photos are mounted on paper. And there are several different types of scrapbooking paper...

1. Scrapbook paper - Patterned Paper

What is it?

Paper with a pattern, of course!

Where do I use it?

backgrounds

• borders
• embellishments

In the wrong context, plain white backgrounds can look somewhat stark and lacking in interest. Using patterned paper backgrounds adds a sense of excitement to your scrapbook pages. The right pattern appropriate for your theme and content can also give an overall more professional appearance.

What do I use it for?

The photos you want to use usually determine the color context of your scrapbook pages. I choose paper colors and patterns to either complement or contrast with my photographs. Strong contrasts can add dramatic effects to highlight otherwise "ordinary" photos.

2. Scrapbook paper - Textured Paper

What is it?

Paper whose surface is not smooth, but has a physical terrain as well as color variations.

What do I use it for?

• to add dimension to my scrapbooking pages
• to feature items on my scrapbook page
• as borders or backgrounds, to give my page an attractive fresh appeal

Textured paper is available in a variety of textures and colors and is available in most craft and office supply stores.

3. Scrapbook Paper- Vellum

What is it?

Vellum is a transparent, translucent material, available in standard scrapbook paper sizes, which can be placed on your scrapbook layout.

What do I use it for?

• to create a subtle shadow or change of shade in my background or embellishment colors
• to "soften" the appearance of pages in baby scrapbooks
• to add a flavor of elegance to gift scrapbooks
• to give life and dimension to a flat and boring page

  There can be a problem with vellum though...how you attach it matters. Using glue to attach the vellum to your scrapbook page, will appear messy or cloudy as you can see the glue through the vellum.

  (There are some specialist adhesives available for vellum, but I've no personal experience of them, so can't comment with confidence. If you've found something effective, let us know.)

  Solutions:

  If you decide to use glue, here are a couple of effective techniques:

  a. Apply only a thin line of glue along the edges of the vellum. This will create a slightly shaded line, but only at the very edge, and it'll look appear as a border to the vellum.

  b. Apply glue to only a few small areas of the vellum, and cover them with suitable embellishments

  Most scrappers prefer to avoid using glue with vellum, and use brads or other "mechanical" methods to attach vellum to their scrapbook pages.

  Note: Vellum is available in both acidic and non acidic forms. Be sure to choose acid-free!

  Where can I get it?

  Any specialist scrapbook store will carry (often a bewildering) wide range of paper with various themes and patterns. For example, I might choose a favorite gift wrap as a background for a birthday scrapbook - adding a touch of elegance or humor according to the patterned paper I chose.

  Remember, you must always use acid and lignin free materials [link S1] if you want your scrapbook to be enjoyed by future generations. Should be no problem at a specialist scrapbooking store. But be extra careful if buying from a general craft shop, or other suppliers.

  Scrapbook stickers have been very popular in recent years, and there are many exciting products to choose from.

  More on these later...and in the meantime, have fun, and don't forget to include journaling with your own scrapbook page design.