Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking

The book titled Encyclopedia Of Scrapbooking by Creating Keepsakes is a book that regrettably I have to return today.

Why? Because I got it from my local library and it is time for me to return it. Regrettably because I wish I could keep it and add it to my library. I am grateful for my local library which has a wonderful selection of books. I know, I know, I can go back and visit this book every once in a while and maybe even check it out again.

I say this, one day I will own my own copy of this book. It is filled with so many techniques that I sat for half a day going through it again and again. Some techniques I knew of, some I had heard of, some I have tried before and now got a more refined explanation and most important; techniques I had never heard of.

I loved their layout, explanations and pictures to help guide you through techniques. The best part of this book was also the inspiration it gives. By going through their techniques; it gets your mind thinking on how to try even new things that are sparked by their techniques.

For example, on page 274, "Stamping Into Textured Paste". I personally never thought of using paste, layering it on paper, and then using metal stamps to stamp words or images on the paste and it leaves the area with what I hope to be an amazing raised textured feel. My mind immediately started questioning. Can I squish buttons or other accents in it? Can I mold the paste to make textured patterns on paper? What if I mask some areas and actual designs like say a slightly raised textured flower with the paste? What if I stamped a flower like normal, then in the middle stamped a flower with a pasted area and then third flower back to a normal (I love patterns). Even better what if I use their transferring image technique on page 214 and transfer it to a slightly raised textured pasted area? I have added paste to my grocery list. Maybe I can avoid a 15 mile drive to my local craft store (my local grocery store is only half a mile away).

Another great technique which I wish I would have thought of (*sigh*), Attaching pressed flowers and leaves on page 126. What scrapbooker does not have photos of a beautiful simple day with their kids and flowers? What about grabbing a couple of those flowers and leaves and using them on your scrapbook pages? Their technique for pressing flowers is something I am going to try and follow carefully. Their tips on how to avoid the flowers from flaking, cracking, or tearing are definitely worth a try in my book. Most important it seems to be simple technique. Only 3 steps. I love simple.

This is an amazing book that I wish I had one that I could call my own. In the meantime I will visit it every once a while at my local library because this is one of those books that will not be forgotten.