How to Make a Scrapbook | Scrapbook Basics

On this page, scrapbook beginners will see the basics of how to make a scrapbook, including video tutorials demonstrating the equipment needed as well as showing how to assemble a simple scrapbook layout. Photos are included as well.

If you are new to scrapbooking, you've come to the right place. This article is for novice scrapbookers and those who have yet to try this exciting, creative hobby.

You'll find an array of helpful information here. In no time, you'll be making scrapbooks and memory albums that you and your loved ones will treasure for years.

I will take you, step by step, through the process of creating a simple scrapbook layout.

The photo here is a heritage scrapbook page I made with a picture of a little boy about two or three years old. Unless otherwise stated, all photos on this page are my own, credited to June Campbell.

When you start scrapbooking, you will encounter the terms archival, lignon free and acid free.

Many of the products you buy in scrapbook stores will have these designations.

To make an archival quality scrapbook means to make a scrapbook that will withstand the ravages of time without rotting, discoloring or otherwise disintegrating. To do this, you need to use papers, adhesives, albums and embellishments that are acid free and lignon free.

You must also store your archival scrapbook in an environment that protects it from water damage, sunlight, heat, high humidity, and from pests such as insects, pets, small children and from guests who have had a tad too much wine with dinner!

All this assumes that you want a heritage memory book that will survive for many decades and be passed along to future generations.

If you do not care about your scrapbook's long life, then using archival products is not necessary.

It's completely a case of what your intentions are for the book you are making!

What you need to get started

The natural question people have when they think about how to make a scrapbook, is "What supplies and tools do I need?"

First, and most importantly, you need photos or other memorabilia that you want to scrapbook. Scrapbook pages typically contain photos, but photos are not a strict requirement. You can make pages without photos but containing other keepsake items, or you can combine photos and keepsake items in a layout.

Keepsake items can be almost anything flat enough to use. Think postcards, greeting cards, programs, letters, certificates, tickets, passports, buttons or lace from the dress you wore, small items of clothing, pressed flowers that are cold laminated, etc.

As for other supplies, you need:

1. An album or memory book to contain your layouts

2. Cutting tools such as paper trimmers or scissors

3. Acid-free adhesives

4. A journaling pen OR the ability to print journaling from a computer

5. Alphabets to spell a page title (can be stickers, computer generated, die cuts, etc.

5. Optional embellishments to decorate your page.

The video below demonstrates the scrapbook supplies you will need to get started with your first project

You will need cutting tools to cut your papers, crop your photographs, mat your pictures, cut your adhesive tape and so forth.

The scrapbook industry has supplied us with a wide array of cutting tools -- so many that it can be confusing for the beginner.

To start with, there is only ONE must-have tool -- and that is a good pair of paper scissors. A second tool -- a paper trimmer -- is not essential but highly recommended. Paper trimmers ensure straight, smooth cuts and also save you a great deal of time.

An important component of knowing how to make a scrapbook is being able to cut precisely and neatly.

The video below demonstrates Fiskars Portable Paper Trimmer.

When you are a beginner, keeping things simple is a good idea. Start with one great picture. Think of a title for your page and create the journaling that you want to use. The journaling is among the most important component because it tells the story. It relates your feelings, thoughts and opinions about the layout.

If you are really stuck about what to journal, perhaps you might use a quote from a famous person or a line from a poem. You'll find plenty of good quotes on the web.

When learning how to make a scrapbook, its helpful to follow a layout that someone has designed. The video below takes you through the steps of creating a simple, but attractive layout using one photo, one journaling box, a simple title made with stickers and embellished with buttons and lace.

These links contain pictures, videos and instructions of small, hand made mini-albums.