When spending a large amount of time creating a scrapbook page, sometimes it can seem a bit disappointing to put it away in a scrapbook where not many people will probably see it. Instead, why not have your page framed? If there’s a page you have created that you really like, you could have a frame specially made specially fit it. Alternately, if you know in advance that you are going to want to frame a scrapbooking page you are going to create, you can purchase a frame ahead of time and make the page to suit.

Many pictures are also framed using card mounts which can either be bought in standard sizes or cut to your specific size.  These mounts can also become part of your project by adding embellishments, papers or doodling to them. You could try adding a title onto your mount, or continuing a pattern from your background papers.

One thing to be wary of is that if you’re using large embellishments on your project then you will need some way of being able to set your background off your frame. A black box is one way of adding depth to your frame.

One other way of hanging your creations on your wall is to create your page onto an artist’s canvas. Canvases can be purchased in many different sizes and you can also get black or natural canvases to add interesting backgrounds to your project.

You can stick papers, photographs and embellishments to your canvas, just as if you were creating a traditional page. You can either add eyelets and brads to your canvas (so long as you keep away from the wooden frame around the edges). Just be careful not to put too much pressure on the canvas, to keep it from ripping. It’s way too easy to ruin your canvas doing this. This is also a useful way of using canvases that have small dints or holes in them as they can be covered up.

One other craft that you can put your scrapbooking techniques to is altered art. You can alter almost anything – picture frames, tins, boxes and trays. A popular theme to altered art is books. You can create an altered book in a very similar way to a scrapbook. You’ll need to find an old book - you can pick them up cheap at a charity shop. You’ll need to stick several pages together using glue to create a sturdy page to work on. You can also work on the front of one page, then on the back of the second page so that you can stick them together…hiding any piece you have folded over the edges or backs of brads – this will leave you with a neater-looking book.

Then, you can create your pages on the pages of the book just like you would do with a scrapbook. The texts on the pages of the book lend to an interesting background but you can cover them up if it doesn’t suit the theme of your page. Also alter the front and back of the book to create a completed look. This sort of project is ideal as a gift for someone special.

An embellishment is anything other than your photographs or papers. This could include items you attach to your page to accompany the theme…but it can also include decorative techniques such as stitching and lettering.

Machine stitching is something that has become increasingly popular as scrapbooking has become more and more artistic and experimental. With almost all techniques, a lot of experimentation is required to get “just the right effect”. It’s always a good idea to test out any stitching on scrap paper beforehand. A good guide to follow: keep your stitching reasonably large so that your paper doesn’t perforate and tear. You can also play with the different types of stitching – straight, zigzag and all those other decorative stitches that various sewing machines can create. You can also hand-stitch your scrapbooking pages as well as machine-stitch them…but obviously this takes longer and needs more patience.

Adding lettering is where embellishments really get interesting. Popular methods include using rub-on transfers, stickers, chipboard letters or die-cut letters. Computers are also widely used to add writing to pages where the scrapper isn’t confident with their own handwriting or they want to use different, more imaginative styles.

Die-cut letters and shapes can be bought pre-cut from most craft shops. And, if you’re a bit more serious about all this, you can always invest in a die-cutting machine that can do this for you. Die-cutting machine all have their own range of different alphabet and shape dies…which mean you can cut those shapes over and over again using your machine. Many die-cutting machines now on the market are also able to adapt to use other companies die-ranges, as well…something well worth looking for if you decide to invest in one. Many also offer embossing folders, which will add an extra touch to your crafting.

In addition to decorative touches and alphabets, many people like to add embellishments that will co-ordinate with the theme of their scrapbooking pages.  For example, new baby scrapbooks have a variety of embellishments available.  You can buy stickers, chipboard shapes, 3D toppers, ribbons and much more. Many styles of papers also include a range of embellishments to accompany them ensuring that your page looks harmonized.

Items found around the home can also be used as embellishments. Buttons are quite popular in this regard. When discarding old clothes, by keeping the buttons (and asking friends and family to do the same) you’ll soon built up a large collection of various colored buttons.

Memorabilia is another item that many people like to include on their pages. Baby hospital bracelets, confetti from weddings or birthdays and concert tickets are some of the items that have been used to accompany photographs on scrapbook pages. These all add extra memories of special occasions or people and make ideal personalized embellishments.

However, I have found over the past 5 years that 3-hour chunks of time are getting very hard to come by, with two small children. Another problem is that I really don’t get a ton of ideas all in one chunk of time and I feel forced to produce at least some amount of pages and be thrilled with it (perfectionism, I know). Another point was I felt I should stay at the event since the time was allotted and the crop or whatever was paid for. My new approach is simple. I am going to try to do more at home with small chunks of time.

My end goal is to set up my area (nothing fancy, just a sliding door closet in the guest BR with a table surface) and keep it out when a page is under construction and do a little every day or whenever I can. This will be a real challenge, since I’m on the hyper-focused side of creating or doing any project. So I’m going to try the steady-as-she-goes-method. Just like I have found out the hard way with email and housework; a little each day will get more done. Just a little some days, in fact, is better than what happens when I do nothing.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m still up for a crop when I get the chance and childcare aligns (i.e. my husband obliges). But I’m thinking the pressure will be off a little and I won’t feel so creatively cramped if you will. At the event, I can just enjoy myself and the ladies at the event and be satisfied with whatever I get done. Sometimes I might even just leave early if my brain is fried. After all, I can do a little on another day if it’s at the ready. Those are my new revelations and I’ll let you know how things go.

I hope these ideas help someone who is feeling like throwing in the towel, perhaps even after a difficult time at a crop. I think it’s worth it to keep trying, the time passes so quickly and kids and people change so much! I like to be able to look at how they’ve changed and remember the wonderful people I have to be grateful for. If the desire is there and you’re able to tweak some things, try something new…and who cares how imperfect it may be…it’s yours.

I hope you find this free scrapbooking idea helpful!

So, I thought I’d share my valuable lesson in organization with you.  I realized the simpler my supplies are organized, the easier it is for me to use them and make decisions and put them back where they belong.  So here is my new organizational idea; all of my paper is going in a P3 Tote by Crop-In-Style, second hand from Craig’s List (someone was having a baby and forfeited the space for the nursery).  Then I can keep it all in stacks (9 in the tote) that expand upward when the handle is pulled.  All paper is visible and easy to get out and put back.  All of my tools that cut or do tricks (cutting mat, circle cutter, 12-inch trimmer, corner rounder, punches, etc…) are all in one tote (no this isn’t a paid advertisement:) that when unzipped exposes all the tools at the ready.  Again, the same idea, it is still transportable and yet it makes taking out/putting away easy to do.  My theory is that if all of this is organized I can see my options all at once instead of having to remember what they are and where they are stored.  For the tools purpose, I bought the Tools Tote Creative Memories makes.  Now, I am a cheapskate and I don’t really ever like to spend my hard-earned cash, but here is my thought; I am wasting the money I have already invested in supplies if I can’t see them to use them.  With that in mind I got what made sense to my brain and I really think this will work.  I hope this round of Free Scrapbooking Ideas has helped you.

I’ve found there are five simple steps you can follow to get started scrapbooking.

1. Gather Your Supplies. No, you don’t need one of everything. Start simple.

Choose an album, a few sheets of acid-free paper, acid-free adhesive, maybe some stickers, rubber stamps or embellishments and the pens you’d like to use to add captions or journaling.

2. Organize. Take out your photos and memorabilia (if you want to use them) and sort through them. Discard any photos that you simply cannot use. Next you’ll want to choose which ones you’ll include in your scrapbook.

You may also want to take a little extra time to sort other photos into shoeboxes or organizers for future scrapbooks.

3. Take a Class. Taking a class is an excellent source of inspiration and motivation. You’ll also learn techniques that are sure to make your first scrapbooking experience more enjoyable and memorable.

4. Be Creative. You’re scrapbooking for fun so go ahead cut away, hearts, stars, whatever you like. And don’t be afraid to crop your photos.

You may even want to try a pair of edgers to add some decorative edging to your photos. Add some stickers or try out rubber stamps. Then lay everything out and play with your arrangements until it’s just the way you want it.

You may want to check out some of the layouts that can be found in galleries on scrapbooking web sites.

Remember, it’s your scrapbook, so why not make it what you want it to be. There’s no right or wrong way to make a scrapbook, the choices are personal.

5. Take Your Time. Set aside a little time every day, or a couple times a week, to work on your scrapbook. Doing this you’ll be less likely to lose interest since you’ll be able to see your scrapbook coming together with each session.

Equally you’ll be less like to rush through it and end up disappointed.

It’s not unlike decorating a room in your house orplanning the decorations for a party. You don’t want one aspect to overpower or detract from the others and you want it all to be coordinated.

You may be a bit overwhelmed at times when trying to choose the right embellishments for a scrapbook.

With all the wonderful products out there you may have a difficult time making a choice.

The key here is to take your time and shoparound. There’s no rule that says yomust buy all the embellishments you’re going to use on your scrapbook from the same
place, either.

Where you purchase your supplies is a matter of preference, like many other decisions you make about your scrapbooking.

Rubber stamps, stenciling, rub ons and stickers are all common and popular examples of embellishments.

The techniques that can be used with many of them vary, as do the mediums you can use with them. Although stickers can’t be used in too many different ways, the wide variety of stickers available makes them almost an essential item.

Let’s not overlook the embellishments that we can make ourselves. You can use a needle and thread or a sewing machine to make some wonderful embellishments.

Whether you’re sewing ribbon on to pages or using embroidery for your title page, these embellishments will add just as much pizzazz to your scrapbook as anything you could buy from a store.

A wide variety of other items that can be used as embellishments include beads, seeds, shells, ribbon, fabric, scraps of paper and so much more. The fact that many of these items are laying around the house make them very popular.

The homey feel that they inspire is also a good reason for their use.

Like many of the other choices you’ll make while scrapbooking, your choice of embellishments is a very personal one. What works for one person may not work for another.

Many times it’s merely a difference in style or taste that guides our decision. Other times it’s skill level or budget. However, there generally isn’t a right or wrong choice, so go ahead, experiment and have fun!

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Now, with a few simple steps, you can get your photos out of clutter and into order in some exciting and unique ways.

The first thing you need to do is set a goal for yourself. Do you want to go through and organize all of your photo memories? Or do you just want to get out last year’s family reunion photos?

Pick a goal that is realistic to the time you have available. In other words, do you want to clean out the cupboard, or do you just want to scrap last year’s reunion at the crop on Friday?

Your next step will be gathering supplies. Are you going to store your photos in boxes, envelopes, photo organizers or even an album planner?

There is nothing more frustrating than getting to the end of your task and realizing that you don’t have what you need to complete the job.

Now it’s time to start sorting and/or breaking down your task. If you are sorting though decades of photos, place them in boxes by years. If you are just sorting the family reunion, sort it chronologically.

Then go through and sort out each event that took place during the reunion. (ie: picnic, softball game, dance, etcetera) Give each event its own pile. If you are using an album planner, it will be easy to put things in pockets by actual layout.

Don’t forget to put your memorabilia with your photos. This system also allows for ease of storage, best visibility and accessibility.

If you choose a method that does not allow you to store you memorabilia with your photos, be sure to write a note to put with your photos about where you have stored your memorabilia.

Put your memorabilia in large manilaenvelopes with a corresponding label to the photos.

Finally, make your supplies and tools easy to get to and to find. Get the organizational system you need to make the best use of your time.

Tidy and organize your area as soon as you are finished with a layout or project so it doesn’t become daunting to go there the next time.

However, when you open yourself up to these situations, you take the chance that someone just might decide to copy your work. Yes, you are there to share and learn, but not to let others “take” all of your hard earned ideas and exploit them for their own.

Some people immediately feel they should get their scrapbooks copyrighted. This is not necessary. One way to get around this is toagree to scraplifting.

“Scraplifting” is a term used loosely by some scrapbookers. It describes the process of seeing scrapbook layouts or ideas in magazines or on the Web and copying them for your own layout(s).

Most scrapbookers are happy to share their ideas with others because they realize that they too have received inspiration, motivation or ideas from others in the past.

Scraplifting can be the highest form of flattery when the person being copied views the “scraplifting” as an opportunity for someone else to have a creative experience with the help of another.

Other scrapbookers don’t see scraplifting the same way. They believe it to be unethical and call it CASEing (copy and stealing everything).

For those scrapbookers who believe scraplifting is okay, they say there are unofficial guidelines that should be followed.

Scraplifting is a complicated subject too. The general rule of thumb is: if you use 70% of another person’s scrapbook, it’s a scraplift, under that it’s an “inspired
by you”.

If you do scraplift,you MUST credit the original artist in your comments, possibly even linking back to the original, but do not try to pass it off as your own, unaided work.

This of course also means that you need to keep some kind of track of who the original poster was. Some will ask the artist’s permission first before scraplifting.

In general, it is not necessary to copyright your work unless you are selling it. There are always going to be a select few individuals out there that don’t “follow the rules” of ethics.

However, those numbers are very slim and should not scare you into spending needlessly on copyrights and scare you away from something you enjoy so much.

Not only because there’s a nearly endless supply of products such as pre-made digital templates, fonts and layouts that are available literally at your fingertips, but there’s also a wide array of software products that allow you to create your own.

You can choose from element kits, e-paper, fonts and more. There are virtually no constraints in digital creativity, whereas there are but so many ways you can manipulate a piece of paper, foil or other physical decorative touches.

Along with the ease of creativity that digital photography brings is the convenience of being able to literally produce your own photos at your own home.

Gone are the days of running to the photo shop to drop off your film and then run back to pick them up when they’re developed. With the printers, photo paper and software available today you can do it all at your own convenience.

No more planning in advance to work on your scrapbook in accordance to when your pictures would be ready for you.

Another perk of using digital photography in your scrapbooking is the knowledge that should you make a mistake in altering your photo it doesn’t mean disaster. You can alter your photo as many times and ways as you like until you get just what you want.

No worries of cropping too much here or there, if you don’t like it you can just undo it! You can also try different looks on your photo without having to pay to see what they’ll look like.

You can go black and white, sepia tone and color and choose what’s just right for you layout or theme without having to print them.

Have you ever not been sure of just what you wanted to do with your newest scrapbook and ended up with a whirlwind of paper and templates, foil and ribbon, glitter and glue surrounding you only to still not be happy with any of them?

The digital design software available now can take a lot of the guesswork and mess out of your decision-making.

You can try a multitude of looks on for size and then get down to the real work when you’ve made your choice.