How to Create Beautiful Scrapbook Page Layouts

Scrapbooking is one of the leading crafting hobbies, and it offers vast possibilities to use your imagination and creativity without restrictive guidelines or rules. By choosing a specific theme and color scheme, you can develop beautiful page layouts for your keepsakes as well as shared memories with your family and friends.

Things You'll Need

• Scrap paper
• Brown packaging paper
• Colored markers
• Layout template
• Photograph copies
• Printer or copier
• Scissors
• Acid- and lignin-free paper
• Photo adhesive tape
• Photo corners
• Brush applicator
• Acid-free adhesive
• Decorative paper (optional)
• Tea (optional)
• Decorative ribbon (optional)
• Acid-free glue stick (optional)

Instructions

Developing Your Page Layout

1. Design your page's theme on scrap or brown packaging paper prior to working directly onto your scrapbook page. Keep in mind the type of scrapbook--such as a brag, memory or travel book--and page size as you develop your design.

2. Use colored markers to designate specific areas for scrapbooking techniques such as stamping or special embellishments such as quilled flower or heart shapes.

3. Make low-resolution copies of your photographs using your printer or copier and cut out. Outline the pictures onto your scrap-paper template with a marker. Mark the space needed for any photograph frames, such as rub-on borders.

4. Create your template by transferring your scrap-paper layout ideas onto your scrapbooking paper. Use a light pencil to make any special placement markings for photographs or embellishments. Make a copy or scanned image of your new template for future reference, if you want.

5. Choose paper and embellishments that complement the colors of your photographs. Pick out trims such as printed labels, paper or dried flowers, or decorative papers such as vellum, vintage-style faded papers or paper punches. You can incorporate calligraphy for theme-related quotations or titles.

6. Assemble your page layout. Use acid- and lignin-free paper, photo adhesive tape and photo corners. Brush light coats of acid-free adhesive for your trims with a brush applicator to avoid any glue from seeping through the page. Add elements to your page until your layout is complete. Let dry for several hours prior to inserting into your scrapbook.

Page Layout Ideas

1. Create a pop-art scrapbook page by folding decorative paper into thirds, as an accordion-like brochure. Add a light coating of acid-free adhesive and glue it to your page. Add mementos to each fold, such as ticket stubs, maps, cards or decorative empty food wrappers for a travel-inspired scrapbooking page.

2. Create a vintage-inspired scrapbooking page. Dip your paper into tea or coffee for approximately 10 seconds. The longer the paper is dipped, the darker the shade. Let the paper dry overnight. Incorporate vintage-inspired labels and calligraphy. Cut photographs into oval shapes to resemble old cameos. Add a rub-on border with a small, delicate ribbon to finish the cameo.

3. Create a school-inspired scrapbooking page. Apply acid-free glue to a sheet of graph or notebook paper and attach it to your scrapbooking page. Make a small fold to a second sheet of graph paper, apply glue around the border, and adhere the paper on top of the first sheet to form a pocket. Insert artwork, report cards or keepsakes collected throughout the school year. Use a photocopy of your child's composition book and make a frame around their class picture as well as school photograph.

References

• "Scrapbook Page Maps: Sketches for Creative Layouts"; Becky Fleck; 2008
• "Martha Stewart's Encyclopedia of Crafts: An A-to-Z Guide with Detailed Instructions and Endless Inspiration"; Martha Stewart Living Magazine; 2009

Resources

• Scrapbook.com: Layout Themes