Preserve those memories!
Scrapbooking is a super popular hobby and for good reason - it's fun! Not only does it give you a way to save and showcase photos of your beautiful babies, but it also gives you a creative outlet for your artsy/crafty side.
Step 1: Take tons and tons of pictures! If you have a digital camera, there is really no limit to the number of photos you can take. For every 10 blurry, weird pictures you take, you will get one incredible shot! For tips on taking great pictures, see my article at Hip and Little.
Step 2: Print those babies out. There's nothing sadder than dragging friends and relatives to your computer in order to see your family photos. Set them free! You can print them at home with a photo printer or through a service such as Shutterfly.com
(scroll down for their 15 free print offer).
Step 3: Choose a theme. Obvious topics include baby showers, birthdays, holidays and other special events. Other great choices include featuring something unique about your child (her lovey, the way he eats spaghetti, etc.) or focusing on special relationships. Pick out the pictures that came out well and reflect your theme. You can choose anywhere from one to a dozen or so pictures, depending on their size and how you want to create your layout.
Step 4: Pick out cute paper or cardstock for the background. Keep in mind the colors in the photos you chose, as well as the mood of your theme. Make sure the paper you use is acid free, so it won't harm your photos. Scrapbooking paper may be purchased at local scrapbooking stores, craft stores and online. One favorite online store of mine is Two Peas in a Bucket. They also have a great gallery where people share their layouts and gain ideas.
Step 5: Layout your photos, trimming ("cropping") as necessary. You may want to place another coordinating paper that is just a little bigger than your photo behind it to really show it off.
Step 6: Journal a little bit about the photo - where it was taken, when it was, what was going on. Basically, you want to explain your theme and record the important details. If you are not sure what to write, imagine that you are your child all grown up. What would you want to know about those pictures?
Step 7: Embellish. This can be the really fun (and expensive!) part. Some people prefer simple scrapbooks with minimal embellishments for a clean look. Others love covering their pages with accents for a more complex look. Options for embellishments include ribbons, metal pieces, stickers and countless more. The more you learn about scrapbooking, the more options you will see.
Step 8: Store safely in an album or other place away from moisture, direct heat, or damage. Most albums come with page protectors that will keep your layouts safe from sticky hands.
Need help? There are tons of great forums and yahoo groups devoted to scrapbooking. Two Peas in a Bucket has a great forum and undoubtedly you will find many more if you search for them online. Also, your local scrapbooking store may offer classes and/or cropping get-togethers where you can meet other scrapbook lovers.
Here are some deals I found on the web:
My favorite scrapbooking book! I love the author's style.
Stylish scrapbooking stuff from Making Memories in on sale for 30% off at joann.com
!
Shutterfly gives 15 free prints to new members. A great way to get started!
Step 1: Take tons and tons of pictures! If you have a digital camera, there is really no limit to the number of photos you can take. For every 10 blurry, weird pictures you take, you will get one incredible shot! For tips on taking great pictures, see my article at Hip and Little.
Step 2: Print those babies out. There's nothing sadder than dragging friends and relatives to your computer in order to see your family photos. Set them free! You can print them at home with a photo printer or through a service such as Shutterfly.com
Step 3: Choose a theme. Obvious topics include baby showers, birthdays, holidays and other special events. Other great choices include featuring something unique about your child (her lovey, the way he eats spaghetti, etc.) or focusing on special relationships. Pick out the pictures that came out well and reflect your theme. You can choose anywhere from one to a dozen or so pictures, depending on their size and how you want to create your layout.
Step 4: Pick out cute paper or cardstock for the background. Keep in mind the colors in the photos you chose, as well as the mood of your theme. Make sure the paper you use is acid free, so it won't harm your photos. Scrapbooking paper may be purchased at local scrapbooking stores, craft stores and online. One favorite online store of mine is Two Peas in a Bucket. They also have a great gallery where people share their layouts and gain ideas.
Step 5: Layout your photos, trimming ("cropping") as necessary. You may want to place another coordinating paper that is just a little bigger than your photo behind it to really show it off.
Step 6: Journal a little bit about the photo - where it was taken, when it was, what was going on. Basically, you want to explain your theme and record the important details. If you are not sure what to write, imagine that you are your child all grown up. What would you want to know about those pictures?
Step 7: Embellish. This can be the really fun (and expensive!) part. Some people prefer simple scrapbooks with minimal embellishments for a clean look. Others love covering their pages with accents for a more complex look. Options for embellishments include ribbons, metal pieces, stickers and countless more. The more you learn about scrapbooking, the more options you will see.
Step 8: Store safely in an album or other place away from moisture, direct heat, or damage. Most albums come with page protectors that will keep your layouts safe from sticky hands.
Need help? There are tons of great forums and yahoo groups devoted to scrapbooking. Two Peas in a Bucket has a great forum and undoubtedly you will find many more if you search for them online. Also, your local scrapbooking store may offer classes and/or cropping get-togethers where you can meet other scrapbook lovers.
Here are some deals I found on the web:
My favorite scrapbooking book! I love the author's style.
Stylish scrapbooking stuff from Making Memories in on sale for 30% off at joann.com
Shutterfly gives 15 free prints to new members. A great way to get started!
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