A baby never fails to bring joy in any family. The fun and excitement the baby brings is simply priceless. Parents, especially first timers, can't help but be nostalgic about everything concerned with the new baby. Perhaps if there was a way to freeze time and keep all those memorable moments, they would gladly do it to cherish such an important milestone in life.
Unfortunately life goes on and precious moments cannot be frozen forever. Nevertheless memories can still be preserved for a long time by keeping mementos that help people reminisce life’s treasured highlights. This is commonly done by making scrapbooks.
While most people have desired at least once to keep a scrapbook, many of them simply never succeed. Admittedly, scrapbook making is quite tedious and time consuming, but those who have kept scrapbooks swear by their worth. In reality, making scrapbooks is not really that complicated. One just needs to know the things needed to make one. For making scrapbooks of baby’s firsts, it is important to keep pictures of key events related to a baby’s development. Among the commonly treasured occasions may include simple moments like the baby’s first smile, yawn, nap, sitting up, crawling, walking, bath, hair cut and so on.
One could also take pictures of first things such its bottle, bed, chair, diaper, toy, solid food, and the like. Another important moment to catch would be the baby’s first special occasions such as Halloween, thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, Easter, birthday, vacation, and other noted affairs.
To make the scrapbook more interesting, it would be nice to include small, mountable items in the collection. This might include a lock of hair from the first haircut. There could also be pieces of clothing such as a sock, a bonnet, a bib, or a mitten.
One common item would be birth announcements, the baby’s hospital tag, an invitation to the baby shower, and so on. Some parents can even include a dried piece of the baby’s umbilical cord. There are thousands of possibilities when one’s imagination is set free.
Those who are new to scrapbook making should not be alarmed. There are baby scrapbook kits available in bookstores and craft stores. You may also choose to do it from scratch by just fastening special paper together, or by getting a multi-purpose album, then decorating it with baby-related stuff.
Keeping a baby’s treasured moments can be so much fun with the right things and know-how at hand.
Gross Motor Skills | Motor Skills | Masterpieces | Art Masterpieces
Scrapbooking Skills To Master
It has long been accepted that hobbies don't just form one kind of diversion but they also provide means of enhancing the personality of the hobbyist as well as his or her personal improvement. This is because hobbies don't just entertain but they also motivate people to develop their talents and hone in on their skills.
Take for example scrapbooking. Scrapbooking doesn't just motivate people to become creative and resourceful. This particular hobby also motivates people to improve their skills and to instigate ways on how to develop them further.
However, it's also important to note that scrapbooking also takes some skills in order to do the job well. Therefore, for those who wish to engage in scrapbooking, here is a list of some of the skills that every budding scrapper needs to develop:
1. Motor skills
In scrapbooking, it is extremely important to develop one’s motor skills. This is because scrapbooking mostly entails the use of scissors, because there will be plenty of cutting activities. The delicate cutting of mini flowers and ribbons that are perfectly detailed from the loops down to the twirls should be finely cut in order to create a more artistic impression.
2. Logical skills
Mixing designs and matching colors don't just involve creativity. It is more on the logical capacity of the brain to rationally harmonize colors, shapes, and designs, thereby creating a well-balanced appearance. It is important to cultivate your logical skills if you really want to succeed in making quality scrapbooks.
3. Confidence
Building confidence is considered to be one of the most important skills children and adults alike need to develop. With scrapbooking, you can simply master this skill by creating a masterpieces of your own. That simple work is enough to build confidence because it makes a person realize that he or she can do something really well if they just put their heart and mind to it.
Building scrapbooks is a special ability that can truly make somebody proud of themselves, because most of the ideas incorporated in scrapbooking are all originals. The bottom line is that people just have to develop these skills in order to succeed in the scrapbooking activity. With these skills, you can simply surmise that anything is, indeed, possible as long as you develop your talents and hone in on your skills.
You can create your own design of a scrapbook. First, you should be decided on what kind of scrapbook you would like to make. There are different sizes that are available in bookstores. The most common sizes are the 8x12 and the 12x12 inch formats. These formats are a little expensive but they have good qualities and can store a large amount of collections.
The 8x11 format works best since it can fit the inkjet printers that are generally of the same size. You can also use three ring binders even if the pages are in the process of printing. You may even place the pages similar to the format of a post type binder where you can create a double outline. The pages are attached closely so that they can be used as one outline. You may produce photographs on that format even if they aren't separately placed on the printer.
There are more inexpensive scads that you can get in the 8x12 format. They can be used as school supplies, art, and office supplies as well. You can have more space from the pages if your option is to use three ring binders for your scrapbook. However, it is better to have high quality binders to help you compile the collections on the pages before arranging them in a post type binder.
It isn't advisable to use a spiral non-removable scrapbook because you will be limited on one particular page and you may want to rearrange the pages. Some people are still buying this kind of format because they specialize on a specific compilation. This allows them to categorize the collections from each page.
There are also themed books that can exhibit those fun memories. Your children may enjoy looking at the pictures so they can see how styles and trends looked back then. Neighbors and friend who visit your home may have fun flipping through the pages rather than just looking at old photo albums.
It is always enjoyable to remember the moments in your life by looking at your scrapbook. Making a scrapbook with different themes is easy to organize especially if you use inexpensive supplies. Each page can be themed differently. In fact, you can save more time and money when you apply the same color on the background. Create a cover page in every event that you have visited to ensure that they will be kept safely.
Scrapbooking has remained a popular craft thoughout many generations all over the world. The desire to preserve precious moments has urged people to collect mementos such as pictures and small souvenirs, and then arrange them in a creative manner to help reminisce about memorable times. While several scrapbookers prefer traditional methods of memory preservation by using good old paper, scissors and glue, a lot have ventured out into the hi-tech world by making digital scrapbooks.
The popularity of digital scrapbooking is growing steadily. In fact, many of the traditional scrapbooking magazines have released special issues featuring the making of scrapbooks with computers. Some hobbyists have introduced themselves into the digital art by just making parts of their scrapbooks on computers and then printing them out to attach to their normal albums. However, others have ventured into hardcore scrapbooking, i.e. making scrapbooks entirely on the computer, as it saves time and materials, plus it provides many more capabilities not available with traditional methods.
Many digital scrapbookers are photographers who use digital cameras and have their pictures stored in their computers. The beauty of their work would go to waste if they are just stored there in folders, so they came up with interesting ways to showcase their photos. Not only are digital scrapbooks quick to make, they can also easily be distributed and used as portfolios. Otherwise they can be quickly shared to just about anyone who has a computer.
Digital scrapbooking is quite simple. There are few things needed to make digital scrapbooks. First of all, you need a computer with a decent graphics card. Next, you need digital imaging software such as Adobe Photoshop. Such software is not only designed to edit pictures but also to make layouts such as scrapbooks. Obviously, you need photos. You may also use scrapbook templates such as Simply Digital, which helps beginners with design ideas. For those who want to print their work, a good quality photo printer and photo paper is needed.
With these materials, digital scrapbooking can be easy. Like traditional scrapbook making methods, it basically involves designing backgrounds, adding pictures, inserting accent designs, adding texts and titles, and so on. The good thing about digital scrapbooking is everything can be easily edited and mistakes can be easily removed.
Making scrapbooks is definitely one of the most well-known hobbies that people engage in all over the world. There are many kinds of scrapbooks, and various ways to create them. One who is seriously interested in scrapbooking will be amazed at the amount of creative choices that can be afforded to them.
One of the tools used in scrapbooking is software that can make the process easier and make the book look more creative. Hobbyists have many software tools to choose from to aid them in making that perfect scrapbook.
Here are examples of the most popular scrapbooking software available on the market:
1. American Greetings Crafts! and Scrapbooks & More! 7.0 from Broderbund
There will be no end to creativity when you uses this software released by Broderbund, because it allows you to make crafts in 3D. You simply select a scrapbook format, then the software can personalize it all throughout, using items such as stickers, photos, backgrounds and borders.
It has everything needed by a scrapbook fanatic to create books with awesome design, and can be used for other projects as well. Customization is a breeze with its extensive templates and graphics, finished with truly beautiful and unique fonts. Other projects that this software can be used for are trading cards, journals and photo frames.
3. Nova Scrapbook Plus from Nova
Another software wonder from Nova, makes it easy for scrapbookers to create and share precious albums to families and friends. It has all the tools and applications needed to produce professional looking albums. Its features include templates and custom projects, customized lettering, special effects, amazing graphics and borders and drawing tools.
4. American Greetings Crafts Version 7
Another of Broderbund's amazing products, it can create an incredible array of projects aside from the scrapbook itself, such as bags and buttons. Creativity is never a problem with all the tools available for the user-photo frames, button, pop-up cards...and more! It is a very flexible tool because it can be easily used by beginners but also serve advanced crafters well.
These are the projects that can be created using the tool:
There are many different ways that users can utilize to create their scrapbook. Aside from the usual materials, there are many software tools available that will enable the user to explore his creativity. By producing breathtaking designs, more and more people will be encouraged to get into scrapbooking.
Scrapbooking Materials | Art Materials | Scrapbooking Stores
Finding The Best Scrapbook Materials
Scrapbooking is one of the newest hobbies sweeping the country. One out of four people in the average household is involved in golf, one out of three is involved in scrapbooking. Scrapbooking is a great hobby; it releases the creative side of your personality and lets you keep memories at the same time.
Choosing the materials to use in your scrapbook is also one of the exciting parts in making one. Here are some tips that you can consider in making sure that the materials you have are perfect.
Experiment and expand your creativity
The best thing about scrapbooking is its personalization. There are no limits if you have a creative mind, even old tattered jeans can be used in your design. Just make sure that you have a general theme. Don't dispel items that most scrapbookers aren't using, who knows you might be the one to start a trend?
Significance
Since you are making a personal scrapbook, the best materials that you can use are the ones that have significance in your life. Remember the first ticket concert that your husband bought for you? Putting it in your scrapbook adds some romance and memory. If you’re making one for your child, you can even put some of the hair from his or her first haircut. The options are endless.
Preservation
Ensure your materials can be preserved for many years to come. Most people make scrapbooks to remember events and people, so it’s definitely a plus if you make sure that the materials you will use can be preserved. Make sure inks don't fade easily and your papers are acid free. Read about ways you can improve the preservation of materials to ensure they will last long.
Shop
Scrapbooking has become so popular that most stores have it in a seperate section. Visit a local store and you can be sure that there will be plenty of material to choose from. They are also releasing designs and materials in kits. All you have to do is buy one design kit, and your scrapbook will all be set for production.
Browse
Browsing the internet for tips on materials is also one of the best ways to get quick information. There are many sites that give instructions on how you can create your own materials. Some of them even offer products that are definitely useful for your scrapbooking.
There are tons of materials that you can use on your scrapbook. There are no cardinal rules that will stop you from choosing almost anything. Just be sure that the materials will last over time and it agrees with your whole concept. Enjoy designing!
There are many creative and talented people in the world and this talent can be used in making sentimental scrapbooks.
A scrapbook is a moment captured in time. The you can use a variety of things such as old Christmas cards, photos, magazines or newspaper clippings and much more. There are many ways to do this and if you don't have the time to look for layouts and backgrounds there is a place you can get them for free.
Did someone say free? Oh yes. This is all thanks to modern technology which has made all of these resources available via the internet. This can save time and money buy getting the necessary things to put this all together by simply downloading them off the computer.
Are there a lot of websites? Yes again. Programmers have provide more than 100,000 images to choose from that cater to any occasion from Graduation, to the birth of a baby, Easter and Christmas.
A single site may not provide everything you need which is why most of these sites have links to others on a variety of topics such as arts, crafts and sports. They cater to all ages regardless of gender even if you are just a beginner or someone who has been making scrapbooks for a long time.
The images on the web simply provide a guide. This will only be complete by attaching a photo into it and for this, a scanner must be needed. When the photo has been combined with the selected image, you can start printing this onto paper then compiling it into the scrapbook.
Most of the pictures are in .pdf format which means this can only be printed by opening this in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If the you don’t have this program yet in the computer, this would be a good time to get this and start enjoying the benefits of free printable scrapbook images.
Has this made the traditional way of making a scrapbook obsolete? Certainly not. This has merely provided you with the means of finding better layouts from the existing ones that are available from the bookstore.
There are individuals who combine the old and new methods to create scrapbooks and these are still regarded as works of art. There is no harm in checking the websites out especially since it can be printed for free.
Wonder Digital Scrapbooking Have you ever wondered what Digital Scrapbooking is? I did, so I looked it up. Digital Scrapbooking is basically making a collage of your photos, art, layouts, fonts, etc in a graphics, or “Image Editing” program. It is just like Scrapbooking, only without the book! If you enjoy working with computers and showing off your work/art, this is a great way to go! It is especially good if you take a lot of Digital Photo’s. How broke can you go with Digital Scrapbooking? No Need! I found out how you can begin with more than the basics for low cost, or free! If you own a Digital Camera, then you most likely have some type of software that came with it. These are often referred to as “Image Editing” Package’s, or software. Most of these software programs, allow you to create “Albums” right on your computer. Other programs you can purchase that are REAL nice are: Photoshop, Paint Shop Pro, Ulead, Adobe, or Microsoft Picture It only to name a few. Now, you can create all your own scrap book art, if you like. But, if you want to save time, and go the traditional way, just download some free templates for yourself. I will list an abundance of digital scrapbooking templates and freebies for you. So, now you know that Digital Scrapbooking is just done on the computer. You can save to disk, upload, download, share it with a friend, print and make a book…A Scrapbook.
If you would like to make your own digital scrapbook page layouts with your own clipart, then we may be learning the arts of this together. You will need software that will allow you to layer. Look for more articles about how to create your own ClipArt’s, fonts and page layouts for scrapbooking coming up soon.
Get started Curious about digital scrapbooking? Whether you are already an avid scrapper' or just getting started digital scrapbooking is hands down the best way to preserve and share your photos and memories! It allows you create fabulous page layouts that can enhance your photographs and memories without the time and mess involved in traditional scrapbooking.
Step 1: Your Pictures As with traditional scrapbooking the first step to digital scrapbooking should be your pictures. There are several ways to get your pictures on to your computer. We will briefly discuss three of them: digital cameras, scanners, and your local or online photo lab. Digital Cameras - If you love taking pictures and sharing them with others a digital camera is a must have. Digital cameras are the simplest and most convent way of getting your pictures on to your computer. With new technologies being developed everyday prices on digital cameras have dropped dramatically. These days you can get and good digital camera for between $100 - $300. Scanners - A scanner is a good option for the boxes of old photographs up in the closet. A scanner will allow you to take the photos you have already had developed and "copy" them on to your computer. This is a great option for old family photographs of which there is only one copy. You will need to know a little bit about computers to hook one up, or at least have some one around who can help you. Scanner prices have also dropped and can be purchased for between $100 and $200. Your Local or Online Photo Lab - This is probably the best option for those of you just getting started, who don't want to invest a lot of money yet. Most camera labs, such as Wal-Mart, can take your regular film, develop your photographs, and also put a copy of them on to a Photo CD or post them Online for you. The cost is usually on a few extra dollars. They can also scan in your old photographs or negative and do the same thing, but the cost is usually a little more. I enjoying using Kodak EasyShare Gallery. They can develop both your regular film as well as your digital photographs. They also offer a free online gallery. You can post your completed scrapbooking pages.
Step 2: Photo Editing Software In order to view your digital pictures and layout your digital pages you will need some sort of photo editing software. Again, there are several options. When choosing your photo editing software, make sure that it supports layering. The two of the most popular photo editing software available are Adobe Photoshop Elements and Corel Photo Paint. They both offer free trials and depending on the version cost between $50 and $200. To learn how to download the free 30 day trials click here!
Step 3: Laying Out Your Pages This has got to be one of my favorite steps. Like traditional scrapbooking, you will need background papers, frames, embellishments, etc. That means it is time to go shopping! There are a wide variety of digital papers and embellishments available to choose from. To check out our collection of starter sets click here. In most cases you can purchase page kits for between $2 and $10. If you are just getting started look for "freebies" to help you get going and see what you can do. The most common means of receiving your digital papers and embellishments will be through downloads. In most cases you will click a link that will allow you download a .zip file containing your digital papers and/or embellishments. You will want to create a digital scrapbooking folder to store all of your downloads. Once you have downloaded your files you may have to unzip them. To do this click the zipped file and in the menu system click "unzip" or "extract". Then you can use your photo editing software to open your elements. I would recommend opening your background paper, mattes and photographs first. Then you can add your frames and embellishments just as you would in traditional scrapbooking. To add new elements to your page you open the file containing the element you want to add to your page. Then use your lasso tool to cut our the element you desire, copy it (Ctrl+C) and paste it on you page (Ctrl+V) You will then be able to change the size and orientation of your elements to fit perfectly with your page. To learn more check out our other tutorials!
Step 4: Sharing The best part of creating beautiful digital pages would have to be the ability to share them with others. There are many ways to share your digital scrapbooking pages with others. We will briefly discuss several of them: printing, the internet, or multi-media devices. Printing - Most new home office color printers will do a fine job printing our your digital scrapbooking pages. Though they won't be able to print out your full sized 12 x 12 pages they can be used to do 8 1/2 x 11 or smaller mini book pages, which are very popular. If you will be buying a new printer choose one that specializes in photo quality printing. You can also choose to have you pages professionally printed. There are a wide variety of services available online. The Internet - The internet can be used in a wide varieties of ways to share and store your digital photo's. Most Internet service providers offer your a small amount of web space for free. This can be used to share your digital photo's online. There are also a wide variety of commercial site that will post you pictures in there gallery for free or a small fee. We hope to be adding a gallery to our site in the near future. Multi-media - You can take your digital scrapbook and burn it CD. I recommend this step to all digital scrapers to back up your digital files. You might also want to try burning you digital scrapbook in slide show form to DVD. That way any one with a DVD player can view your digital scrapbook. * These make great Christmas gifts for Grandmas and Grandpas!
Even if you don't have a creative bone in your body, you can still come up with something which is pleasing to the eye when making a scrapbook.
Just go with whatever it is that you feel like doing, have fun or do it with somebody else – a friend or a younger member of the family.
You can look at samples online or have a scrapbooking enthusiast show you his or her work. Then you can gather concepts to apply when you make your own.
Here are some great ideas for you to use when making the ultimate scrapbook:
1. Album
You can buy these online or at a local crafts store. The album that you choose will dictate the overall design of the album so take your time in picking one.
Look at the material used in the paper. If you plan to make a collage and include heavier materials, look for a thicker paper. The regular thickness of craft paper will do if you just want to stick many different photos in your scrapbook.
There are various sizes to choose from, beginning from a letter-size album which is 8 ½” x 11” or the smaller square-sized paper of 6” or 8”.
For a smaller format, you can use just one or two pictures to showcase on each page and just add on embellishments.
2. Themes
Look around you and you will surely find an inspiration when it comes to the theme of your scrapbook.
The weather is one example, look for a bright-orange or yellow-based color. Then, you could cut out photos of sunflowers and loop a yellow yarn and glue it on to represent the sun.
Next, paste the pictures on the pages of your scrapbook and finish up with writing a personalized quote or paste a clipping from a newspaper. Glue on additional memorabilia of a different medium then your scrapbook is as good as gold.
3. Borders
You can use the same theme for the borders as the page itself or the borders of the photos.
Pasting a picture on top of a paper which will serve as your border will add depth to your scrapbook layout.
You can also cut a big shape then inscribe another shape or pattern – like a square inscribed in a circle, then place the photo underneath the border.
4. Design and Layout
You can either go with the theme and coordinate it with the design or make a completely different design altogether.
Within the layout, you can go with the standard photos or memorabilia items in the middle or you can put them on either side of the page.
Templates are used in scrapbooking by printing them out on cardstock and cutting/coloring them into an embellishment. Or, there are some templates you use as a guide to make an embellishment.
Scrapbooking entrepreneurs are realizing that this fascinating and incredibly popular pastime is the perfect vehicle to earn a sole or secondary income. There is tremendous growth potential, whether you’re opening a retail store or simply designing a product out of your house. Consumers are devouring this hobby to the extent of more than $2-$3 billion spent each year - and that's just in the U.S.!
And do you know what the best part is? The people who are making this happen are regular women and men – just like you and me. Many of them didn’t even know the first thing about starting their own business. But they knew there was something more out there than working full-time to make someone else rich. There was something more fulfilling, more time flexible, and more profitable.
They then discovered what most entrepreneurs know – following your passion is where the true happiness and money potential is. And for many, that passion is scrapbooking.
You see, full-time moms are beginning to realize the importance of being with their children, while still experiencing the independence of earning their own income by doing something they love. Full-time workers are still looking for ways to earn extra cash in their spare time, or to begin their own venture altogether, again by doing something they love.
. Perhaps if there was a way to freeze time and keep all those memorable moments, they would gladly do it to cherish such an important milestone in life.
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