Saving your scraps of any size from your previous scrapbooks will cut down on the cost for purchasing extra items for your next album. Keep old scraps of background paper, cardstock, and old fabric in a Ziploc bag or air tight container. Remember to label the outside of the container or bag so it is easy to locate when you need it.
Keep your scrapbooking tools organized in a clear container. This will allow you to view what is inside without having to sort through all your materials. Use a low-cost tackle box to store your small embellishments and other enhancements like brads, eyelets, and safety pins. An inexpensive silverware organizer works great for holding your pens and glue sticks.
For a different background idea, use photo copied newspaper and lay out your pictures as if they were displayed in the newspaper. You can place your children's sports photos in the sports section and add your own captioning. Another great idea is to place a picture of your newborn in the birth announcement section. Remember not to use original newspaper because it is extremely acidic. Copy the newspaper onto acid-free and lignin-free paper.
Using words from a magazine or newspaper article will add some flair to the title on your scrapbook page. There is a spray you can purchase from the hobby store that will make the paper from the magazine or newspaper less acidic.
To achieve perfectly straight borders with even sides use a clear ruler and an Xacto knife.
There are several ways to create some different cardstock textures. You can lightly mist the cardstock with water and let it dry for a wrinkled look. To create a distressed look on your cardstock you would use a course piece of sandpaper and rub back and fourth until you have achieved the look you want. This is less expensive than purchasing textured cardstock known as Mulberry paper.
Mulberry has a deep textured look to it. This can be a wonderful accent to a vintage theme. You can purchase Mulberry paper in single pieces. That way it will not cause a huge dent in your finances.
To make your wrinkled cardstock stick to the page easier you can iron the edges flat. Use an iron on low heat and place a light cloth between the cardstock and iron.
Run your paper through a crimping machine to add texture for backgrounds and titles.
Choosing the color of cardstock to use is very important. You want the cardstock to bring out the bold colors in your photos. Solid cardstock is the most useful. Craft stores often sell cardstock as a package or in individual sheets.
Patterned paper can also be used as a background or to mount pictures on. This can add accents to your photos with similar themes. Using a Christmas patterned cardstock with your Christmas photos can be an easy way to coordinate the photos on that page. If you use patterned cardstock then keep the background paper a solid color. This will avoid your page becoming to busy with different colors and patterns.
You may want to purchase extra sheets of black and white cardstock, since these colors are the most commonly used. Neutral colors in tans are also nice to have on hand.
Whatever type of cardstock you select, it should be sturdy and acid-free.
If your cardstock has a large print, it may look better if you create the border a little wider than normal. This will give you a better look to the large design. Do the same for small print cardstock and make a thin border.
Purchasing cardstock in bulk will cut the costs for future scrapbooking projects. Also buying extra cardstock, in the colors you use the most, will eliminate those last minutes trips to the store. You wouldn't want to have to stop in the middle of designing your page and leave to get more supplies.
Using pieces of scrap paper for die cuts and paper punches is a great way to save on buying embellishments.
Sharpen your paper punch by punching it through a piece of fine grade sandpaper. Do this on both sides of the punch.
Save old birthday cards and invitations and color copy them onto photo safe paper for fun background ideas. Using all of those holiday cards you receive will work great also.
Scrapbooking Tips - Read Part Three here.. http://www.roseannstreasures1.com/scrapbooking-tips-part
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