If you have tried scrapbooking, you know that it's easy to be hooked after creating your first page. And once you have seen how brilliantly scrapbooking can represent your life, family and memories, you know this is the craft for you.
Scrapbooking requires a number of supplies, and you may be unsure how to buy scrapbooking supplies that will help you document your memories the way that you want. This scrapbooking buying guide has the information you need to select the scrapbook supplies that will make the preservation of your photos and memories simple and fun.
You don't need every supply available to create memorable scrapbooks, but you will want to consider the potential of different scrapbook supplies to enhance your projects. If any supply inspires your creativity, go for it! When you feel inspired by your tools, you'll create new and interesting pages and continue to challenge yourself.
For scrapbooking, paper is the basic, raw material. Scrapbook paper is the canvas, the background and the accent piece. The strengths and differences of all varieties of paper will become more apparent the more you scrapbook.
Weight and texture
Heavy scrapbook paper, like cardstock, will be the foundation for your pages. From there, you can accent or frame your photos with paper that is patterned, themed, solidly colored, textured, vellum, handmade or any combination of the above. You'll want to have a variety of papers in your collection to create different moods and looks. For example, if you want to create a rustic look to commemorate your family trip to the mountains, accent your scrapbook page with torn pieces of heavy-weight paper. Or if you wanted to create a refined look for a page documenting your child's piano recital, accent pages with manicured layers of patterned vellum.
Multi-packs
If you're having trouble deciding where to begin, try these three multi-packs: one pack of cardstock in an assortment of colors; one pack of solidly-colored, textured, heavyweight scrapbook paper in an assortment of colors; and one pack of vellum in an assortment of patterns. This should give you a good number of options up front without clogging your creative tap.
Your album is the capsule for all of your scrapbooking work. Its covers are your frame, and its pages are your canvas, so be prepared to spend a few moments finding the scrapbook with the design, material and size that is right for you.
Albums
Many scrapbooking albums are designed to commemorate specific events: sports, extra-curricular activities, a wedding or the first years of your child. These albums can be perfect for people who want to preserve their photographs in an attractive binding without a lot of fuss, as well as those who want to kick off their scrapbook with some extra pizzazz. If you decide to buy a scrapbook album that is not elaborately designed, still choose with care. An 8.5-inch x 11-inch black suede album tells a different story than a brown leather-bound album. Colors and materials can be coordinated with the paper you use as well as the photos you are going to include.
Page protectors
Don't forget refills and page protectors. Your scrapbook album may come supplied with page protectors, but you can usually add more, so you can fill the album as much as you want. Remember to choose page protectors that are the size of the album (typically 12-inch by 12-inch or 8.5-inch by 11-inch). Also consider the finish on the plastic material. Page protectors come with either a clear,shiny finish or a non-glare finish. Clear page protectors preserve your pictures' bright colors while non-glare page protectors prevent your eyes from squinting.
Though scrapbooking's stock-in-trade is paper, the essence of the craft largely comes down to your skill and ability to design and shape your paper and photos the way you want. That means at some point you will want to get a die cutter and a collection of various scissors. If your paper acts as both the canvas and the paint, your die cutting equipment and scissors act as the brushes.
Scissors
Whether for shaping photos, cutting paper or trimming ribbon, you'll rely on a pair of sharp scissors. As you grow your collection of scrapbooking supplies and want to try new techniques, try scissors with a variety of decorative edges. You can also find scissors with removable blades to change out as your mood changes. Just imagine how perfect a pretty scalloped edge would look on a page documenting a baby shower, how fitting a wave edge would be on your photos of your beach vacation or how rugged a zig-zag effect would be on a page about your visit to a national park.
Die cutting equipment
Unlike other paper cutters, die cutters typically utilize dies or cartridges to create reliably fantastic shapes from your paper. Die cutting is easy to do and getting easier every day. You can go with tried-and-true, manual die cutting equipment. Or you can go with easy-to-use die cut machines and electronic cutters. For the manual equipment along with the machines, you will need some dies or die sets. There is a huge assortment of dies designed specifically for scrapbooking, so you can easily find dies for framing, accenting and other projects.
Cutting machines
You will also find cutting machines that connect to your computer. They act like printers, but instead of producing ink images on paper, they produce cut shapes. With a computer-connected cutting machine, you can find die shapes online or you can program shapes of your choosing, saving you a bundle on space and die cartridges.
Your scrapbooking embellishments make your project truly unique. Your embellishments could be fanciful ornamentation, mementos of the memory or pieces as unique and reliable as to be your signature.
Stamps: Stamping shares a good deal of artistic ground with printmaking. With just a few rubber stamps and ink pads in black, brown and one or two accent colors, you can create entire landscapes in which to nest your pictures. Ink pads can also be used to embellish the edges of papers to create a variety of looks.
Embossing: Embossing is another popular technique that has developed from the successes of stamping. You can use your stamps with slow-drying adhesive ink, sprinkle embossing powder over the top, blow off the excess and melt what remains with an embossing tool (which is sort of like a very hot hair dryer). The result is a visual and tactile effect that's attractive. There are a number of combinations of ink and powders that can make embossing a skill that gives your scrapbook an extra edge.
Other embellishments: Once you have made a few pages, you'll start to see how many different things could be used as embellishments. If you have an idea for an embellishment, as long as you can attach it to the paper, you can do it! For example, your embellishments could include ribbon, buttons, eyelets, paper and fabric flowers, shaped paper clips, glitter or beads (just to name a few). The sky is the limit when you are embellishing your scrapbook pages.
Once you have gathered everything you want to appear on your page, how do you make them stick? Before you choose the scrapbook adhesives to use, you'll want to think about the weight and thickness of the paper, photograph or embellishment you are attaching. For example, if you're working with extremely light-weight scrapbook paper, like vellum, a heavy adhesive would show through.
If you are a beginner, start with two or three different scrapbook adhesives, so you won't be stumped when it comes to affixing different kinds of materials to your pages. Here are three different, popular adhesives to consider:
Double-sided tape: Save yourself the hassle and buy double-sided tape along with an applicator. You will apply tape to your projects more quickly, and the project will look better free of lumps from your adhesive. And it's easier to hide behind light-weight paper.
Glue dots: Glue dots are a must-have. They are great for your photos, heavier paper and embellishments. Glue dots are easy to use and the refills are inexpensive.
Spray adhesive: Spray adhesives have come a long way toward improving the quality of your scrapbooking, and they provide a lasting bond. If you're having trouble with vellum application, acidic paper or adhesive strength, try a can of spray adhesive.
Now that you have a wealth of raw materials for scrapbooking, it's time to get organized. Instead of deep-cleaning the unused tackle-box in the garage, find a storage and organization solution designed around your needs. You can find individual organizers for each design element, including scrapbook papers, embellishments, die cartridges and other supplies. But if you're just starting out, you might want to consider something smaller that can organize all of your essentials together, whether you're consolidating your in-home crafts or visiting a fellow scrapper and want to bring your supplies along.
How can I make sure my scrapbook lasts?
You want to make sure the work that goes into your scrapbook can last for generations. How do you do that? First, choose acid-free, lignin-free paper. If you already have scrapbook pages that are not "archive quality," you can treat them with an acidity-reducing protectant. Second, protect your pages with vinyl-free, archival-quality page protectors. Finally, keep your photographs away from extended exposure to light, heat, humidity and smoke. Your great-grandchildren will thank you.
What is quilling?
Quilling is the art of making decorative embellishments out of thin strips of paper that have been curled, rolled, shaped and glued. Many crafters think quilling is one of the easiest ways to make a big impact in a scrapbook design. Look for quilling fringers to make your paper strips as well as quilling starter kits and start adding these personalized accents to your scrapbooks.
What's new in the world of scrapbooking?
Everything is going digital, and digital scrapbooking will continue to grow more popular. Also, digital cameras and scanners used to be expensive, but that was before the Overstock.com electronics store opened its cyber-doors with high-quality, affordable hardware and software.
Try another craft
For some scrapbookers, scrapbooking can be a great introduction to other crafts, like quilting, knitting, needlework, jewelry making or candle making. If you love scrapbooking and want to try other crafts, these are all great ways to share your creativity. Overstock.com has arts and crafts supplies for the whole family. Check out our chalk sets, watercolors, colored pencils, charm sets and string art to keep your kids' hands and minds busy creating.
Making memories
Scrapbooking techniques, like stamping, embossing and card making, can be used in so many different ways. Brides on a budget can use scrapbook supplies to create save-the-date cards or even the wedding invitations. A student can create a magnificent presentation poster that is sure to earn an "A." With plenty of scrapbook of supplies from Overstock.com, you are only limited by your imagination!
Book art
One scrapbooking technique that you may want to try is journaling. Journaling adds depth and context to your pictures with quotations, poetry and written memories. If you want to journal by hand, you will want to have writing supplies that allow you to create the right feel with the right script. Luckily, Overstock.com sells a variety of pens and markers that feature tips to add flair and calligraphy to your words, and at prices you won't find anywhere else.
