Scrapbooking Paper: A Plethora of Possibilities!

Scrapbooking is one of the most fun and creative hobbies you can get hooked on. And get hooked, you will once you see the assortment of scrapbooking paper, stickers and other adornments that you can use to give your photos flash. The other great thing about scrapbooking is that you can begin creating page layouts with absolutely no experience or training whatsoever.

Scrapbooking is all about what is pleasing to the individual eye, and what works for one person's photos. Rest assured however, that as you immerse yourself deeper and deeper into the world of creative photo albums, you will constantly be on the lookout for new and unique ways to dress up your pages!

Where to Start?

For a beginner, the easiest way to begin page layouts is with your photos, a few stickers and some themed scrapbooking paper. First, crop your pictures to the desired size. This job is much easier with the help of a template of assorted shapes and sizes.

Next, mount your pictures on some solid colored scrapbooking paper or cardstock to frame the photo and make it stand out on the page. For some fancy framing, use decorative craft scissors to give a funky edge to your picture mat. Finally, place your mounted photos on your patterned scrapbooking paper, and embellish with stickers, journaling or dye cuts. Voila! Your first album page is completed!

What makes Scrapbooking Paper so Special?

Since scrapbooking paper tends to be a bit higher priced than construction paper or colored paper for the printer, you might be wondering why you need to use a specialized paper for your photos. The answer is preservation. Scrapbooking papers are acid and lignin free, which will protect your pictures from the damage of time and environment. These papers generally come in a 12x12-inch size for larger albums, and an 8x11-inch size for smaller ones.

The patterns in scrapbooking paper virtually abound, with patterns for every season, holiday and event that you can imagine. While there are many stores and websites available to order scrapbooking papers, you can also find many basic designs at craft, discount and office supply stores as well.

Scrapbooking paper can add panache to your albums and help bring your photos to life. They can define your album page, and help tell the story of your pictures. The hardest part will be in choosing the perfect papers for your page layouts. Fortunately, with the number of pictures you probably need to put into your photo albums, your choices of patterned paper will be plentiful. Happy scrapbooking!