Tomorrow is a mystery, the past is history and today is a gift, that’s why we call it the present. But how can we enjoy all of the memories that we make throughout our daily lives for years to come? A great way to cherish memories is by scrapbooking. This way, you get to gift your memories to yourself. A gift that you can pass on for generations to come. But how do we get to scrapping?
The Essential Materials
If you think scrapping is just for you to look at pictures, you are wrong. Scrapbooks are sentimental pieces that hold memories sacred. The work that goes into them and the stories we add are what makes it special.
Paper Knife
Scrapbooks are the perfect paper knife craft activity. A craft knife allows you to have precise cuts and maintain the right clean appearance you want. This scrapbook, after all, will be around years later to tell your story to your children and great-great-grandchildren. Craft knives come in a variety of shapes and lengths. The index finger and fingertip precision craft knives are shaped to wrap around the index finger. This design allows you to have more control over the knife the closer it is to your hand.
This is a great knife for you to trim away the excess in any photo to make the main focal pop out. They have a very thin blade ideal for cutting tight spaces without cutting off anyone’s nose in a photo. It is designed to not move out of place with its curved handles that hug your finger.
Swivel craft knives are the more traditional option. They are used to create borders for your photos. To get straight lines you must use a ruler. Make sure when using the swivel knife you are sure to have the right side of the blade down. All of these blades are very sharp, so be careful when cutting curves. Remember to move the paper and not the knife, especially when you want to cut a letter or flowers.
When using any craft knife, you want to have a surface underneath to protect your table, like a self-healing mat. Whether you are right-handed or left-handed, most of these tools will work just fine.
Paper
Your scrapbook can be colourful or can be more subtle. Scrap paper isn’t like a regular printer or art paper as it’s a lot more intricate. You don’t need to feel overwhelmed with planning your entire theme in one day. Just start by buying a few papers you like and keep moving. Even if you find yourself with scraps you can use them to make a border. No scraps have to be left behind. You can find them embossed, with elephants, flowers and other decorations. With this many designs, you can use your scrap paper by cutting out an accent with your craft knife or as a border behind the photos.
Embellishments
Sparkles and bedazzles are a must in an eye-popping design. With added embellishment to any of your scrap pages, you bring them to life. Gathering the right art supplies can get you more excited for your next step. You can add 3D flowers, stickers, ribbons and buttons. The additions like buttons can be glued on, but keep in mind that they will also add weight. Be sure to protect your hard work with page protectors.
You can find a variety of thick scrap stickers in many stores. For example, if your scrapbook theme is on a beach trip your family just took, you can find a pack of many beach accessories. Some beach theme accessories can include stickers of balls, bathing suits, and any other things that remind you of this great trip.
Telling a Story
Now that you have a good idea for the basic items you need for crafting, you have to decide on your theme. When making a scrapbook – tell a story. You don’t need to feel overwhelmed by looking at all of your family photos from the past 100 years. Start with the photos you have now. Scrapbooking allows you to remember the details you forget. Wouldn’t it be great 10 years from now to retell a story to your child of something they did or said but forgot? Thankfully you scrapped it.
Scrapbooks are like little gifts to your family. They are for you to freeze memories in time. A picture says a million words but you have to put the memories in writing. Scrapbooking does this. Keep in mind that if scrapbooking is stressful, you’re doing it all wrong.
Happy Scrapping
I hope scraps have more value to you now after this article. They aren’t just leftovers but, instead, they are memories left behind and redesigned with a ribbon on top for you to take over with you for years to come. If you are newly married and your family is just starting, start scraping and make it a regular for your children to enjoy. Even if your family has been established for years, you can still start scrapping. So, just get started, happy scrapping!
