Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking questions and answers

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Q: Scrapbooking?
Can anyone give me some good tips on scrapbooking? My siblings and I are planning to make a Family Scrapbook for our parents and none of us has ever made one before. We have the ideas, but we haven't done the first thing because we don't know what to do. Can any experienced scrappers help us? Appreciate the help.

A: Even tho I notice 12x12 size album is recommended here, I personally prefer letter size, 8.5x11, for many reasons. While it is true that most scrapbook products you find are for 12x12, they can be resized smaller, whether paper or digital. One reason for my preference is supplies are far less expensive, far! You can buy a regular 3-ring binder and use it for your scrapping. I put absolutely everything in sheet protectors, and they are less expensive in the smaller size also. This keeps oopsies off of your pages. Another reason is that you can move your pages in order and even move them from album to album. Since I started scrapping about 10 years ago, I've moved my pages many times, and I've changed my mind about how I want to organize them. You could do it by year, or by topic, or by family group or or or or - whatever you choose. Sometimes I want to extract a few pages of a particular subject and take them to show, and it is very easy to do in the smaller size. Once you put them in the larger albums, most of the time they are difficult to move, or maybe in some cases not even possible. Top loading - absolutely. Some scrappers are also crafters. If you are, you have the opportunity of making some cute individualized covers for your three ring binders. Since they are inexpensive, you don't mind covering them. I do think that before you do anything very permanent, you need to determine what size page you want. Something I learned to do after I had been scrapping a couple of years was a better way to use sheet protectors. Say I went somewhere and picked up a postcard or other souvenir. Also I have a ticket stub, or maybe an airline boarding pass. I put these and any other memorabilia together in my protector until I'm reading to scrap. If I have to wait to get my pictures developed, this is a great way to hold like things together. Maybe I'll even jot down my journaling thoughts while I'm waiting to get the page scrapped. That way I don't forget what I want to say, even if I go back five years later to make the page. If I am using digital pix, I always print out a contact thumbnail sheet of the picture(s) and put it in the protector. Unfortunately, there have been times when I lost the pix on my computer and my little thumbnail is all I had for a picture. As bad as the quality is and as small as it is, it's still better than total wipeout.

Q: How do I advertise my scrapbooking services and products?
I am trying to find the best way to advertise my scrapbooking services and products. Does anybody out there enjoy scrapbooking? What are some ways to expand my services to more people who love scrapbooking?

A: I recommend visiting scrapbooking forums and posting your services on their sites, if the forum rules allow it. Alternatively, do you have a website? There are many hosting companies that can help you create a website even with average computer experience. Alternatively, have you considered attending your community fairs this spring and summer to have a booth? You might contact your local city government and find out if you can teach a class for free on scrapbooking how-to's for the community rec center. Go to senior centers, church groups, and volunteer to teach them. You'll have a chance to introduce yourself and tastefully tell them you offer these services. Don't make it a strong sales job, just get your name out there. -Mark http://GoScrappyGo.com Scrapbooking Forum

Q: Best way to cut pictures for scrapbooking?
I have a bunch of pictures at the developer and I want to start scrapbooking. I need some advice on how to cut them to size for my pages. I was planning on using an exacto blade and a ruler. I don't have much money left because I spent plenty on scrapbooking supplies. Would using an exacto blade or scissors be alright? I want to make sure the pictures are straight. Also.... If you have any scrapbooking advice or links for beginners that would be greatly appreciated.

A: Hello - I explained this in your other question, cut the paper itself and put your picture behind the paper so you don't have to cut your actual picture and it looks neater. Use an exacto knife to cut shapes out. It will be like matting for a picture frame

Q: Scrapbooking: What's the best organization items or scrapbooking tools you've purchased?
I love scrapbooking. I'd like to know the best ways to organize everything and your favorite tools. Especially if someone has purchased, or designed a desk or area to scrapbook at. Thanks!

A: my fav's: 1. grage sale kitchen table 40x40 perfect size for working on plus all the "crap" I end up dragging out. 2. IKEA's rod and hanging baskests and hooks. 3. IKEA's kitchen knife magnet strips. stong enough to hold dies, and tins without slipping off. 4. The best of all, hubby picked up from a school that was remodeling, an old in-box for teachers mail. You know the ones in the office with all the slots for teachers mail. 40 slots, each one holds 1 IRIS plastic box. Best way to store paper, flowers, alphabets, ink etc... I painted it and had a piece of glass cut for the top to protcet it. I keep pic's under the glass and all my Jim Holt tins ontop. Looks great and very functional. EDIT: also love the bar height table hubby made for me. Just 20 inches deep, but 5 feet long. Has a tile top. Great for laying out stuff when I come home from shopping, or for deciding on a layout before I sit and do it. Also good for use as a die cut center. able to stand straight up, no more aching back from making a zillion letters for something.

Q: How do I transfer vellum saying stacks to my scrapbooking paper?
I recently bought vellum 'saying' stacks at Michaels. I wanted to use them for scrapbooking but I don't know how too transfer them on my scrapbooking paper. Should I rub them on? I already tried rubbing them on with a ruler, this did not work out... I asked my friends who also do scrapbooking but they didn't know either. So please help me out! Greetz, Xloortje!

A: They're not rub-ons, they're made for cutting and pasting on. You can attach them with a glue suitable for vellum, something that dries very clear and thin. Perhaps something recommended for vellum, such as vellum dots, or a good glue stick, or running it through a Xyron (which will make it into a sticker, with the adhesive even and invisible). You could also use brads or decorative photo corners, or tie it down with ribbons or fibres. Another option is to attach the vellum saying behind another opaque paper cut into a frame, with an opening, then use your adhesive of choice on the opaque frame. Have fun!

Q: What is the best photoshop program to use for scrapbooking?
I ha ve been scrapbooking for several yrs. But I would love to start digital scrapbooking because I am so busy with clinicals right now and cant find time to scrap. I have no idea where to begin as far as what program to start with so I am seeking advice from anyone who is familiar with digital scrapbooking and or photoshop . Thanks Michelle

A: Here are some suggestions: 1. Use the online scrapbooking site CropMom.com, where there's no software to buy and no digital scrapbooking kits to buy. Just make your layout online using your photos and any of CropMom.com's thousands of scrapbook graphics. You can purchase the high-resolution layouts for a small fee (or, better yet, purchase a package of layouts for less money) then you can print them anywhere you'd like. 2. Adobe Photoshop Elements can be use to create digital scrapbook pages and is often used by beginneers who have advanced beyond CropMom. That said, there is a learning curve with learning how to use Photoshop Elements to create a digital scrapobok page, so be prepared to spend time learning how to do it. 3. Corel Paint Shop Pro is harder to learn than Photoshop Elements but has more features. 4. Adobe Photoshop is the most powerful of all of the graphics software for digital scrapbooking but it is quite expensive and very difficult to learn. 5. Microsoft Digital Image Pro used to be one of the choices for digital scrapbookers, but I am fairly certain it has been discontinued. That said, perhaps you even have a coyp of it at home if it came with a scanner or something, so I thought I'd mention it. Finally, both Corel and Adobe offer a free trial of their products, so make sure you test them out to see if you like them before spending the money on them. Also, I would suggest you try CropMom, too, since it's free. That way, you'll have a better feel for what's out there.

Q: When you are done scrapbooking an event, what do you do with your extra pictures?
I am just starting to scrapbook my wedding. I have about 200+ candid pictures and over 700 professional pictures. We have a professional album with about 60 or so pictures in it and a regular photo album for the candids. I am wondering what I should do with my extra pictures after I am done scrapbooking. I can't put all of the pictures into the scrapbook and its seems weird to have just the extras in an regular album. This is a silly problem, but I am wondering, how does everyone else deal with this?

A: For wedding pictures, I would put them in the attic in a good storage container. Here is a suggestion that my wife has done with multiple scrap books (not necessarily weddings). Scan all of the pictures, and put all of the images on a CD, then get one of the paper envelopes for CD's and stick it in your photo album. That way whenever you get an urge to look at the photos (even the ones in the album), you can insert it into your computer or DVD player and give them a look. It doesn't take much room that way, but you preserve the images so that you don't have to go stumbling around in the attic to find them.

Q: What is the best scrapbooking message board to be a member of?
I am looking for a scrapbooking message board that is active but is easy to navigate. I dont want to have to reread the same messages over and over to find the new posts. I would like for them to be easy to find. I also would like it to be informative with alot of creative ideas. Does anyone have any recommendations?

A: We are so behind on scrapbooking...it seems as if there is no time to do all the great ideas we come up with. LOL This one has some ideas and some contests and stuff. http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/mb/viewforum.php?f=1&sid=5cfeb0da132ca1c8c1cd6aabe71d024a

Q: How to sell my digital scrapbooking products?
I would like to sell (indiviually or to a company) my digital scrapbooking pages, embellishments, alphabets, etc. What is the best way to do this? What about just starting my own line, starting out small and selling to local stores? Do you think it's better to do only digital or only paper or do both?

A: Maybe check out a site called shabbyprincess.com I know there are different designers who post digital kits that people can download on there.. I don't know how they get paid and whatnot though. I think both would be great. I personally prefer non-digital, but to each his own. If your stuff is good, try out both ways. I think it would be great.

Q: Which online scrapbooking store has the best prices/shipping?
I order scrapbooking items online frequently and find that prices for the same item vary from one store to the next. I buy on ebay, also, but have found that many times ebay prices go higher than buying from an online site. Have you found a good scrapbooking site for general scrap supplies that has good prices? Shipping prices should be low, too.

A: This store isn't too bad on shipping. http://www.scrapbookutopia.com/index.html

Q: How do I become a scrapbooking sales representative?
I just lost my job in real estate here in California. I love scrapbooking and stationary products and am wondering how I can become a sales rep. Thanks so much!

A: You can become a Creative Memories consultant. http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/sgreenfield visit my website and browse around all the details are under join my team at the top. If you have any questions at all just let me know my email address is sammyjo14_7@hotmail.com

Q: When scrapbooking and buying special background paper, do you still use the album paper?
I am just getting into scrapbooking due to the new addition in my family. I am wondering, when you go out and purchase the nice pretty background paper, do you glue that to the provided white paper of the scrapbook or do you omit the white paper and just use the pretty paper?

A: I have chosen to not glue anything to the scrapbook white board. I figured if I need to change my mind on order of the pages, it's impossible with something glued to both sides. So I just get a background paper and attach everything to that, then slide it in (in front of the white page). If you mean, do you utilize the white paper as part of the background, and just decorate the white paper...no, I don't do that either. I like lots of decoration and cover every square inch. Either way, your choice.

Q: Does anyone have an idea of how to organize scrapbooking templates?
I have a bunch of scrapbooking templates that I use to crop photos, and I need a way to keep them organized. If you also love scrapbooking I would assume you would be able to help me the most, but I'm open to all suggestions!

A: I used to keep mine in 3-ring binders, because most of them came already punched with holes for storage. I recently changed my whole craft area and now use a filing cabinet. I've placed the templates in hanging folders, filed by shape: circles, hearts, squares, rectangles, and ovals. I usually know what shape I want before I pull out the templates, so it is just a matter of pulling that file and sizing the template to the photo.

Q: What is a good crafting hobby for begginer or than scrapbooking?
I would like to start a hobby where I make nice things but I'm a begginer so what would you suggest other than scrapbooking? I just can't get into scrapbooking. Also If you can suggest a hobby could you suggest a good website or book to learn how to do it? Thanks So Much.

A: Beading is a great beginning craft. their are many books on the shelf. its not nearly as expensive either. You can order beads and books from fire mountain and gems.com. Thwy are on awesome source.

Q: What is your favorite internet store for scrapbooking supplies?
Just wondering what some great internet stores are out there for scrapbooking. I'm looking for a place where things are inexpensive and that don't have outrageous shipping costs! Thanks in advance and God bless! :)

A: I do a lot of military scrapbooking...so most of site I get scrapbook supplies from at military ones... Creatingmilitarymemories.com is a popular one for me...or SGTGrit is another good one... otherwise...i just go the the company website...such as I really like K & Company...so i just go to the website and order from there....otherwise...I go to JoAnnFabrics.com....they 'almost always' have a 40% off one regular priced item coupon that you can use...so its kinda ano brainer to order at least one thing from there...not sure what shipping charges are though b/c they have s tore near to me, so i actually do in-store scrapbook shopping (and still use the coupon b/c its in their weekly flyer)...