Creating a Scrapbook Page

The Most Creative Way to Display Photographs

Oct 15, 2009 Erica Buys

Whip up some creative genius to give a boring photo album new life.

Memories caught on film are special and so should the pages that display them be. Scrapbooking is the latest craze that is taking the world of arts and crafts by storm. This is the most popular way to display photographs these days. Out is the old boring, colourless photo albums and in is the new funky and creative pages filled with those special memories.

Before accessorizing the page, assess which colours are displayed in the picture. Pick a primary colour in the photo and choose the background and accessories to match. Black and white pictures will suit any colour and therefore they are the easiest to work with.

A scrapbook photo album can be purchased in which you can file your work. An album with plastic sleeves is best to protect your pages. More than one photograph can be used per page.

Getting Started

Some tools and accessories are needed to help create a scrapbook page. Choose accessories to match your colour scheme:

Handmade paper
Coloured printer paper
Paper accessories
Material accessories
Paint
Brushes or sponge rollers
Crafter's glue
Paper glue
Double sided tape
Scissors
Serviettes

The Process

There are no rules when it comes to decorating a scrapbook page. A minimalist look can be achieved by using a clean, symmetric design and few accessories. For a busier look, use warm colours, lots of layers and bold accessories. Accessories should not be too bulky, as this will result in an album that does not close properly.

Tools and accessories can be purchased at any arts and crafts store. Lay everything out on a table and construct a basic plan. For the more gutsy, do not plan and just go with the flow (picture 1).

Layers are important. Layer paper and serviettes on top of each other until a desired effect is achieved. Use double sided tape to fix delicate paper like serviettes (picture 2).

Paint can be used to spruce up hardboard or carton accessories. Apply paint with a brush or a sponge roller (picture 3).

Use crafter’s glue and paper glue to fix accessories to the page (picture 4). You may want to wash your hands after you have finished with fixing paper and accessories with glue as sticky fingers leave ugly marks on the paper, even if the glue on your fingers feel dry.

You will know when you are finished when you are completely satisfied (picture 5). The finished product can be added to a scrapbook album, preferably with plastic sleevs for better protection of your masterpiece.

More Information

Visit Scrapbook.com for supplies and scrapbooking ideas or attend a scrapbooking class at the Crafter's Inn in Somerset West. Contact Johan Piek via email.

The copyright of the article Creating a Scrapbook Page in Crafts is owned by Erica Buys. Permission to republish Creating a Scrapbook Page in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.