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Creative Supplies for Scrapbooking

A List of 10 Basic Items Needed to Create a Special Scrapbook

© Debbie Roome

Examples of Cardstock, Debbie Roome
Scrapbooks incorporate many elements to make a work of art. Learn about the basic items that every scrapbooker requires to exercise creativity.

Scrapbooking is a wonderful pastime. It is a good idea to keep a box or trolley of supplies on hand so when creativity strikes, they are available. Make it a habit to buy a few items whenever passing a scrapbooking shop or craft section of a store.

Albums

There is an enormous array of scrapbooking albums on the market. Extra pages can be added in to most of these and the normal size is approximately 12 inches square. According to the theme, choose padded or plain, floral or abstract, embossed or cottagey.

Cardstock

This is the thin card or thick paper that is used as a background to mount all the other bits and pieces on. It comes in every pattern, colour and texture imaginable. Some are faded photographs, others are self patterned. They can be bought in packs of one or pads of up to 100 pieces.

Vellum

This is a special kind of paper that has been treated to give it a degree of translucency. It is often used as an overlay. It can be torn to give a soft effect and works well with feminine scrapbooking themes.

Tags and Frames

These can be bought premade in all shapes, sizes and colors. Use them for photos, mounting captions or framing a verse of poetry. For a greater effect, try punching holes around the edges and threading ribbon or lace through them.

Charms

A wide variety of tiny 3D objects are available for scrapbooking. Look for items in plastic, metal and clay such as keys, coins, flowers, beads, buttons, bows, animals and mirrors.

Stickers

From photo corners to cartoons and foils to fairies, stickers can add great effect to a scrapbook. They are one of the cheapest items to buy and it is worth keeping a large supply on hand.

Paint

Colored and metallic paints can stippled, brushed, sponged and simply painted on to add effect to a page. Stencils can be used as well. For roughly textured pages, a foam brush can give an interesting effect if lightly rubbed over the cardstock.

Punches

There are a wide variety of punches available. They can be purchased singly or in packs. They are used for cutting borders and corners into cardstock and add nice finishing touches. Try layering cards and allowing the punched outline to show through as another color.

Ribbons and Lace

These can be used to great effect in certain themes such as wedding books, romance and historical. Use them as borders or backgrounds or glue them to photos to form part of a piece of clothing or furniture.

Stamps

Stamps can finish as page off by being applied in the right place. Again, a huge choice is available as well as a range of ink pads. Don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours and effects.

Most scrapbookers have a large supply of the above items and find that it promotes creativity to have them on hand. For those just starting out, purchase some basic supplies and keep adding to them.


The copyright of the article Creative Supplies for Scrapbooking in Scrapbooking & Paper Crafts is owned by Debbie Roome. Permission to republish Creative Supplies for Scrapbooking in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.





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