So I call myself "Katie the Scrapbook Lady" right? These days I'm all about digi scrapping but it hasn't always been that way. I used to do paper layouts - a LOT of paper layouts. In fact I've completed close to 4000 paper layouts over the years. I made theme albums, albums for my kids, and layouts for gifts. I even used to sell scrapbooks and teach workshops when I was a Creative Memories Consultant back in the 1990's. Once I quit the consultant business I still hosted crops and taught lessons.
I have had several paper layouts published in Memory Makers Magazines and Idea Books and I wrote a feature article for Memory Makers January 2003 issue titled “Frugal Scrapbooking.”
I also ran a scrapbooking based website for years and started a newsletter that is still going strong. Many of my original subscribers are still with me and many of them are paper scrappers. I don't want anyone to think that this blog is strictly for digital scrapbookers. Even though the layouts I share here are created on my computer, the designs and concepts behind them apply equally to any type of page artist using any type of materials.
Digital scrapbookers can also find wonderful ideas from paper layouts so this road goes both ways.
Here are some of my favorite scrapbooking resources that any scrapper will enjoy:
1. Online Galleries - these aren't just for digital scrapbookers, there are plenty of online galleries where all types of artists post their pages to share with others. If you are a paper scrapbooker you will have to scan your page or take a picture of it so there is a disadvantage here over digi for sure. With better scanners and cameras these days the quality has greatly improved. Here are some tips for scanning layouts from Scrap Jazz.
and here is a wonderful video tutorial from Jessica Sprague on how to scan and stitch layouts.
Some galleries worth perusing include:
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2. Idea Books and Magazines – sometimes you just can’t beat curling up with a colorful magazine or book and browsing for inspiration. Magazines are great to pack on vacation or to keep in the car. When I used to wait for my son to get out of school each day I would flip through pages of scrapbook magazines to pass the time. I love to look through creative idea books while I’m eating my breakfast or lunch, it’s a great way to get some “me time” in my day.
My favorites are:
Cathy Zielske Clean and Simple Scrapbooking
Cathy Zielske Clean and Simple Sequel
Becky Higgins My Creative Companion: The Ultimate Scrapbooking Resource
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3. Sketches - one of the easiest ways to get scrapping is to use a sketch or a “map” as a guide for creating a page. The basic design of the page is already planned for you and you just have to substitute your own photos and papers to make it complete. It’s amazing to see how the same sketch can turn out so many different ways! Most magazines and online galleries will feature sketches or drawings to follow along with.
General scrapbooking etiquette is to give credit to the sketch source in your layout credits i.e. “sketch by Becky Higgins”. Or if you are using a page design as a source of inspiration this is also known as “scraplifting” – where you take the general idea of a page (or even specific elements) and duplicate it using your own photos and memories. It is also good scrapbooking etiquette to list the source of the page you lifted i.e. “this layout is a lift of Katie the Scrapbook Lady’s Oregon Beach layout” and it’s nice if you can include a link for online posts.
Here are some great books and websites for sketches:
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If you are a digital scrapbooker sketches often turn into layered templates where you literally can plug in your own photos and papers using a software program. If you are a paper scrapper you can simple look at the shapes on digital templates and use them like sketches.
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4. Crops and Parties – it’s great to get real life help from other scrappers and have fun at the same time. Crops are like modern quilting bees and are usually filled with chatter and goodies. Beware that you don’t get caught up into comparing your pages to everyone else’s though, just enjoy seeing new ideas and be confident that you are preserving wonderful memories for your family and friends. If you are a newbie scrapper you might want to attend a beginner’s class at a local scrapbook store or find a Creative Memories Consultant’s class (or host your own.) For more advanced scrappers there are usually fun offerings at the nearest local scrapbook store. You can also sign up for online classes through BigPictureScrapbooking.com
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5. Blogs – there are tons of great scrapbooking blogs out there. I love seeing layouts posted and reading about new ideas. I hope you will bookmark my blog (or subscribe via a reader) and visit often. If you want some tips on creating your own blog read my post on how to be a great blogger.
Some of my very favorite traditional scrapbook related blogs are:
Ali Edwards and be sure to subscribe to her AEzine
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Here are some other posts I have written about scrapbooking in general:
My go-to supplies
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and if you do decide to give Digital Scrapbooking a try be sure to read my post on an Introduction to Digital Scrapbooking.
