Intro to Scrapbooking Techniques

INTRO TO SCRAPBOOKING TECHNIQUES 

SCRAPBOOKING TIPS 

1. Use Acid-Free products. 

In paper manufacturing, acid is used in the 

process to break apart the wood fibers and lignin 

that holds them together. When acid remains in 

the products used for scrapbooking, the acid will 

react chemically to accelerate the deterioration of 

photos. Acid free products have a pH factor of 7 

to 8.5. A product must be acid-free to be labeled 

“photo safe.” 

2. Use Lignin-Free products. 

A tree contains lignin, which is a bonding 

material that holds wood fibers together as the 

tree grows. When lignin remains in a paper 

product such as newspaper, it will yellow and 

become brittle over a period of time. In today’s 

market, the majority of paper that is 

manufactured is lignin-free, but be sure to 

protect your precious photos by double 

checking! 

3. Buffer your acidic items. 

If you have to use an acidic product, consider 

using a buffering agent. As paper ages, acids can 

form within the paper fibers, causing it to 

become brittle, to turn yellow or deteriorate. To 

neutralize acid, a buffering agent such as 

carbonate or magnesium bicarbonate can be 

added to paper giving the paper a pH of 8.5. 

Buffered paper is generally considered longer 

lasting than unbuffered paper. If an acidic letter 

is attached to an acid-free page, buffered paper 

can also prevent acid migration by neutralizing 

any acid transfer. 

4. pH Factor is important, and easy to 

understand. 

The pH factor simply refers to the acidity of 

paper. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. Acid free 

products have a pH of 7 to 8.5. To determine the 

acidity in products, you can purchase a pH tester 

pen. 

5. Sheet protectors help to protect your photos 

and designed scrapbook page. 

A sheet protector is a plastic (polypropylene) 

acid-free top loading or side loading sheet that 

slips over an album page. Never use vinyl sheet 

protectors as they are not photo safe. Sheet 

protectors add an additional user-friendly quality 

to scrapbook viewers. 

6. Add a personal touch by journaling in your 

book and adding interesting details. 

Pictures speak a thousand words, and your 

journaling will only add to the story! Be sure to 

use pens designed for scrapbooking to ensure the 

product is photo-safe. 

7. Before you buy, check to see if it is labeled 

“Archival Quality.” 

Materials, techniques and methods used in 

manufacturing of archival quality items will 

make the scrapbook last for generations. 

8. A photo-labeling pencil can prevent damage to 

photos. 

Use this photo safe pencil for labeling on both 

the front and back of your photographs. The 

pencil can also be used for tracing around 

templates on photos. Pencil marks will wipe off 

with a tissue or cotton ball. To be safe, test the 

pencil marks on a corner of the photo to be sure 

that th marks will wipe off. This is especially 

important when using old photos. A quality 

photo labeling pencil may seem like an added 

expense, but well worth the investment! 

9. Use a spray neutralizer when needed. 

If you want to include ticket stubs, programs, 

etc., in your scrapbook, use a spray neutralizer 

for deacidification of those items. The spray 

coats the item and neutralizes acid levels. 

10. Look for “Photo Safe” on supplies. 

Scrapbook supplies labeled Photo Safe are acid 

free and will not destroy photographic image. 

Source: A2Z Scrapbooking at 

http://a2zscrapbooking.com/. 

50 IDEAS TO GET ORGANIZED 

Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby! Besides 

being relaxing and fun, it also allows you to be 

creative and to spend quality time with your 

family and friends. Plus, it results in a storybook 

of lifelong memories. One very important 

element of scrapbooking is getting it all 

organized. This includes, but is not limited to: 

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Storing all of your supplies in an 

organized fashion so they can be found 

instantly when you need them. 

Remembering what supplies to pick up 

at the store, and eliminating duplicate 

purchases. 

Finding time to research new and 

creative ways to spruce up your 

scrapbooks. 

Finding enough time to enjoy the art of 

scrapbooking in your busy life. 

1. Tell a Story. 

Plan your photos, before you shoot. Instead of 

taking random shots of someone standing here, 

or someone else sitting there, tell a story. For 

example, let’s say it’s Halloween. You may plan 

on taking four photos of your child: 

a. On the hayride taking him/her to the 

pumpkin field. 

b. Looking for a pumpkin. 

c. Finding a pumpkin. 

d. With the carved pumpkin later. 

2. Great Photos. 

Photos for your scrapbooks can be extra nice if 

you take a little bit of time to learn some basic 

photography. Visit www.kodak.com for a quick 

photography tutorial. Getting organized has a lot 

to do with preparation and this site is filled with 

helpful tips and ideas. 

3. Who, What, Where, When. 

Organized documentation is important for the 

serious scrapbooker. The main goal is to 

eliminate future questions such as “Who or what 

is that?,” “Where and when was this photo 

taken?,” and so on. Document photos as you’re 

taking them, so you’ll know exactly what is on 

each roll of film. That way you’ll be prepared 

when you’re ready to organize the photos in your 

scrapbooks. 

4. Take Care of That Undeveloped Film. 

If you find rolls of film around your house that 

are ready to go to the developer, bring them 

today. You may consider mailing all of your film 

to a supplier such as www.mysticcolorlab.com 

so you don’t have to spend time dropping off 

film or picking up photos. Simply mail your film 

out, and you’ll get your photos back in the mail a 

week later. From now on, always get your film 

developed as soon as you take the used rolls out 

of your camera. 

5. Storing Photographs. 

Once your photos are developed, you need a 

place to store them until you’re ready to put them 

in your scrapbook. Keep them separated by year 

or event, in Ziplock bags. Label each bag with a 

number, and put a corresponding number on 

your Documentation Form. Then, store them in a 

photo box. Keep the box in a dry, cool place to 

protect your photos until you’re ready to put the 

photos into your scrapbook. 

6. Organizing Boxes of Photos. 

If you have boxes of photos that span from the 

beginning of the 1900’s to now, it’s time to start 

getting them organized. Schedule a day and time 

to begin sorting through them and stick with 

your appointment when the day rolls around. Get 

your kids, or friends, to help out. Begin by 

making piles, categorized by event or year. If 

you don’t know the exact year, at least sort them 

by decade. This may take a little while, but once 

everything is separated, scrapbooking your 

photos will be much easier and more pleasant. 

Once they’re all sorted, store your photographs 

as mentioned above. 

7. Work Backwards. 

If you’re planning to scrapbook lots of photos 

from way back, start with the most recent photos 

you have, and work backwards. Chances are, you 

have a journal describing recent photos, and even 

if you don’t, you can probably recall the details 

more easily. Older photos – the ones that you 

don’t have a journal for – will take a little more 

thinking. 

8. Baby Steps. 

If your scrapbooking hobby seems like a colossal 

job to you, it’s not going to be fun. Don’t feel 

like you have to put ALL of your photos into 

scrapbooks. You can always put the majority of 

your photos in acid-free photo albums or photo 

boxes where they will be safe. Choose a small 

set of photos to begin scrapbooking. Once you’re 

done with this small set, you can then decide 

whether you want to dig into your photo albums 

or photo boxes and continue scrapbooking them, 

or leave those photos where they are, and simply 

scrapbook any new photos in the future. 

9. Double Prints. 

Double prints will do you no good if they’re just 

sitting in your photo box taking up space. Do 

something with them. Perhaps send them to 

someone who is in the photograph. It’s a great 

way to keep in touch. Or, pass the doubles onto 

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your young children who may like to create their 

own scrapbooks. It’s a great way for them to 

learn your beloved hobby and decide if they 

would like it to be a hobby of their own. 

10. Related Stuff. 

Sometimes, for the purpose of creatively 

decorating your scrapbook, you may wish to 

keep tickets, brochures, maps, postcards, and so 

on, that are related to a particular trip or event. 

Use manila file folders or catalog envelopes for 

this purpose. Label the folder/envelope so that 

you know which photos/Documentation Form it 

corresponds to. File these until they’re ready to 

be used. 

11. Keeping It All Together. 

Already have a pretty good idea of stickers, 

diecuts, etc. that you’re planning to use with a 

particular set of photographs? Keep them in the 

same Ziplock bag with the photos until you’re 

ready to put them into your scrapbook. This way, 

everything will be in one place and ready to use. 

12. Stickers and Shapes. 

Stickers and punched shapes can be kept in acidfree 

sheet protectors, plastic baseball card sheets, 

business card sheets, or even Ziplock bags that 

are 3-hole punched. Each sheet should be 

categorized and labeled by theme: birthday, 

Christmas, Halloween, wedding, springtime, etc. 

Insert these sheets into a 3-ring binder. If you 

have a large number of stickers and shapes, you 

may want to use index dividers labeled with 

general categories. For example, a general 

HOLIDAY category, may hold Easter, 

Christmas/Hanukkah, Halloween, etc., a general 

SEASONS category, may hold Summer, Fall, 

Winter and Spring, and so on. 

13. Tiny Stuff. 

For very tiny diecuts and other small items, 

consider storing then in empty film canisters. 

The clear ones are best, but if you only have 

opaque ones, simply stick a label – or the actual 

diecut attached with a piece of tape – on the 

canister indicating what is inside. Baby food jars 

serve the same purpose well. 

14. Paper. 

Where do you keep all of that cool paper until 

you’re ready to use it? You can get a plastic, 

portable filing container – research its 

composition to assure archival safety – that holds 

hanging file folders. Label the hanging files by 

theme or color. You may want to place a manila 

file folder into each hanging file folder, to keep 

your papers from curling. Or, you may buy file 

folder pockets or sheet protectors that fit into a 3- 

ring binder and store your papers inside each 

pocket, categorized and labeled. By the way, be 

very careful not to store acid-free paper with 

other paper. 

15. Storage Containers. 

Do a little bit of research and purchase a 

scrapbooking organizer, which will hold papers, 

supplies, etc. There are many products on the 

market that can help you keep it all together. 

Many office supply stores carry six-drawer 

organization stations. They’re vertical and have 6 

see- through drawers of equal size. Each drawer 

can be designated for a different purpose – 

papers, templates/diecuts, stickers, etc. Plus, they 

have wheels, which makes them very easy to 

transport from one room to another. Or, if you 

often bring your scrapbooking supplies outside 

of your home, such as to a friend’s house, use a 

portable system that isn’t too heavy or 

cumbersome, and comes with a handle. 

16. Stencils. 

Put your stencils/templates into sheet protectors 

that can be purchased at any office supplies 

store. Then insert them into a 3-ring binder for 

easy access. By the way, you can store two 

templates in one sheet protector with a piece of 

paper in between each – white or colored 

depending on the color of your template. This 

will make it easier to see the designs and 

eliminate them from catching onto each other. 

17. Supply Caddy. 

If you always scrapbook at home, use a kitchen 

utensil caddy with a number of divided 

compartments, like those you normally keep tall 

kitchen spoons, ladles, and spatulas in. The ones 

that spin will keep everything you need at your 

fingertips. 

18. Hang It Up. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a room 

specifically designated for your scrapbooking 

hobby, hang a large pegboard above your work 

area. You can then attach scissors, templates, 

crimpers, rulers, stencils and more, all within 

easy sight and reach. In addition, you might hang 

a small ledge or shelf nearby, to store all of your 

corner rounders, photo corners, and so on. If you 

prefer everything out in the open, this system 

will work like a charm. 

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19. Rubber Stamps. 

Store rubber stamps in shallow, plastic 

containers, a rubber stamping organizer, or a 

plastic organizer with shallow drawers. Don’t 

stack stamps. They should be stored in a single 

layer, so that you can always see the top of the 

stamp showing the design. 

20. Other Storage Ideas. 

Fishing tackle boxes – with compartments and 

levels that expand and collapse – are wonderful 

for storing scrapbooking supplies and tools. 

Plastic tool boxes, with many see- through 

drawers are also great for this purpose. 

21. Scrapbooking Magazines. 

Is your closet full of scrapbooking magazines? 

There are a few things to do about this dilemma. 

1) You can go through your magazines, find the 

articles you wish to keep and organize them into 

file folders by category. In other words, keep the 

article, toss the magazine. 2) Or you can keep the 

magazines in cardboard magazine boxes. If you 

do this, you should always keep a list of the 

title/issue of the magazine, the pages that interest 

you, and a few words describing why they 

interested you. This way, you can just scan your 

list, instead of going through the entire magazine 

to find what you’re looking for. You can even 

use your computer and create the list in a word 

processing file. Then using the Find feature, you 

can simply search for key words in your 

document. 

22. Hold That Thought. 

Rather than keeping all those great scrapbooking 

ideas and tips in your head – you know, the ones 

you pick up from magazines, web sites, etc. – 

keep a 3-ring binder with some notepaper inside 

for all your thoughts and ideas. Plus, when you 

see something in a magazine, you can simply 

tear the page out of the magazine, 3-hold punch 

it, and place it in your binder. The same goes if 

you see something on a web site that you wish to 

refer to later; just print it out and insert it into 

your binder. You can even separate the binder 

into a few different sections, such as page layout 

ideas, organizing ideas, neat tools/supplies, etc. 

23. Choose a Designated Work Area. 

Scrapbooking is more fun and less of a chore, 

when everything is in one place and in close, 

accessible proximity to your working area. 

Designate a room, or a portion of a room, in your 

home for this activity. You should be able to 

retrieve your supplies, photos, etc. in seconds, 

without having to walk into another room, or 

rummage through a closet. 

24. Shopping. 

Use an organized shopping system so you 

remember what you want to pick up for your 

hobby – scissors, crimpers, papers, etc. This will 

also eliminate purchasing items that you already 

have. When you think of something you need, 

immediately put it on a Scrapbooking Pick Up 

list, and bring this list with you when you go 

shopping. Using 3 inch x 5 inch index cards, 

make examples of your cuts and punches on 

them. Label and keep them in your day timer, or 

a tiny 3-ring binder. Bring these cards with you 

when shopping for scrapbooking items, and 

you’ll never buy duplicates. This also works 

great for remembering what color pens/pencils 

you have. Just draw a line on your index cards 

and label them. 

25. Use What You Have First. 

Resist the urge to buy a million new papers, 

punches, and so on, until you’ve used some of 

the craft supplies you already have. Unless 

you’re planning on opening a scrapbooking 

warehouse, it’s best to be choosy before 

emptying your wallet on new items, when you 

already have items you could use in your current 

supply. 

26. Shop Online. 

You’ll save a lot of time running back and forth 

to the store, if you commit instead to making 

your purchases online. 

27. Trade. 

If you have something that you haven’t used in a 

year or more, such as craft scissors, stickers, etc., 

swap them with a friend. Who knows? Perhaps 

your friend will find immediate use for this item, 

and you will get something you can use right 

now in return. 

28. Goals. 

Always set goals for your scrapbooking hobby, 

perhaps one to two pages a week. This is 

especially necessary if you’re creating a 

scrapbook for an upcoming special occasion. 

29. Plan. 

Before you start working on your pages, plan 

ahead. Arrange your photos in chronological 

order and gather stickers, diecuts, etc. that 

correspond with your photos. Think about your 

layout and how you plan to document each 

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photo. This will ensure you’re going to be happy 

with the final results, and will reduce the need to 

redo things. 

30. Do the Two Step. 

Step One: Assemble your pages with your 

photos, documentation and critical diecuts. Step 

Two: Decorate with stickers, stamps, etc. The 

two-step process will help you get the critical 

part (step one) done faster, and then you can 

continue with the second step (less important) 

later on. 

31. Keep Your Pages Simple. 

Although you may really feel the need for 

creating a work of art on occasion, if your goal is 

to get a scrapbook done as quickly as possible, 

keep it simple. Getting photos and 

documentation in the album is the main goal. 

Save your really creative moments for extra 

special scrapbooking projects. And remember, 

too much stuff on any one page, takes away from 

the photos. 

32. Quick Color Schemes. 

Quickly, organize your scrapbooks with colors 

that compliment each other, by referencing a 

good color harmony book. You can pick one up 

at your local bookstore. They include hundreds 

of color combination examples. Color Harmony, 

by Hideaki Chijiiwa, is an excellent book for this 

purpose. 

33. Multi-Tasking. 

Looking for a few minutes here or there to catch 

up on your scrapbooking? Take and make all 

your phone calls in the same room as your 

designated scrapbooking work area. Then, while 

you’re on the phone with your friends or family, 

you can crop, frame or mount at the same time. 

Or, instead of making punches when you need 

them, make a bunch of punches at once while 

you’re watching television, or are on the 

telephone, or when you’re waiting for a pot of 

water to boil. This will save time later because 

your punches will be ready when you need them. 

34. Get Your Kids Involved. 

Many people like to get their kids involved with 

the actual project, such as arranging stickers, 

applying diecuts, etc. If you would rather your 

kids were not involved with the actual project, 

give them a project of their own. You can always 

find a few photos that you’re not going to use in 

your scrapbook, some inexpensive paper, kid 

scissors, etc. Then have each child make their 

very own scrapbook. Either way, the kids will be 

occupied, which will give you time to enjoy your 

hobby. 

35. Eliminate Bickering. 

If you have more than one child that is involved 

with a scrapbooking activity, get them each their 

own plastic storage box and/or accordion files to 

keep their own supplies in. This way, when they 

want to work on their scrapbook, all of their 

supplies will already be separated. You may 

even color code their supplies, plastic boxes, etc. 

so they always know which stuff belongs to 

them. For example, blue container, blue scissors 

and markers labeled in blue for Billy, and all 

pink for Sally. 

36. Family Time. 

Scrapbooking is a great way to spend some time 

with your family. Get the whole family involved 

and around the table at the same time. It’s a great 

time to share ideas and dreams with each other. 

Can’t seem to get the male family members 

involved? Perhaps they can sit at the table while 

the females are scrapbooking, and they could do 

something they enjoy at the same time. At least 

everyone will be together and having fun. 

37. Team Up. 

Scrapbooking is a great way to spend time with 

your friends and catch up with each other. Start a 

scrapbooking club and meet at each other’s 

homes one day every few weeks. Make a party 

of it! 

38. Identify. 

The next time you get together with friends, or a 

scrapbooking club, put a little piece of colored 

tape on your scissors’ handles, the sides of your 

punch tools, pens, etc. Then, everyone could 

share, but you’ll be sure to get your tools back 

when it’s time to go home. 

39. Don’t Take the Kitchen Sink. 

If you’re going to be scrapbooking at a friend’s 

home, take a few minutes to plan what you want 

to work on. By doing this, you will only have to 

carry those supplies you’re going to use. In other 

words, if you’re going to be working on a 

wedding theme, there’s no reason to be carrying 

all of your holiday items with you. 

40. Clear the Way. 

If you are spending too much time looking for 

supplies, background papers, photos, frames, that 

great rubber stamp and so on, then, it’s time to 

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organize your work station. Declutter and toss 

out or trade those items you don’t need, you 

don’t like, etc. Organize your supplies into 

binders and storage containers. You should 

always be working on a clear surface, with only 

the current project in front of you. 

41. Clean Up the Scraps. 

If there is a wastepaper basket right near your 

work station, all of the scraps that you’re not 

planning on using can be tossed immediately. 

Don’t leave trash on your work surface. If you 

visit a friend’s home, you may want to carry 

along an empty tissue box so that all scraps can 

be discarded immediately, and make clean-up for 

your host quick and easy. 

42. Put It Away. 

Always have a home for your supplies, and when 

you’re finished using them, take a few moments 

to put everything away. You should be able to 

start fresh with a clear mind and a clear surface. 

43. Big Item/Small Item. 

Never place a big item over a smaller item, 

because if you do, it will be out of sight, and 

difficult to find quickly. 

44. Ergonomics. 

Organize your work area for increased 

productivity. Make sure it’s well lit. Have a 

comfortable chair to sit on. Your supplies and 

tools should be within arms reach. 

45. Safety. 

Organize your scrapbooking with safety in mind. 

Use a protective covering for your table. Craft 

mats are great for cutting on. Scissors and other 

sharp tools should be face down in a holder, and 

out of a young child’s reach. 

46. Make It Easy. 

Different personality styles require different 

organization systems. Make sure you use an 

organization system you can live with – one that 

works with your style and that allows you to find 

things without delay. If you find things easier 

when they’re alphabetized, then use that type of 

system. Perhaps you’re better at finding things 

by color. Then use that system. Your 

organization system must work in harmony with 

your personality. 

47. Don’t Do So Much. 

Finding the time for your scrapbooking and/or 

rubberstamping hobby can be difficult if you 

have too many things going on in your life. 

Reduce or eliminate the activities you don’t truly 

enjoy. Reduce the activities of your children. Get 

on an organized cleaning schedule, so you’re not 

wasting the entire weekend cleaning up. Make 

easier dinners that are healthy, but take half the 

time to prepare. Get your family to help out with 

household chores and obligations. 

48. Spare Time. 

Those spare minutes that we all have can be put 

to good use. Have to wait at the doctor’s office 

for your appointment? Sketch out a quick layout 

idea. Waiting for the wash cycle to finish? Sort 

out some photos, or gather supplies for 

tomorrow’s scrapbooking project. 

49. Write It Down. 

Don’t ever leave your home without a small 

notebook in hand. You’re bound to come up with 

a thought, or a cute caption, for your scrapbook. 

If you don’t write it down right away, you may 

forget about it. You may also want to keep a 

small pad and a pen right near your bedside, in 

case you have a bright idea in the middle of the 

night. 

50. Enjoy! 

Plan, organize and schedule some time to enjoy 

your creations with family and friends. 

Scrapbooking is all about fun, laughter, 

memories, and touching moments! 

Source: Maria Gracia Get Organized Now web site at 

http://www.getorganizednow.com/. 

FINDING TIME 

You’ve organized the pictures, you have lots of 

paper and other supplies – in fact you have so 

many, you are now a certified scrapbook supply 

collector! However, there is a bigger problem for 

you and it is called a lack of time. You know that 

no one will be able to enjoy the great moments 

you captured on film if you don’t get going, yet 

day in and day out, you just can’t find the time 

scrapbook. 

I know the reality is that sometimes it is just too 

hard to get going on our scrapbooking. I also 

know that the majority of scrapbookers are 

mothers, who must take care of the needs and 

wants of their children, and take care of a home. 

With cooking, cleaning, and in some cases, work 

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outside of the home, how are you to find the 

time? In this article, I hope to help you find that 

time so that you can make progress in your 

scrapbooking. 

Your Attitude – Now, don’t take that heading 

the wrong way, but you have to admit, you 

attitude has a lot to do with your lack of 

scrapbooking. It isn’t that your attitude is bad, it 

is just that you haven’t got to a point yet where 

you really want to make the time to scrapbook. 

No matter how convincing I am trying to sound, 

and no matter how many times you read this 

article, or others like it, you won’t make the time 

unless you REALLY want to. Make sense? 

Now is the time to change your way of thinking. 

While we all hate to think about it, imagine if 

tomorrow you were gone from this Earth. Would 

you leave behind albums full of memories or 

boxes full of photos? This is not to say that you 

have to be totally caught up – in some cases, you 

will never be caught up. Accept that fact and 

move on. Decide now and today that you will 

make scrapbooking a priority! 

To-Do Lists – “To-Do” Lists are one way to 

remind yourself to spend some time scrapping. 

With “To-Do” Lists, you develop a list everyday 

that has all the things you need or want to get 

done. I suggest starting off with the tasks that are 

most important. Chances are that with all the 

things you have to get done, scrapbooking won’t 

be at the top of your list, but make sure you get it 

on there somewhere. Also, be sure to be specific 

about what you want to get done with your 

scrapbooking that day. For example, if you have 

been working on a specific layout, make a goal 

to get it done. As you work down your list, cross 

off each task that you have completed. Imagine 

the satisfaction you will feel when you have 

completed your “have-to’s” and now you get to 

spend sometime on your scrapbooks! 

Same Time, Same Place – Some scrappers have 

found that they can get the most done with their 

scrapbooking when they scrap at the same time 

of day, everyday. This time is different for 

everyone. Mothers with small children in the 

home, may find using the time they have during 

naps or after the children are in bed for the night, 

the best time to scrap. Others who have children 

in school during the day will find that to be the 

best time. Consider the following when deciding 

when the best time is for you to schedule your 

scrapping time. Answering these questions will 

help you to determine when scrapping will best 

fit into your schedule. 

Can I scrap well with my children 

around? 

When do I usually enjoy my leisure 

activities? 

Do I scrap better during long scrapping 

sessions or small blocks of time? 

Me, My TV, & My Scrapbooks – Another idea 

for finding the time is to plan your scrapbooking 

during a favorite television show. Let’s say you 

love to watch the hour long drama “E.R.” on 

NBC every week. Make a pact with yourself that 

you will not allow yourself to sit and watch 

“E.R.” unless you are scrapping at the same time. 

What a great incentive! The best part is that if 

you do no other scrapping all week, you can rest 

assured you are making some progress because 

you will get something done during that favorite 

TV show! 

Your Own Scrapbook Area – I don’t mean 

necessarily a whole room (but those are great 

too!), but how about a table or desk, just for your 

scrapping? If possible, find an area of your home 

that you can set up and leave all your 

scrapbooking supplies at it. If you have a place 

that everything is ready at all the time, you are 

more likely to work on your scrapbooks. If you 

have to lug out all your pictures, albums and 

supplies everytime, you might find your 

scrapbooking hobby to be a hassle and that isn’t 

going to help motivate you! 

Crops – One of the best ways I have found to 

really get some scrapping done is to plan 

scrapping sessions, also known as crops, with a 

friend or two or my local scrapbook group. 

When I make plans with someone else, I will 

follow through, but when it is only me, I tend to 

let other things get in the way. So, find a friend 

that enjoys scrapbooking – all you really need it 

just one other person, but sometimes the more 

the merrier! Then schedule the best time for your 

scrapping – once a week during lunch is 

something that I enjoy. 

Don’t have a scrapbooking friend? Visit your 

local scrapbook store and see if they have crops 

– if they do sign up for the next one and in no 

time, you will have scrapping buddies! 

Source: Brandie Valenzuela on Pages of the Heart 

web site at http://www.pagesoftheheart.net. 

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SCRAPBOOKING DESIGN 

A scrapbook is more than a photo album with a 

few cute stickers. It’s a visual recording of your 

life and loves. A way to communicate with 

generations to come. It’s also the basis of a 

multi-billion dollar industry – and it’s an art 

form all in itself. Here are 10 basic design 

principles to guide your own creativity and lend 

natural balance and flow to your scrapbook 

pages. 

1. Designate your focal point, first thing, 

by choosing your layout’s main 

photograph. Ask yourself, “Where do I 

want the viewer’s attention to be drawn 

first?” Then you can choose your 

supplementary, supporting photographs, 

if appropriate. 

2. Group accents and small 

embellishments in groups of three or 

five. Aesthetically, we are drawn to 

groupings that contain an odd number 

of items. 

3. Place related accents close in proximity 

so the eye processes them as one unit. 

4. Create a triangle on the page, placing 

photos or embellishments at each of the 

triangle’s three points. Our eyes like 

that, too. 

5. Create sections in multiples of two. 

Two sections or four sections are more 

aesthetically pleasing to our eyes than 3 

or 5 sections. 

6. Apply the “Rule of Thirds.” Think of 

your page as a grid, divided into thirds 

horizontally and vertically. Place your 

focal point on one of the convergences 

of these lines. 

7. Maintain balance with the size of your 

elements. Consider both the size and 

complexity of your page elements as 

you distribute them in your layout. 

8. Achieve a natural sense of flow by 

placing the photographs so that the eyes 

of your subjects turn toward the center 

of the page or toward your focal point. 

9. Use repetition. Repeat shapes, textures, 

sizes, colors, or other attributes. It’s 

usually best to stay consistent with the 

types and color of metals you use in 

your embellishments. Make sure that 

everything maintains some sort of 

connection with something else on the 

page. 

10. Sketch your favorite layouts in books 

and scrapbooking magazines. Try to 

determine which design principles are at 

work to create such visual appeal and 

work to incorporate those principles 

into your own layouts. 

The first rule of art, of course, is not to be bound 

by rules. Now that you know the basics of what 

our eyes are naturally attracted to, see what kind 

of beauty you can create. 

Source: Susie Cortright on the Momscape web site at 

http://www.momscape.com/scrapbooking. 

CARING FOR PHOTOS 

Photographs are wonderful, mysterious things. 

Yet we have become so accustomed to them that 

we take them for granted. 1999 marked the 160th 

anniversary of the public introduction of 

photography. Prior to 1839 you could not see 

what distant places truly looked like, or see 

yourself as you appeared when you were 

younger. Most people didn’t know what the 

President of the United States really looked like, 

or the King or Queen of England. Oh sure there 

were pictures, artists drawings and paintings, but 

they were all interpretations – even the most 

faithful representations were influenced by the 

style, medium and mind of the artist. Along 

came the invention of photography, and all that 

changed overnight. 

With every picture you take, you are freezing a 

moment in time; capturing a view that can never 

be exactly the same again. You may have a 

closet full of such frozen moments, or just a few 

rolls from your last vacation. If you want to be 

able to enjoy those moments far into the future, 

you need to take some care in the handling and 

storage of those images. If you have family 

photos handed down from earlier generations, 

you have a responsibility to future generations to 

pass them on in as good condition as possible. 

When taking care of older photographs it helps 

to know something of the process by which they 

were made, but it not essential. If you would like 

to learn more about “Identifying and Dating Old 

Photographs,” there is considerable information 

available. In practice, all photos need to be 

protected from the same dangers. Light is enemy 

number one. Chemical degradation is another 

problem, and much less easy to deal with. And 

8

of course you must protect them from physical 

damage, be it the curiosity of children or the fury 

of storm, flood or fire. 

Light – Photographs are made by the action of 

light on a specially treated chemical surface (at 

least they were before digital imagery was 

invented). Little wonder then that even after they 

are fixed into a stable image, photographs can 

still be affected by light. Bright light will cause 

photos to fade. Actually, all photographs are 

fading at all times, but light greatly accelerates 

the process. The degree of fading depends on the 

type of process used to create the image, how 

well it was processed, and other factors. As a 

general rule, color photos fade faster than black 

and white. 

Of course you have to expose photos to light to 

view them, and what good are they if they are 

never seen? But you should be careful to store 

them in light-proof boxes. Pictures you hang on 

your walls should be thought of as disposable – 

don’t hang the original if it is a family heirloom 

– make a copy and hang that. Avoid placing 

pictures where they will be in direct sun. 

Chemical Degradation – When pictures fade 

from sunlight it is really a form of chemical 

degradation, but there are other factors that can 

contribute to this process. If the pictures were not 

properly processed when they were made, they 

have more damaging chemicals on them, and 

will suffer the effects of chemical degradation 

much faster than properly processed images. If 

you are having copies made, or prints from new 

photos that you want to last well into the future, 

you can have them archivally processed to 

ensure the fewest possible damaging trace 

chemicals will remain on the print. Old prints 

can be re-processed to remove chemicals, but 

that process should only be attempted by 

professional restoration experts. 

Another source of chemical degradation is the 

paper (or on mounted pictures, the cardboard the 

print is mounted on) used in making prints. If the 

paper is too acidic, it may fall apart with time, 

disintegrating slowly from within. There are 

sprays available that can be used on the back of 

photos to slow this process. 

Photos can also pick up deleterious chemicals 

from their environment, the air around them, 

other pictures, or the material they are stored in. 

To ensure long life, store your pictures in safe 

materials designed for archival storage. Never 

use those so-called magnetic photo album pages 

that are sticky – that sticky surface is made of 

chemicals that will destroy your pictures. 

Other factors than can affect the chemical 

degradation of photographs are temperature and 

humidity. Like most chemical processes, those 

that damage your pictures are accelerated by heat 

and humidity. Excessively low heat or humidity 

can also be damaging however. All materials 

expand and contract with temperature changes, 

which can lead to cracking of the image surface. 

Rapid changes in temperature and humidity can 

be very destructive. Very low humidity can also 

cause curling. Store your photos in an area where 

the temperature is steady and avoid extremes 

such as would be found in an attic or basement. 

Again, proper storage materials will help 

ameliorate the effects of fluctuating temperature 

and humidity. 

Physical Protection – How many times have 

you seen interviews with survivors of a disaster 

such as flooding or fire, where they lament the 

loss of their irreplaceable family photos? There 

is a simple solution to this problem. Photos have 

the wonderful property of being reproducible. 

You can have copies made in any quantity. 

Always have multiple copies made of your 

favorite photos, and send them to relatives living 

in other parts of the country. If you have pictures 

of historical significance, contact museums in the 

locality where they are from, they may be happy 

to accept copies. Distribute your images far and 

wide, and you will always be able to find another 

copy should yours be destroyed. 

There are less severe forms of physical 

destruction that you can protect against. Bent 

corners, folds and smudges from greasy fingers 

can all damage your pictures. Children will 

scribble on the backs if given the chance. Store 

your pictures securely, in safe materials. Don’t 

just stuff them in a drawer. There are chemically 

inert plastic sleeves available for picture albums 

that allow the pictures to be viewed without 

removing them from their page. 

Information – The value in common snapshots 

and portraits lies mostly in the associations we 

have with them. Portraits of our ancestors 

interest us more than unidentified portraits. 

Pictures of places we have been, houses we have 

lived in, are more interesting than similar 

9

pictures for which we have no associations. Even 

indirect associations lend worth to an image – a 

snapshot of the pyramids in Egypt may not 

approach the many professional images available 

of those wonderful monuments; but if we know 

it was Aunt Lizzie who took that picture while 

on her honeymoon, the picture suddenly has 

more sentimental value. 

These associations require information not 

contained in the photo itself. Always label your 

pictures! The who/what/why/when/where 

associated with an image makes a world of 

difference in how it is valued by others. Never 

write on a print with a pen, the ink may have 

chemicals that will damage the picture. Write on 

the back, using a dark pencil, and don’t press so 

hard as to damage the front side. At a minimum, 

put the date and names of persons shown and/or 

location of the photo. If you store them in clear 

plastic sleeves, don’t put two pictures back-toback 

in one sleeve – leave the back visible so 

you can see if there are any notes without having 

to remove the picture from its sleeve. 

Digital Images – With the advent of digital 

imaging, we have a whole new type of image to 

deal with. It does not degrade, and can be copied 

at little expense. It is also more easily 

manipulated. Long-term storage is technology 

dependent, and less predictable than the physical 

processes affecting chemical photographs. Will 

CDs or DVDs made now be intact a hundred 

years from now? Will there be machines capable 

of reading them? Who knows? But the 

opportunity to duplicate and distribute your 

images at minimal cost, with room to include as 

much information as you want, rather than just 

the little note that will fit on the back of a print, 

makes this an attractive way to share your 

pictures. You can be sure that when the time 

comes that the CD or DVD formats are phased 

out, there will be a “window of opportunity” 

during which time it will be easy to transfer the 

digital information from those to whatever 

format replaces them. 

Source: Andrew J. Morris on his web site at 

http://ajmorris.com. 

Preserving Newspaper Clippings 

Most people, at some point in their life, save a 

newspaper clipping. Perhaps your child was the 

star of your local paper for a science experiment. 

Or, your teen’s tennis team is heading to the state 

finals. There are even sad events we may clip – a 

national tragedy, an obituary, or details of a car 

accident. The reason we clip these newspaper 

article is because they document a period in time 

that for whatever reason, we want to remember. 

Unfortunately, many people don’t consider the 

fact that the very article they wish to keep, is 

already starting to slowly deteriorate seconds 

after coming off the press. 

What do you do? Continue to clip and accept this 

as the way it is? Absolutely not. With the help of 

modern technology, your newspaper clippings 

can be preserved, so that they will never be 

yellow, brittle, and faded. With a little preventive 

maintenance, your newspaper clippings will be 

able to be enjoy by future generations. Here are 

your options: 

1. Many family historians and scrapbookers 

swear by a product called Archival Mist. Spray 

Archival Mist on your clippings and the solution 

will neutralize the acid in the paper. This product 

can be cost a bit more than the other options 

listed here, but if you wish to preserve a 

document in original state, Archival Mist is the 

way to go. Check your local or online scrapbook 

store or discount chains such as Wal-mart to 

purchase this extraordinary product. 

2. Recently, the popular spray paint company, 

Krylon, has come out with their own product that 

neutralizes the acid in paper called “Make It 

Acid Free.” It is reported that Krylon’s product 

is much more cost efficient than the above 

mentioned Archival Mist. Check for this product 

at stores selling spray paint. 

3. Scanners can be found on many home 

desktops and with one, you can print an acid-free 

copy of your newspaper article. To do so, simply 

clip the article and scan into your computer. 

Then, using acid-free paper, print a copy of the 

article. The results are fantastic and usually look 

exactly like the actual clipping. 

4. If you don’t have a scanner, you’re still in 

luck. Take your newspaper clippings to your 

local print shop and have them copied onto acidfree 

paper. 

5. Another idea for deacidfying your newspaper 

clippings is to use the following homemade 

solution. It is a bit more complicated than the 

above options, but some like this method best. 

10

Please be sure to this on an unimportant 

document first, as I assume no responsibility for 

any damage caused by using or misusing this 

formula. 

Pour one capful of milk of magnesia into one 

bottle of club soda. Carefully replace the cap and 

slowly invert to mix the two fluids. Store this 

overnight in the refrigerator. Pour the new 

solution into a glass cake pan. Gently put a 

clipping into the solution for 2-3 minutes. Be 

careful not to tear or poke holes in the fragile 

paper. Carefully place between white paper 

towels to extract most of the solution. Transfer 

and store overnight between two pages of white 

blotter paper with books used on top for weights. 

This method is not for manuscripts or letters as 

the ink will bleed. 

So there you have it. Take some time and find 

those newspaper clippings that you have tucked 

away and get them prepared for the future. Even 

if you clipped them years ago and you find that 

they are already starting to deteriorate, it’s not 

too late. Stop their aging by using one of the 

methods above. 

Source: Brandie Valenzuela on Pages of the Heart 

web site at http://www.pagesoftheheart.net. 

DO’S, DON’TS 

Dos 

1. Design page layouts to highlight your 

pictures. 

2. Color coordinate your decorative 

papers. 

3. Create page interest by cropping an 

occasional picture in a shape, circle or 

oval. 

4. Use acid-free, lignin-free paper. 

5. Use only archival safe pens to write on 

your pages. 

6. Be careful with what you use to adhere 

your pictures with. Even though it is 

acid-free, it may not hold your pictures 

to the page indefinitely. 

7. Use a stabilo pencil to write on the back 

of your pictures when necessary. Acid 

free pens will not hurt your pictures, but 

they will smear and will transfer onto 

other surfaces. 

Don’ts 

8. Journal often. It is as much fun to read 

about the event, as it is to see it in 

pictures. 

1. Don’t create such “darling” pages that 

you only see the page and not the 

pictures. Why is it you are doing the 

page in the first place? 

2. Don’t crop too much out of your 

pictures. 

3. You are putting so much time and love 

into your album, don’t scrimp on 

quality when buying your scrapbooking 

products. 

4. Don’t stack your albums. Stand them up 

side by side. 

5. Don’t cut Polaroid pictures. 

6. Don’t scrapbook when you are tired. 

You’ll find that you make more 

mistakes. 

7. Don’t forget to let your children do their 

own scrapbooks. They can be extremely 

creative and will find it very fulfilling. 

8. Don’t think that you aren’t creative. 

Everyone has their own style and every 

scrapbook ever made is a cherished 

possession. 

Source: Cropaholics: 

http://www.cropaholics.com/tips_tricks/dos_donts.html. 

SCRAPBOOKING 

RESOURCES 

Books 

The Simple Art of Scrapbooking : Tips, 

Techniques, and 30 Special Album Ideas for 

Creating Memories that Last the Lifetime by 

Scrapbook Guild (U. S.), Kathleen Jayes 

(Editor). This paperback features step-by-step 

instructions on how to start scrapbooking, with 

information and inspiration to help you create 

your own unique albums. 

Magazines 

Creating Keepsakes Magazine - Magazine 

known for its innovative content on 

scrapbooking. Each monthly issue features new 

page ideas, helpful tips, hot product features, 

creative sketches for layouts, articles and more. 

11

Memory Makers Magazine - One of the first 

scrapbooking publications. You’ll find over 100 

ideas in each issue, complete with supplies lists 

and easy-to-follow instructions. 

PaperKuts Magazine - Paperkuts brings you 

featured layouts, hot product reviews, 

scrapbooking tips, informative articles and more. 

Simple Scrapbooks Magazine - Every issue 

features reader pages as well as tips from experts 

that encourage and teach with a “no-stress” 

inspiring style. 

Web Sites 

All About Scrapbooking: 

http://allaboutscrapbooking.com/. Online 

scrapbooking workshop devoted to teaching 

techniques step-by-step 

Computer Scrapbooking: 

www.computerscrapbooking.com/index.html. 

Essential resource for digitally-aided 

scrapbooking – fonts, layouts and fun tools. 

Crazy For Scrapppin’: 

http://alysta.com/scrapbooking/. Site for 

scrapbooking enthusiasts to share ideas and 

inspiration. 

Creating Keepsakes: 

http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/. A 

scrapbooking magazine – with tips, products, 

and news of upcoming expos. 

Scrap Stop: http://www.scrapstop.com/. Source 

for scrapbooking supplies and tips. 

Scrap Tutor: http://www.scraptutor.com/tips/. 

Weekly e-zine with tips on how to preserve your 

memories. Tips vary from journaling ideas to 

technique hints to organizing your supplies. 

Scrapbook Tips from Life Tips: 

http://scrapbook.lifetips.com/. Dozens of 

scrapbook tips organized into handy categories. 

Scrapbook.Com Resource Center: 

http://www.scrapbook.com/resources.html. 

Interactive scrapbooking resource center where 

you can browse through scrapbooking tips, 

articles, quotes and poems. 

Scrapbooking 101: 

http://www.scrapbooking101.net/: Share the fun 

of scrapbooking and learn basic techniques 

Scrapbooking and How: 

http://www.scrapbookinghow.com/tips.htm. 

Collection of tips on scrapbooking and 

preserving photos. 

Scrapbooking.Com: http://scrapbooking.com/. 

Online magazine filled with scrapbooking ideas 

for every occasion. 

Scrapjazz: http://www.scrapjazz.com/. 

Scrapbooking layouts and ideas, a message 

forum, product reviews and more. 

Creative Scrapbooking: 

http://www.creativescrapbooking.com/. All 

things scrapbooking – from tips and layouts to 

books and supplies 

Learn 2 Scrapbook: http://learn2scrapbook.com/. 

“How-to” information for beginning 

scrapbookers. 

Lifetime of Memories: 

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Village/377 

1/. Collection of scrapbook tips and techniques. 

One Scrappy Site: 

http://www.onescrappysite.com/. Scrapbooking 

community with news, articles, layouts, fonts 

and support. 

12

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