| One of the benefits of scrapbooking is the organized | | | | to be using? Do you want to add a lot of words |
| and attractive way your memories are preserved. It's | | | | (journaling) to this particular page or spread? Is there |
| important to take your time with the initial layout | | | | children's artwork to be incorporated into the layout. |
| because that's what really makes the core of your | | | | How about mementos such as napkins, invitations, or |
| design. A good layout will be beautiful to look at and it | | | | programs? These things will all influence how you |
| will preserve your memories so you and the | | | | should lay your page out. |
| generations to come will truly enjoy them. | | | | Are you going to have one picture be the focal point, |
| Your imagination is one of the best places to start | | | | or will you have many pictures and mementos working |
| your layouts. Just take a look at the number of | | | | together to build your memory? Layouts often center |
| pictures you have and the themes you'd like to create | | | | on details of each photograph, in which case the |
| and go from there. But, if like everybody, you find | | | | pictures are cropped and several smaller pictures are |
| yourself stuck for ideas sometimes that's OK. There | | | | used together. Then there are always classic pictures |
| are lots of places to look for inspiration. | | | | that deserve to be the focal point of your entire page. |
| Scrapbooking idea books and magazines are great for | | | | Go with simple layouts. Pictures and words will get lost |
| getting ideas. They have lots of layouts and you can | | | | on a page that's too cluttered. It also helps to have a |
| often find them centering around a theme, such as | | | | consistent look and feel for an entire album, so |
| "baby's first year" or "school days." This will help jump | | | | consider what will be going into it. Don't forget to leave |
| start your own creativity. | | | | space for journaling. |
| You can also find lots of layout ideas online. Spend | | | | Remember that themed kits can be a great way to |
| time browsing scrapbooking sites and looking at | | | | get started with scrapbooking. They're also wonderful |
| galleries of the pages others have put together. You'll | | | | if you're going to be creating your scrapbook as a gift |
| get some excellent ideas. | | | | for someone else. They contain a nice selection of |
| Don't limit yourself to just scrapbooking resources, | | | | stencils, card stock, and embellishments that match the |
| though. Pay attention to the layouts of your favorite | | | | overall theme of the kit. You'll find kits for everything |
| web pages and magazines. You'll find a wealth of | | | | from babies, to weddings, to anniversaries, to |
| beautiful layouts to draw inspiration from. | | | | graduations, to birthdays, and more. |
| Kits and software are excellent sources of pre-made | | | | Taking the time to plan out your layouts before you |
| layouts. If you're just getting started with scrapbooking | | | | actually start working on your scrapbook pages will |
| they can help you create beautiful pages right away. | | | | help you create the perfect memory in an attractive |
| You will find that you can come up with your own | | | | and organized way. So spend a little while thinking |
| ideas more easily as you gain experience. | | | | about it and trying different things to get the look you |
| Start planning your layout by taking stock of what you | | | | want. |
| have to work with. How many pictures are you going | | | | |