The Real Secret of How to Improve Scrapbooking

The Secrets of How to Improve Scrapbooking

Even experienced scrappers are often interested in how to improve scrapbooking, whether it’s learning some new techniques, finding out about new merchandise, or just visiting other scrappers’ galleries to get inspired.  Whether you’re an experienced scrapper or just starting out, you too may wonder about the secrets of how to improve scrapbooking, and this article can reveal to you some of those secrets in quick, easy-to-follow formats.  There’s nothing here that’s too difficult for you, no matter how many years you’ve been scrapping or how many albums you’ve created, or even if you’re brand new to the hobby.  Here are a few of those tips:

How to Improve Scrapbooking Color

One of the secrets of how to improve scrapbooking has to do with the colors or color schemes you use.  It’s unfortunate that many people don’t understand that too many bold, strong colors can really overwhelm someone when they look at a scrapbook page.  You might think that you’re washing out your page when you add neutral, cool colors such as white or softer shades of your main color, but this really act as an accent to your focal point.  It’s important to remember this if your main color is something strong and bold, such as fire engine red, black, forest or hunter green, or navy blue.  A very good tip on how to improve scrapbooking is to mix up these colors with opposing accent colors to make them stand out.  Try forest green with black and gold, or some softer yellows and tans with that brick red.

And use backgrounds of opposing colors as well in order to have your elements really stand out.  Borders, frames, and other embellishments can be opposing colors as well.

How to Improve Scrapbooking Embellishments

A common mistake that many scrappers make is trying to include every single embellishment or item that they like on any one page.  One of the best tips on how to improve scrapbooking pages is to start with less embellishments than you plan, and try different arrangements and groupings before actually gluing or adhering anything permanently.  When you start with less, and then take an honest look at your page, you can see that perhaps less is more, as they say.  You don’t want to overwhelm or overpower your focal point with the decorations around it, as this will only detract from the feeling of the page overall.  When learning how to improve scrapbooking, remember that you can always add more items later if you think your page needs it, but it’s much more difficult to take things away.  So start out using less than you think you should, and then go from there.

How to Improve Scrapbooking Layouts

Another common mistake made by new scrappers is taking your focal point and putting it in the exact center of the page, as if you’re framing a picture.  Scrapbooks are meant to be fun and even whimsical, so you may want to consider working to get away from this thinking.

One of the ways to consider in how to improve scrapbooking layouts is to move your focal point off to one side.  Or, better yet, use more than one picture as your focal point.  Try different shots of the same pose, and ladder these down one side, or use other shots in a smaller size to frame your main picture or focal point.

This is important to remember when working with scrapbooking wording as well.  If you’re thinking of how to improve scrapbooking wording, consider using less words, or mixing up your fonts.  Have one or two main words in a strong, bold color and fancy font, and then a corresponding paragraph or sentence or two in a smaller, simpler color and font.  For example, on a page that features your newborn, you could have the phrase “baby boy” or “baby girl” or the baby’s name at the top of the page in big fancy letters.  Then, underneath or in another spot, in smaller letters, have a nice phrase or sentence, such as “We had each other, then we had you, and now we have everything.”  This way your wording won’t overpower the focal point or compete for attention.  This is one of the keys of how to improve scrapbooking layouts, that is, not having your elements compete with one another but complement and harmonize.  And move your wording away from the center as well – have a paragraph off to one side, or going up the edge of the page, or something else creative.

How to Improve Scrapbooking Templates and Kits

If you purchase scrapbooking templates, either online or from your supply store, it may seem like something of a letdown as your entire project has been done for you – kind of like the difference between creating a watercolor on your own or using paint by numbers.  However, there is a secret of how to improve scrapbooking templates and kits, and that is to add your own personal touches.  Templates and kits are great starting points, but this is all they are – starting points.  Your own unique vision can come to life with embellishments and other touches.

Also, remember that when working with online templates, you usually have at least some leeway to move things around, remove items, and so on.  Don’t think that you need to use everything on the page, and the same is true of kits.  If you’re not crazy about a certain element, don’t use it.