Get It Scrapped! » How To Getting Started

Album & page formats

Debbie Hodge — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 01:45:11 +0000

A first decision to make is what size paper you’ll use as your page canvas. And that decision will probably be driven by how you want to print, store, and present your scrapbook pages.

8"x8" hardcover bound photobooks from Shutterfly

If you’re making “paper” pages (i.e., you’re affixing photo prints–and, perhaps, mats & other elements–with adhesive to a cardstock base VS creating your page digitally) think about the kind of album you’d like to use. Consider size and binding as well as your own style preferences.

If you’re making “digital” pages, and you’d like physical albums, you can:

1) print them (yourself or at professional printer) and then put them into albums, or

2) have the pages printed into a bound book by a processer like Shutterfly.

Standard page formats for which you can easily buy albums are as follows.

scrapbook page sizes and formats

8″x8″ (or even 6″x6″)

These are good for gift albums, albums focused on a narrow theme or one event.

8.5″x11″ and 12×12″

D-ring albums holding scrapbook pages in page protectors.

These are the most commonly used page sizes for scrapbooking album pages and making family albums with these formats will be easiest. They present enough space for photos, title, & journaling. They store well in the average home, and product is widely available. You can also store both sizes in many of the 12×12″ albums on the market.

(*Note for digital scrappers, consider making your pages on 12″x12″ canvases so that you will then have the option to print at 12″x12″ or a smaller 8″x8″ size.)

The two sizes offer different page design options, since, with 8.5″x11″ you’re working with a rectangular canvas, while the 12″x12″ size is a square canvas.

D-ring binder that holds both 12"x12" pages and 8.5"x11" pages -- in page protectors

18″x18″ or larger.

Oversized albums make a great statement. Be prepared to spend more money on your supplies and a bit more time tracking them down. Make sure you can store albums this size in a cool dry spot.

Pocket Pages in varying sizes.

Buy pocket pages the same size as your chosen album format and integrate scrapped pages with photos presented this way.

two-pages or one?

Two one-page layouts facing each other in a Shutterfly photobook

With each layout that you do, you’ll also need to decide whether you’re use two side-by-side canvases or one canvas that will sit next to another, separate layout.

Supplies for paper scrapbooking

Debbie Hodge — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 22:12:34 +0000

To make a scrapbook page you will need the following basic supplies. You can buy these at your local scrapbook store, your local craft store, or an online scrapbooking store.

1. Paper Trimmer and small scissors. You’ll need something to cut your paper and photos with. Start with a trimmer like this Fiskars Trimmer that can cut paper at least 12″ x 12.” Select, also, a pair of small, fine-point scissors.

2. Cardstock. First, you need cardstock to provide your “canvas.” This is the paper you will build your page upon and its size will be determined by the size of album you’re using. Read about this in Album and Page Formats. If you’re making 12″x12″ pages, then purchase paper of that size, and if you’re making a different size album, purchase accordingly. You’ll also use cardstock for mats and trim. Take a look at these top lines of cardstock:

3. Patterned Paper. This can be used for your canvas or for accents.

4. Adhesive. You’ll need a way to adhere your papers and photos to the page. There are a variety of choices and this recent review by Jennafer Martin at Creating Keepsakes lays out the choices nicely.

5. Alphabets. You’ll need something for adding titles to your pages. Your choices include alphabets made of chipboard, stickers, rub-ons. You could also use a pen and handwrite your title. You could also use your computer to print titles.

6. Pens. While you may choose to print your journaling with your computer, you’ll still find some great journaling pens a handy supply to have. Use them to jot a date or location on an index tab or to doodle a border around a photo mat. If you’re not sure what kind of pen you’d like, go to the drawing aisle of your local craft or art supply store and try out some pens.

6. Embellishments. And, finally, it’s nice to have some kind of embellishment on your page. The choices here are wide and numerous–ranging from themed stickers to simple buttons. Take a look at the layouts in our Gallery and other online galleries and in magazines to get an idea of what appeals to you. Also, keep an eye on the articles we’ll be sharing here in the “Page Parts” category.

Your first paper page

Debbie Hodge — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 05:09:05 +0000

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How to make your first scrapbook page

If you have a couple of photos, some paper, a trimmer, pen, and alphabet stickers, you can make this page in 10 minutes. Just do it! Don’t over think things. Don’t go shopping for anything besides these basics.

Gather:

2 4″x6″ photos you’d like to scrapbook on a page together. One should be 6″ wide by 4″ high and the other should be 6″ high by 4″ wide.
1 piece of 12″ x 12″ cardstock in a color that will show off your photos well. (If you’re unsure, go with a neutral.)
1 smaller piece of cardstock or patterned paper that will look good with your photos.
alphabet stickers.
pen.
paper trimmer.
adhesive.

How to:

1. Click to open the pdf for Paula Gilarde’s page sketch shown here.

2. Lay your background cardstock on your work table.

3. Trim a patterned paper or cardstock piece to 2″ x 6″.

4. Adhere photos and cardstock as shown in sketch with edges bleeding off page top and page bottom.

5. Handwrite your journaling on the accent strip.

6. Adhere alpha stickers for title.

7. If you’d like, add a few embellishments.

You’re done!

How’d it go? Will you take a photo of this first page and share it in our gallery? Are you ready to make another page? We’ve got lots of sketches in our Get Sketches gallery.