Scrapbooking Tips for Beginners: How To Get Started

Hello, CP friends! Enza here, and today I'll be sharing a few tips on how to get started on scrapbooking!

When I think about my first scrapbook layout and how it came together, I remember how lost I felt. No directions, no clue of what I was doing; I just trimmed paper, matted photos, and added a few stickers here and there. It has definitely taken a while for me to find my own style, and through the years I have come to realize that I would have loved for someone to share their tips and tricks with me. I hope you find this helpful and inspiring. Just let go of your fears and start documenting your stories while having fun and enjoying the process!

TIP1: Experiment with different techniques and styles until you find what makes your heart happy. The only way to enjoy the process is to have fun. It can be a bit intimidating and overwhelming at first, but if you concentrate on one technique at a time, you have better chances of finding your “cup of tea”. One of my favorite techniques is layering; I love dimensional pages, and layering allows me to combine a variety of elements, such as die cuts, stickers, patterned papers, to achieve just that.

TIP2: Don't be afraid to “transform” your supplies! I'm mostly talking about patterned paper here. Fussy cut any shape or image that can stand on its own, and build a different background or cluster with it. You'll be surprised at how many new looks you can create! This is another one of my favorite, and it goes hand in hand with my love for layering :)

TIP3: Use your supplies! Don't hoard them! If you do, chances are you're never going to use them. Plus, manufacturers come out with beautiful collections all the time. There will never be a better photo or memory to document. Your pretty papers and embellishments are to be used! That being said I'm guilty of having some in my stash that I just like to look at ;)

TIP4: My last tip is to look for ideas and inspiration around you. I find that there is always something that catches my eye; it can be a certain design, technique, even a photo taken in a particular setting. I get inspired and adapt that idea to my style.

The layout I created for today showcases my favorite techniques, ones that have become part of my scrapbooking style and will always show on my pages: fussy cutting and layering.

The Willow Lane collection has many patterned papers that are perfect for fussy cutting. I picked the Blossom and Sparrow ones and created the wreath design for my background. Pretty much everything here has been fussy cut. I layered flowers and leaves, adhering them down with foam dots for dimension and a more natural look.

Once I had the background in place, I started working on my photo. I used one of the super cute Journaling Ephemera pockets as a layer behind the photo – it worked perfectly for my hidden journaling. I then added the gold glitter heart and the gorgeous dimensional flowers for texture and more dimension.

An extra element of dimension is the big chipboard sticker I used as a title.

To finish the layout, I adhered the fussy cut birds in opposite corners of the page and lots of little flowers all around the wreath.

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I hope these tips are useful. Just remember, there is not a right or wrong way to scrapbook or being creative. In Italy we say “The world is beautiful because it's varied”, and I firmly believe each one of us has a beautiful, unique way to document their memories. Have fun!

Supplies: Willow Lane – Blossom (344464), Sparrow (344456), Journaling Ephemera (344477), Flowers (344471), Standouts (344475), Chipboard stickers (344484).

Comments

[Debbie Rumpza]

My big question is where to get photos printed? I tend to mostly take fun snapshots with my phone these days!

[Enza G]

Hi Debbie. I have a small Canon Selphie and print at home, but when I have to print many photos at once, I order from Persnickety Prints. I like the quality and their customer service. I hope this helps 😊

[Christine Kiehl]

Thank you! Love this layout and the how to!