Scrapbookers Inner Circle

Tina,

The simple answer to your question is "Yes"!

The basis of every layout is the combination of the following 3 items:

1. Photo
2. The Story
3. Paper

I realize that I have really simplified the process, but the whole purpose of creating our pages is to tell the story of the photo (or just the story if no photo is available).

My very earliest scrapbooks as an early teen were simply photos and some journalling (back in the day of those awful magnetic sticky photo albums). My family still looks through them and loves the stories told through my teenage eyes.

Once you have established the 'story' you want to tell, then it is a matter of dressing up your page. As a beginner, I would recommend starting off simple, and then trying a new technique every week or once a month. Maybe you will start off with ribbon or buttons. Or maybe it is simply laying some cardstock that will add the desired pizzaz.

There are many in the forum with lots of talent you can learn from. Soon the photo gallery will be brimming with ideas and even visual how to's that you can learn at your own pace.

I encourage you to keep posting your questions and taking the baby steps we all started with. Remember this is a journey, enjoy the learning process!

Warmly,

Tammy Morales
Your Scrapbook Coach
Publisher, ScrapbookersInnerCircle.com

Tammy,

The idea of using ribbon on a scrapbook page is not surprising. But, how do you use buttons? I have a container full of old buttons. Even my friends take them off of old clothing before throwing a garment away. It saves on replacing buttons that fall off and get lost. But, using them for a scrapbook, I never thought of that. Can you share some ideas of how you use buttons in your own projects?

Tina

Tina,

I will search through my layouts and upload a picture in the photo gallery for you to see the use of buttons.

Does anyone else have ideas for buttons or other techniques that will help Tina learn to scrapbook?

Warmly,

Tammy Morales
Your Scrapbook Coach
Publisher, ScrapbookersInnerCircle.com

Hi Tina!

I've been using all sorts of things in my scrapbooking ventures. My latest idea was using tea bag enveloppes in a card I designed to invite my mother for tea in a tea salon. I tend to accumulate all sorts of images and bits of what my partner would call "trash", but I try to do it purposefully: I know my mom loves tea, so when I see something tea, I collect it.

I know my boyfriend loves music, so when I see anything that has to do with music - pictures, stickers - I collect it.

When I want to make a card, I mostly sit on the living room carpet (nope, no scrapbooking room), take out all my stuff, and allow myself to play with colors, textures, shapes, 3rd dimension and "trash", and see what comes out. I usually have my paper, my weird scissors, stickers, sequens, feathers, shiny things, pieces of metal, plastic, and my "trash".

When doing a whole scrapbook, it's a bit different. I have to plan the pages ahead of time: just which picture goes on which page with what story. Then it's sitting on the carpet again, and letting my creativity splurge!

Andréanne

Andreanne,

You must not have pets or children. My cats would never let me sit on the floor with all sorts of things scattered about. But, it brings up a great image of relaxing and just enjoying the process, instead of making it a "labor" of love.

I must admit, I would have never thought of saving tea bag covers. Obviously, you are a very creative person. I love the idea of making all your own cards too! Actually, that sounds like a great place to start! For a beginner, a card does not seem so daunting. Plus, it makes such a personal touch for someone special. I know my Mom's birthday is coming up. She is always saying just to get her a card and not spend money. You gave me a great idea!

Creating a card is the PERFECT short project! It's one, small page, usually 4x6 or 5x7. I like to use either a double sided paper or cardstock, or two complementary papers so that the inside of the card is as beautiful and colorful as the outside. I also like to make the envelope myself with another complementary paper, and use fancy labels to address it.

I can't help but to secretly wonder what the postman will think when he delivers my card... I'll upload a few pictures of some cards I made in the past when I get a chance.

Andréanne

Creating a card is the PERFECT short project! It's one, small page, usually 4x6 or 5x7. I like to use either a double sided paper or cardstock, or two complementary papers so that the inside of the card is as beautiful and colorful as the outside. I also like to make the envelope myself with another complementary paper, and use fancy labels to address it.

I can't help but to secretly wonder what the postman will think when he delivers my card... I'll upload a few pictures of some cards I made in the past when I get a chance.

Andréanne

Andreanne,

After listening to Secret #2 tonight, I had to come back and find your blog. You, my girl, are definitely a lifer. I can just imagine sitting on the floor with everything spread around. Tammy even talks about choosing a space that it is the middle of everything, because she likes being around people and what is going on while crafting. After listening to the recording, I immediately thought of you sitting in the middle of the carpet, watching television or visiting with your boyfriend, while thoroughly enjoying the process of scrapbook creating. Your space is what you make it, big or small.

I never thought of my trash as a potential work of art! I tend to throw everything away. Although not a great housekeeper, I do not want to turn into a packrat either. So, I throw stuff out as a means of controlling the stuff I do have to clean up. However, I may have to rethink that strategy. Maybe I should get some sort of container for odds and ends, like teabag covers that may be a potential piece of art. I can always go back through it periodically and do a purge, if I discover the piece is probably not going to be used, or I forgot why I thought to save it in the first place. Thanks.

Hi Susan,

Heehee... Sitting on the floor is by lack of space. I never thought of it as something that added to my creativity! But I guess I do feel quite free on the carpet, and that my mental boundaries stretch...

Andréanne