Scrapbooking....finding your Creative Niche

Scrapbooking....the joy of taking all those cherished photographs and arranging them in albums with special papers, stickers, embellishments and journaling to document events.  I have always believed this is a better alternative, then sticking them in an old shoe box and placing them on a shelf somewhere.  So many memories can be preserved through scrapbooking your events in life...both the "big" things and the everyday treasures found in day to day living. I have been Scrapbooking in one way or another for over 30 years-it's funny because I was a Scrapbooker way before it was cool or "trendy".  I remember a trip to Paris my senior year in HS that is well documented by not only my photos, but collected postcards, ticket stubs, menus and of course the journaling of my visit there.
So in some ways I think of myself as an expert in this field: I know what I like and what I don't like when it comes to Scrapbooking and scrapbooking techniques.

 It is an Art....not an exact science

 My main purpose in this blog is to encourage every Scrapbooker out there to follow your creative spirit and go with what works for you. I don't like to be pushed into something just because it's the trend or I "should" to it that way. It is an art...not an exact science. To give you an example, I use albums that are 8 1/2  x 11 format, smaller than the "mainstream" size of 12 x12.  I have several reasons why I prefer the smaller format, but mostly because they are easier to use when you sit down to look at pictures....less cumbersome I think.

 Albums and papers of the 8 1/2x11 size can still be found, thank goodness, but the predominant size on the market is 12x12. I have dug my heels in, and have refused to "convert" to a 12x12 format, and have not regretted my decision. I still have so much fun creating the albums with the format I am most comfortable working with. Here are a couple of pages documenting our Alaskan fishing trip-a very successful catch of Halibut. The shading on the pages was done by texturing several different colors (stamp pads), with a stiff bristle brush.  I love the marbley look you get with that....and it is a subtle look that does not distract from the pictures themselves. Also, I really love to use die-cuts whenever I can find them. The blue "Alaska" die-cut I found in a Scrapbooking store up there. My guys were very patient with me when I just HAD to make a stop there. The use of a Cricut machine is also handy.  I don't own one, but I have a friend that can sometimes do cut outs for me.

 When creating die-cuts, the use of paper punches for small, simple embellishments are great to just add a little pizazz to your albums...here is a good example with the little orange swirls. These are photos of Devils Tower Wyoming, very impressive but lots of gray...I put them on forest green paper and the orange swirls add a touch of color. Matting pics in a contrasting color also makes then stand out.
Do whatever inspires you & you will be sure to create a family keepsake. Keep Scrapping!