Scrapbook Sunday… Find Your Artsy Style

I’m super excited to bring you the first installment of our new scrapbooking series. In case you haven’t already noticed, I’m kind of obsessed with this new era of preserving memories. If you’re a novice like me then there are all sorts of methods available to aid with discovering your style and journal method. Basically, there are three types of scrapbooking: traditional digital and art journals, although some folks might say the latter belongs in a group all by itself. This series will explore all three methods, so feel free to add your thoughts at the end of each segment.

Today, I’m going to talk about finding your style. Doing so could mean choosing one method or all three. It just depends on what specifics the project you’re working with requires you to use. In my case, I’ve chosen all three scrapbook styles because I’ll be documenting a significant part of my kids’ lives as well as my own during this new transitional period in our lives.

Over the past couple years, I’ve read up on and collected Pinterest articles about scrapbooking. I have a friend who is a genius at these things. She came up with some of the most beautiful photo albums I’ve ever seen. I was like: man, I wanna be able to do that. LoL Since I’ve always been considered an artistic type of person by my family and friends (loves me some painting and drawing) then I had no doubt that once I found the time to devote to this important stage of both my life and the lives of my sons then I’d be able to make the same quality of projects as my friend.

5 Simple Steps to Help Jumpstart Your Scrapbook Adventure:

1) Pick one method of scrapbooking and start there. I’ve dabbled in digital scrapbook software for a while now, so naturally, this made the perfect place for me to begin. However, the urge to transpose my designs to a real photo album has taken hold, so I’ll be covering the real deal soon enough.

2) Decide what you want to do. Will you be documenting your wedding? Or an important milestone in your child’s life? Then both digital and physical scrapbooking might be for you. I’ve been using digital software to get a feel for the process and it is so much fun! Art journals make the best platform for thoughts. They’re pretty much illustrated diaries and I’ve seen some excellent examples on Pinterest.

3) Know your style… Part One. Do you prefer a minimalist design such as the one above this section? Then collage style photo journals will probably be most enjoyable to you. And having your photos printed is easier than ever with digital software apps such as Walgreen’s. I haven’t used this service yet, but fully intend to do so within the next few weeks.

4) Know your style… part two. I enjoy visual stimulation. Collages make quick and easy eye candy for my blog posts. However, I prefer more eye stimulation than a simple collage can offer. I’m one of those people who will need a bookcase dedicated to her scrapbooks. Why? Because I’ll have stuffed them to the max with every tidbit and heirloom I can find. I’m talking about flowers made of tissue, articles relevant during the time period I’m planning to document. I’d even like to add some flat pieces of polymer jewelry. More on that in another edition of Scrapbook Art Sunday. For this reason, my favorite scrapbook digital software is Cameron Collage. Not only does the user interface remind me of a scrapbook, but it also has 3D stamps and things included in its list of goodies. I spend a large part of time playing around in this software. And guess what? It’s free for both Android and iOS users.

5) Start gathering your materials. Nope, it’s not too soon to begin picking up pieces of your ideas. A scrapbook isn’t meant to be a well-organized compilation of photos. You could simply buy a photo album from ToysRUs if that were the case. Some craft stores I like to plunder: AC Moore, Joanns, Michaels. But don’t limit your visits to these places alone. Yesterday, I found a set of 6X6 fabric squares at WalMart. Imagine all the wonderful things I’ll be able to do with those!

Join us next time for another edition of Scrapbook Art Sunday next week when we discuss a few of the materials you’ll need to get started.

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