Scrapbooking ParadiseScraps of Paradise – unique and hard to find scrapbooking supplies

I think it’s fairly true to say that most of us have the desire to be creative but unfortunately we don’t all possess the necessary talent to be an artist or sculptor. This is one of the big attractions of scrapbooking. It enables most of us to produce something which is not only attractive but is also unique to us and, usually, of a very personal nature.

So what’s involved and where should you start?

First, decide on the subject and theme of your scrapbook. It will almost certainly be on some aspect of your life, the birth of a baby, children, your childhood, military career, wedding, family, sports, achievements, the list is endless.

So now we have our theme we want to sort through our photographs and organise what we have in to some sort of order. This is purely a personal choice there is no hard and fast rule. Go with what you like.

Be careful when handling your photographs. You want your scrapbook to last a long time. One of the great things about scrapbooks is they can be passed on to the next generation who can then get a wonderful picture of what their ancestors life was like. It’s unfortunate that we can’t always experience that ourselves as our predecessors weren’t into scrapbooking as much as we are today. Still, we can do it for our future generations.

Back to handling photographs. Always, at the very least, wash your hands before handling the photos. The natural oils on our skin can damage them and cause them to deteriorate over time. Ideally get some cotton gloves and always wear them when handling your pictures.

Old photos, in particular, can become brittle and crack or break quite easily. Computer scanners are not expensive these days and is the perfect solution for preserving your photographs by scanning them onto your computer. This has the added benefit that you can then use graphics software to manipulate them. This doesn’t have to be an added expense either as there are available quite a few different programs for free on the internet which are excellent and very capable of producing quality results.

Using these programs you can resize and crop pictures, create effects such as removing or blurring the background, add frames to the pictures and all manner of things. Once done your pictures can be printed out on a color printer ready for mounting in your scrapbook.

So far we’ve only put together what would constitute an ordinary photo album. A scrapbook is something else. It is photographs enhanced with decorations such as patterns on the page, borders, titles, embellishments such as personal items, trinkets, medals etc. Photographs are usually mounted on a decorative background called a matt or with decorative corners. It really is somewhere that your imagination can be unleashed.

A very important part of any scrapbook page is what is referred to as journaling. Writing to you and me. Journaling is what really gives life to the page as it details the what, why, when, who and where of the page and the picture. As with anything else in the scrapbook there are a myriad ways to present the journaling on the page. It can be written on the page itself, on a contrasting piece of cardstock or vellum stuck to the page, on a completely separate piece of paper and placed in a small envelope stuck to the page.

Commercially there is tons of stuff available for scrapbooking. Rub ons, transfers, die cuts, ribbons, decorative paper, colored paper, cardstock, buttons, pre made objects of all descriptions. Of course you will also need the basic materials and tools in order to make your scrapbook. Your local craft shop will turn out to be a veritable Aladdin’s cave and you will have to be careful not to get carried away. There you will find all the tools and necessary items like adhesives of which there are many: double-sided adhesive dots, photo tape, glue pens, photo corners, non-permanent glue, squares or strips, glue sticks, and bottled glues.

Always look for acid and lignin free materials and adhesives. Anything that is not free of these will be damaging to your scrapbook.

As you have a computer you don’t need to visit your local craft shop as all the scrapbook supplies you could ever desire are available online and even with delivery are very competitively priced. Of course there’s nothing like browsing round scrapbooking shops filled with all the wonderful items available where you can see and touch it all.

Talking about the internet though, there are many, many sites that offer all manner of things for scrapbooking for free. Free page layouts, cut out designs, clip art, quotes, poems and much, much more.

I know this has been fairly brief but I hope it’s given you a rough idea as to how to get started. Scrapbooking is a massive subject and yet it can be started without having to know it all at once. Hopefully this has given you enough to take that first step towards creating a timeless memento for you and your family.

Is scrapbooking for you? Want some more tips and free picture editing videos? You can find them here How To Scrapbook

K & Company Perfect-bound ‘Grace’ Photo Album/ Scrapbook $18.49 Grace album features designer pages with beautiful spots for journal entriesScrapbook and photo album collide in this fantastic K & Company hybridAlbum showcases 82 standard 4-inch x 6-inch photos

3-ring 40 Page 12×12 Blue Memory Book Box $23.99 Capture your memories in style with a 3-ring Memory Book BoxAlbum is perfect for your next scrapbooking projectAlbum boasts sophisticated leatherette cover

Sentiments 3D ‘Wedding’ Metal 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $27.49 Collect your precious memories in this 12×12-inch scrapbook albumMemory book features a 3D silvertone metal applique that reads ‘Our Wedding’ Ideal for scrapbooking photos and other prized mementos

Sentiments 3D ‘Live, Laugh’ 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $26.49 Collect your precious memories in this 12×12-inch scrapbook albumMemory book features a 3D silvertone metal applique that reads ‘Live, Laugh’ Ideal for scrapbooking photos and other prized mementos

We R Memory Keepers Dijon Linen 3-ring Binder $20.89 Hold all of your most precious memories in a colorful binderLinen 3-ring binder from We R Memory Keepers is available in a Dijon color option Scrapbook album measures 9 inches x 10.5 inches x 2.375 inches

3-ring 40 Page 12×12 Memory Book Box $22.45 Capture your memories in style with a 3-ring Memory Book BoxAlbum is perfect for your next scrapbooking projectAlbum boasts sophisticated leatherette cover

En Vogue Designer 12×12 Scrapbook Album with 40 Bonus Pages $24.89 Aged floral scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this lovely albumMemory book fits 12×12-inch paper

‘Memories’ Brown Faux Suede 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $25.99 Collect photos and more in this dark brown faux suede memory book Scrapbook album designed for 12×12-inch inserts and includes four refill packsScrapbook features an embroidered ‘Memories’ patch and frame on the cover

Tropical Frame 20-page 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $25.99 Store your memories in style with a festive tropical-theme scrapbook albumAlbum comes with 40 bonus pagesScrapbooking item features framed area on cover for showcasing a favorite photo

Diamond Fabric 20-page 8×8 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $22.19 Keep memories and photos safe in this elegant memory bookScrapbook album features ivory cover with silver diamond designMemory book is perfect for preserving wedding photographs

Dog Collage and Frame 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $25.49 Collect photos and more in this memory book Scrapbook album designed for 12×12-inch inserts and includes four refill packsScrapbook features a colorful cover with a dog-themed collage and frame

3-ring 40 Page 12×12 Red Memory Book Box $22.59 Capture your memories in style with a 3-ring Memory Book BoxAlbum is perfect for your next scrapbooking projectAlbum boasts sophisticated leatherette cover

Snapload Red Cloth 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $28.49 Collect all your memories in this Snapload cloth cover memory bookScrapbook album designed for 12×12-inch inserts and includes 40 bonus pagesScrapbook features a red cloth cover

Green 12×12 Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $25.49 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a green Oxford leatherette cover with goldtone corner piecesMemory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packs

Silk Fabric Frame Cranberry 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $28.49 Keep your memories together and organized with this memory bookScrapbook features a cranberry silk fabric with frame on front coverMemory album makes a great gift for someone special

ADS 5.6-inch Scrapbooking Digital Picture Frame $30.05 The ADS digital picture frame lets you view digital pictures from your camera’s memory cardThis digital picture frame is perfect for viewing your photosMake a great centerpiece for home or business with this digital frame

Sentiments 3D ‘Travel’ Metal 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $26.49 Collect your precious memories in this 12×12-inch scrapbook albumMemory book features a 3D silvertone metal applique that reads ‘Travel’ Ideal for scrapbooking photos and other prized mementos

Baby Carriage Blue Faux Suede 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $29.99 Collect photos and more in this memory book Scrapbook album designed for 12×12-inch inserts and includes four refill packsScrapbook features a blue faux suede cover with silvertone baby carriage applique

Silk Fabric Frame Lagoon 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $33.99 Keep your memories together and organized with this memory bookScrapbook features a lagoon silk fabric with frame on front coverMemory album makes a great gift for someone special

Fabric Frame Black and White 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $25.99 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFramed memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

Silk Fabric Photo Frame 8×8 Copper Album with 40 Bonus Pages $21.29 Keep memories and photos safe in this sophisticated memory bookScrapbook album features photo frame opening in coverRich copper silk makes this album an elegant way to preserve memories

Tropical Frame 20-page 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $27.99 Store your memories in style with a festive tropical-theme scrapbook albumAlbum comes with 40 bonus pagesScrapbooking item features framed area on cover for showcasing a favorite photo

Fabric Frame 20-page 8.5×11 Blue Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $25.99 Keep your memories organized and on display with the 8.5×11 fabric frame albumMemory book features a sky blue fabric cloth cover Scrapbook album comes with four refill packs

Burgundy Faux Suede 12×12 Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $23.49 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a burgundy faux suede cover with leatherette trimMemory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packs

Brown and Black 12×12 Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $23.49 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a brown leatherette cover with black trimMemory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packsDesigned for 12×12-inch paper

Black Faux Suede 12×12 Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $24.49 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a black faux suede cover with leatherette trimMemory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packs

Tropical Frame 20-page 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $25.49 Store your memories in style with a festive tropical-theme scrapbook albumAlbum comes with 40 bonus pagesScrapbooking item features framed area on cover for showcasing a favorite photo

Fabric Frame Sky Blue 12×12 Memory Book with 40 Bonus Pages $25.49 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFramed memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

Fabric Frame 20-page 8.5×11 Black Album with 40 Bonus Pages $21.79 Keep your memories organized and on display with the 8.5×11 fabric frame albumMemory book features a deep black fabric cloth coverScrapbook album comes with four refill packs

Fabric Frame Sage Green 8.5×11 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $23.49 Keep your memories organized and on display with the 8.5×11 fabric frame albumMemory book features a sage green fabric cloth coverScrapbook album comes with four refill packs

Scrapfolio Photo Window Expandable Green 12×12-inch Storage Case $13.09 Keep your projects and pictures in order with a Cardinal Brand storage case. This expandable scrapbooking organizer features a photo window on the front for a personalized folder.

Provo Craft Your Story Black Leather-texture 8.5×11 Photo Window Album Cover $7.99 This Provo Craft Your Story photo Window Album Cover features a black faux leather exterior. Use this album cover to decorate your own unique scrapbook, story book or picture journal.

Fabric Frame Apple Red 12×12 Memory Book with 40 Bonus Pages $24.29 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFramed memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

Silk Fabric Frame Lagoon 8×8 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $23.99 Add a classic touch to your scrapbooking supplies with a Silk Fabric Frame Memory BookScrapbooking album is perfect for your next projectAlbum boasts stylish cover frame

‘Memories’ 12×12 White Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $24.39 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a white Italian leatherette cover embossed with the word ‘Memories’Memory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packs

Brown Faux Suede 12×12 Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $25.49 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a brown faux suede cover with leatherette trimMemory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packs

Sentiments 3D ‘Family’ 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $28.49 Collect your precious memories in this 12×12-inch scrapbook albumMemory book features a 3D silvertone metal applique that reads ‘Family’ Ideal for scrapbooking photos and other prized mementos

Provo Craft ‘Your Story’ 8.5×11-inch Window Album Cover $7.89 Create your own scrapbook with this Provo Craft YourStory album coverInclude up to 40 pages in this hard cover albumThis scrap book cover is linen textured and includes a photo window for limitless possibilities

‘Memories’ 12×12 Black Memory Book Binder with 40 Bonus Pages $24.99 Collect all your cherished memories in this scrapbook albumAlbum features a black Italian leatherette cover embossed with the word ‘Memories’Memory book binder features D-ring design plus four refill packs

Fabric Frame Sage Green 12×12 Memory Book with 40 Bonus Pages $24.89 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFramed memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

Scrapfolio Expandable Pink Photo Window 12×12-inch Storage Case $14.98 Keep your projects and pictures in order with a scrapfolio storage case. This expandable scrapbooking organizer features a photo window on the front for a personalized folder.

Fabric Frame Deep Black 12×12 Memory Book with 40 Bonus Pages $24.99 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFramed memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

En Vogue Designer 20-page 12×12 Memory Album with 40 Bonus Pages $23.99 Easily organize your photos, memorabilia and more with this designer scrapbookCraft book features lavender bloom design12×12-inch memory book comes with four refill packs

Family Treasures Island Blue 8.5×11 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $24.49 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFamily Treasures memory book fits 8.5×11-inch paper

Silk Fabric Frame Copper 8×8 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $23.49 Add a classic touch to your scrapbooking supplies with a Silk Fabric Frame Memory BookScrapbooking album is perfect for your next projectAlbum boasts stylish cover frame

Family Treasures Celery Green 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $27.99 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFamily Treasures memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

Pitter Patter Sophie 12 x 12 Canvas Photo Album with Window $20.93 This Pitter Patter Sophie photo album features ten top-loading archival page protectors with cardstock inserts and a clear vinyl dust cover. Colorful and functional, the 12-inch D-ring photo album has a canvas fabric covering with die-cut felt.

Family Treasures Powder Blue 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $27.49 Scrapbook album is the perfect way to preserve memoriesComplete your crafts collection with this classic albumFamily Treasures memory book fits 12×12-inch paper

Silk Fabric Frame Caramel 12×12 Album with 40 Bonus Pages $28.49 Keep your memories together and organized with this memory bookScrapbook features a carmel silk fabric with frame on front coverMemory album makes a great gift for someone special

Tapestry Pink Leatherette 5×7-inch Photo Clutch Album $8.39 This creative clutch is the next big thing in scrapbooking: Memories on the goTapestry photo album is 5×7 inches with canvas exteriorSmall photo album contains 10 double-sided acid- and PVC-free top-loading photo protectors

---

Fiskars 94337097 Kids 5-Inch Softgrip Left-Handed Pointed Scissors $3.45 Fiskars Kids 5-Inch Softgrip Left Handed Pointed Scissors have safety edge blades for accurate accident free cutting….

Artograph 10 Inch by 12 Inch LightTracer Light Box $22.65 LightTracer light box has a 10×12 opaque screen and plastic frame (lightweight). The interior bulb is the popular 12 8 watt bright white bulb. Top of box features a tool tray. Great for copying graphics photos templates anything! Applications for memory albums (trace templates mats borders die-cuts etc.) quilters (trace stencils stitching lines right to the fabric!) needle artists painters and…

Pioneer Postbound Top Loading Page Protectors 5/Pkg, 12-Inch by 12-Inch with White Inserts $2.80 Heavy paper inserts w/top loading sheet protectors. Postbound. White or Black. Polypropylene. Acid-free lignin-free and PVC emission-free. Can also be used with Snapload….

ELLISON Photo Favorites Creative Ideas for Designing Unique Scrapbook Pages with Ellison Die-Cuts …

Pioneer Black Refill Pages for 8-Inch-By-8-Inch Memory Books $3.00 SuppliesNet item (RMB88)…

Pioneer CTR-7 Curving Tape Runner Permanent Double-Sided Scrapbook Adhesive $3.99 photo albums: For everything from mounting photos to placing ribbons embellishments and more this easy-to-use dispenser perfectly distributes double-sided tape with accuracy and precision. The photo-safe acid-free adhesive offers permanent archival-quality reliability for year after year of beautiful scrapbooks memory books and family albums. Best of all the dispensers continuous feed allows for a…

Akro-Mils 15216 PURCL CraftDesign Scrapbook Organizer, Purple $39.82 A dual compartment, portable workstation for scrapbooking pages, photos, and supplies. Photo safe! Acid and PVC free. Lid provides quick access to pages and keeps them separate from other materials to prevent damage. Lid holds 12″ x 12″ paper and smaller sections hold scissors, stickers, pens, and other small supplies. Versatile base compartment holds a variety of materials and can be customized w…

Simple Scrapbooks DVD Tributes to People & Places $1.28 Scrapbook Solutions DVD: Tributes Join Stacy Julian and Wendy Smedley as they get creative with scrapbookers like you in this new video series. This Scrapbook Solutions DVD helps you celebrate those memorable moments that have shaped your life and who you are in easy-to-do projects. Scrapbook Solutions: Tributes to the people, places and things you love most includes: # a personal message from Sta…

Beginning Scrapbooking – Tips, Tools and Layouts $16.00 New to scrapbooking? Wondering what materials and tools you’ll need to safely preserve your precious photos and documents? Heard of “archivally safe” scrapbooking techniques but not sure what that means? Like to watch beautiful multi-item layouts put together by an experienced scrapbooker? Then this 96 minute DVD is for you. Meet Amy Bannister, the host of this video. Amy has been scrapbooking and…

Carter’s Sweet Baby Girl Record Book $27.00 With its bright pink cover, the Carter’s Sweet Baby Girl Record Book will keep all your baby’s memories in style! Featuring special accents such as four embossed characters hanging from buttons along a printed grosgrain ribbon, this baby book will be a beautiful and cherished keepsake….

---