Ideas for the Construction of Scrapbook Pages

Scrapbookers enjoy seeing their photos displayed creatively in a memory book. It can be a very rewarding experience, however getting started on a layout can become cumbersome when you first begin. But, there are ways to make the construction process of your layouts easier. Don't just start gluing down photos without a plan; follow a few tips and put some thought behind your layout to create a page you will be proud of.

Theme

After choosing a few photos to be grouped together, it is important to determine the theme or sub-theme of the page. For example: the theme of the scrapbook might be honeymoon but the sub theme of a particular page is Spa Day. The theme will determine the style of papers you choose, title and the embellishments used on the layout. You will lay the photos out according to where you place your embellishments and how the title will be placed on the page. You can also look for creative quotes and tailor your captions to the theme.

Papers

Background paper and mats are important when constructing a scrapbook layout. Adding visual interest to the page, the papers can either make your photo pop or distract from the beauty of your photograph. Papers come in solid colors as well as a variety of patterns. You can go with all solids or choose a mixture of patterns and solids together. Look at the colors in the photograph and choose paper that compliments the photo. Some scrapbookers prefer to use papers within the same family throughout the entire scrapbook to pull it all together while others like for every page to be of a different color and pattern scheme.

Scrapbook Pockets

Sometimes scrapbooking your photos alone just isn't enough. If you are the type of person that collects souvenirs, tickets, ribbons, school assignments and other memorabilia along the way, you would benefit from adding a scrapbook pocket to your page. A big no-no in scrapbooking is over-cluttering a page. This pocket will display your memories making your page look organized and far from cluttered. To make a pocket use a medium to heavy-weight cardstock. Fold the paper upward to desired depth and press down on the crease. Glue the outer edges of the paper, press down and hold until the glue has dried.

Two-Page Layouts

Double-page layouts are ideal for utilizing multiple photos and letting your idea or theme flow onto more than one page. To balance the pages out use coordinating paper, mats and embellishments while trying to maintain a symmetrical layout. Also, treat the two 12-by-12 inch pages as if they were one large 12-by-24 inch page. Spread the photos, titles or embellishments across the pages and then actually cut straight down the middle of a photo or title to split it between the two pages. Avoid cutting down the middle of someone's face in a photo. This is a good method for a picture with two people in it or a landscape photograph.