Family History

I have started scrapbooking my past history of myself and my family but at present time like every other projects, it's in the box to complete.  I will get back to complete my projects in the future before my aunties die.  Well it's abit hard to ask my grandparents as they have long gone before scrapbooking was here.

For for people who haven't started, it might be a good time to start now. Here's some interesting tips I have found elsewhere to help you get started.

Scrapbooking your family history is a great way to be able to pass on information from one generation to the next.  Also, depending on the information you’re able to gather, it can become a valuable tool in identifying common family traits, health history, etc.  The following provides suggestions on how to create family tree scrapbooks that will be appreciated for generations to come.

Determine your starting point.  How many generations?
The first step in scrapbooking your family history is to decide how many generations you want to include.
Are you thinking about creating an album of you, your spouse and children, or hoping to go back a generation or two?  Putting together family history scrapbook layouts can be overwhelming if you decide to include multiple generations.

Chances are you’ll find old black and white photos that don’t have names and dates written on them.  You might also discover that even though you know lots of stories about Uncle Fred, you don’t have any photos of him.  Thus, if you’re going to scrapbook multiple generations, be prepared that you may have little information on some of your relatives.  That’s okay.  Include whatever information you’re able to find.

Gather photos and information.  Document the past.
If you plan on including past generations as you work on family history scrapbook ideas, begin by sorting out your photos  Place maternal-side photos in one pile and fraternal-side photos in another pile.  As you sort through the photos, use post-it notes and write down information about each photo, such as full name, relation to you, age of person in the photo, etc.  Attach the post-it-note at the bottom of the photo.
In preparation for scrapbooking your family history, use a downloadable family tree or one that you design by hand, to list the relatives on your mother’s side of the family (i.e. siblings, parents, aunts, uncles).  For each relative, on a separate sheet of paper, write down as much of the following information that you’re able to gather.  You might need to contact relatives to find out some of the information.

• Full name, Was the person named after anyone in particular? Any nicknames?
• Date and place of birth, Education, Marriage
• Relation to your mother
• Diseases and health concerns, special honors or awards, special memories of that person
• If deceased, person’s age when he/she passed away.  Burial information. 

Once you’re through gathering information about the relatives on your mother’s side of the family, do the same with your father’s side of the family.

For the initial history family scrapbook layouts, design a family tree.  Include a circular cropped photo of each family member/relative along with his/her name.  Depending on how many people you’re including, this might be a spread (side-by-side) layout, or it may need to be done in two layouts.

Once your family tree layout is completed, create a page layout for each family member/relative.   Include a photo when possible and the information that you gathered about the person.  You might want to consider typing the information and using a pretty font.  Embellish each page with vintage items, such as old buttons, an old coin, stickers of antique toys, a partial love letter, an ID tag…anything that fits in with the information about that person.  At a craft store or online, you’ll be able to find background paper with a family history theme.

Popular Scrap Techniques

Running out of ideas as you work on your scrapbooks?  Need some new inspiration for your scrapbook layouts? These top two scrapbooking techniques will surely transform your pages!

1.  Interactive pages.  Flaps, tabs and more.

One of the most popular scrapbooking techniques that a lot of scrap bookers are having fun with is creating interactive pages.  Instead of putting your scrapbook pages in plastic sleeves, create layouts that contain little surprises.  Here are some fun ideas:

• Hidden Journaling Pocket.  Journaling doesn’t always have to be in plain sight.  In fact, keeping it hidden and letting the viewer hunt for it can be fun. Tuck a journal card inside of the pocket.

Journal pockets are super easy to make.  You can create a pocket from chipboard, card stock or a library card pocket.  As you fold the chipboard or card stock, make the back of the pocket a quarter of an inch higher than the front of the pocket.  Cover the front of the pocket with decorative scrapbook paper,  material or a large sticker.

• Small Envelope for Tokens.

Ever wanted to include a special coin, ticket stubs, a drink umbrella or some other small token in a layout, but just didn’t know how to display it?  Small envelopes work great for tokens.  Simply glue the front of the envelope to your layout. Attach a die cut or an unpeeled sticker to the flap of the envelope so that it overlaps onto the envelope when laying flat.  Place your token in the envelope and add a word or two to the envelope to let viewers know to peek inside.  Note, it’s important not to seal the envelope.  You want to be able to open and close it without ripping it.

• Pull-out Tab.

As a child, you might’ve read books that had pull-out tabs.  You would read the entire page and then would get to pull a tab to reveal a special picture or a very importance sentence.  This same concept is one of the hottest scrapbook techniques.  Use pull-outs to reveal a photo or journaling.  For example, create a photo mat and adhere your journaling inside of the mat.  Make a pull-out tab that will reveal the picture that the journaling is in reference to.

• Lift the Flap.

If your layout contains several photos, you might not want to fill up the page with a lot of journaling.  For a special scrapbooking technique, create flaps for the photos.  Use card stock for matting each photo.  However, instead of adhering the photo to the scrapbook page, adhere your journaling to the layout.  Use two-sided tape to attach your photo to the lower portion of the top of your mat and then attach the mat to the page by centering it over the journaling.  The viewer can then lift the photo to read the journaling.

• Mini Album.  A mini album is a great way to include extra photos with a layout.  For example, let’s say your layout is of your baby taking his first steps.  The actual layout might contain two or three photos, while the mini album might contain smaller close-up photos–baby’s feet, baby holding onto someone’s hand, baby trying to maintain balance, etc.

2.  Create transparency rub-ons.  Create exactly what you want.

When it comes to hot scrapbooking techniques, creating your own transparency rub-on is a “must try” technique.  Even though there are thousands of sticker messages, quotes and sayings, sometimes you just want to come up with your own words, or maybe you’re looking for a unique way to add a name or title to a layout.  Follow these simple steps to create your own transparency rub-on:

• Using Microsoft Publisher or Word, type your text in reverse.  Some programs have a reverse print function, or you might need to use Word Art.  Choose a font (style of lettering) that fits in with your layout and choose the size and color that you want.  Be sure to use a regular overhead transparency.
• Print the transparency and let it partially dry for a couple of minutes.  Turn the transparent over and line up the text to where you want it for the layout.  If you’re going to place words in different areas, carefully cut the transparency.
• Using a craft stick, rub the transparency to transfer the word from the transparency onto the layout.
• In addition to lettering, follow the same steps to add clipart to your layout.  You can leave the design as a black image, color it in with permanent markers, or use color ink for the transparency.
• If you have a rubber stamp that can be used in reverse order, you can stamp a transparency sheet, wait a couple of minutes, and then transfer it to your layout.
• Transparency sheets also work great to house pressed flowers.  Using two-sided tape, make a pocket for the flowers and then seal the top.  Add the pocket to your layout with two-sided tape.

Interacting pages and creating transparency rub-ons are just two of the popular scrapbooking techniques that a lot of crafters are having fun with. Give it a go yourself!  You will be amazed on how great your pages will look with one or both techniques used.

Six ways to use buttons

Today, adding buttons to scrapbook layouts has become super popular.  Buttons add charm, color, dimension and personality to your layouts.

You might not have a tin of your grandmother’s buttons, but chances are there are buttons hiding in your catch all (junk) drawer.

Buttons are such a hot scrapbook commodity, that you can now purchase a variety of buttons at a craft store or online.  In this quick guide I’ll give you six different ways to use buttons to create a magnificent look on your layouts!

1.  Create photo frames. 

Tiny buttons are a great way to create special frames for your photos and journaling blocks.  Simply glue the buttons onto cardboard mats and center over your photos.  The frames will give dimension and texture to your layouts.  By being selective with your colors, you can help pull the overall theme together.  Here are some examples:

• Layout with a baby boy theme – use blue buttons or teddy bear shaped buttons
• Wedding layout – glue buttons onto a piece of ribbon or lace and use as a border
• Layout of past generations – use antique looking buttons or pearl buttons
• Halloween layout – alternate black and orange buttons
• Easter layout – alternate green, pink and yellow buttons

2.  Include buttons as part of your title designs.

Usually a lot of thought is put into creating the title of a layout.  For added charm, include buttons.  You might want to use just one button as the dot for the letter “i”, create the first letter out of buttons, or just tuck a button into the title here and there.

3.  Add a fun touch to layout shapes.

Incorporating buttons with shapes and cut-outs can turn a simple design into one that adds a special flair to the overall layout.  Some ideas to consider are:

• Add a button to the top of a Christmas tree
• Use buttons on the front of a snowman
• Place a button as the center of a flower
• Use red buttons for a ladybug
• Yellow buttons can become the flames on birthday candles
• Draw a green stem and add two red buttons as cherries
• You can even add a button to a die cut!  This is a super easy way to give your layout a whimsical touch.
• Make a border out of buttons to divide a page into halves.

4.  Tack items with buttons.

For a fun special effect, use a button to “tack” photos, journaling blocks, etc. to your layout.  Just as you tack items onto a real bulletin board, your items can randomly be placed onto the layout.  There’s no need to keep straight lines.

5.  Utilize clear buttons.

Can’t find the right button for your layout?  Clear buttons to the rescue!  Find a scrap of patterned paper and adhere it to the back of the button.  This is especially a good idea if your scrapbook contains a lot of one color; the patterned button will add a little of other colors to the page.

6.  Enhance stamped images.

Want to create an elegant looking layout?  In one of the corners use floral and vine stamps.  As you color in the stamped images with green and one other color, include a few buttons of the same color.  The buttons will help your images pop and will look stunning.

A few things to keep in mind…

Buttons come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors.  It’s best to use buttons that have a flat-back to them.  This makes it much easier to adhere the buttons to the layout and won’t cause the layout to look bumpy.  Glue dots work well to adhere buttons to your layout.  For a special touch, you might want to actually sew a piece of thread through the button holes so that it appears that the buttons have been sewn onto the layout.
If you don’t have a lot of buttons on hand, consider:

• Asking friends to save the extra buttons that come with new clothes
• Going to a thrift store and look for cheap clothing that have fun buttons
• Ordering a bag of mixed buttons from an online craft store.  Some stores actually sell scrapbook buttons which are thinner than most regular buttons.
• Checking out garage sales that advertise sewing items

Including a few buttons in your scrapbook layout will turn an ordinary layout into a magnificent one.  As you put your layout together, experiment by placing buttons in different areas of the layout.  Before you know it, you’ll find the perfect spot for a button or two.
As with any type of embellishment, be careful not to overdo with the buttons.  Let the buttons enhance your layout, not detract from it.   Be creative and have fun!

12 ways of using your household goods

Looking for some fresh ideas for your scrapbook layouts?  You might have just what you need right in your home!  Cardboard, unwanted clothes, twist-ties, and leftover party decorations are just a few of the top twelve household items you can use as scrapbooking embellishments for your layouts!

# 1 – Cardboard.

Chances are you have quite a bit of cardboard in your home.  Whenever you do a mail order, it’s usually shipped in a cardboard box.
Cereal boxes and the backing of a pad of paper provide thin cardboard.  With a little bit of paint, glitter, or patterned paper, you can use cardboard to create a dimensional title for your layout, funky frames, or showcase your journaling.

# 2 -Cookie Cutters.

Cookie cutters aren’t just for the kitchen!  Use a round cookie cutter to create Christmas ornaments for a layout, Halloween cookie cutters to create fun shapes for a Halloween scene, or a flower cookie cutter to make journaling shapes for a garden layout.  For added fun, trace around the edges of your designs with glitter glue.

# 3 – Duct Tape.

Most people claim that duct tape can fix most anything, and that holds true for scrapbook layouts!  If you haven’t purchased duct tape in awhile, the next time you’re at the store, check it out!  Stores still sell the silver colored tape, but you’ll also find bright solids colors, stripes and even floral duct tape!
Imagine the fun you can have adding colorful duct tape to your layouts.  You’ll be able to create borders, photo frames, make a flower garden, or cut the tape into small pieces and use as confetti.

# 4 – Foil.

Want to brighten up your layout?  Add some foil!  Cut a thin piece of cardboard into a shape or letter and cover it with foil.  Add glitter or sequins for extra sparkle.

# 5 – Index Cards.

Colored index cards can be used for journaling blocks.  Add a couple of tiny stickers or glue twine around the edges to change an ordinary card into a creative journaling block.

# 6 – Leftover Party Decorations.

Leftover party napkins, paper tablecloths and cardboard decorations make great embellishments for scrapbook layouts.  Cut out the designs and add them onto your page.  If the tablecloth has an interesting border, cut a strip of it to be used as your layout border.  Also, don’t forget that your used gift bags and wrapping paper can also be used for your layouts.  Quite often gift bags will have die-cuts attached which can be an instant embellishment.

# 7 – Magazines.

Cutting out letters, words or phrases from a magazine is an awesome way of adding a unique look to your layout.  If you’re going to spell out a name or a title, use letters of various sizes and styles.  Words or phrases can be used as captions for your photos.  If you don’t have magazines, check out the flyers that come in the mail or the newspaper.

# 8 – Magnetic Letters.

If you have kids at home, chances are you have 1″ or 2″ magnetic letters on your refrigerator door.  Use these letters as templates to help create a title, word or monogram for your scrapbook layout.  Letters can be made out of patterned paper scraps, bright envelopes that come in the mail, comic strips, or any other paper that you have.

# 9 – Nail Polish.

Do you have a bottle of nail polish that’s almost empty?  Use the nail polish to paint brass fasteners.  The fasteners will look adorable as “tacks” for your photos.

# 10 – Toothbrush.

Instead of throwing out your old toothbrush, give it a good cleaning and then use it to add flair to your layout.  Scribble on wax paper with a marker and add a few drops of water.  Dip the toothbrush into the mixture and flick the paint onto your layout.

# 11 – Twist-ties.

Don’t toss out the twist-ties that come on a loaf of bread!  Use the ties as a stamp.  Gently press a tie onto an ink pad and then press it against your layout.  This technique will provide an interesting look to your layout.  You can use the ties to emphasize a title or to create whimsical stems for flowers.  Other items, such as a clean dry sponge, cork, a potato or an eraser can be used as a stamp as well.

# 12 – Unwanted clothes.

Do you have some clothing that you couldn’t even give away at a garage sale?  Use it for your layouts.  Adding material to layouts has become super hot this season.  Whether it’s satin, velvet, lace, plaid, floral…the possibilities are endless.  Also, the ribbons, buttons or patches can be used as embellishments as well.
More and more scrapbookers are looking for ways to utilize household items into their layouts.  Not only does this cut down on scrapbooking expenses, it’s also a great way of using items that might eventually be tossed out otherwise.