I got a scrapbooking album and kit for Christmas and just got around to opening and looking through it yesterday. I was confused by the album at first, because I expected a scrapbooking album to have paper pages and instead found full-page-size plastic sleeves.

I have no experience with scrapbooking...so can any of you who scrapbook help me here? Do I use the scrapbook decorative paper to mount my pictures, etc., on and then put the paper (once it's decorated) in the plastic sleeves?

Also, do you use the paper to make frames for the pictures or do you just stick them on the paper? And what do you use to adhere the pictures (letters, wording, etc.) to the paper? Gluestick? Double-sided tape?

For those who know about this stuff, this is a 199-piece Amy Butler/K&Company all occasion scrapbook kit.

Thanks in advance!

P.S. This is what my album looks like (different design and this isn't the full kit with all the "stuff" but it is the same look and size as my album):
http://www.amazon.com/Butler-L...id=1235082697&sr=8-1

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Um, what is a photo split? I went to the link but it didn't illuminate me much.

Hehe...they are little squares of double sided tape that I like because you can put them on everything and then just pull of the protective film when you are finally ready to put everything down. Don't sweat it...just another type of adhesive. Most people think it's too slow but I like them.

Peg

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Originally posted by p7eggyc:
I also have been known to use photo splits

Um, what is a photo split? I went to the link but it didn't illuminate me much.

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The most comprehensive site of layouts I know of is Two Peas in a Bucket

Ironically, the first site I came across when I was trying to find a picture of the album I got for Christmas was Two Peas in a Bucket!

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Wish we were closer so we could get together!

Me too! Thanks for your input and the links.

Hey Sheri,
Something I can answer!

Alli and Michele got the answer to the plastic sleeves right. The idea is you put your layout on a 12x12 piece of paper and then slide it into the protector. This will allow you to move your layouts around within that album or other albums.

You can frame (or mat) the pictures either with that designer paper or complimentary solid paper. I often just mat the best or most appropriate picture for the layout to kind of bring it out.

Adhesives are a world of their own. I've landed on this adhesive for most of my paper crafting needs: Dotto I use the repositionable kind with good success.
My experience with glue sticks hasn't been all that great although others use it to great success. I also have been known to use photo splits from Creative Memories for scrapbooking but it requires tracking down a consultant:
Photo Splits

The most comprehensive site of layouts I know of is Two Peas in a Bucket I'm sure there are some good newbie articles on there and zillions of pictures to inspire you.

have fun! Wish we were closer so we could get together!

Peg

My scrapbooking experience consists mainly of getting inspired at the store by all the pretty papers and tools which I then buy, and then doing a page or so, and then sticking the whole lot to the back of the closet to await that magic day called "When I Have Time." I have paper still that I bought ten years ago. So I'm hardly an expert.

But the way I see it, you can do anything you want with the papers. You do need a sheet to act as the background that will fit into the sleeve, and it can be solid or patterned. Then you can "frame" your photos by mounting them on a contrasting or complimentary paper and cut it to leave a margin (whatever depth you want). You can add captions (print them out or write them out), and other doodads.

The best scrapbook I've seen is one my sister is working on for her trip to China. She just used a lot of great Chinese paper and a few creative tricks (such as making a pocket to hold a guide map on a page with photos of the region on the map). She didn't use any pre-cut letters or stickers, just her own design sense.

There's lots of websites with ideas and instructions for the more complicated layouts, and also forums where people show off their finished pages. I suggest you google around to find some of them rather than spending any cash on a scrapbook book. Just seeing what others have done can inspire you to get started.

alli

I have done some scrapbooking in the past. First to glue the letters and things they have different stuff. glue dots that come on paper ready to go. There are a lot of options. You could I suppose use a glue stick if it is acid-free. Different adhesives for different purposes. You might get a better idea if you google scrapbooking or see if there is a scrapbooking store in your area. They usually have classes and are very helpful.

michelle

p.s. I hope this somewhat of a help. I have to go my dd is home sick and she found me.