What Is A Simple Scrapbook?

Part III: Getting Started by Gayle Humphreys for Simple Scrapbooks Magazine

How to Get Started

When you’re ready to create a simple scrapbook, start with this formula. Answering these nine questions will help determine the purpose and format for your album. For reference, keep this formula in a handy place as you gather your materials, design and create pages, or add future updates.

PURPOSE

1. Why am I making this album? Ask yourself:

• Who or what am I celebrating (child’s life, vacation, relationship or hobby)?
• What emotion do I want to capture (romance, gratitude, remembrance)?
• How will I use this album (gift, showcase, update yearly)?

FORMAT

2. What size and style of album will I use?

3. How will I organize my album?

• Chronological highlights (monthly pages, yearly updates or by person)
• Theme (holidays, vacations, school)
• Favorites (photos I love, collections, girlfriends, etc)
• Alpha/numeric list (top-ten list, ABC book)
• Question & Answer (interview style, use of a questionnaire)
• Other (Don’t feel constrained by someone else’s guidelines; imagine the possibilities and blur the lines)

4. What framework pages will I include in the album?

• Title page
• Dedication page
• Table of contents
• Section pages
• Filler pages (How many in each section?)
• Closing page
• Other

5. What is my color scheme? (Attach color swatches to this list.)

6. What decorative accents will I use? (Attach samples and/or product info.)

7. How will I arrange my photos and journaling on the framework and filler pages to create a unified look and feel? This is your design scheme. (Draw thumbnail sketches on the back of this card.)

PREPARATION

8. Do I need to gather additional information (such as stories, names and dates)? If yes, what? Who do I need to contact?

9. What photos do I need to complete the album? Do I have all of the photographs, or do I need to contact someone or take more photos?

Free Printable Simple Scrapbook Worksheet  - This free organizational card from Simple Scrapbooks Magazine contains a worksheet with the nine questions from the article above. This is the perfect tool to print out to help you get started on some Simple Scrapbooks. Adobe Acrobat required to open file, for a free download of Adobe click here.

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