| One of the great things about scrapbooking as a | | | | homemade-feel of stitching to create pockets of fun. |
| hobby is that the longer you do it, the more possibilities | | | | Simply apply a poem, words, or an image to your |
| you uncover. As you learn to view the world through | | | | vellum. Them choose some small item like sequins, |
| the eyes of a scrapbooker, other hobbies like stamping | | | | buttons or small shapes for the pocket. For example, |
| or sewing, start to seem applicable to your scrapbook | | | | your text could be "Happy New Year" and you could |
| album as well. Veteran croppers are always on the | | | | fill the pocket with confetti. Then you form a pocket by |
| lookout for new and exciting methods to incorporate | | | | sewing the edges of the cardstock over the vellum so |
| into their albums. Here are some scrapbooking | | | | that the stitches are apparent. Sew simple! |
| techniques you may want to try. | | | | 4. Bold and Beady: Some people avoid using beads |
| 1. Age Gracefully: There are a number of ways to | | | | because they imagine they are too difficult to adhere |
| give your paper and documents that vintage feel. Try | | | | well. Try using thin wire with small uniform beads, and |
| tearing a recipe out of an unused cookbook so that | | | | then affix with both a clear adhesive tacky tape and |
| the edges are frayed. Then spritz it with tea, crumple | | | | liquid glue that is safe on pictures. Then use the design |
| up the paper, and smooth it out again. After the sheet | | | | as a border for your photos. |
| dries, you will have what appears to be a time worn | | | | 5. Create a Background: Stamps and die-cut letters |
| fragment of history. Ink stamps, when applied lightly, | | | | can offer a fun alternative to plain paper for your |
| can also give the appearance of being old and faded. | | | | background. Consider stamping or adhering die-cut |
| 2. Lumpy and Bumpy: The use of fabrics has recently | | | | words or letters all across your page. You could use |
| become one of the most exciting new trends in | | | | words to a song, names or random word choices. |
| scrapbooking. Bulky cords, fibers, ribbons and bows | | | | Finally, tape your pictures over your prose. By selecting |
| definitely require some planning and understanding of | | | | the font and colors you like, your possibilities are infinite. |
| your materials. One very simple technique is to weave | | | | When trying new scrapbooking techniques, keep in |
| a fiber strand through pre-punched holes along one | | | | mind that the proper tools can make or break the |
| edge of the page. This laced look will pop if a different | | | | experience. Just imagine trying to crop and journal your |
| color paper is used beneath. Plan ahead as these | | | | pages with dull cutting utensils or dried out markers. |
| pages will significantly increase the thickness of your | | | | The first step to using a new technique is to set your |
| album. | | | | self up for success. Seek out the materials you need |
| 3. Sew it Goes: Vellum has become a popular material | | | | and then play around until you get it right. Most of all, let |
| for displaying words or creating pockets. This next | | | | your creativity lead you and enjoy. |
| technique combines the icy beauty of vellum with the | | | | |