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Hot Trends in Scrapbooking

Scrapbook Screenprints and Other Great Ideas
Hot Trends in Scrapbooking

Scrapbooking is an old hobby that is new again. The first “scrapbook album” came out in 1836, and the art was born.

Throughout the years people have wished to capture the special times in their lives, and scrapbooking, in its many forms has provided that means.

Scrapbooking gained a renewed interest in the early 1990’s when acid free paper became popular because it was learned that this specially designed paper could help photographs last a lifetime. Today, scrapbooking is a $3 billion industry.

As with most hobbies, people are always looking for new trends and ways to make their scrapbooks more beautiful and special. There are many new scrapbook techniques and tools in vogue right now; paper tearing and using silk wrapping papers and other specialty papers are just a couple. Keeping abreast of the latest scrapbook techniques will help keep your hobby fun and interesting, while making your memory albums more beautiful than ever.

Using Specialty Papers

Specialty papers are a great way to make your scrapbooks beautiful, and to add texture and interest to the background for your pictures. There are many different types to choose from with pleasing textures and colors. Some of the most popular are:

• Screenprint Papers – a hot trend in scrapbooking these days, these papers have beautiful designs and have been specially made using the techniques designed to make beautiful fabrics. They are available in beautiful patterns, and are great for adding beautiful images to your layouts.
  They can be expensive and hard to find, but are well worth the expense for your special layouts.
• Silk Wrapping Papers – these papers feel magnificent to the touch. They originated as wrapping papers because they have such a luxurious feel. Strands of silk run through the length of each page, giving a gorgeous and elegant texture to your scrapbook pages.
• Vellum – Vellum is a translucent paper that comes in a variety of colors. It looks great on top of other papers, especially printed papers. Their semi-see through quality gives a nice illusion to the details underneath.
• Mulberry paper – this is a fibrous paper that is most beautiful when torn. Using a paintbrush, paint water in the design you wish and then ease the paper fibers apart to get the best effect.

Specialty Embellishments

We’re all used to seeing die cuts, stickers, ribbons and rubber stamps. But there are many new embellishments that will really liven up your pages.

• Metal – There are many new metal embellishments available. They are made of lightweight non-rusting metal compounds, so they are safe for your acid free papers. You can find photo corners, frames, and other embellishments at most scrapbook stores.
• Chalk – You can find acid free chalk that can be applied to your papers using a foam applicator. It gives an interesting design and color, especially when added to torn edges.
• Buttons – You can use old buttons around the house, buttons from a special outfit that your child has outgrown, or even buy special scrapbooking buttons that have been color coordinated with scrapbooking papers and die cuts. Any way you choose them, they make an adorable embellishment.

Special Scrapbook Techniques

Learning new scrapbooking techniques is a fun and inexpensive way to keep your scrapbooks looking fresh. These techniques are simple, and some cost nothing.

• Paper Crumpling – There are a myriad of ideas for crumpling paper. For a great background page, crumple your paper, spray it lightly with water, crumple again and then flatten it out and iron it.
If this effect is not crumpled enough, repeat the process. Or try crumpling smaller pieces of paper and using them to make embellishments for your page. Crumpled green paper makes a great bush or flower stems. For a really rustic look, color your crumpled paper with chalk.
• Paper Tearing – Jagged edges on your background sheets or other papers gives an interesting effect. As simple as it sounds, tearing just means removing edges or corners with your fingers rather than scissors. This works best with cardstock or other “construction paper” like textures, as it leaves the best edge.
  Use a little water to trace the design before tearing.
• Scanning images for creating your own paper – This is a great idea if you’re having trouble finding the right paper for your theme.
  Simply find the pattern you love on anything – wrapping paper, wallpaper, you name it. Then scan the image in and print it out on plain acid free scrapbooking paper. This innovative idea allows you millions of options for patterned paper at a very inexpensive price.
• Using scenery photos for letters and decorations – Photos of scenery make great embellishments when cut into shapes or letters.
  Got great pictures of the waves or water at the beach? Cut them into letters to title your page.
  Or, cut out one tree from a scenery picture and use the tree like you would a die cut. You could even blow it up before printing to make the size more correct. You might need to print a few more copies of your scenery photos in order to have enough to perform this technique, but it’s an interesting way to use those scenic photos that often don’t fit in.

There are thousands of ways to make your scrapbook unique, and more and more ideas can be found every week. If you’re interested in keeping abreast of the latest scrapbooking techniques and tools, there are several ways to do so.

Try joining a scrapbooking class or club. Both of these allow you to meet other scrapbookers and see what works for them.

Another great way to see the latest and greatest in scrapbooking is to subscribe to a scrapbooking magazine.

These magazines are loaded with examples of beautiful pages that other scrapbookers have created, as well as articles about new techniques and tools. You can also find ads that will help you locate the best deals on all your supplies.

Be sure to make some scrapbooking friends and get together periodically to go over your books. Sharing what each of you has learned will help all of you to gain new techniques and keep up with the latest trends. Plus, it makes for a great girls night out!

Scrapbooking is a fun and worthwhile hobby. The time you spend now collecting and chronicling your family photos and events will reward you for years. Taking the time to keep up with new ideas, tools and techniques will keep your hobby interesting and your scrapbooks fresh and alive!

About The Author
Julie-Ann Amos is a successful writer and scrapbook hobbyist. Her articles bring to the table a wealth of new ideas to help you create your best scrapbook yet.

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Recommended Reading

These books are excellent resources for scrapbookers. They contain lots of new and original designs and ideas.

Outstanding Scrapbook Pages: 250 Of the Best Pages and Techniques from the World's #1 Scrapbooking Magazine Kerry Arquette

Special-Effects Scrapbooking: Creative Techniques for Scrapbookers at All Levels (Crafts Highlights) By: Jill Miller

Creative Memories : The 10 Timeless Principles Behind the Company that Pioneered the Scrapbooking Industry By: Cheryl Lightle

Scrapbooking Your Family History
By: Maureen Taylor

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