Glossary of Basic Scrapbooking Terms
Acid-Free:
Acid is a chemical found in paper that will disintegrate the paper over time. It will ruin photos. It's very important that all papers, pens, and other supplies say “acid-free,” or eventually the acid may ruin cherished photos and layouts.
Adhesive:
Any kind of glue or tape can be considered an adhesive. In scrapbooking, there are several kinds of adhesives. Tape runners, glue sticks, and glue dots are a few.
Brad:
This is similar to a typical split pin, but it is found in many different sizes, shapes, and colors. It is commonly used for embellishments.
Challenge:
Within the scrapbooking community, “challenges” are issued in groups as a way to instill motivation.
Crop:
Technically, “to crop” means “to cut down a photo.” However, “a crop” is when scrapbookers get together and scrapbook. A crop can be anything from a group of friends getting together to a more official gathering where scrapbook materials are for sale, games are played, and challenges are issued. Online crops are a good alternative for people who don't have a local scrapbook community.
Die cut:
This is a shape or letter cut from paper or cardstock, usually by machine or by using a template.
Embellishment:
An embellishment is an item, other than words or photos, that enhances a scrapbook page. Typical embellishments are ribbons, fabric, and stickers.
Eyelet:
These small metal circles, similar to the metal rings found on shoes for threading laces, are used in the scrapbook context as a decoration and can hold elements on a page.
Journaling:
This is the term for writing on scrapbook pages. It includes everything from titles to full pages of thoughts, feelings, and memories about the photos displayed.
Mat:
Photos in scrapbooks are framed with a mat. Scrapbookers mat with coordinating papers on layouts, often using colors found in the photos.
Page Protector:
These are clear, acid-free covers that are used to protect finished pages.
Permanent:
Adhesives that will stay are deemed permanent.
Photo Corner:
A photo is held to a page by slipping the corners of the photo into photo corners. They usually stick on one side.
Post-Bound Album:
This term refers to an album that uses metal posts to hold the binding together. These albums can be extended with more posts to make them thicker. Usually page protectors are already included on the album pages.
Punch:
This is a tool used to “punch” decorative shapes in paper or cardstock.
Punchie:
The paper shapes that result from using a paper punch tool are known as punchies. These can be used on a page for a decorative effect.
Repositionable Adhesive:
Magically, this adhesive does not create a permanent bond until dry, so you can move an element dabbed with the adhesive around on the page until you find just the perfect spot.
Scraplift:
When a scrapbooker copies someone's page layout or design, she has scraplifted.
Scrapper's Block:
This is a creativity block.
Strap-Hinge Album:
An album can utilize straps to allow the pages to lie completely flat when the album is open. To add pages to this album, the straps are unhinged.
Template:
A template is a guide for cutting shapes, drawing, or writing on a page. Templates are usually made of plastic or cardboard.
Trimmer:
A trimmer is a tool used for straight-cutting photos.
Vellum:
Vellum is a thicker, semitransparent paper with a smooth finish.
Scrapbook Essentials for the Beginner
Getting Started with Scrapbooking
When you first start to scrapbook, the amount of products and choices available can be overwhelming. It's best to keep it simple until you develop your own style and see exactly what you need. Basically, this hobby can be as complicated or as simple as you want. Here is all you really need:
1.
Photos
2.
Archival scrapbooks and acid-free paper
3.
Adhesive
4.
Scissors
5.
Sheet protectors
Advice on Cropping
Basically, two kinds of crops exist. An “official” crop is when a scrapbook seller is involved. At an official crop, participants sample and purchase products, along with participating in contests and giveaways. The second kind of crop is an informal gathering of friends on at least a semi-regular basis to share, scrapbook, eat, and gossip, just like the Cumberland Creek croppers.
1.
In both cases, food and drinks are usually served. Finger food is most appropriate. The usual drinks are nonalcoholic, but sometimes wine is served. There should be plenty of space for snacking around the scrapbooking area. If something spills, you don't want your cherished photos to get ruined.
2.
If you have an official crop, it's imperative that your scrapbook seller doesn't come on too strong. Scrapbook materials sell themselves. Scrapbookers know what they want and need.
3.
Be prepared to share. If you have a die-cut machine, for example, bring it along, show others how to use it, and so on. Crops are about generosity of the spirit. This generosity can entail something as small as paper that you purchased and decided not to use. Someone will find a use for it.
4.
Make sure the scrapbooking area has a lot of surface space, such as long tables, where scrapbookers can spread out. (Some even use the floor.)
5.
Be open to giving scrapbooking advice and receiving it. You can always ignore advice if it's bad.
6.
Get organized before you crop. You don't need fancy boxes and organizing systems. Place the photos you want to crop within an envelope, and you are ready to go.
7.
Go with realistic expectations. You probably won't get a whole scrapbook done during the crop. Focus on several pages.
8.
Always ask what you can bring, such as food, drinks, cups, plates, and so on.
9.
If you're the host, have plenty of garbage bags around the scrapbooking area. Ideally, have one small bag for each person. That way scrapbookers can throw away unusable scraps as they go along, which makes cleanup much easier.
10.
If you're the host, make certain the scrapbooking area has plenty of good lighting, as well as an adequate number of electricity outlets.
Frugal Scrapbooking Tips
Spend your money where it counts. The scrapbook itself is the carrier of all your memories and creativity. Splurge there.
1.
You can find perfectly fine scrapbooking paper in discount stores, along with stickers, pens, and sometimes glue. If it's labeled “archival,” it's safe.
2.
You can cut your own paper and make matting, borders, journal boxes, and so on. You don't need fancy templates, though they make it easier.
3.
Check on some online auction sites, like eBay, for scrapbooking materials and tools.
4.
Reuse and recycle as much as you can. Keep a box of paper scraps, for example, that you might be able to use for a border, mat, or journal box. Commit to not buying anything else until what you've already purchased has been used.
5.
Wait for special coupons. Some national crafts stores run excellent couponsâsometimes 40 percent off. Wait for the coupons, and then go and buy something on your wish list that you could not otherwise afford.
6.
If you have Internet access, you have a wealth of information available to you for free. You can find free clip art, ideas for titles for your pages, or even poems, fonts, and so on.
Digital and Hybrid Scrapbooking
Digital scrapbooking involves using your computer and a photo-editing program to create part or all of your scrapbook page. Hybrid scrapbooking is a combination of digital scrapbooking and traditional paper scrapbooking. For example, you might print off some online scrapbooking elements, cut them out, and then use them on your traditional paper scrapbook page.
Digital scrapbooking allows you to do the following:
1.
Print an element out on photo paper to put in a scrapbook album. Remember a scrapbook page can be 8½ x 11 inches or smaller, so you can print from your home printer.
2.
Send files to a print shop for printingâa good option for bigger pages.
3.
Upload an image of a page to an online photo gallery for sharing with others. (I highly recommend Smilebox for this purpose and as a way of getting used to the idea of digital scrapbooking.)
4.
E-mail a copy of a page to family and friends.
5.
Burn a copy of a page to a DVD for safekeeping or use a USB flash drive for this purpose.
Great Ways to Learn Digital Scrapbooking
A really good way to transition from conventional paper scrapbooking to digital scrapbooking is to explore these Web sites:
1.
Smilebox (
www.smilebox.com
) is a very user-friendly Web site that allows you to choose a scrapbook design and personalize it with your own photos, embellishments, and journaling, and then share your scrapbook via e-mail, social networks, burned DVDs, and print.
2.
Digital Scrapbooking HQ (
www.digitalscrapbookinghq.com
) offers a blog with great tips on digital scrapbooking, as well as tutorials and sometimes freebies.
3.
Sweet Shoppe Designs (
www.sweetshoppedesigns.com
) is not only an online shop that sells digital scrapbooking supplies, but it is also a repository of good information and a source of plenty of freebies. My advice it to rely on freebies as much as you can until you see if you like digital scrapbooking. There are many digital scrapbooking freebies on the Web.
Digital Scrapbooking Apps
You can approach digital scrapbooking by using apps for your devices and/or apps for your computer.
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For your devices (apps I've used on my iPad):
1.
Coolibah. This app is free and easy to follow, and I highly recommend it. But here's the rub: you can use only the kits they have in their gallery. They have plenty to choose from, but if you want more or a different kind of design, you must look elsewhere.
2.
Martha Stewart CraftStudio. This app is designed so well. For instance, it has little digital drawers to hold all the materials, including paper, and you open them with just a touch. It offers glitter, stamps, pens, and glue. It's great fun to play with. This app is best for greeting cards and mini scrapbooks.
For the computer:
1.
Photoshop Elements (PE). PE is a less complex version of Photoshop, and while I can see that it is user-friendly, it's just a bit too complicated for me to learn with the hectic life I lead. But I'd like to learn more.
2.
MyMemories Suite. This is what I like using the most. You can jump right in and scrapbook with simplicity. MyMemories Suite allows you to do more complex techniques, like layering and shadowing, which I have yet to get into. They offer paper, elements, types, and more, but you can also import your own.
If you enjoyed
Scrapbook of the Dead
be sure not to miss Mollie Cox Bryan's
A CRAFTY CHRISTMAS
Christmas is just around the corner, and the ladies of the Cumberland Creek Scrapbook Crop are thrilled when Sheila wins the first place prize in a scrapbooking design contest: a ten-day scrapbook-themed cruise in the Caribbean. Vera and Paige decide to tag along, which should pose the perfect opportunity to learn some new techniques, mingle with fellow croppers, and get in some rest and relaxation before the chaos of Christmas. But when Sheila finds a famous crafter dead, and investigators determine she was poisoned, the luxury cruise veers toward disaster as Sheila becomes the number one suspectâor was she really the intended victim? Just as the croppers begin unwrapping the truth, a storm strands them at sea, and they'll find it's harder than ever to survive the holidays with a killer on deck . . .
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Keep reading for a special excerpt.
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A Kensington mass-market paperback and e-book on sale now!