Scrapbooks

More than compiling a record of a gathering, creating scrapbooks can be a rewarding, creative hobby—one that can be shared with others.

Complete a scrapbook of one gathering. Then take it to the next gathering for everyone to enjoy. Who knows? It could be the start of a family tradition.

What you'll need:

• An album. They come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Select one with acid-free pages that won't turn photos yellow. You may also prefer one that lets you add pages at any time.

• Adhesives. "Photo corners" are the traditional way to hold photos. But you can create a more modern look by using double-sided tape or rubber cement.

• Scissors. Get a sharp pair of straight scissors for trimming or "cropping" photographs and creating designs from paper stock. Special-edged scissors can create interesting borders for your photos or paper. Use a straight-edge paper cutter for cutting long straight lines.

• Page protectors. Clear page protectors protect photos from spills and children's fingerprints.

• Paper. Use paper of different colors and textures to create design elements. Or use large sheets as backgrounds to give each page a different look.

Tips

• If your gathering has a theme, use it in your scrapbook. Weave visual elements throughout the book. Example: If your gathering has a Western theme, use cactuses, cowboy hats and six-shooters as visual elements.

• Click here for more scrapbooking information.

• Use magazine articles for page layout ideas.

• Place small photos or portions of photos in strategic places atop larger photos to create collages for visual interest.

• Glue small three-dimensional objects reminiscent of the event over photographs for even more interest. (An invitation, bottle caps, game tokens, pressed flowers, etc.)