Paper Crafts: Scrapbook and Greeting Card Basics
8 March 07 by AussieCrafts
Paper crafts are a popular hobby at the moment. Scrapbooking is a fun way to display photos or pictures and tell a family history. Other paper crafts are making greeting cards and even producing hand made papers.
When preparing to start at paper crafts, it is too easy to outlay a lot of money! Go easy at first until you are more sure what sort of paper craft supplies you are likely to use. For example, you might find that you like using stickers in scrapbooking, but hardly ever use your rubber stamps. If that is the case, you would be better off spending more on stickers and less on rubber stamps for your crafts.
Most people have at least some photos stored somewhere in a box or maybe an old album. Scrapbooking is a great way to get those photos out where people can enjoy them. You will need a binder (or album), some page protectors, and some coloured cardstock for a start. Experts often insist on only archival quality materials. Check the labels as you buy. Most paper supplies, even the cheaper ones, are labeled acid-free, which means that it should not fade or otherwise deteriorate if stored for a long time.
To start your first scrapbook you have a few options. You can select photos that all relate to one event, such as a holiday or your kid’s sport events. This type of scrapbook will be short, but it can be designed around a solid theme. This is a good choice if your photographs are not in a jumble. If they are, then you may wish to choose a few photos around a general theme, and change the theme for each page. You can also include some two page spreads in your scrapbook.
Adhere your photos to the card with double-sided tape or a gluestick. Then you can decorate the page with stickers, paper cut-outs, or rubber stamped designs. You can also use a coloured gel pen to write dates, names, and other captions about the content of the pictures.
There are many other items are available in paper crafts shops that can inspire you to decorating ideas. These include die cuts, which are pieces of paper, card or foam already cut into shapes and objects. There are also special scissors that cut paper with an different edge. A pair of “deckle” scissors are very handy for making elegant scrapbook pages, greeting cards, and other paper crafts. If you have an old pair of pinking shears that are now too dull to cut fabric, they are good for cutting out shapes and photos.
Many paper crafts people begin with scrapbooking, but then start making their own cards. Greeting cards can have an original poem written on the inside (extra special if you are good at calligraphy). A simple “Happy Birthday,” “Get Well Soon,” or even just “Hi!” is enough to brighten somebody’s day, so don’t worry about able to craft a poem to make your own greeting cards. Rubber stamps often make lovely greeting cards. You can even attach small ribbons, beads, and other items to hand made cards. A handmade card is sure to bring a smile to anyones face, whether they are interested in paper crafts or not.
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