You may have noticed in your scrapbooking store that there are many 8x8 scrapbook album kits available to you; this is true of online stores and those that offer digital templates for scrapbooks as well.  There are a few reasons why scrappers sometimes prefer these smaller choices.  For one, they're easier when working with children as they're typically not as involved or complicated to make.  For another, they don't take up as much room when you create them.  Many find that 8x8 scrapbook album kits are more appreciated as time goes on since they're easier to browse through and easier to store on a bookshelf than a typical 12x12 album.  Some also find that 8x8 scrapbook album kits are better for smaller mementos such as concert ticket stubs, postcards, and smaller photos.  They are also usually a bit more affordable than the larger scrapbook albums, which means they can make great gifts!  Some have found that 8x8 scrapbook album kits are perfect for occasions like weddings, graduations, family reunions, anniversaries, and other times when you may want to make up a scrapbook to give away.

But when working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits, you'll want to keep a few things in mind since they are so much different than typical albums.  Their smaller size makes them sometimes awkward as you need to be careful about the embellishments and number of decorative items you add.  It's easy to forget that things need to be in proportion when working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits; if you apply the same design technique to these kits as you do to full-size kits, you'll probably be disappointed.

So let's go over some important tips to remember when working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits and see if these tips don't help you to make the best albums you can possibly create.

When working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits, be prepared to pare down everything and this means the embellishments as well as the wording.  And when we say pare down, we mean less items and items that are smaller as well.  You can use full-size items when working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits but you need to be selective and sparse about it.  One large item is typically all that these albums can handle, and this might mean your photo or focal point.  If you must have large embellishments, make sure they complement and don't compete with the photo.  Try placing that luggage tag behind the photo or running other embellishments on top of each other so they don't look as if they're fighting for attention.  When creating 8x8 scrapbook album kits try taking away some embellishments or toning them down at least to see what they look like before you make your final decision. 

Your focal point might also need some consideration when working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits.  Larger photos might overpower the page, but you don't want to go in the opposite direction and use something that's so small that it gets lost.  Those ticket stubs can be a great memento, but they may blend in with the embellishments.  Try to use more than one focal point if you can - ticket stubs and a small photo from the concert, or some other memento with them.  You can have more than one focal point when using 8x8 scrapbook album kits if they're in proportion to the page and each other.  If you make your own photos on the computer and print them off using your home printer, opt for a smaller size than the typical 5x7 or 4x6.  Those smaller photos and other mementos will seem to fit better with the 8x8 scrapbook album kits than the photos you might use on a full-size album.

Your wording and fonts for your wording will probably also be different when working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits.  Because your album is smaller your wording might need to be smaller, and this means your typestyle as well.  Fancier typestyles might take up too much of the page, but of course plain block lettering might look too simple.  Try something in between when creating 8x8 scrapbook album kits; something that is fun and unique but not overpowering.  Be selective about the words you use and how many of them as well.  Long paragraphs and sayings can overwhelm your page and seem out of place.

If you're working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits because you want to give them away as gifts, consider some tips for making them look cohesive.  Many find that putting a particular embellishment on each page or a common element on each page makes them feel pulled together.  Consider a page title in the same font and same location.  These can make those 8x8 scrapbook album kits look like real albums and not just random pages strung together.

When working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits with children, you need to be careful about getting overwhelmed as well.  Even though they're smaller this doesn't mean that the child will have the attention span to create an involved album.  If you get 8x8 scrapbook album kits that have templates this might be better for them since much of the work is already done.  They can add their favorite photo and some other embellishments as well and have a beautiful album without too much work.  This way scrapbooking will be a fun experience for them and not a chore!

Working with 8x8 scrapbook album kits can be a challenge especially if you've worked with full-size albums for some time, but once you start in on these you may find that you enjoy them as much as any other album.  They're perfect for those smaller mementos or quicker projects and are great for kids.  There is also a wide variety of paper and embellishments that are perfect for 8x8 scrapbook album kits, and many digital templates available online or at your local store, so why not give these smaller albums a try for your next scrapbook album?