Some scrappers like using templates that they purchase from the scrapbook supply store, as these have everything all planned out for them and simply need the photograph or some wording added.  However, some may prefer using scrapbooking lesson plans which also give you some direction in how to compose your sheet but give you much more freedom and latitude in how to make those pages personal to you.

Scrapbooking lesson plans are similar to what you might expect from any other type of lesson plan that addresses a hobby.  You begin with the basics of what makes a good scrapbooking page versus one that looks busy or cluttered, and cover all the different elements of a page.  This would include embellishments, the subject of the page, borders, wording, titles, and so on.  Once you've covered what everything is, scrapbooking lesson plans then may take you to the next step of how to put all those things together for a basic page.  Typically you would start with a basic page with just one main subject and then add some embellishments.  Many scrapbooking lesson plans will tell you to avoid gluing or adhering anything until you've gotten it all laid out on the page and are sure of how you want things to be finalized. 

You might also be shown how to try different arrangements in order to dress up your page.  For example, most scrapbooking lesson plans will have you try your photo or subject in the middle of the page, and then suggest you move it off to one side to see how it looks more personal and unique.  They typically suggest you do the same with the wording - try it across the top like a regular page title, then switch to having it go down one side of the page, or have just the first word much larger than the rest of the words, and so on.  By seeing how these different changes really dress up a page as opposed to just a plain layout, these scrapbooking lesson plans really demonstrate how to make scrapbooks unique and personal.

There's no reason you shouldn't investigate using scrapbooking lesson plans, at least when you're first starting out with scrapbooking.  They can provide invaluable tips and pointers to really make your scrapbook pages come alive, and can be useful for anyone regardless of how long you've been scrapping!