For some long-time scrappers, it seems as if they have more ideas than they do supplies and albums.  The themes and words just seem to pour right out of them.  For others, however, it's easy to become a bit lost when it comes to creating scrapbooking ideas.  If this sounds like you, there's no need to worry.  This article will give you some simple tips and tricks to keep in mind that will get your creative juices flowing every time you feel stuck in creating scrapbooking ideas.  Ready?  Let's begin.

What Is Your Theme or Feel?

Take a look at your focal point.  Is it a picture or some other memento?  If so, what is it saying?  Something fun and whimsical, or more serious?  Your first step to creating scrapbooking ideas is to remember this theme or tone for all parts of your page.  As an example, if your picture is your newborn baby, chances are your theme or tone is something very serious as you try to communicate how precious your baby is.  If it's a picture of your puppy playing in autumn leaves, then it's more fun and whimsical.

This theme or feel will be your first key to choosing colors, shapes, embellishments, wording or quotes, and everything else that's needed when creating scrapbooking ideas.  So don't deviate from this thought as you proceed.

Choosing Colors

You cannot underemphasize the importance of choosing colors.  Soft pastels are good for focal points that are softer in feel, such as that newborn baby, lovers strolling hand in hand, wedding photos and the like.  Bolder colors are better when they match your focal point.  When choosing colors in creating scrapbooking ideas, you want them to complement the colors and the theme of your focal point.  A picture of a puppy playing in autumn leaves should have autumn colors – brown, rusty red, gold, yellow, and so on.  If the focal point is of a wedding, you would want to mimic the colors of the wedding itself, if it's navy blue or hunter green or whatever else.  Choosing colors is not a difficult part of creating scrapbooking ideas, but it's a very important part of the process.

Choosing Your Wording

Do you want just a few phrases or a word or two?  Do you need to include an entire paragraph?  When creating scrapbooking ideas, you need to remember that your wording shouldn't be so long and involved that it overpowers your focal point.  There may be times when you want to have longer or more involved wording, and if this is the case, you need to have a simpler focal point.  Your wording should also match the theme or feel.  If your focal point is a fun picture, then just a few strong words, such as "fun," "excitement!" or "springtime," can be enough.  If it's a simpler picture or something more serious, use words that reflect this.  Just a simple "love" or "adoration" or "beautiful" can be sufficient.  Remember when creating scrapbooking ideas that your wording is probably not going to be the focal point of the page, so you want it to work as an accent, not to detract from anything else on the page.

Working in Embellishments

Your embellishments can really make your picture feel personal and unique.  When creating scrapbooking ideas, always use embellishments that coordinate and complement your page and your focal point, but be creative as well.  Don't fall into the trap of thinking that there are right and wrong ways to use embellishments, or that you should only use the ones that came with your packs of pages.  And your embellishments don't need to be something you purchase specifically for this purpose as well.  One of the joys of creating scrapbooking ideas is that you can really express yourself and your personality.  If you want to use a dried flower because you like the color, or see someone else's scrapbooking page that uses ribbon, yarn, or something else unique, consider mimicking this as well.  And remember that embellishments can be used in any creative way that you like.  They do not need to simply frame your focal point in a square or run along one side of the page.  Mix and match your items, and move some around.  Try that dried flower on one side of the page and some colorful trim on the other side.  When creating scrapbooking ideas, this is not the time to be strict with yourself or keep everything matched and in a straight line.

Pulling it All Together

One of the best bits of advice that any scrapper can get when creating scrapbooking ideas is to be sure that you make a mockup of your page before gluing or using adhesive on anything.  Lay some things out, and then move them around.  Try a different angle or position of your focal point.  Take some embellishments or wording away, or add some of either.  Remember that you can add adhesive when you make your final decision, but it's very difficult to change your mind once the glue is applied!  This is very helpful when you're not as experienced in creating scrapbooking ideas, as you may need a few attempts before you find just the right layout or combination of elements.

You'll Get the Hang of Creating Scrapbooking Ideas!

Chances are that those experienced scrappers that you admire so much weren't that skilled when they first started either.  Probably quite a few had to try many of the tips we've outlined here before they got the hang of scrapping, so give yourself some credit and be patient.  And remember, there's no reason you can't mimic the great designs and layouts you see in galleries when creating scrapbooking ideas, but be sure to tailor your designs to your own personality.  A good scrapbook is as special and unique as you are; if you remember that, then you're sure to be a successful scrapper in no time.