Making scrapbook pages that honor past generations is a perfect opportunity to use some Victorian scrapbook embellishments.  These items are also a perfect choice for weddings, anniversaries, or any occasion for which you want to add a timeless touch.  Most Victorian scrapbook embellishments give pages a classic feeling, making occasions feel as if they're part of history and are something to be taken seriously.  They also add a romantic feeling, making them perfect for those weddings and other such occasions.

But if there's one drawback about Victorian scrapbook embellishments, it's that they are somewhat busy and colorful.  It's easy to use too many on any one page, or to use them with papers and other embellishments that will clash rather than complement.  You might pay more for Victorian scrapbook embellishments than you will for other scrapbooking supplies, so it's important to use them properly.  Let's go over a few tips to consider.

For one thing, be careful of the paper you use for your page when adding Victorian scrapbook embellishments.  If your paper is very busy you'll probably have too many details on your page overall and this will be very distracting.  Typically paper with a smaller and simpler design is better.  You also need to be careful about the color you use as well.  Strong colors might seem too modern and may clash with your Victorian scrapbook embellishments.  Usually things that are tied with the Victorian era seem a bit washed out and simpler.  Consider pale and soft pastels and colors that will complement your embellishments, but make these choices carefully.  Many scrapbook albums have been ruined by using paper that's too busy or that seems to clash with all the decorative elements used, and Victorian scrapbook embellishments are no different.

You might also want to give some thought as to your focal point on a page when you use Victorian scrapbook embellishments.  If you have an actual photo you want to use but then add some stickers of people and characters, these can seem to clash or compete with one another.  Many find that if they use a photo as their focal point, the best embellishments may include scraps of lace, buttons, and stickers of items other than people.  These might include angels, Victorian style clothing, and flowers.  These types of Victorian scrapbook embellishments will complement and not compete with a photo.  If you do want to add embellishments to a page with a photo, try that lace as a border or gold buttons.  These things have a Victorian feeling but won't clash with the photo itself.

If you're going to add wording to your page, be sure to use a font or typestyle that looks as if it fits with those Victorian scrapbook embellishments.  Square or bold fonts might look out of place and too modern.  Instead, opt for something fancier that resembles the writing of that era.  Remember too that you may need to cut down on the amount of wording you add to the page when using fancy fonts as it's difficult to read wording when you use fancier fonts.  You might also want to enlarge your wording so that it's easier to read.  You can also use your Victorian scrapbook embellishments as border for your wording, or vice versa.  Lay out everything on your page and move things around so you know how things will look before you actually start adhering anything.

You may even have your own Victorian scrapbook embellishments that you can use and not even realize it.  For example, do you have a box of old greeting cards that you no longer need?  You can also look through your sewing supplies for scraps of lace and material that seems like it fits your Victorian theme.  Old pieces of wrapping paper might also be used; you can cut it to use as photo frames or as backgrounds for your other Victorian scrapbook embellishments.  Other holiday items such as bows, garland, and things like these might also work. Once you start to go through your items with the idea of using them as Victorian scrapbook embellishments, you might be surprised at what you find; remember to check your parent's house and to ask friends and family for their leftover items as well!  Some may be happy to clean out their basements or attics and to hand over their items.

Most use Victorian scrapbook embellishments for weddings but these aren't the only occasions that are good for these items.  You might even find that you enjoy these decorative items so much that you find excuses to use them!  Make up a page about a tea party or use them for a new baby.  Holidays are also good themes for these Victorian scrapbook embellishments, as are other religious celebrations such as baptisms, first communion, and so on.  For some reason winter scenes are also a good fit for these items, so consider some photos of that big snowstorm or ski vacation for your Victorian themed album.

As with all scrapbooks, make sure you arrange your Victorian scrapbook embellishments and play around with the layout before you use any glue to make things permanent.  Take some items away and see if it doesn't look better with fewer items.  Sometimes less is more when it comes to scrapbooks and their designs, and when working with Victorian scrapbook embellishments this is especially true.  Remember that you can add items to your page at any time but you can't take things away once they're glued.  Because those Victorian scrapbook embellishments are typically very busy and detailed themselves, you need to be especially careful when using them and when using a lot of them!

Once you start using your Victorian scrapbook embellishments, you may realize how enjoyable they are and may find yourself looking for excuses to add them to new pages.  You might even arrange a tea party just so that you can have those great photos to use on new scrapbooks and their pages!