These scrapbook ideas for beginners will have your layouts looking like the pros – without needing any fancy tools.
If you are new to scrapbooking, these scrapbook ideas for beginners will give you a good starting point. I will teach you all the basic techniques and provide you with easy-to-follow instructions.
These beginner friendly projects are simple and require minimal supplies. If you are unsure of what supplies you will need, check out this scrapbook supplies list. And if you want to learn how to create an album from scratch, check out this mini album tutorial.
What Are The Basic Scrapbook Ideas For Beginners?
Building your own scrapbook allows you to not only document your favorite memories but also be creative. However, I can totally relate to feeling overwhelmed when looking at hundreds of photos. As someone who has made countless photo albums before, I am sharing with you the best way to start one yourself.
1. Colorful Backgrounds
Scrapbooking can be as easy or as intricate as you desire. Before I learned all the tips and tricks on how to scrapbook I simply would take a cute patterned paper and glue photos to it. While there is nothing wrong with doing that, there are plenty of ways to spice things up.
If you are working with a busy background, chances are you do not need to add much embellishments. My best tip working with busy backgrounds is add a bold title to stand out. On this layout above, I included this fun quote for the title in a bold black font using lettered dies. If you want to learn more about die-cutting check out this post here. Otherwise, stickers are always a good alternative.
Additionally, I took a gold marker and outlined some of the lines in the background to make them stand out. I also included some fun butterfly ephemera and ribbon.
2. Washi Tape Patterns
Supplies:
Washi tape is a fan favorite amongst many crafters and is very multipurpose. If you have a large collection of washi tapes sitting in your desk drawer this is the perfect project for you.
The fun thing about washi tape is that it is repositionable, so it is easy to remove if you dislike the placement. I like a more randomized look and ended up placing the washi tape down horizontally at all different lengths.
3. Border Punches
Supplies:
A tried and true crafting tool I think all beginners should have are border punches. These are fairly inexpensive and can be used in a variety of different ways.
Above, you can see how I used border punches as part of the background. I simply took extra scrap paper I had lying around and punched out both sides with the patterned edge. These create such fun effects and are super easy scrapbook ideas for beginners and experts alike.
4. Cut Files
Supplies:
A huge hack to making your scrapbook layouts look more intricate than they actually are is to use cut files! If you are not familiar, cut files are digital cut patterns you can buy. Then, your cutting machine (i.e. Cricut, Silhouette Cameo) will cut it out.
There is a cut file pattern for anything and everything, you name it! In the example above, I took an open book cut file and used that as a main piece. Oftentimes, people will fill in the cut file with different pattern paper, but I decided to leave it empty and have the background poke through. For this cut file and many others I found on Etsy. Paige Taylor Evans cut files are a great place to look.
5. Creating Aesthetic Scrapbook Layouts
One of my favorite scrapbook techniques is creating outline borders! You can see here I created a double border using two 12×12 patterned papers. This technique allows you to use a variety of bold patterns while making it not appear too busy. I also cut multiple squares and rectangles to back the photos to give it some extra dimension.
The key to making your layouts look aesthetic is to use the same color scheme on the whole scrapbook layout. You can see here the main colors in my pictures are blue, white, and peach. I used the best scrapbook paper to bring out the blue skies and peach undertones in my photographs.
6. Simple Scrapbook Layouts Using Stickers
Supplies:
One of the most simple scrapbook ideas for beginners to try. With just Stickers and some washi tape you can create a fun and uniformed background. I love the organized look of the stickers in a straight line on the page. There is so much color, yet does not look cluttered.
This is one of the best scrapbook ideas for beginners since it doesn’t take too many supplies or any fancy tools. You can choose any kind of stickers that match the theme of your scrapbook. Pro tip: You can cut out your own tags easily for the perfect journaling spot.
7. Nature Scrapbook Layouts
Supplies:
Now this layout is wild! It is a fun layout because it looks complicated and involved, but was actually super easy to create with only a few scrapbook supplies.
I used these safari themed washi tape stickers to place behind my photos. Washi stickers are more translucent which makes them look like they were printed directly on the page. I love the leafy greens that bring some vibrancy to the page. Pro tip: Use foam adhesive on your pictures to give the layout more dimension.
8. Cute Scrapbook Layouts With Journaling Cards
Supplies:
Journaling cards are another great item to include in your layouts. I prefer to use journaling cards when I want to fill a big empty space on the page. You can find cards relating to any topic out there. I love this “Beary Cute & Beary Cozy” card!
9. Colorful Scrapbook layouts
Supplies:
Mix & Match vibrant patterned scrapbook paper to create colorful scrapbook layouts. This idea is very minimal and only requires a few paper sheets. If you have 6×6 paper pads and aren’t sure how to use them on 12×12 layouts, this ones for you!
I cut two 6×6 inch patterned papers in half to create a triangular shape. Then, I alternately placed them side by side to create the first half of this layout. I also cut one 12×12 scrapbook paper in half for the bottom half.
10. Best Scrapbook Ideas for beginners
Scrapbook ephemera pieces are one of my favorite ways to decorate a page! This floral ephemera is simply stunning, and I specifically used it here to add more focus to the photograph.
Additionally, I purposefully color-coordinated the background with my photograph. They share the same green hues to make an aesthetic scrapbook.
11. Scrapbook Decoration Ideas
Supplies:
You may have noticed the top strip of scrapbook paper usually has a small pattern opposite of the barcode. Most people throw that away, but here is an adorable scrapbook idea for beginners that allows you to use up all those scraps. But I actually can’t take credit for this idea as I saw it on Pinterest first!
Eventually as you collect paper scraps you’ll end up with a ton of these patterned strips. They are awesome to add a bit of extra flare. I stacked them below my pictures and added some pom-pom ribbon for some extra fun.
12. Cutting Pictures Into Shapes
It is easy to get overwhelmed walking down the aisles of craft stores seeing all the bright embellishments. We often forget our photos can act as embellishments also.
Try cutting your photos out into fun shapes. Not only will this embellish the page, but it will also save you space if you are using multiple photos. Here, I kept things simple and cut mine into squares and circles. But you may try various shapes such as hearts, stars, flowers, clouds, etc.
13. Learn Scrapbooking Using Templates
If you are having decision fatigue about where to place your photos and designs try using a layout template. Scrapbooking templates are pre-designed guides that instruct you on where to place certain items. They provide you with the exact dimensions for every piece on a layout (Source: “Four Samples Of Scrapbook Layout Templates…”). You can find hundreds of templates on Pinterest.
They save me so much time having to come up with new ideas. Plus, they are extremely easy to use and look fantastic. Templates are a great way to find new scrapbook ideas for beginners.
14. Hearts
Lots of people think to make a scrapbook as a gift to their significant other. After all, it is the perfect way to display your favorite memories together. If you are looking for beginner scrapbook ideas for boyfriend check out this cute heart envelope.
You can easily take a premade envelope and cut out some mini hearts to go inside. I made mine look like balloons sending a love letter. Write a sweet message on the inside for your lover.
15. Steps To Scrapbooking A Vacation
Another great time to start a scrapbook is during your family vacation. It is an excellent way to store your precious travel mementos. If you have extra stamps laying around try recreating this exciting background.
This layout was one I created for a trip to Italy. I hand-cut each of the paper stamps out, although you could use real postage stamps from where you traveled to.
Beginner Tips For Scrapbooking
1. Pick a theme a stick to it
Choosing one theme from the start will keep you on track, especially when it comes to buying supplies. It will also help keep you organized.
2. Use permanent adhesive or paper glue
When I first learned to scrapbook I used regular school glue. That was a huge mistake since all of my photos and embellishments started to fall off after a few years. Permanent adhesive will ensure your photos stay in great quality and will last a long time. Check out this post to learn the best adhesive for scrapbooking.
3. Make copies of your photos
Before you start cutting up old antique photos that are one-of-a-kind, print off multiple of it. This way, if you mess up for damage a picture you have extras.
4. Include names and dates
It may seem obvious now, but when you are looking back at your album in 20 to 50 years you may not remember all the details. This includes names, dates, and locations.
5. Do not strive for perfection
A scrapbook album is completely unique to you! Do not worry about whether someone else will like it or not. There are no rules. These are your stories and your creative outlet. As long as you are having fun that is all that matters. Besides, the more you scrapbook the better you will become.
How Do You Start Scrapbooking?
The honest, most real answer I can give you is to just start! I know that is easier said than done. But trust me, once you start you will have so much fun that it will become hard to stop.
Begin by gathering all the necessary supplies and photos you want to document. Then, start laying out how you want the layout to look. If you are stuck on the design aspect try using a template such as these found here.
This post is all about the best scrapbook ideas for beginners
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