Scrapbooking is an activity that stems from the heart - it’s an expression of your soul that is fueled by ones creativity. But even the most creative people need to find inspiration for their projects, whether it be the beauty of everyday life, or even admiring someone else’s fruits of labor. Either way, one can certainly benefit from considering the ideas of others and taking in the everyday artwork that surrounds us! Here are just a few ways to help get you started:
* Pay attention to advertisements - in your newspapers, magazines and billboards. High paying ad execs are paid a lot of money to master the art of simplistic and captivating messages and images…take advantage of their expertise!
* Take note of the way consumer products are packaged - from the colors used, to the shapes and different type styles, appreciate the thought behind their presentation.
* Notice the different type styles used in the multitude of text that you read everyday. Type styles can very powerfully evoke an emotion, and the right one will help pay off the meaning of your event captured in your photos.
* Visit fabric stores to get a feel for the way they categorize and pair up their colors and patterns. You may find that a plaid background looks great with a floral paper accent!
* When shopping, notice the racks of clothing and the color combinations found in the fabrics
* Take out all the photos and have a family fun night - notice the one’s that each member really held dear
* Review your journal and let the important stuff that’s happened in your life inspire you to create a memento
* Have your children fill out a fun questionnaire about their favorite memories, favorite foods, etc.
* Look at other’s online galleries for examples of layouts and color schemes, as well as an idea of different types of events to commemorate
* Watch crafting and decorating shows on tv to get inspiration and learn more about the newest trends and tools available on the market
* Keep your magazines for future inspiration! There are so many graphic images and even ideas for layouts found in even the most common magazines.
* As you travel each day, take note of the everyday color palette of nature, and how the schemes change every season
* Use fabrics and buttons from your children’s favorite clothing that they’ve outgrown
* Journaling adds a very personal element to the page with a message that speaks to the photo
* Include elements of the special events in your pages, such as invitations, ribbons, letters, children’s artwork, or even the napkin you wrote down your hubby’s phone number on when you first met!
* Scan fabrics to create background pages or decorative elements for your pages
* Pay tribute to a family member by writing a journal entry that expresses the things about them that mean the most to you
* Show your child’s personality by including a journal entry that documents a funny conversation you had with your child
* Use greeting cards as inspiration or cut out the elements and make them into cost-effective embellishments!
* Ask your parents and siblings to send you as many photos from your family’s past generations as they can. Then scan them (rather than using the originals) and create a family tree scrapbook.
* Purchase postcards whenever you travel - these can become beautiful focal points and they typically showcase great photography
* Commemorate a person in your life that has overcome a health adversity or for one who has accomplished a huge feat such as running their first marathon!
* Visit stock photo websites and sift through images for ideas about photo composition and color schemes. Then go out and take the photos yourself!
* Set up a tri-pod and take some shots of yourself and add some simple journal entries - this would make a wonderful scrapbook that could be handed down to your children and future grandchildren as a memento of who you are someday.
* Listen to music! Music is always inspiring - if you’re making a scrapbook of your child, then put in their favorite CD!