As you develop your scrap book, you’ll probably be adding pictures, photos, artwork and all kinds of clippings. These items will tell their own story, of course, but you may feel that it’s necessary to add some extra text to your scrapbook page.

You may want to just write captions below the pictures. You may want to add your own stories or special scrapbook poems. You may want to add journals describing the day to day life of your baby or your child’s accomplishments. Text can be used as either a focal point or simply as a supporting piece.

Text may be hand written. Alternately, computer fonts, letters, text, or three-dimensional images can also be printed or cut and pasted onto the page. In this way, various styles, colors, textures, and visual text effects are possible.

If you like using your computer to create digital effects, try searching online for free scrapbook fonts or clipart to embellish your work. Have a look to see what artistic effects can be achieved by the wordprocessing software or paint program that may be installed on your machine.

Visit our main sections for more ideas on using text effects in your scrapbook, or browse through the list of pages in the sidebar.

Looking for free scrapbook patterns or information on scrapbook furniture? Check out our resources page!

When you have selected the photos for your scrapbook, you’ll need to decide how best to lay them out on the pages. You can do an online search to find examples of free scrapbook pages or free scrapbook templates that will give you many ideas.

When you’re laying out your pictures, don’t feel obliged to follow any principles that don’t suit your own design. There are no specific rules stating that all photographs or mementos must be placed in chronological order. Therefore, it is completely up you the order you wish to place your items and embellishments. You can place your items in a formal chronological order if you want. You can also group items into formal or informal categories such as similar colors, events, activities, individuals or families. Items can also be placed into random or abstract arrangements, or collages.

Each order has its own place in scrapbooking. For instance, a chronological order might be useful for an anniversary scrapbook. Pictures and mementos of the couple’s years together could be placed from the first day they met through the wedding day to the present day with each time period on a different page. This presents a feel of time passing by.

On the other hand, a scrapbook for a parent might just have a collage of pictures and drawings to create a sense of the character of their family and their lives together.

Always trust your own instincts and have the confidence to organize your scrapbook according to how you see the people and events it represents. That way your work will form a unique record and have even greater personal value.

Visit our main section on laying out your scrapbook or browse through the articles in the sidebar for more ideas.

Looking for free scrapbook paper piecing patterns or information on scrapbook retreats? Check out our resources page!