Sometimes when we’re trying hard to be creative and pushing ourselves to come up with the next greatest thing we overlook the obvious. We get so caught up in wanting to create that we forget what might be right in front of us. What are we trying to accomplish anyway? We want to preserve our memories… leave a piece of ourselves for the next generation… tell our story… So we spend precious time trying to find the perfect embellishment, just the right touch to make the page *perfect*.
Consider this: that perfect touch may be in your purse. It might be something you just received in the mail, or want to throw out because it’s becomming clutter. Or it might be something in your pocket. Or in that shopping bag you just threw away, heck, it might even BE the shopping bag you just threw away!
I recently read a little article on www.ezinearticles.com titled Scrapbook Do’s And Don’ts by Wes Waddell. It has great information on the extra things we add to our scrapbooks and whether or not they will eventually damage our photos. As I read through the list, I thought… “These are some great embellishment ideas!” Dang, all this time I’ve been trying to create the perfect embellishment, and they’ve been there all along! I just have to “see” them.
So next time you’re trying to come up with that perfect item for your page, consider using the following:
Old Report Cards, Birthday Invitations, Maps from vacation or Post Cards, College Brochures and Acceptance Letters, Greeting Cards, Decorative Napkins, Name Tags or Place Cards, Receipts from the restaurant, Programs and Ticket Stubs from Plays and Concerts or Sporting Events, Old Drivers Licenses (isn’t that a great idea???), CD Covers, and yes, you could even cut out the logo from a shopping bag.
Just remember that many of these things may have harmful ingredients such as lignon and acid, and the inks may not be safe… but as long as they don’t actually *touch* your photos, you’ll be fine! Now get out there and create! (and please feel free to add your ideas in the comments section – we can all use fresh ideas!)
Upon receiving address labels in the mail, I immediately look to see if there are any “stickers” I can use for making borders for my scrapbooks. They can be stuck on pages at random or placed on a strip of paper w/attached squares, circles, etc. Such an inexpensive way to border a special page.
Comment by Pattie Reed — July 11, 2008 @ 10:50 am |
That’s a great idea! I get those address labels in the mail a couple times a year and they always have a few decorative ones mixed in… I’ll have to remember this.
Comment by rememberwhenss — July 11, 2008 @ 12:41 pm |