How to Embellish Your Scrapbook

Embellish your memory book with a few simple techniques.

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Your scrapbook contains treasured photographs, mementos, newspaper clippings and other personal items that you and your kids will enjoy for years. Instead of displaying them on utilitarian scrapbook pages, you can embellish the borders and the cover in a variety of ways that will show your creativity and really show off your collection.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll NeedPaper bordersGlue stickSelf-stick plastic page coversSand paper or steel woolTea bags or coffeeYellow water-color paintHair dryerTheme items for coverGlue gunStrong hobby glueCellophaneSuggest EditsBorders1

Measure and cut borders to size for sides, tops and bottoms of the pages of your scrapbook. Use wallpaper, wallpaper borders, gift wrapping paper, decorative fabrics or other colorful items to brighten up each page.

2

Clue the borders to the pages with a glue stick.

3

Seal the entire page, including borders, with self-stick transparent plastic sheets. Remove the sheets from their backing and place them carefully over the page.

Distressing1

Roughen the cover with sandpaper or steel wool.

2

Paint the cover and pages with warm tea or coffee to artificially age the paper. Use damp, not wet, teabags to create "stains" by letting them remain on the surface for a minute or so. If desired, paint lightly with a thin yellow water-color paint to accentuate the aged look.

3

Dry the pages with a hair dryer set on low.

Embellishing the Cover1

Choose items that present a theme. For instance, an autumn theme might include leaves that have turned red or yellow, dried flowers, candy corn and the like.

2

Glue the items to the cover using a glue gun and strong hobby glue. The glue should be the most rugged you can find, as these items will take more abuse than items protected inside the scrapbook.

3

Dry the glue with a hair dryer set on low. If desired, cover the scrapbook cover with cellophane, fold it over the cover and glue the edge to the inside of the cover to further protect your embellishments.

ReferencesFamilies.com: Decorating a Journal CoverPhoto Credit Jupiterimages/Comstock/Getty ImagesRead Next:

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