Creative Paper Techniques for Scrapbooks

Too often I am disappointed with crafting books. Not with this one! It's full of ideas and techniques. I got this book last week and have already used three new techniques from it. It's really adding a new approach to my scrapbooking. One word of caution. I think there is an error in it. The directions for making the louvered slats that are slanted say to start from the inside and work out. If you do that, the slats don't lay correctly. Instead start from two opposite corners and work inward. To make sure the middle slats matched well, I drew a template with lines and put it under my work area to make sure my slats were straight and evenly spaced. Even with that error, I still give it 5 stars!

At first, looking at the beautiful scrapbook layouts I was intimidated but after reading the instructions for several techniques soon I was having a blast with my scissors and papers and filling up my scrapbook pages with very cool ways to incorporate paper. Never have worked with Vellum before the paper tearing technique was such fun also, the instructions for quilling and paper weaving were not only easy but the results looked like I spent much more time as they had an elegant, whimsical appearance. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Memory Makers really came through with this book for me. I am not a big fan of lumpy embellishments, like metal, beads and wire, on my pages because of the bulk they add to albums and because of their questionable archival nature. But in today's world of scrapbooking these embellishments are used heavily to create "wow" pages - the kind we all see in the magazines. This book showcased a number of ways to work with paper to add texture and dimension to scrapbook pages. I have already used some of the paper folding techniques to create layouts with depth which have won raves from my family and friends, all without added weight on my pages.

Part of the fun of creating scrapbooks is the paper crafting aspect of the art. While cropping pictures adds form to your pages, it's the embellishments that make the pages pop. Some like to go crazy and some take the simple approach - and that's exactly what you can do with paper crafting. You can go with the basic paper chains, tearing, and collage to more challenging weaving, quilling, and kirigami (Japanese paper cutting.) The instructions are all laid out here in an easy-to-follow format that will have you making paper masterpieces in no time at all! Some other techniques included are: pull-apart designs, cutting details into layered designs, louvers, bargellos, irises, pleats, and paper tole. Whether a beginner or a more advanced crafter, you'll have no problem finding a technique to meet your needs - have fun!

I really cannot say enought about this book - it is so great. It goes through a bunch of ways you can use paper to make your scrapbooks look totally great. I was in a total slump and this rejuvinated my pages 100%. I am usually not a fan of Memory Makers, either. This book is as good or better than any Creating Keepsakes/ Becky Higgins book. I have already won 2 contests using page ideas found in this book. You won't be disappointed, I promise.