Beginning Scrapbooking for Children

Scrapbooking may be something that you are already into. What a fabulous way to spend time with your child(ren)... while helping them learn the art of scrapbooking. If you are just exploring the idea of scrapbooking, what better way to do that than exploring it with your children!

Scrapbooking has been around for ages, but it has recently experienced a surge in popularity. People from all walks of life have discovered the joys of creating albums to showcase their treasured photos and keepsakes. But with all the elaborate scrapbooking techniques and myriad embellishments available, getting started can be intimidating.

The truth is, anyone that can use scissors and glue can scrapbook. And you don't have to spend ridiculous amounts of money to create attractive pages. With some basic supplies and a little imagination, you can create lovely scrapbooks that will be adored for years to come.

What You Need

You can get started scrapbooking on a small budget. Here are the things you'll need.

• An album - Scrapbooking albums come in all shapes and sizes. The most popular are 8 1/2" x 11" and 12" x 12". They can be found at most craft supply stores if you don't have a scrapbooking supply store nearby.
• Paper - Scrapbooking paper can be found in a variety of solid colors and patterns. This will be the basis for each page. You may also use scrapbooking paper for journaling and to create your own photo mats and embellishments.
• Cutting tools - You can easily get by with just a good pair of scissors. But an Exacto knife might make photo cropping easier. And if you're no good at cutting straight lines, you might want to invest in a paper cutter.
• Adhesives - There are all sorts of adhesives one could use for scrapbooking. Glue sticks and double-sided tape are quite popular. Some scrapbookers also use rubber cement or glue dots for certain applications. But when you're getting started, just use what you're most comfortable with.
• Photos - Beginning scrapbookers often start out with old photos that they've accumulated over the years. This makes for a nice, nostalgic album. Of course you can also take new pictures for your scrapbook. A digital camera and photo printer are two modern conveniences that make scrapbooking easier, but they are not necessities. Photos taken by a film camera work just as well.

When purchasing scrapbooking supplies, it's important to make sure they are acid-free. This will keep them from harming your priceless photos.

Basic Techniques

You don't have to know a lot about scrapbooking techniques to create an attractive album. Just a few simple techniques will suffice.

One of the first things many scrapbookers learn is how to mat photos. This can be accomplished by simply cutting a square or rectangle that is about a half inch longer and wider than the photo you want to mat. Then glue the photo to the center. To make a photo really stand out, double mat it by cutting out a shape a half inch longer and wider than the first mat, and center the matted photo on it.

Journaling gives scrapbook pages a nice personal touch. Simply write a note about the photos on a page, telling what was happening or sharing your thoughts on the subject. Use paper that coordinates with the background, and be sure to write with an acid-free pen.

Adding borders to your pages gives them a finished look. You can make them out of strips of coordinating scrapbook paper. You don't have to border all four sides. A strip along the top, side or bottom will do. For easy embellishing, use some stickers.

There's no need to throw in the towel if you don't have the time, money or know-how to create elaborate scrapbooks. Just start off simple, and learn new techniques as you go. The most important thing to remember is to enjoy this time with your child(ren)!

Patriotic Hot air Balloon Decoration

How much fun would it be to have a hot air balloon in your backyard?! Well, maybe just a hot air balloon decoration on your table then... This fun craft will raise everyone's spirits for the Fourth of July.

On the Fourth of July, we often look to the sky to watch fireworks in all shapes, sizes and colors. But in some locations, there’s more to see up above. Hot air balloons are festive and fun reminders of the American holiday.

A patriotic hot air balloon decoration in red, white and blue makes a wonderful Independence Day centerpiece.

What You will Need

• Large, white, high quality latex balloon filled with helium
• Large balloon net*
• Small wicker laundry-type basket with two handles
• Red, white and blue crepe paper
• Basket filler in red, white and blue
• Candy or goodie bags

What To Do With It

1. Drape the balloon net over the helium-filled balloon.
2. Divide the ribbons from the balloon net into two equal sets.
3. Tie one half of the ribbons to one of the basket handles. Tie the other half to the other basket handle.
4. Decorate the basket with red, white and blue crepe paper. Wrap it around the basket and secure with clear tape, and/or tie streamers to the handles for decoration.
5. Fill the basket with the patriotic basket filler. Add candy or goody bags, and place in the middle of the table as a centerpiece.

If you prefer, you could add real or silk flowers to the basket instead of candy or goody bags for a unique floral centerpiece. You can also adapt the project to use as a gift holder for birthdays or other holidays by using different colors of crepe and basket filler.


*Balloon nets may be available from a local party supply store or florist. If you can’t find any for sale, here’s how to make one.

Supplies

• 150 feet of decorative ribbon in red, white, and/or blue
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Cut strips of ribbon long enough to drape over the balloon and tie to the basket, making sure they will keep the balloon at the desired height. Add a few extra inches for tying and to leave room for error.
2. Lay a strip of ribbon flat diagonally. Lay another strip parallel to the first one, about an inch away. Keep laying down strips of ribbon until you have enough to cover the top of the balloon. If using two or more colors, alternate them in a set pattern.
3. Lay a strip of ribbon across the first strip, going diagonally in the opposite direction. Repeat until you have a square of a fishnet pattern large enough to cover the top of the balloon, with enough ribbon hanging to keep the balloon as far as you desire above the basket.
4. Tie knots in the ribbon at the corners to secure the pattern.

Star Studded Door Hanger

This door hanger craft could be altered for any holiday or season, but why not start by trying out this one for the Fourth of July! Spruce up your house with some red, white, and blue, and get ready to celebrate our country's birthday in colorful style!

Independence Day isn’t one of those holidays when most of us go all out with decorations. But why shouldn’t it be? Decking your home out in red, white and blue is lots of fun, and it’s a great way to show your patriotism. This simple yet lovely door hanger is a great project to start with, and it’s so simple that even young children can participate.

Supplies Needed

• 2 small paper plates
• Star-shaped sponge or foam stamp
• Acrylic paint in red or blue
• Red, blue and gold glitter glue
• Shiny red and blue garland
• Craft glue
• White yarn
• Scissors

Directions

1. Cut a piece of yarn approximately a foot long.
2. Cut garland into several pieces, each about 16 inches in length. Five to eight pieces should suffice.
3. Put a thin layer of glue just inside the edge of the top side of one of the paper plates, going all the way around. Place the other plate on top face down, and press the edges together.
4. Place one end of the yarn between the two plates. Place the other end between the plates an inch or two away from the first end to create a hanger.
5. Directly opposite from the middle of the yarn hanger, place the end of each piece of garland between the plates. Press the edges together all the way around to reinforce, and let dry completely.
6. Put a small amount of the acrylic paint in another paper plate or on a piece of newspaper. Dip the star stamp into the paint, and then press the stamp gently into the center of the plate. Remove carefully to avoid smudging.
7. Trace around the star with a contrasting color of glitter glue. Use another color to create a border around the hanger. You could make a solid line or do a zigzag or curlicue pattern. Or, if you prefer, make a border in red and another border inside of it in blue.
8. Use the glitter glue or paint to add a message to your door hanger. “Welcome” and “Happy Independence Day” are two phrases you could use.
9. If desired, wrap the garland tightly around a pencil in a spiral, then let go to make it curl. Let paint and glitter glue dry completely before hanging.

This simple yet festive door hanger is a great way to welcome guests and celebrate the Fourth of July. It also makes a great family project. Each of the kids could make one for his or her bedroom door. And if you don’t have paint, glitter glue and garland on hand, markers and crepe paper can be used instead.