Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Free Scrapbooking eBooks to Download

eBooks about scrapbooking are becoming more common as people increasingly turn to the internet for scrapbooking help. eBooks will give you a host of invaluable information and advice about scrapbooking and but most are not free. That's why I have put together this list to save you time and energy scouring the internet to find scrapbooking eBooks that are free. I have personally downloaded all of these scrapbooking eBooks and know that they are absolutely 100% FREE. Enjoy!

  1. A free eBook from Scrap Girls. 65 Pages full of information, ideas, and help for beginners to learn the basics of digital scrapbooking.

    This free scrapbooking eBook discusses technical aspects like backing up files, printer selection and the best software to use for digital scrapbooking layouts. Also contains links to digital scrapbooking templates and layouts. Comes in an easy to read downloadable PDF format. No sign up required. (Unfortunately no longer available)


  2. 24 Simple Scrapbooking Layouts eBook
    This eBook from favecrafts.com contains the directions to make 24 different simple scrapbooking layouts. Ideas for family photos, wedding photos, summer events and more are contained in this 36-page free scrapbooking eBook.


  3. Starting Points - Creating Meaningful Scrapbook Layouts from Whatever Inspires You eBook
    Starting Points by Linda Harrison will help inspire your scrapbooking with 120 unique layouts which includes images of the original starting points that inspired each layout. Includes cute quotes from kids, receipts, vacation snapshots, patterned paper, party supplies, paint swatches, brochures and more which served as the inspiration. This free scrapbooking eBook contains lots of tips for brainstorming ideas to create unique layouts.


  4. 101 Scrapbooking Tips eBook
    101 Scrapbooking Tips is a 112 page PDF document that discusses basic scrapbooking. Probably only suitable for the absolute beginner with no scrapbooking knowledge at all.



If I have missed including your free scrapbooking eBook in this list please let me know and I will update this list. Have fun!



Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Scrapbooking Free Blogger Template Kaleidoscope

Kaleidoscope is a free Blogger template (free Blogspot template) which can be used for a scrapbooking blog. Though the design does not use scrapbooking elements the Blogger layout lends itself perfectly to a scrapbooking blog or for that matter any kind of artistic personal blog like a cardmaking blog or craft blog. This Blogger template is appealing for those who like floral highlights, swirls and neutral tones.

Kaleidoscope has a 2 column layout with a right sidebar, a built-in search box, navigation menu and RSS button. Other features include a user-defined welcome message in the header and social bookmarking buttons below each post.

Easy to Scrapbook - Free Blogger Template - Kaleidoscope - 2 columns, white, purple and brown, rss button link, navigation menu, social bookmarking buttons, search box, personal blog, art blog, craft blog, scrapbooking blog

Preview | Download Template


Designed By: EzWpThemes.com

Converted to Blogger By: Theme Craft

Features

2 columns, right sidebar, navigation menu, search box, RSS subscribe, social bookmarking buttons, fixed width, welcome message, brown

Suitable for blogs with a scrapbooking, art, craft, handcraft, papercraft theme.
Please note: This template is released under Creative Commons License. If you decide to use this template please do not remove the credits in the footer.


Related Links

Green Scrapbook Diary
MyScrapblog
Craftwork
Memoriq
Free Blogger Templates for Scrapbooking
Free Wordpress Scrapbooking Themes


Sunday, March 21, 2010

List of Free Digital Scrapbooking Freebies to Download

Are you looking for digital scrapbooking kits and papers online? Use this comprehensive list of websites and blogs to find free digital scrapbooking resources on the web. Whether you are looking for digital background paper, digital scrapbooking kits, digital scrapbooking embellishments, quick pages, textures and brushes the list below will help you on your way to making your dream digital scrapbooking pages.

I have intentionally structured this list of sources of free digital scrapbooking downloads online so that the websites with the most resources appear first. Please check back often as I will be regularly updating the list to include new websites. If you have been missed off the list or know of a site I have missed please let me know and I will add your link to the ones above. Enjoy!.

Digital Scrapbooking Freebies to Download
Two Peas in a Bucket
Huge range of digital kits for scrapbooking to download for free.

Shabby Princess
Heaps of free digital scrapbooking kits to choose from.

One of the many digital scrapbooking kits from Shabby Princess available for download online

One of the many stunning digital kits from Shabby Princess

Fuji Film Free Scrapbooking Kits
A range of free digital scrapbooking kits with holiday and seasonal themes. Kits include include backgrounds, borders and embellishments.

Scrapbook Flair
Download templates, backgrounds, embellishments and scrapbooking kits

freedigitalscrapbooking.com
Loads of free mini scrapbooking kits to download

computerscrapbook.com
A large range of lovely free digital scrapbooking kits and alpha sets to download.

escrappers.com
An assortment of free embellishments to use with digital scrapbooking such as buttons, beads, tickets, photo corners and slides.

escrappers.com
Free textures to use as your backgrounds on your digital scrapbooking pages

digitaldivadesigns.com
Monthly mega kits free to download.

Scrap Girls
Elements, brushes, and page backgrounds for digital scrapbooking are free to download.

secretofthedesigners.com
A bunch of free scrapbooking freebies which includes mini scrapbooking kit, date stamps, journaling strips, papers, stamps.

Cottage Arts
A collection of free digital scrapbooking downloads including alpha sets, brushes and stamps, papers, templates and sampler paks.

rakscraps.com
Monthly mega kits giveaways.

Memory Scrapbook Makers
Family, nature, summer, valentines day, weddings are just of the themes of the free digital scrapbooking kits available to download at Memory Makers magazine.

hereascrapthereascrap.blogspot.com
Freebies include quickpages and mini kits to download.

Scrapinfusions.blogspot.com
Mostly quick pages to download

Pixel Paint Papers
Lots of free digital scrapbooking paper to download

Digi Scrappers Corner
Download for free a scrapbooking kit, papers, mini scrapbooking kit, curled ribbon embellishments, alpha set.

Digital Freebies
A small collection of digital scrapbooking freebies which are changed regularly.

Digital Scrapbooking Freebies
One or two digital scrapbooking kits only available for free download.

Related Links
Squidoo List of the Best in Free Digital Freebies
Craft Cave's List of Digital Scrapbooking Small Previews
About.com Free Digital Scrapbooking Downloads

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Wordpress Scrapbooking Theme Foodiary

Foodiary is a free Wordpress scrapbooking theme designed for bloggers about scrapbooking who use the Wordpress blogging platform for their blog. Foodiary is an attractive and feature packed theme with massive appeal. The Wordpress theme has a 2 column layout with right sidebar and a fixed 3 column footer useful for less frequently used widgets. Other handy features include a built-in search box and page number navigation.

You will find some excellent features not usually found on Wordpress scrapbooking themes on Foodiary. For instance the theme displays an auto post thumbnail and an auto excerpt of recent posts on the home page. Other features that place Foodiary a cut above many other scrapbooking themes are the featured articles slider, the 4 125x125 banner ad slots in the sidebar, an RSS button, social bookmarking links and Twitter button. The theme is compatible with Wordpress 2.8 and earlier versions.

Foodiary is an elegant and well set out Wordpress theme for scrapbooking. Its neutral tones makes it suitable for lots of blogs such as a personal blog, scrapbook blog, papercraft blog, craft blog. This Wordpress theme is sure to impress.

Designed by: SimplyWP

Features
2 column design, right sidebar, 3 column footer, search box, page navigation, RSS button, social bookmarking, Twitter button, auto slider for featured posts, auto post thumbnails, auto post excerpts, 125x125 banner ads ready, gravatar ready, widget ready, compatible with Wordpress 2.8 and earlier versions. Tested in major browsers such as IE7, IE8, Firefox, Safari, Opera, Chrome


Please note: This template is released under Creative Commons License. If you decide to use this template please do not remove the credits in the footer.

Related Articles

Free Wordpress Scrapbooking Themes
Free Scrapbooking Blogger Templates
General Instructions about Installing a Wordpress Theme


Saturday, March 13, 2010

10 Ways to Add Handwritten Journaling to Scrapbooking Pages

Today's scrapbooking article is on the subject of scrapbook journaling. Here are some 10 creative ways to include more handwritten journaling on your scrapbooking pages.

Getting Started with Scrapbook Journaling

  1. Get Over Yourself

    In order to get started with handwritten scrapbook journaling you will need to get over yourself. Most people feel a little self-conscious seeing their own handwriting on page layouts. Perfectly normal!

    I myself used to have a lot of angst about my poor handwriting skills but I have learned through the art of scrapbooking and keeping a memory journal to keep the bigger picture in mind.

    When I look back on my past scrapbooks and journals it is not the perfectly typed journaling that my eye gravitates to but the blocks of handwritten journaling where I have taken the time to write something that reminds me of a feeling back then or gives others insight into my life and who I am as a person.

    Here's the thing stop worrying if your handwriting is untidy or a bit messy what is important is that you tell a story or write something about you and your experience. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through with some handwritten touches to your scrapbooking layouts.
    Scrapbook Journaling Using Your Own Handwriting makes what you share more personal

    The thing to keep in mind is that handwritten journaling gives such a personal flair to pages that it would be a shame for future generations looking at your scrapbooking pages to miss out on this unspoken legacy. Rest assured they will treasure your handwriting just as much as your photos and memories you share.

  2. Gather Your Supplies

    Archival Quality Journaling Pens

    First off will need a food journaling pen. Don't skimp on this as you need one of archival quality. These can be purchased at scrapbooking stores, good stationery supplies shops or online at Amazon.

    I like to have a range of scrapbooking pens to work with including white for layouts with black pages or inserts. Exactly what pens you choose will be down to personal preference but give yourself some options.

    Other Essential Supplies

    A stapler, adhesive, ruler, eraser are all going to be useful items too.

  3. Choose a Layout to Work On

    Start Small

    Pick a page that is simple and that you can add some of your own handwriting to, even in a small way, to make a difference.

    Decide What to Say

    Think about the experience. What do you want to say about it? what do you want to convey to anyone looking at the page? If you need inspiration take a look at 85+ Journaling Ideas for Scrapbooking Memory Pages.

    Practice Your Handwriting Skills

    Practice your handwriting on a scrap of paper first to improve your confidence before writing on the actual page. You will see what it looks like ahead of time so you can correct any mistakes. Plus you can check the text properly fits the space where you want to include your handwritten message.
    Scrapbook Journaling practice your handwriting on a scrap of paper first to improve your confidence before commiting to the final page



While this scrapbooking article is written with scrapbookers in mind the ideas are equally useful if you are creating a memory journal, smash book, Project Life spread, visual art journal, bullet journal, planner or any other kind of diary or record of your days on planet earth. I know with Bullet Journaling and Planners, in particular, there is an emphasis on efficiency and getting the job done but there is always room for more handwritten personal touches and descriptions about your activities or thoughts, feelings, reflections, gratitude and everything else in-between.


How to Add Handwritten Journaling to Scrapbooking Pages

  1. Dates, Place Name or Event Name
    If you are not used to including handwritten journaling on your scrapbooking pages then it may seem a bit daunting. I suggest to get over this hump you start small. Add the date in your own handwriting or perhaps the place name or name of the event. If you are not ready to put the whole of your journaling in your own handwriting then a combination of handwritten journaling and computer text on a scrapbooking layout can look good too.

  2. Write on the Background
    Create your own patterned scrapbooking paper by writing on the background or in the blank spaces around your photos.


  3. Add handwritten journaling to your scrapbook by writing on the background
  4. Write in a shape or line
    If you want to add visual effect to your scrapbooking pages write in a shape or line. A handwritten line that wanders across the page can look stunning. Handwriting on circles, swirls or other fun shapes is visually pleasing too. Turn the paper as you write for a whimsical effect.

  5. Add handwritten journaling to your scrapbook by writing in a shapre or adding a line
  6. Write on a Frame or Mat
    You can add extra flair to your pages by framing the photos on a page with your own written words. Try this technique by writing on a photo mat, frame or the white border around the photo.

  7. Add handwritten journaling to scrapbook by writing on the frame or matt
  8. Include a Handwritten Letter, Poem, Musings or Personal Narrative
    Write a letter, poem, or personal account of an event or happening in your own handwriting that can be included right on the scrapbooking page.

  9. Include Pockets, Folded Cards or Matchbooks
    Using scrapbooking pockets, folded cards, matchbooks are all space saving ways of adding more handwritten journaling to your scrapbooking layouts. Write your journaling by hand on a piece of coordinating cardstock and place it in a pocket on the page. Make a matchbook out of double sided cardstock and staple your handwritten message on coordinating cardstock inside the matchbook. Your journaling will remain hidden from view unless viewers of your scrapbooking pages remove the pocket or open up the card or matchbook. More on how to create a matchbook

  10. Write an Index Page
    A handwritten index page at the start of your scrapbook is a way to add more of your handwriting to your pages. Include facts like where, when, what, how, how long and of course who. Adding a handwritten index page is a simple way to include more of your handwriting in a scrapbook.

  11. Write a Dedication Page
    Like an index page a dedication page can contain a lot of extra information that you may not want to include on your scrapbooking pages. A dedication page appears at the end of your scrapbook pages and includes details about the dates the album was mades, who it is dedicated to and the name of the author.

  12. Transform Your Handwriting into a Computer Font
    If you want to do a lot of journaling on your pages yet keep your lines straight you can still preserve the human touch by turning your handwriting into a font using an online program such as Fontifier

  13. Add Handwriting Using Free Cursive Fonts
    Scrapbookers who want to personalize their scrapbooking layouts can use computer generated cursive fonts that mimic handwriting. You will find free cursive fonts to download at websites like scrapbookingfonts.com.




#scrapbooking #journaling #handwritten #easytoscrapbook #scrapbookjournaling


I hope you enjoyed this article on ways to add more scrapbooking journaling using your own handwriting. If you are interested in getting ideas for journaling try 85+ Journaling Prompts for Scrapbooking Memory Pages.


Related Links

Scrapbook Memory Page Title Suggestion List
Start a Scrapbook Tutorial - Beginner's Guide to Scrapbooking Your First Scrapbook Page
Scrapbooking Best Friends Layouts - Guide to Journaling Ideas, Best Friends Quotes and Page Titles