Scrapbook

A friend asked me where she could start in making a scrapbook, and here is how I replied;

I would just buy a big blank one from WH Smiths, or maybe even make one myself from odd newspaper sheets. Then start sticking, arranging, writing, adding extra bits like sweet wrappers, beer labels, whatever's relevant, or not relevant and just seems to fit. Don't aim for it to be perfect, as it will just develop. I pick up sequins from toilet floors, bits of ribbon from the straps on clothes shoulders to stop them falling off hangers, write in crayon, pencil, ink.... not just in a biro. Cut our pictures or letters from magazines and add them. Relax, have fun. ..... Print stuff off the Internet in black and white, then colour in over the top, even changing the colours, Make photo fits by cutting up famous peoples faces, or even photos of your friends. If there's a photo of you, but the background is boring, cut yourself out, and stick yourself onto a different background from a magazine, or whatever else you think would work. Glue in envelopes, and put items inside, so that not everything on the page can be seen immediately. Look up on the Internet how to make pop up things, and add some of the to make the scrapbook 3D.... Add glitter, sand, hand prints of your friends, or draw round their hands at college then cut them out. Draw onto tracing paper and stick that over the top of pictures or letters.....
You don't have to spend a penny. If you use an old newspaper as the book, maybe sewn down the spine with thread to keep it together. You could add a stiff cover later, made from cereal box cardboard, or cut it square so that it fits inside a pizza box. Get the idea? Print out song lyrics you like... Poems, quotes from books, images of people you admire. Random words or thoughts. Keep it loose......... Whatever works for you. Aim not to spend a penny on it, and by limiting yourself to free, found or donated stuff, you'll use your imagination & find you're more creative.