Q: I have so many loose things I want to keep in my scrapbook and am looking for an interesting way to do that. Any suggestions?A: That's exactly what scrapbooks are for: to keep special "scraps." One of my favorite ways to keep odds and ends in a scrapbook is with a pocket page. It's perfect for holding memorabilia that goes along with a particular event.
First choose the ground paper and then select a coordinating cardstock you want to use. Cut the 12"x12" scrapbook sheet in half diagonally. Align the bottom corners and glue in place (only the edges). Decorate the pocket to match your theme and fill it with the appropriate "scraps," and you have the perfect place for your special memories.
Q: I have some black-and-white photos that I want to color-tint. Can you tell me how?"
A: This is such an easy technique -- it's like coloring in a coloring book. You will need a photo-tinting pen set, and be sure to follow the instructions for your set.
1. Start by vigorously rubbing the pen tips on a discarded photo for 20 seconds to soften them and keep them from scratching your photos.
2. Mix the water and solution provided in the tinting set. Moisten a sponge with the solution and make two or three swipes from top to bottom and from side to side on the area you want to tint. The photo should be slightly tacky, but not wet.
3. Lightly touch the tip of the pen to the photo. Fill in the area using a circular motion and gradually build the color.
4. Use a cotton swab to blot excess dye from the photo.
Here's a tip: If streaking occurs, that means either that the photo is too dry and needs to be moistened again or that you are using too dark a color on a light area.
Now your photos are ready to be added to the page.
Q: I am looking for ideas on how to display my child's artwork on a scrapbook page. Can you help me?
A: Scrapbooks aren't just for displaying photos: artwork is perfect for a scrapbook. It tells a wonderful story, and children are thrilled to see their work displayed in book form.
Depending on the size of artwork, you may have to do a little trimming around the edges. Start first by selecting your ground paper. Be sure to trim it down and center it on the background paper to create a border. Adhere the artwork to the ground paper. Now embellish the page with stickers and hand-written comments. You might want to consider letting your child decorate around his or her masterpiece. Use lettering to label this page "Future Artist."
