However, as great as all that diversity is sometimes it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you're new to the craft. I started scrapbooking a little over 2 1/2 years ago. When I started I had never even heard of mini interactive albums - I'd only ever seen 12x12 scrapbook pages. And style I had no style! I thought as long as I can match some paper I could scrapbook. But I learned there is so much more you can do with scrapbooking!! I must say it's pretty amusing to look back at my oldest scrapbook pages and it's awesome to see how my own style developed as time progressed.
I wanted to give you a look at a few different styles seen in the scrapbook world and perhaps a few of these will catch your eye and you'll learn ultimately what your style might look like or something new you might like to try:)
This first style I'm calling "paper appreciation"
Shabby Chic
I personally LOVE this style. As I'm sure you can tell there are lots of flowers, layering, and "girly" pinks, purples, and creams. It sort of has a vintage feel with brighter colors. These are probably not the type of layouts you would make to start for scrapbook hobby because it has the potential to be quite complicated but in time scrapbooker learn these types of techniques. Also wouldn't these make some gorgeous wall pictures?! Just throwing that out there lol!
Inker's Delight
Stamping, ink, and scrapbooking really go hand in hand. You can make some really amazing layouts with awesome effects simply by spraying or stamping on a little ink:) And the ink may come in many forms. If you've never experimented with inking techniques I highly recommend going to your local craft store (or good ol' amazon) and picking up some Ranger Tim Holtz gear. You can start off simply with some Tim Holtz distress ink and a blending tool. There are tons of youtube videos that can show you just how many techniques you can do with the ink and paper alone. Put in some stamping and water techniques and you've got a really unique and gorgeous skill you can use in your scrapbook. I honestly don't know what I would do without my distress ink. I use that stuff on everything lol!
Vintage!
The vintage style is super popular in scrapbooking at the moment. In fact some of the coolest brands out there are really trending in this way. Think of all the amazing Tim Holtz gear - vintage delight!! Vintage albums require lots of inking, layering, and all sorts of trinkets. They are so fun to create but they can take some time:)
New School
After the start of project life this style - which I'm calling new school since I have no idea what the "technical" term is - really started to hit it big. There are tons of fun, fresh embellishments in this style! The brand Me and my big ideas has come out with a lot of cool kits in this style as well as Maggie C. Holmes. I only recently decided to try a quick mini album in this new school style and I have to say I LOVED the colors and the mini came out so awesome. I'll definitely be trying another one soon!:)
Rustic
The Rustic style infuses lots of texture like the use of burlap and canvas with rich, earth toned cardstock and patterned paper. The embellishments used on albums with this style tend to be feathers, pearls, and rush colored findings. Paper is often torn to create some dimension and another layered effect.
Steampunk
As you can see to create steampunk albums like this takes some serious skills!!:) This style intertwines old 19th century gears and industrial elements with vintage european style. I've honestly never attempted a steampunk style album but I have a steampunk paper stack calling my name:)
Whatever your style is my suggestion, especially when you begin, is to just try out as many as you can. You might find a mixture of a couple of these is your perfect niche or maybe you'll create a new one altogether! There's is no right or wrong as long as you're getting your tools out and actually creating:) Have fun guys!!
