Hey all,

When I first started scrapbooking, I didn't wonder if there were any rules. I simply tried several things I liked. Along the line I started using "real" scrapbook supplies and still I didn't wonder about any rules. I did what I liked, I used what I liked and I was happy with the results.

When I started giving workshops, people asked me what the "scrapbook rules" are. Well, as far as I'm concerned, there aren't any real scrapbook rules. If I really have to give some, I usually give the rules as I've stated them hereunder.

There are no rules
The first rule is that are no rules. Do whatever you like. You have to like the result. Others don't. It's your project, it's your hobby and, as with all hobbies, you play it by your rules.

Have Fun!
Scrapbooking is all about having fun! Remember, it's not something you're obligated to do. You have to have fun while doing it. After all, it's hobby, not your job (at least in most cases!).

Make your own rules
If you do want some basics to work with, start with trying out a few things. You'll notice soon enough if it's something that fits you or not. The things that don't match your needs or your taste, you won't use them anymore. Make that one of your rules.

I've made a few rules of my own, just for me. Maybe you can use them too. See what you think of it!

Main focus point in your layout
You may make a few photos or a lot, like I do (about 300 - 500 for one holiday?). It doesn't really matter how many photos you've made. The point is you want to include them in your album (scrapbook). And of course you want to include nice background papers, embellishments, journaling and more. What I try to do is make sure that the photos are still the main focus of the layout. All the embellishments and background papers are nice, but shouldn't be the first thing to draw attention. I see background papers and embellishments as a supporting element in my scrapbook. It helps to make the photo draw even more attention, instead of less.

Safe for archiving or not?
I've seen and heard many discussions about archival safe products being used in scrapbooking. It even goes as far as scrapbookers using gloves while they're scrapbooking to make sure their photos won't be "damaged" by the oil on your hands (or something like that). Well, to be perfectly honest with you I really don't care about that. One of the beautiful things in life is the fact that you can see that a person is aging, a building has a certain age or whatever, just because no one has done a major lift or taken special measures or special care to prevent this. Also, do YOU think you're great-grandchildren will view your albums and see they're not beautiful? Will they even look into your albums? Or won't we have them anymore? That's why I don't care about products being archival safe or not. On the contrary, when they're not archival safe I may even use them on purpose because I'd like to see, in the years to come, that my scrapbooks were made a pretty amount of time ago. That's what makes it special!

Details
In my early years of making photo albums I was just shooting pictures and not really paying any attention to details in photos. Now I've learned that it can be very interesting to highlight a detail in a photo or even to take a picture of a certain detail instead of only from the whole thing. Like, i.e. photos I've taken from a crocodile in the zoo. I did not only take photos of the whole crocodile, but also from it's feet and eyes. That way you can give that little something extra!

Embellishments from your holiday
I've learned it's best to gather as much embellishments you can from your holiday. After all, you won't be back (in a long time) and all those things maybe gone by then. Just gather all the napkins, roadmaps, tickets, postcards and anything else you can get. You may have way too much of these things once you get home, but this way you can be sure you will at least have several things you can use in your scrapbook.

Diary
Since we all know memories fade with time, a diary comes in handy. For your everyday life you can keep a diary like I do, here on my journal. For holidays, however, I always buy a separate little diary, so that I can write down my notes of each day. That way I will still know everything about the holiday and it's easier to add my journaling in my scrapbook, although it's been months since that holiday. It makes such a difference!

Well, these are my rules for now. If I think of anymore, I'll let you know!

Talk to you later!