What’s the difference between a flat scrapbook and a layered scrapbook?

 

Scrapbooking is totally fun. You print some photos, place them into a photo album, then add your scrapbooking supplies to decorate around the photos.

There are two formatting options to consider when scrapbooking:

• A flat scrapbook; or
• A more of a layered scrapbook.

What does this mean, I hear you say. Let’s take a look at a flat scrapbook

This is my choice when scrapbooking a photo album. A flat scrapbook, is where you keep all your scrapbooking of each page, relatively flat. So you may do some sort of layers, where some washi tape outlines over the scrapbook paper and some stickers lay on top. This is still relatively flat. Because what you will notice is, when you add your photos and your scrapbooking images, your photo album doubles in size. This is fine, if you are using a good photo album/note book/scrapbook.

You can still do a lot of scrapbooking keeping it fairly flat inside each page. You can use felt pen to create titles or captions against the photos. You can use cut-out letters to create titles. It just means limiting, ribbons, cute little accessories like little beanies or pop-out flowers. Extra decorations that aren’t flat, aren’t really ideal for a flat scrapbook album. Although, I understand it is completely cute.

A layered scrapbook becomes super bulky

The problem being with a layered scrapbook and I have tried this before. The album becomes super bulky, especially if doing more than 20 pages. If doing more than 20 pages, I highly recommend keeping to a flat scrapbook.

Your pages may rip out down the track, if you open the layered scrapbook up a few times, which is not ideal.

Create a junk journal instead of a scrapbook

If you really want to create a layered scrapbook, may be look at creating a junk journal instead, with no photos, or 1 or 2 photos. Again, no more than 20 pages. I would even say, 5-10 pages to see how you go.

A junk journal is where you create something just for the fun of it. You can either use it to add writing later on like a journal, or you can just have it for a book of decorations. It is fun to make! But its not really a scrapbook, because a scrapbook’s main focus is your photos and the story it shares.  

I will write more on junk journals soon, so be sure to keep coming back to my blog to read about it.

A flat scrapbook still has layers

Again for a flat scrapbook, you can still have layers, but these layers tend to be flat. Like multiple stickers crossing over each other. It will still be relatively flat. So you still get the benefits of being creative with scrapbooking. You are just removing the bulky decorations from your scrapbook.

A scrapbook is heavy to hold once completed

Also the heaviness of a scrapbook is pretty heavy for a flat scrapbook that is 250 pages. I you add bulky decorations, it does add extra weight over the scrapbook. The bulky decorations are also harder to stick down. It is rare, you can use a glue stick to just stick down the decorations. You might need tape, which is fine, you could use some washi tape. Or you might need a glue gun. This is fine also, if your scrapbook album is thick paper/card board. If it is thin paper, you might find the paper will rip. Also, there is a high change the bulky decorations will pop off as time goes on, which doesn’t make it look as good as it used to. You will either fix it, if you still have the materials to do so, or you will rip it out and maybe replace it with something else, like a sticker, to hide the ripped paper.  

So let’s do a quick recap. If you are wanting to create a layered scrapbook:

• Use a smaller scrapbook. No more than 20 pages.
• Use materials that can hold down the layers and bulky decorations, such as tape or a glue gun.
• Have less photos inside or create a junk journal with no photos.

I hope the above post, helps you work out which way you want to go when creating your scrapbook. Most of all, have fun!

#scrapbooking #scrapbookingtechniques #meltoye 

Also if you are a beginner in crocheting, you may appreciate reading my ‘The journey of crocheting for beginners’ ebook by Melanie Toye. You can purchase here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1808619

Check out my Etsy store for heaps of digital products
To see all of my ebooks available for purchase
Follow me on Pinterest at: @melanietoye

Follow me on LinkedIn

Join my hobbies Facebook group 

If you liked reading this post, please share it and buy me a coffee.