When I first started the more modern style of scrapbooking, I was completely lost. I felt like I looked at everyone else’s scrapbook pages and mine turned out nothing like them. I look back at some of my earliest pages and shutter. My scrapbooking has come a long way.
Lots of times, beginners in scrapbooking will think that their layout has to look perfect. So, the questions are often asked, “What if I hate my layout? Should I start over? Tear it up?” The answer is NO!!!
Scrapbooking is a learning process. Sure, you may look at someone else’s page, try to copy it, and the papers just look all wrong. Or maybe their photos are better, or maybe they just have more access to supplies than you do. You have to appreciate the fact that you are learning, and your style will evolve over time. You can’t expect to be an expert scrapper overnight! Like anything in life, it takes practice, practice, practice!
If you just insist on changing something…don’t rip it all apart. That is pointless, time consuming, and let’s face it, wasteful! Instead, sit there and really study your layout. What is it that you don’t like. If a ribbon looks out of place, take it off. Or, if your papers don’t seem to match, try replacing just one of them. But, if you are looking at it and just don’t like it because it doesn’t seem as fabulous as others you’ve seen, you have to stop that negative thinking. You will get there!
When I look back at those layouts now in the beginning of my albums, I can’t help but also feel (aside from the shuttering) a sense of pride in how far I’ve come!! The first few pages I did were a lot like my previous albums. Simply matting pictures, laying them on a page, and maybe adding a sticker or two. But, the most important thing in any layout are the photos. And, when I look at those early layouts with my beautiful baby girl in them, I still love them. Because they are showcasing her! And, she is still beautiful, even if my scrapbooking wasn’t.
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