Have you ever wanted to get started scrapbooking, but didn't know where to start? Saw beautiful page layouts in magazines that you wanted to duplicate, but couldn't tell a paper trimmer from a paper cut? Felt daunted by the sheer volume of stuff out there to choose from? Or just want a refresher course on some of the basics you might've missed along the way? If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this course is for you!
This course is designed to be a beginner's, basic course - an introduction to the art of scrapbooking. It is a "survey" course, rather than an in-depth study of particular subjects. It is divided into twenty-one weekly units, with three sections per unit: Tools/Tips/Techniques, Art Theory, and Computer.
There are a great many techniques used in modern scrapbooking, and more are added all of the time. I cannot possibly cover everything that might conceivably go into a scrapbook in this course, nor would I want to - this is a beginner's course. Eventually, you will be able to take other courses at ScrapMentor on more advanced topics such as chalking, handmade books and albums, and advanced design concepts. I will not cover the myriad journaling topics (that could be a course in and of itself), though I do discuss the importance of journaling and dating your photos. I do not give hints in this course for specific themes, but instead provide more generalized advice about creating attractive layouts.
Digital scrapbooking - creating webpages entirely on computers - is an emerging trend that many people find very satisfying and rewarding. There are lots of good resources out there for this style of memory-keeping, but it is not a subject of this particular course.
The courseware that you will read here at ScrapMentor was written by the owner of Scrap-Poodle, and is the copyrighted property of Scrap-Poodle, LLC (see the bottom of this page for the full copyright). Often, you might be assigned "homework" to help you apply whatever you have learned in that section.
I can't cover everything, and sometimes others have said things better than I could. In most cases, you will find a list of supplemental material - both paper-based and Internet-based - at the end of the section that will further develop your understanding of a particular topic. You are not required to read any of it, but it will probably enhance your grasp of particular concepts. Most magazines allow you to purchase back issues, and books are often available in public libraries or at places like Amazon.com. Also, bear in mind that these lists will grow and change over time as new resources are put out, so you might check back occasionally on particular units that interest or challenge you.
Please respect the ScrapMentor copyright in using this courseware. You are welcome to print a single edition of courseware for your own personal use, but you are not permitted to copy, distribute, or reproduce - in whole or in part - any of the courseware for others, without the express written permission of the owners of Scrap-Poodle. You may not charge for ScrapMentor courseware, nor present it as your own.
** This content was previously published at www.Scrap-Poodle.com . It is presented here for the convenience of former members of that site, and scrapbookers and stampers at large. Please do not reproduce this information in any format (except for printing a copy for personal use) without permission of Dana Jones, original publisher of this information. **