Top tips from our scrapbooking expert, Rosemary Merry

Hi, I'm scrapbooking expert, Rosemary Merry. I'm going to take you through the journey of a scrapbook album and offer some useful tips on getting started...

How to begin

The beauty of most modern scrapbook albums is that you can move pages around from beginning to end and in-between. That means you have the flexibility for the contents of the album to develop, change or grow as you work on it - so you don’t necessarily need to start at the beginning and work through to the end.

I find it helpful to gather together the photos that I want to include, to organise them into chronological order and think about how they might group nicely if I want more than one on a page. I try to work on double-page spreads so that the look is more cohesive. Then, I think generally about how the album will look overall and what kind of papers will showcase the photographs most effectively. Do I want it to have an antique heritage look, a holiday feel, or a modern-day approach?

Setting a theme for your scrapbooks

The whole purpose of scrapbooking is to tell a story, so it’s important that you identify a theme before you start. Remember that a scrapbook doesn’t need to contain all 500 photos from your Florida holiday, with around 100 of them being of you sitting around the pool!

You need to choose the photos that tell the story and group them together in an interesting way - presented on decorative papers that complement them and with a title and/or some text to provide some context such as who, what, when, why, where etc.

I don’t set out to consciously make each scrapbook different. In fact I think people develop a recognisable style that runs through their scrapbooks. However, the theme and nature of the particular album I’m working on tends to define the finished look.

What’s more important is that my finished scrapbook brings to life the memories I’ve wanted to capture and that I’ve enjoyed working on it.

Essential scrapbooking materials

In my opinion, the most vital tool you’ll need is a 12” paper trimmer - it's an essential!

It's vitally important that all materials are acid and lignin free so that contamination and discoloration in your albums is kept to a minimum. All scrapbook materials on QVC are acid and lignin free so it's a great place to stock up on them! You’re also going to need a good glue (my favourite is a glue runner), a water and fade-proof pen to write on your pages with (such as a gel pen), paper or cardstock to mount your photos onto, and embellishments to suit your theme.

Top tips for making a scrapbook for a special occasion

• Consider making a smaller album like 6” or 8” square – they are quicker to put together and more portable. Or maybe make a mini-book with hidden journaling and interactive pages.
• Choose a style to make it flow and quicker to put together and largely stick to it throughout e.g. a colour scheme, same style lettering, or the same format for each double-page.
• Get other people to contribute their memories, thoughts and photos - our relationships are important
• Leave room for the special event you are making it for e.g. a special birthday, anniversary or retirement.

Why I love scrapbooking

I love the way that scrapbooking is so personal. It captures the memories and meaning of our lives in a way that few other things do. I enjoy scrapbooking my family and pets, and when I sit down to work on my albums I find that I spend as much time pondering over particular photos and reliving the memories they evoke, as I do actually constructing the pages!

Many of the tools and materials used in scrapbooking are the same as those used in card making, so it’s not a hobby that crafters need to spend a fortune on to get started.

Comments

[margaret hill]

hi rosemary,i am doing a scrapbook for my eldests sons 40th birthday,it will be my first attempt so just hopeing all the programs i have watched with yourself gives me plenty of inspiration,its just the thought of where to start and been reading your tips about it doesnt matter where you start and keep moving them about,thanks for that,hope it turns out ok,used to making cards which seem to be a lot easier.xx margaret

[Chris]

I'm just getting into scrapbooking and love to watch your demonstrations.

Please will you have any TSV scrapbook kits before Christmas? I'd like to buy a baby one for a present.

[mrs Carol Johnson]

Hi Rosemary i love scrapbooking , watch every program you present, get lots of inspiration from you and think you aught to be on qvc more regularly. would love to visit your shop but live in north east of england ,

[Sheena Ogg]

Hi Rosemary, I have recently become a grandmother to 2 little boys , one to my daughter and one to my son, I would like to do a scrapbook of their 1st year do you have a book on scrapbooking so I can get some hints and ideas,

[jenny williams]

Hi Rosemary
iam new to scrapbooing & it all down to you so thank you.
i love taking photos but up to now they just sit in the computer not any more, i have done 2 albums up till now one for my sister ruby wedding & 1 for my new grandaughter, i want to do one for my grandson but finding it very hard to find any paper & embellisment for it ether there to young or to old (he`s 7)as iam a home carer i do not get out that much you & QVC have given me hours of pleasure
MORE SCRAPBOOKING WITH ROSEMARY PLEASE QVC

[Gill Howells]

Hi Rosemary, I have several scrapbooks on the go, all with different themes. A couple of them I have bought from QVC when watching your lovely and encouraging shows. and here lies my problem, I bought a baby,s first year scrapbook kit from your show, it is 12 x 12, yellow and came in a lovely matching box. the problem is I need refill pages and I can,t find the correct ones to fit. there is no makers name anywhere, and I was wondering if you could tell me whose make will fit. Alexandra the baby concerned is now 13 months old and I still have some important photos of her first year to include in her album
Hoping you can help me
Gill

[kim berman]

We want more of rosemary on qvc she is just great. We get lots of great tips and great things to buy. i like cardmaking its fun BUT i just love scrapbooking and lov to buy all things to do with it. Rosemary we would to see you on qvc a lot more. So come on qvc the customer is allways right
micky xx

[NAYLAH]

HI ROSEMERRY
I LOVE SCRAPBOOKING AND LOVE YOUR IDEA'S TOO.
CAN WE SEE MORE OF ROSEMERRY PLEASE(TO QVC).
IF POSSIBLE ONCE A WEEK PLEASE.

[Jane]

Hi Rosemary I wondered if you could help me,I saw a portable book binder on one of your shows and thought i had kept the show on tape but i must have scrubed it and cant remember the number of the item.Would be grateful if you could remind me.Hope to see you soon i agree with most people you are a great inspiration but dont see enough of your great scrapbooking shows.Thanks jane x

[heather reynolds]

I only started scrapbooking due to seeing one episode with Rosemerry and now have made a few and love it. I started out mainly on cards but much prefer scrapbooks. Please can we have more on this and less on cards (or even equal would be good!!)Keep up the good work, love watching but ever hopeful that we can get more in the scrapbook shows.

[sue]

hi,
i was watching one of your evening shows yesterday, and you showed a mini album that you had made from sticking paper together, i was wondering whether you could tell me were i could find out how to do this?

[caroline nixon]

Hi Rosemary

On one of your shows a couple of weeks ago I bought the Woof perspex album, you suggested on that show that we could email you if any tips were needed on how to use a perspex album. Help please.

Caroline

[Toni Graham]

I received the TSV from the September craft day a few days after the event and I LOVE IT, so much so that I ordered a second one the same day - I have already spent hours making the mini scrap books. I have been searching the internet for more Cosmo Cricket supplies and came across the Christmas version of your TSV on the American QVC web site.... could we please have that over here!
More scrap book shows please - a regular slot for your marvelous Rosemary Merry would be fantastic.

[Heather Tucker]

I just love the Rosemary Merry shows on QVC and wondered when Rosemary is on again. Unfortunately I missed the last QVC craft show as I was on holiday and really need another scrapbooking show!! I only started scrapbooking after watching Rosemary so come on QVC- I need another fix!

[Vina Patel]

Hi Rosemary
Thanks for inspiring me to do a scrapbook. I did one for my niece for her wedding - her life from birth to how she met her man.I got everyone in the family do a page with their photos with her. Ok I did most. It was such a special moment when we gave it to her. she cried and says that everytime she opens it she get emotional as it brings so many happy memories. I have thought about doing mini books for all my friends when they reach that milestone birthdays. You will bring so much happiness to all. Your products are special. I have ordered TSV and I have I order a lot from QVC (fantastic products and service) but this TSV is the most eargerly waited for.

[Amanda Hubbard]

I just wanted to take this opporunity to thank Rosemary & QVC for a fabulous September craft Day. I have purchased the Cosmo Cricket TSV and can not wait for it to arrive, plus many other scrapbooking products to enhance my 'stash'. It has been excellent seeing Scrapbooking having a bigger feature on the Day rather than Card Making overtaking all the hours. Come on QVC the scrapbooking market is massive, we would love to see more shows as a regular feature.

[Heather Blaber]

I agree with the above ladies comments that there is not enough scrapbooking shows. I have made one album from one of QVC's kits of my husband's family, and that was a few years ago. I have bought lots of kits and they are stashed away in a cupboard waiting for some inspiration. I have to video most of Rosemary's shows because I'm either at work in the daytime, or busy at night. When I finally get time to watch them,stocks have run out of an item I would like to purchase. Come on QVC let's see more of Rosemary. I'll get off my soapbox now.

[Claire Hodkinson]

I bought the acrylic album, and it sat looking at me for ages before I became inspired. I finsihed my first acrylic album at the weekend - a goft for my mum's birthday, and she loved it. I used photo's of me and my sister growing up from the 60's, through our childhood years, and it was (if I say so mysef) absolutely lovely. My sister liked it so much she wants me to do one for her to share with her own children, so my Christmas present list is going to be easier this year. I plan to chart her life from babyhood right up to when her
own children were born. Once you get the hang of it, these albums are lovely. I started off by backing all my pictures, before any cropping began. That way, what you see from the back is neat and consistent. Some of those backs were used to journal and show through
the next page, and some I hid under other journalling or another photo. you have to think in '3D' in a way, and make sure you kind of work from the back side, and the back forward on each page. I love the way the album looks so clean and contemporary. More scrapbooking on QVC please....PLEASE !!

[Jenny Kingscote]

Hi Rosemary

I also bought the acrylic scrapbooks but did not find the clearscraps website very inspiring.

I have watched your explanation a couple of times but would welcome some more guidance if possible.

I have scrapbooked for many years - in fact my first scrapbook was purchased from your shop - you were the only one who went the extra mile to obtain the precise K & Company album that I wanted.

Like many of the other ladies I would love to see more dedicated scrapbooking shows on QVC - I am not a cardmaker so find it irritating that most of the craft shows are primarily aimed at that market - QVC are missing, I suspect, a large market with buying power!
I would also welcome more craft shows at the weekend as I work during the week and even if there is something I would like to buy in the Tuesday shows it is invariably sold out by the time I get to watch them.

Thank you and I hope you can help me

Jenny

[Jenny Kingscote]

Hi Rosemary

I also recently purchased the acrylic scrapbook and whilst I have logged onto the clearscraps website I did not find it very inspiring.

I have watched your demonstration a couple of times but would love a bit more information if at all possible.

Like all the other ladies above I would love less card making and a lot more scrapbooking especially at weekends when I can watch the shows live and not have to watch taped shows that sell out of the stash I like before I have chance to buy - QVC must be losing a huge buying audience by primarily only showing craft on a Tuesday afternoon!

I have been a huge fan of yours ever since I wanted a specific K & Company album many years ago and yours was the only shop who went well over the extra mile to get it for me.

Thank you and I look forward to your next show

Jenny

[jill norton]

hi rosemary,
i recently bought the acrylic album that you featured on craft day, any chance you can let me know what you have done with yours, i made the mental note to start from the back!!!

pls qvc can we pls pls pls have a regular feature with rosemary!!

[cary buckham]

HI I've just been enjoying craft day and have watched with glee the Brenda Pinnick Christmas 4 album, papers and embellishment kit again. I ordered it the first time it came to air and thoroughly enjoy it. The quality is great and value for money well what can you say??? The reason I was so pleased to see you demoing the kit again was that I saw the "flipping fantastic mini album" you created with items from the kit and loved it the first time but have been unable to find instructions for it any where so when you showed it again today I thought I know I'll try the web site and ask you if you know where I could find them please. I have to say that I am only a novice scrapper but I love to make what I call keepsake cards, having been dabbling into the realms of scrapbooking I now know they are often called mini albums and your inspiration and demos have meant that the quality of my work has improved now end! Thank you and I look forward to many more over the coming months. Happy crafting, Cary

[Jackie Rushfirth]

Hi Rosemary

Quite a while ago I watched one of your scrapbooking hours, I have been hooked ever since. I have also been trying to get some of the scrapbook album extension things. Sorry let me explain. You aired what looked like cable ties, they thread into the existing holes in the album, and clip into a holder at the back of the album. Sorry if this doesn’t make much sense but I just can not remember what they are called. I did have the QVC order number but typically I can’t find it anywhere. This item sold out in the blink of an eye and every time I checked online they were sold out. Could you help please?

Thank you in anticipation.

Jackie

[Lesley]

I am new to scrap-booking. I began with a scrapbook about my partner’s and my family and friends. I have made a few cards for family and friends but it is scrap-booking I love. I am just working on a page (single scrap page’s I have just begun doing) of my sister and myself so I can give her the page in the plastic covering to hang on her wall. It is so lovely to make beautiful art from pictures of your nearest and dearest.

I watch all the craft QVC shows to get inspiration and ideas, also to see the beautiful craft materials that the experts such as Rosemary and Dawn put together for us. The only difficulty I have is using some things such as papers as they are just too lovely to use.

[Sue]

hi,
im never make scarpboook before , i try make scrapbook for my sister baby , i got - album measures about 15cm x 15cm (6" x 6") and contains 10 clear top-loading sheet protectors, i dunno how big the paper i need to use as base page , so it can fit inside the album , use 15cm x 15cm too ? hope you can help , thanks

[Susan Greer]

I don't often have time to play around on the web site but was on tonight looking for an item that was shown on Tuesday's show with Dawn. Found the item but also found Qgossip and the feature on Rosemary - fantastic. I love crafting and have been card making for over 10 years but am absolutely hooked on scrapbooking ever since I got a digi box 3-4 years ago and saw one of Rosemary's shows. Rosemary is wonderful and brings us so much inspiration and great ideas. Just a pity my memory isn't very good - I keep forgetting what she has shown us.

Please, please, please can we have more Rosemary? As someone else has said, Dawn is on for two hours a week, so any chance we could have Rosemary on for two hours (at least!) every week? Just think of the money we'd all spend!

PS - I too am looking forward to her scrapbooking retreat in November.

[maggie]

I love all the mini books etc that Rosemary does could we please have a project corner with instructions on how to do the mini books etc that go with the kits on sale. The demos are over so quick perhaps all the featured products and ideas of how to use them could also have a corner- what about a book!

More craft days and crafts at the weekend too please!!

[Millie Moss]

Hi Rosemary
I have been card making and crafting for many years but, thanks to QVC, with Dawn and Rosemary I have been able to extend my skills.
When I first saw Rosemary,about three years ago, I was inspired to begin scrapbooking.
My many photos of the children, grandchildren, garden, allotment and pets had, like most people' been stored in boxes and traditional 'albums'.
Once I started I was HOOKED! It is so rewarding and even more so when friends and family ask for special books of their children etc.
Your friendly relaxed and enthusiastic manner make your presentations a treat to watch!
I echo the previous sentiments 'more Rosemary time' please.
Millie
PS See you in November at the Scrapping retreat.

[Theresa Perry]

Hi I have been scrapping for about a year now, having been inspired by watching Rosemary and the QVC crafting shows. I love it when Rosemary is on as she shows such exciting and innovative ways to use the papers and embellishments, in scrapbooking, card making minibooks, bragg books and a whole host of other uses, unlike some other channels who concentrate only on Card Making.

Whilst I do love Dawn Bibby, and the tips she gives us, I would love to have more Rosemary on QVC and more crafting on at weekends and evenings as I work full time.

Thank you Rosemary, Dawn and QVC for introducing me to a hobby which brings me and those I give my mini books to such pleasure.

[lilli]

I just wanted to say that I LOVE scrapbooking, even though I have very little free time. But what I LOVE about Rosemary's programmes are the times when she does little demos of how to make booklets out of one sheet of paper. They are SO clever.

Thanks Rosemary, we LOVE you.

[Christine Middleton]

Hi Rosemary and Nige

I started scrapbooking 3 years ago with a 5 x 5 album for my parents golden wedding anniversay. Since then I have graduated to 12 x 12 and mini books. I have attended 3 workshops at your shop and my favourite was with canvas art on a christmas theme and a mini book inside. You have lots of ideas that inspire me and i will be watching on Thursday 8th for many more. Keep up the good work. Christine x

[Debbie]

I totally agree with Mary! More Rosemary PLEASE! If we can have 2 hours of Dawn Bibby each week, why not 2 hours of Rosemary too!!!! She's encouraging, full of good ideas and tips, and lovely too. The scrapbook kits are wonderful and the mini book ideas are brilliant for shorter projects to finish in a weekend. More, more, more please!

[mary]

Like the previous comments, I too have come lately to scrap-booking, mainly after watching Rosemary. She explains things so well, and in a way which makes this hobby so interesting. My only gripe is that she is not on often enough, I would love to see her more often also have more scrap-booking T.S.V.s.
Mary.

[mary]

Like the previous comments, I too have come lately to scrap-booking, mainly after watching Rosemary. She explains things so well, and in a way which makes this hobby so interesting. My only gripe is that she is not on often enough, I would love to see her more often also have more scrap-booking T.S.V.s.
Mary.

[Madeleine Stockley]

Hi
I am quite new to crafting, due to finding loads of time on my hands, whilst recovering from illness. I have loved all the the paper crafting shows, and have just collected enough paper stock, glues, embellishments etc to finally begin on my projects. Whilst watching Rosemary with a Scrapbooking presentation, I suddenly realised what I was missing, I love taking photographs, and remembering the days they were taken. Until Rosemarys show I had no idea what 'scrapping' was, and have began a journey of finding the best place for my memories to be illustrated, and have now got the courage to declutter many photographs that were never intended to be my memories, goodness knows where they have come from!! I am planning to be so good at it, that I can be confident to give my daughter a mothers version of my daughters wedding day; and due to realisation of my own mortlity I will be producing one each for my children, with my memories of those days the phots depict. So please more and more inspiration from Rosemary, more really good bargains of the beautiful kits and stock made availalble with Rosemary sharing her knowledge and tips for beginners like me, with litte experience and loads of time to practice, at least til I am back at work. However, I have now set a day a week aside for my crafting, as I find it helps me rest/recouperate and refresh myself mentally, emotionally and physically. So thankyou for sharing your ideas and inspiration Rosemary; I am inspired and grateful for my newly found refuge and stimulating hobby.
Bless you
Madeleine.

[Helen Murphy]

Just wanted to say how inspiring I have found Rosemary and without her showing scrapbooking on QVC I would never have started! More please!