I Do Not Scrapbook

I do not scrapbook. But I think it's great that other people do. Other people with more time. Other people who have big events to commemorate. My memories will just have to stay in my head instead of in a book on my coffee table. At the moment, I don'e even have a coffee table.

Anyway, since there is a scrapbook convention in the Dallas area next week and both Stamp Asylum and Googly Eyes are there showing my new stamps, I thought I'd make some samples. I hear over and over that scrapbookers aren't rubber stampers. That may be because most scrapbook stores usually only carry those crappy clear cling stamps. Nothing beats a good wood-mounted red rubber stamp!

Instead of buying the same printed scrapbook paper that everyone else has, you can make your own with rubber stamps! Here I used several, all stamped in Memento Rich Cocoa. Since you're going to put a lot of crap - I mean SCRAP on top, the background is just the background. You don't have to obsess over it.

And here's the perfect page to display the pics from your bluebonnet road trip. I've seen printed bluebonnet scrapbook paper but it looks cheap and tacky. And if you are a company that produces cheap, tacky bluebonnet scrapbook paper, it's just my opinion, ok?

But it's also true.

I've seen a few decent western style papers but they are few and far between. Maybe because there aren't any of the major scrapbook companies in Texas. Let's face it... if you don't want your picante sauce to come from New Jersey, why would you want your Texas-themed scrapbook paper to come from California or Utah? So why not make it yourself and get what you want? More background stamping this time with Memento Rich Cocoa, Rhubarb Stalk and Potter's Clay.

Mainly it's about making your scrapbook original. You can find the typical selection at the dreaded Michael's/Hobby Lobby but think how fun it will be to make your scrapbooking friends wonder where you got your amazing paper!

On this one I masked off the different areas to get some wide stripes and dragged some ink across - Memento Paris Dusk and Rhubarb Stalk.

So be sure and check out both booths at the Arlington convention! And while you're in the area, visit their stores as well!

Next post - no Texas!

Comments

[Margaret Stiles]

What great pages! You are so talented and I love your blog, not only the instructions but also your comments. How refreshing!

[Betty Townsend]

Awesome layouts!! Enjoy your blog a lot!!

[Joan]

I don't scrapbook but those backgrounds would work for cards, too. Off to my work table! Thanks, Mark.
Waddaya mean next post - no Texas??? Huh?

[Cecilia]

Be cafeful, Mark. You may find yourself in the scrapbook paper design business.

[Julia]

Mark, I could not agree with you more about the scrapbook papers! I do make scrapbooks, but have always used my stamps and embelishments to decorate the pages. The scrapbooks come with plain white fillers inside each sleeve, and I use those to decorate and then add the photos etc. Supposedly, a scrapbook or photo album is for the purpose of showing off your photos and the artwork should not overshadow those. In my opinion! So I LOVE what you have done here!
Have fun at the convention--glad it is you going and not me. I hate crowds and confusion all around me. LOL!

[Jennifer Moore]

Pretty awesome for a non-scrapbooker.