You don’t have to be a Picasso !   Decorating IS made easy WITH rubber stamps, stickers and stencils

Rubber stamps, stickers, and stencils are three of the easiest ways to spice up your scrapbooking pages. Each, in its own way, adds dimension, color and texture to your project. Do not go overboard on your embellishments. Remember that the pictures are your main focus and that these are just there to enhance it.

Rubber stamps are a cheap and easy way to make your pages pop. You can use them for a variety of techniques: lettering, bordering, embossing, and masking (a layered effect which can create a mural-like scene). In the beginning, start with versatile stamps; letters, flowers, animals, etc. These rubber stamps will fit in with just about any topic. You will also need pigment ink, which is permanent and non-fading, in black and the primary colors. As your ability to stamp increases so will your ink pads and colors.

Stamping is relatively easy. First, you should press the rubber stamp into the ink pad. Then apply firm, even pressure on your project. Remember not to rock your stamp back and forth as this will create distortions. Clean your stamp after use as this will help it last longer. Remember to practice before applying to project.

Stickers, like rubber stamps, help to perk up your page. They come in many different styles and themes. Stickers can be purchased just about anywhere from your local dollar store to a high end scrapbooking store. They help to restate your theme and should be placed randomly around the page. When purchasing make sure that they are acid free and that the adhesive is safe. As well as stickers, you can use clipart, which can be downloaded from your computer, to create the same look. Whereas, your stickers are self-adhesive, you will need glue to affix the clipart.

Stencils are plastic or cardboard sheets with designs or shapes which have been cut out for tracing. These come in many different styles; journaling, puzzle, letters, themes (baby, wedding, etc.), basic shapes and decorative ruler styles for bordering. Stencils can also be used as templates for a more textured look. Trace out the shape on your picture, cut it out, then cut out the same shape in different sizes on your paper to create a layered effect.

Next:  Layouts

Layouts for scrapbooking are very important, you have to know where and how to place your material to make your page pop out.