Gail Arts: A Cheapskate's Guide to Scrapbook Making

Are you ready for another fun-filled art project? Well, if you ask me, I have always been excited whenever I get commissioned or even have the luxury of time.

I now consider art making as a form of luxury since like I mentioned on my previous blogs, I had been busy since the start of the semester. I also consider watching korean dramas and korean pop videos as luxury.

Anyhow, I am sure you have an idea as to what I am about to share to you. I will be sharing some scrapbook making ideas and I really hope you would enjoy it as much as how enthusiastic I am in sharing it to you. And oh! I also want to point out that this is a cheapskate's (basically me except when it comes to food though) guide to scrapbooking making.

Please consider the fact though that I only made these templates and not the entire full-blown scrapbook.

After months of being idle in using scissors and glue, I got so hyped into making this art project. This would have not been turned into reality, thanks @kennethjames for counting on me in making this project for one of his requirements at school -- particularly Family Medicine. I was not actually paid for this. I just thought of helping him out then since he is really as a bee because of his on-going clerkship. You could imagine how I miss him terribly because we seldom talk. Having no time for each other made me feel the distance trying to tear our relationship apart.

Oh well! That is too much of Kenneth already, let us get started! And by getting started, I mean it should be with a bang!

As you have read on the illustration, I will be sharing to you some points that might be useful for you or your little ones. This might also be helpful for moms who want to help their kids in making scrapbook projects for school.

The usual materials that I use are cartolina papers or velum board, construction papers, colored pages from old magazines, a pair of scissors, and a bottle of glue. As much as possible, I wanted to use resources that I could easily find in our house. But if you want to use other materials, feel free to do so. I am sure you have lots of art shops around. You can also use old pins, unused clothes, or stuff at home that you consider scrap already. Just make sure the items used are clean and does not harm any child or adult. Better avoid used pointed materials!

Pro-tip: If you wish to come up with uniformed scrapbook, like you really have an unified theme, it would really be great if you plan it out first.

On the other hand, since I perceived making scrapbook as a form of meditation, I wanted to be spontaneous. My theme is "whatever fits on every page should be included". Scrapbook for me should be something that would surprise me while making it.

Want to be organized?

Since I really find it more appealing to cut letters instead of writing of writing it using pens or markers, I came up with this idea when I was in second grade of making small envelopes so that I could put letters on it.

I made 26 small envelopes for every letter in the English Alphabet. I also put a label in regard to what letter it has inside. You can also do this too! I really inteded to make all of these so that it would be easier for Kenneth to look for specific letters.

Play time with scissors!

As you can observe on the photos above, I opted to use cutouts from different magazines. I suggest that you find pages which have images with matte finish. It would certainly look better when you use paper with matte finish especially when you try to take photos of your final product.

WARNING: If you are working with your child, please make sure that the child knows how to use the scissors. If not, then better do the cutting yourself.

---

Every Page Has a Story

Now always remember that the main purpose of having art pieces or art works is to make a statement or share a story to others. On your part as a scrapbook maker, it is your job to ensure that a message has been delivered. You can actually include short messages that you want to share to your audiences.

Jusy check the following templates and reflect the messages I was trying to share, also come up with templates on your mind. I am pretty those are wonderful pages that are worth viewing!

Tip: If you do not have borders, you can actually cut thin lines. The cutouts can then be served as borders. And you can also the borders on different magazines that you would be doing. I know in the Philippines, Candy Magazines have cute and colorful borders and even illustrations!

By the way before I forget, always remember that you are also a work of art. You may not be able to perfect a scrapbook since perfection is something hard to achieve for a fallible being, but I know you are able to come up with the best that you can give.

Just like other art projects, scrapbook making requires not just careful planning and execution, but also the perseverance and will to learn more about the techniques.

Anyway, thank you so much for reading! I hope I did not fail you.

^{@gailbelga or Johanna Gail is a free-spirited freelance artist. She took up Bachelor of Arts in International Studies in one of the Ateneo universities in the Philippines. She is currently a candidate for Masters in Public Administrations. She is also taking up Certificate on Teaching. She volunteers in various non-profit/nongovernmental organization which aims for human rights through political education. She draws and writes about the country to provide awareness and promote the Philippines to foreign tourists.}