Chipboard Word Albums

If you're ready to break away from the tedium of creating standard size scrapbook layouts, chipboard word albums let you take your creativity to the next level.

BABY chipboard scrapbook

A chipboard word scrapbook is an album in which every page is shaped like a different letter. When the book is closed, the word is visible.

As you might expect, chipboard albums are usually used as mini books to document a specific occasion or to create a themed scrapbook. Common word choices for this type of album include:

• LOVE: Scrapbook photos from a wedding or make a book with things you love the most about your significant other.
• JOY: Make a scrapbook with a Christmas theme that your family can enjoy year after year.
• FAMILY: Preserve favorite family photos or make a book showcasing the resemblances between relatives.
• PEACE: Combine your favorite inspirational quotes with special photos that don't quite fit into your other scrapbooking projects.
• LAUGH: Document all the funny things your children say on a regular basis.
• BABY: A chipboard scrapbook is a great place to showcase favorite photos of your newborn.
• CREATE: Many scrapbookers neglect to include themselves in their albums, so use this chipboard book to document your creative pursuits and to show how your love of scrapbooking has affected your life.

Chipboard word albums are popular among avid scrapbookers because the finished album can double as a creative home décor piece. Simply set it up on your mantle and invite guests to flip through the pages as desired. If you enjoy making handmade gifts, you may even want to start creating chipboard scrapbooks for your family and friends as well.

If you're having trouble finding chipboard word scrapbooks at your local craft store, consider making a purchase from one of the following online retailers:

• Amazon.com
• Accent Scrapbooking
• One Crafty Mama
• The Artist's Depot
• Frantic Stamper

If you have access to a Cricut and a Bind-it-All, you can try making your own shaped chipboard scrapbooks by following the tutorial posted on the Hallmark Ladybugs Web site.

Are you ready to start making your first chipboard scrapbook? Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind as you're working on this project:

• Don't overload your design with photos. The smaller format of chipboard scrapbooks means you can't use as many pictures per page as you're accustomed to having in your regular family scrapbook albums. Choose only your best images and save the rest for another project.
• Choose strong adhesives. Decoupage medium works well for making chipboard word albums, but it can buckle your patterned paper if you're not careful. Other good adhesives for this type of scrapbooking include double-sided tape and glue dots. Spray adhesive may also be useful.
• Invest in a craft knife with a fresh blade before you start your project. This will make it much easier to trim paper from the corners of your shaped chipboard pages. If you're having trouble trimming, however, you can also try sanding the edges lightly with fine grit sandpaper and adding a bit of brown ink for a "distressed" scrapbook look.
• Keep your embellishments fairly flat. Thick metal charms, buttons, and acrylic accents can make it hard to keep your album closed. This doesn't mean you must eliminate these items entirely, but you should be carefully in deciding how many you will use per page.
• If you're a frugal scrapbooker, keep in mind that chipboard can be painted or inked. This can be an excellent way to make a custom background for your layouts if you can't seem to find patterned paper that is suitable for your project.

For more tips on creating chipboard scrapbooks, check out the LoveToKnow Scrapbooking article How to Make a Chipboard Scrapbook.

• Simple 8x8 Layouts for Scrapbooks
• Scrapbook Page Layout Designs
• Free Scrapbook Layout Ideas

• Download Free Cursive Handwriting Fonts
• Discount Cricut Machines
• Free Scrapbook Templates
• Free Scrapbook Clip Art
• Wedding Scrapbook Ideas