9
RULE

Always use a self-portrait to feature yourself on a page

You can admit it, as soon as you read self-portrait you were ready to move past this one. Let me guess: You hate to have your picture taken. Or perhaps you’re always the one behind the camera. Either way, when looking through photos, you are never pictured. No more excuses! Now is the time to find clever ways to include yourself in your albums. After all, most of your scrapbook pages will be written from your perspective and readers will want to know the person behind it all.

One way to include yourself in your albums is to create a page about your favorites, like your favorite foods or music or a favorite physical feature or personality trait. On this page, I documented my favorite physical feature by photographing just the feature and journaling a bit about it. If you’re not sure what you should include, ask a friend or family member.

Supplies: Cardstock; clear letters (Maya Road); date sticker (7gypsies); butterfly (Dollarstore); label sticker (Martha Stewart); library card (Papier Valise); rub-ons (7gypsies, Hambly); sticker trim (My Mind’s Eye); Misc: adhesive, pen

YOUR CHALLENGE

Create a page about your favorite physical feature or personality trait, looking for interesting ways to photograph it.

Artwork by Erin Derkatz

Another way to include yourself on a page is to gather photos that carry a particular theme from different periods in your life, as Erin has done. For your own page, gather photos of places you visit in your hometown or photos from a favorite view during different seasons. Provide a brief explanation of how they represent you and you have a great page—no self-portrait required.

Supplies: Cardstock; patterned paper (Melissa Frances); stamps (7gypsies, Fancy Pants, Making Memories, Stampabilities); rub-on (Making Memories); tab (Cosmo Cricket); Misc: adhesive, ink, pen

YOUR CHALLENGE

Gather photos taken at different times under a unified theme and create a page telling how they relate to you.

Habits make for great page topics by offering a quick look into your life without exposing you too much. Use photos with you in them, as I’ve done here, or find ways to photograph your habit without being in the photo. Stumped for ideas? People close to you will easily be able to list habits that are distinctly you (loveable or annoying!).

Supplies: Patterned paper, transparency frame (My Mind’s Eye); letter stickers (American Crafts); ribbon (Fancy Pants); stamp (Gel-a-tins); Misc: adhesive, felt, paint, pen, staples

YOUR CHALLENGE

Make a page about a personal habit without using a traditional self-portrait.

Artwork by Michelle Guray

This layout is a clever example of a way to include yourself on a scrapbook page. Michelle has created a photo collage of meaningful items that surround her every day. When creating a page that records who you are, you can include objects that surround you, items you are thinking about or even the scene outside your window. Record what the images mean to you or how they connect to you.

Supplies: Cardstock; stickers (7gypsies, ARTchix); photo corners (American Crafts); quote by Jackie Eckles (Designer Digitals); Misc: adhesive, pen

YOUR CHALLENGE

Create a page that represents your life using photos of things that surround you.

This page captures a small detail about me that is unknown to most people. Even though my face is not seen, it’s clear this page is about me, and it offers a glimpse into my life that otherwise would not be revealed. These types of pages are great for avoiding the dreaded self-portrait while speaking very clearly about yourself.

Supplies: Cardstock; patterned paper, rub-ons, transparency (Hambly); crochet flower (artist’s own design); chipboard shape (Everlasting Keepsakes); paper trim (Doodlebug); stamp (Zingboom); Misc: adhesive, envelope, felt, floss, paint, pen, staples

YOUR CHALLENGE

Create a page about something that most people don’t know about you.

Make Fast Freehand Felt Letters

You will need: Felt, scissors

1 Cut rectangles from felt in the approximate size of the letters you want to make.

2 Cut a letter from each rectangle freehand. Start by cutting the straight parts of the letter. Cut any round parts next.

3 To cut the inner circle of a letter, make a small cut with the scissors. Then slowly cut a small circle, gradually making it bigger until you have the size you want.