How to Make a Baby Scrapbook Album

First, you’ll want to begin to purchasing an archival safe and acid-free album of your choice. Sizes can range anywhere from 6″x6″ to 12″x12″. If you want to make one as a gift, you might want to use a smaller size. You can include page protectors, but it’s not a necessity. The album itself can be spiral bound or postbound. Spiral bound albums are nice, because the spirals can also be embellished giving it a special touch.

Decide on a theme. You can turn it into an ABC album, my first year, either whimsical, cartoonisch or elegant, whichever you prefer.

Next you’ll want to choose your colors, blue/green/brown/yellow/orange for boys, ink/purple/yellow/orange/brown for girls and green/yellow/brown for unisex. If possible try to coordinate the colors in the photograph with your cardstock and coordinating patterned papers. Try to stick with double layouts as it is more pleasing to the eye to have coordinated layouts. I usually take the right side of a double spread for the photo(s) and the left side for journaling. You might want to stick with the same color schemes throughout, changing the style from double to double layout.

When embellishing, try to keep it simple. A simple bow, sticker, tag, buttons or flower with ribbon might do. If you’re using a small album, then you have to make use of the space you have available, so it’s best not to clutter the pages with embellishments. Different types of embellishments you can use are stickers, diecuts or cut-outs of baby carriages, baby bottles, safety pins, real saftey pins, bows, angel wings, baby buttons, letter beads, metal plaques with baby’s hands and feet or various stamp images. Just go to your local scrapbooking store and you’ll see what you might need.

For the journaling, you might want to use your printer and print on vellum. It gives the layout a very special and soft look. Adhere the vellum with brads, staples and ribbon, buttons, mini safety pins, eyelets, or with vellum adhesive. If you want a very personal touch, use your handwriting. I tend to mix the two. You can also use large tags for journaling

You’ll also want to decorate the front cover. Sometimes you can find albums with windows on the cover, which is great for placing a beautiful photo of the baby. It’s a good idea to take a piece of transparency to cover the photo for protection in case there isn’t already one included. Cover the front partially or completely with patterned paper, use a wide piece of ribbon and tie around the front cover near the spine. If you have a spiral album, tie a few ribbons into the spirals. Embellish the frame and put on the baby’s name and viola! Cover finished!

When making an album for someone else, you’ll want to make a pre-made scrapbooking album without photos. Make sure that you include photo mats to adhere the pictures onto and make titles or journaling generic. i.e. “Sweet Little Angel” can be for both a girl and a boy.

Hopefully I have provided you with lots of good information to make a great baby scrapbooking album! Have fun!

About the Author

Jacqueline M. Schimmel is a Professional Scrapbook Designer who designs custom and premade scrapbooks, cards, frames and teaches scrapbooking courses in Germany. Her portfolio consists of over 580 designed layouts and she was hired to design an album that was given to his Holiness the Pope in 2005 on his visit to Cologne, Germany. The name of her business is Memories Artwork™, http://memoriesartwork.typepad.com.

Gay Baby Gift Exchange

Miracle Blanket – Special Edition Purple with Mint Trim Swaddle Blanket $29.95 No doubt, the first several months of Baby’s arrival can be quite tough on the sturdiest of new parents. The Miracle Blanket has been proven to greatly extend sleep periods between feedings by preventing night movement and separation anxiety; thus allowing Mom and Dad more extended rest, enhanced relaxation and peace of mind. The Miracle Blanket spans over 6-feet wide and is made of the finest, so…

COACH ROXANNES5002DC $148.00 Glasses…

Madonna Diaper Bag in Leopard $129.95 0-88161-241692 Madonna diaper bag collection from Kalencom is the practical and sensible choice for all modern and fashion-conscious moms. Stylist, and functional, these diaper bags have everything every mom needs for baby while out and about in town. Features: -Madonna Diaper Bag in Leopard. -Flap top opens to roomy interior. -Multiple storage pockets. -Comfortable, shoulder length straps. -Cont…

Madonna Diaper Bag in Zebra Black and White $129.95 0-88161-241678 Madonna diaper bag collection from Kalencom is the practical and sensible choice for all modern and fashion-conscious moms. Stylist, and functional, these diaper bags have everything every mom needs for baby while out and about in town. Features: -Madonna Diaper Bag in Zebra Black and White. -Flap top opens to roomy interior. -Multiple storage pockets. -Comfortable, shoulder length…

Coach Poppy Signature Plaid Tartan Wristlet Case Bag for IPOD 43285 Black Multi $56.99 Great to hold a camera, cell phone, IPOD or any other MP3 players and can double as a makeup bag/pouch or as a cool wristlet. Every poppy wristlet is unique wristlet received may not has the exact same pattern as the one shown in the webpage….

Kalencom Maxi Tote Diaper Bag – Fusion $73.95 0-88161-240350 Maxi Tote diaper bags from Kalencom are the latest must-have items for the modern moms. Available in many styles and colors, they look more like a fashion accessory than a baby accessory. These diaper bags will easily make a transition to life beyond diaper changes when baby outgrows the diapers. Features: -Maxi Tote Diaper Bag in Fusion. -Zippered top opens to roomy interior. -Mul…

Fuzzy Nation Houndstooth Dachshund Dog Handbag Special Limited Edition $26.99 Forget the catwalk, it’s the dogwalk that’s hot, as Fuzzy Nation’s range of ‘pooch handbags’ and doggie-inspired accessories are set to put the ‘Wow!’ in any girl’s wardrobe. Canine character bags have been spotted amongst the designer accessories being shown at Milan Fashion Week and Fuzzy Nation’s collection of suitably cute yet chic pooches are sure to delight many a fashionista this year. Ther…

Fuzzy Nation Bull Terrier Dog Handbag – Special Puppy Purse Edition $25.99 Forget the catwalk, it’s the dogwalk that’s hot, as Fuzzy Nation’s range of ‘pooch handbags’ and doggie-inspired accessories are set to put the ‘Wow!’ in any girl’s wardrobe. Canine character bags have been spotted amongst the designer accessories being shown at Milan Fashion Week and Fuzzy Nation’s collection of suitably cute yet chic pooches are sure to delight many a fashionista this year. Ther…

Coach Limited Edition Parker Nylon Laughing Girl Bucket Bag Purse Tote 13405 $275.00 Coach unique bag is made of nylon with colors of red, pink orange, white and has imprint of girl having fun. ~Guaranteed Authentic or Money Back ~…

NEW AUTHENTIC COACH WAVERLY CC CHECKBOOK WALLET (Ivory/Silver) $185.00 Keep your checkbook, cards and cash in one place with this New Coach Waverly Op Art Signature wallet with classy matching leather trim. Coach Retail $198 + tax. ~Guaranteed Authentic Coach~…