Preserving Memories

• Paper Parade

Paper is flat, but it can still add a whole new dimension to your scrapbook pages. Here are some of the newest and most interesting scrapbooking papers available:

Memories Forever specialty 8½ × 11-inch paper packs come in three collections of colored vellum (which we used to make the stained glass wedding page at right), corrugated, pearlescent and metallic. The $5 vellum packs have 10 sheets of four colors and the other packs have six sheets of six colors for $2.50. <www.westrimcrafts.com>

NagPosh embossed velvet papers are 8½ × 11-inch sheets with perforated frames, photo corners and embellishments. Insert your photos into the openings and use the punched-out shapes with another background paper for a coordinating page. The $2 papers come in nine colors, and NagPosh also makes plain solid and patterned velvet papers, <www.nagposh.com>

Karen Foster Design has created a line of watercolor-look plaids in beautiful color combinations, some subtle and some bright, for scrapbook pages ranging from traditional to whimsical. Available in 8½ × 11-inch and 12 × 12-inch sizes. The papers retail for 35 cents per smaller sheet and 50 cents for each large sheet. <www.karenfosterdesign.com>

Paper Adventures Woodstock 8½ × 11-inch sheets are actual wood veneer that’s easy to cut and photo-safe for scrapbooking. Available in four shades from walnut to aspen, they’re great for paper piecing or country-themed pages. Glittery Diamond Dust papers add extra sparkle in 26 colors and 24 patterns. The fuzzy, napped surface of Flannel Sheets 9 × 12-inch papers, available in 12 colors, is good for making baby blankets and cuddly teddy bears. Prices range from 79 cents for the flannel sheets to $2.75 for the Woodstock line. <www.paperadventures.com>

Going by the Book

Two new scrapping guides offer a new twist on a classic craft and a creative way to keep in touch:

Quilted Scrapbooks

(Satellite Press): Quilting is an art form steeped in history, heritage and tradition. How appropriate, then, to re-create classic quilting designs in your scrapbook using paper and glue instead of cloth and thread. In Quilted Scrapbooks, the editors of Memory Makers magazine show you how to combine your photos with patterns such as Log Cabin, Ohio Star, Grandmother’s Flower Garden, Old Red Schoolhouse and Dresden Plate (shown on the cover). You’ll also learn to adapt fabric techniques such as applique and trapunto (stuffing to emphasize an area) to paper. Instructions and templates are provided, plus lettering ideas and a gallery of more than 150 quilted scrapbook pages. (800) 366-6465, <www.memorymakersmagazine.com>

How to Make Handmade Cards if You Think You Can’t

(Hot Off the Press): If you want to preserve yesterday’s memories and make today’s, you’ll enjoy using your scrapbooking supplies and How to Make Handmade Cards if You Think You Can’t to create greeting cards for friends and family. Basic technique how-tos are followed by step-by-step instructions for 114 cards that have special effects such as flaps, hinges, pockets, pop-ups, 3-D embellishments and more. All the patterns you need are provided, along with acid-free, lignin-free papers for 19 of the cards. The book is part of Hot Off The Press’ new Paper Flair line of card-making products, which includes kits, paper packs, blank cards and plastic templates. (503) 266-9102, <www.paperflair.com>

Momentous Memories

As your toil at your genealogical research, you may vow that your descendants won’t have to look so hard to find details on your life. Be proactive. By registering your life’s milestones on a timeline at Memory Mountain <www.memorymoutain.com>, you’ll establish your family place in history. For example, list your July 20, 1969, marriage date right where it belongs under “Man first walks on the moon.” You can also create an electronic scrapbook to store photos, journal entries and album with family members. Founder keith Ablow, a psychiatrist and writer, has constructed the site for maximum longevity, so your 4th great-grandchildren can whip out their pocket computers and look at your baby picture.

Scrap Speak:

“Chalking”

A technique for shading or highlighting die cuts, letters or paper piecing with acid-free decorating chalks (available in cakes rather than sticks like artist’s pastels). The designer uses a cotton swab or makeup sponge to rub chalk onto the paper, adding subtle color as shown here.

Window Dressing

This stained glass page makes a dramatic introduction to your wedding album. On the next scrapbook page is a photo of the bride and groom, visible through the window. Enlarge the pattern here to the desired size and trace it onto black paper to make a frame. Clue strips of black paper as window “leading,” then glue pieces of colored vellum behind each pane. (Be sure to arrange the design so the couple’s faces on the next page are visible through a light-colored pane.) Cut a window-sized hole in the scrapbook page and glue the window over it. Because the window will be visible from both sides, glue black strips and another frame to the back of the page, too.

From the June 2001 issue of Family Tree Magazine