Through the years, more and more styles and themes have emerged when it comes to scrapbooking. Since the craft doesn’t require formality, anything goes as long as the person enjoys the outcome of the product.

One of the most common themes when it comes to scrapbooking is magazine scrapbooking. This theme mimics the layout usually seen in different kinds of magazine in the market. Magazine scrapbooking involves the use of photos along with texts and embellishments scattered all throughout the scrapbook pages. Aside from the photos, texts, and chosen embellishments, magazine scrapbooking also includes the use of patterned pages with matching theme and colors.

Before you start making your magazine scrapbook, you have to consider first what are the materials you will need. Here is a basic list of must have’s in order to be a scrapbooker.

1. Album. The first thing you need to consider is the place where you will place all your photos and embellishments - the album. You will need to decide what is the size of the album you want to work in order to determine the amount of materials you need to use in making the scrapbook. The usual size of scrapbook albums most scrapbookers use is 12 x 12 but it is up to you how big or small you would want your scrapbook to be. Aside from the size of the album, you will also need to consider the color you want to use and the pattern that will work for the theme of your chosen album.

2. Refill pages. Since you still don’t know how many pages you need for your album, it will really pay if you have refill pages of your chosen album. In the market, refill pages are usually sold in different sizes, so it is best if you pick up a couple of packs when buying album refills to ensure that you get the same quality of the of the album you already purchased.

3. A pair of sharp scissors. Scrapbooking requires a lot of cutting so it is best that you purchase a nice and high quality of sharp scissors. It is advisable if you use a pair of scissors that have very fine tips and is comfortable to hold or to use. Fine scissors might be a little more expensive compared to the ordinary pairs out there but this will ensure that you can use a pair scissors that are dedicated exclusively to your scrapbook.

4. Adhesives. In the market today, there are so many kinds and styles of adhesive that come in different sizes and styles. For beginners, it is best if you use an acid-free adhesive that is perfect for cardstock and photos. You might want to consider brands such as 3L Click 'n' Stick Mounting Squares, Herma Dotto Removable, and Herma Vario Wheel Dispenser.

5. A variety of cardstock, printed and specialty papers. Just like in choosing your scrapbook album, you need to select papers that will work well with the colors and the theme you have chosen. It will also pay if you choose colored papers, cardstock and accents to highlight your photos. (Tip: Try to buy papers and cardstocks at several local scrapbook stores because they sell individual sheets for each page.)

6. Several journal pens. It is best to use acid-free, permanent, pens that have fine tips for hand writing especially if you are doing magazine scrapbooking because you will need it for your journaling. You can buy pens that have different sizes.
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It seems like Christmas comes earlier and earlier. At least it sure looks that way in the department stores. Have you started your Christmas shopping? Consider making scrapbooks as Christmas gifts. If you get started now, you're sure to have some unique, personalized gifts for everyone on your Christmas shopping list. Here are a few ideas for Christmas gift scrapbooks.

1. Recipe albums are a new trend in scrapbooking. Make an album of family favorite recipes for anyone on your Christmas gift list. You could even limit the recipes to holiday favorites or just desserts.

2. ABC scrapbooks are easy to make for young children. Each page of the album is used for one or more letters of the alphabet, depending on how many pages you want to scrapbook. You can make the album even more personalized by using photos that are meaningful to that child for each letter. For example, A is for Aunt Jenny, B is for Bobby, C is for cat with a picture of the child's cat.

3. Teachers always appreciate homemade gifts from their students. Have your child make an album for her teacher. You could also coordinate a group gift by sending each child in the class a page to make for the scrapbook.

4. Finding gifts for teens and pre-teens can be challenging. Consider making a "Friends" scrapbook with pre-made pages for photos, addresses, phone numbers and email addresses for each of their friends.

5. Photos are a welcome gift for grandparents. Any scrapbook made for grandmas and grandpas is sure to be appreciated. Try to get everyone in your family involved. Your children and spouse can make pages to contribute to the book as well. Don't forget you can duplicate pages to make multiple scrapbooks for different grandparents.

6. Pre-made scrapbooks save time for people with busy schedules. A wedding album already designed with places left open for photos makes a lovely gift for a bride-to-be. Also, consider making a baby book for a mother-to-be.

7. Completely pressed for time? Check out the digital photo books available online. Many online photo websites offer bound hardcover photo books that you design online with your digital photos. These can be very cost effective, and you can order multiple copies for several people on your gift list.

Start working on your Christmas gift list now. Scrapbook albums make wonderful gifts for nearly any time of the year, but especially at Christmas. This holiday season, be creative and design a personalized, homemade scrapbook album for someone on your list.
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Sports themes are a great idea for scrapbooks and soccer is no exception. If you play soccer or have a child who plays soccer, then this is a great opportunity to do something special to keep those memories preserved for a long time to come. A sports-themed layout is a great way to take your soccer photos and turn them into something special.

No matter what layout or theme you choose for your scrapbook, it will be extra special when you make it yourself. This can be great fun to do and especially fun to do together with your child. A child of any age who plays soccer can enjoy making a scrapbook with you to preserve their memories.

Your soccer theme might revolve around the player themselves with some snapshots of the team and other players thrown in. If you have a player who has been playing for a number of years, your theme could show them over several seasons of soccer play.

Another option for your soccer scrapbook theme is to represent the whole team and decorate the scrapbook in team colors and logo. You might go for a general soccer theme where you include all of your favorite photos and a real smorgasbord of soccer designs and themes.

You might choose to give each page a title and them work the theme on an individual page basis around this title. For example, it might show player MVP, rising star, championship game or other special events. You can frame photos with soccer themed words such as MVP, goal, get in the game and more.

Depending on the size of your scrapbook, each page might have 2-5 photos or more on it. You can use posed shots and candid shots as well as sports cards and other memorabilia. You might include the child’s favorite professional player in the scrapbook as well.

You can get members of the team to sign the scrapbook or write special notes to be placed inside the book. Whenever your child looks back on this later in life, they will remember each friend and teammate they had as well as fun activities that took place during the season and their favorite games.

You can use colors, stickers, words and phrases and sayings to add to and accentuate your memories but remember that they should not overshadow or upstage your actual photos, which are the meat of the memories you will find in your scrapbook.