Five Scrapbooking Rules to Ignore

Is trying to follow the "rules" or scrapbooking making you bored with your favorite hobby? Forget them! Here are five scrapbooking rules that you can ignore. Ignoring these rules will help you love scrapbooking again and might even provide you will a little inspiration.

Scrapbooking Rule #1: My pictures need to be perfect. Let go of perfection, not only on your scrapbooking layouts, but in your photos themselves. Maybe you have an adorable shot of your new puppy, but it's a little blurry. Or perhaps every picture you take of your kids has a pout or bunny ears in it. Embrace the imperfect and use those pictures anyway. When looking back at layouts of the "bad" pictures of your kids, you'll realize those can be the most realistic.

Scrapbooking Rule #2: I need to catch up - or stay caught up. The pressure to document every event in your life, to scrapbook every photo you take can be immense. Forget about being "caught up" and scrapbook the pictures you want. Digital cameras can help you overcome this. Store all your pictures digitally and only print the ones you want. Or focus on a theme album such as a special trip or event.

Scrapbooking Rule #3: Everything must coordinate. Matching is out. Don't be afraid to mix and match from different manufacturers or product lines, different patterns, or different techniques. Mix black and white photos with color; mix fun and funky embellishments with neutral backgrounds. Create something new and beautiful by meshing items that were never meant to be together.

Scrapbooking Rule #4: My pages must be rectangular. Square and rectangular pages are no longer necessary. Cardstock is available in different shapes, including circles and hearts. You can also buy cardstock with shaped edges, such as scalloped, pinked, or eyelet. Even if you are using a square background, don't be afraid to make elements of your layout extend beyond the page. Or, mat a circular background onto a square and extend your embellishments off the circular background.

Scrapbooking Rule #5: Don't write on your pictures. In this digital age it is okay to write on your pictures. You have negatives and/or digital backups of your photos, so don't be afraid to ruin them. Using a white paint pen on a black and white photo looks great. Or try using rub-ons or alphabet stickers directly on your pictures. Another way to accomplish this great look without actually writing or sticking anything on your photo is to use a transparency or overlay.