Scrapbook Embellishments

When you want to give your scrapbook pages some added oomph, head to the craft store and buy some embellishments. Embellishments can be eyelets, brads, stickers, rub-ons, and many more items. They give personality and uniqueness to your scrapbook page. There are many types of embellishments you can use on your pages.

Eyelets are small circles with a hole in the center. You need an eyelet setter to use them. You then punch a hole where you want the eyelet to be, insert the eyelet and then hammer/set the eyelet by pushing on the back metal piece. The resulting effect is a small hole with a piece of metal edged around it.

Brads are very versatile embellishments. They are small items that have to prongs on the back. You push the prongs through the paper and then flatten them to hold the brad in place. They can be used as simple decoration or can be used to affix certain items to your page.

Ribbon is often used in scrapbooking. It can be used as simple borders or can be threaded through eyelets, wrapped around binder rings, used to secure the book closed, and a myriad of other options.

Stamps come in different shapes and sizes. You can get clear stamps that aid in the precision and accuracy of placement. You can get the standard wooden block stamps. They also now have foam stamps. In conjunction with stamping is a technique called heat embossing. You will need a heat source, stamp, ink and a special embossing powder found at your local craft store. Stamp an image, apply the powder, dust off the excess and lightly heat until the powder is melted. It creates a neat effect.

Punches come in simple shapes. You can also purchase border punches. These are particularly useful when punching circles or small items that would be difficult to accurately cut with scissors.

Stickers are fun additions to any page. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and themes. You can get regular stickers or epoxy stickers. You can also purchase a Xyron Create a Sticker machine and create custom made stickers.

Other options for embellishments would be buttons, felt shapes, rub-ons, silk flowers, chipboard letters and shapes, tags, journaling blocks, paper piercing, sewing, and rhinestones.

Scrapbooking would be a boring hobby if not for embellishments. It is what brings your pages to life and gives each page its own personality.