92 of 93 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you buy only one scrapbooking book in your lifetime, buy this book., June 23, 2006
This review is from: Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking (Leisure Arts #15941) (Creating Keepsakes) (Perfect Paperback)
This could be a very short review because I can sum it up in one sentence - if you buy only one scrapbooking book in your lifetime, buy this book.
However, I suppose I must explain myself. While many crafts books claim to be encyclopedias, few are comprehensive enough to deserve the title. With more than 300 pages, the "Enclycopedia of Scrapbooking" covers all of scrapbooking. Not just definitions and pictures, most entries explain how to use the tool, idea or embellishment. I've found several techniques that I can't wait to try on my pages. Since this book is by Creating Keepsakes magazine, every other page or so contains great layouts using the techniques illustrated.
This comprehensive book starts with the very basics, the history of scrapbooking. Then it illustrates the many tools and materials you might need or want for scrapbooking. The pictures of each item are large and helpful. For more basics, the next section is Page Creation. They cover several essential techniques:
-cropping photos and mats
-using paper trimmers
-adhering photos
-handwriting titles
-using red-eye pens
-cutting templates and shapes
Ever been intimidated by the selection of scrapbooking items and doodads in the craft store? The next 3 chapters are for you, and me, too. Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced Embellishments covers every technique and material that I've seen used in a layout, and more than a few that I have to try. Trust me, it's all there.
From brads, chalks, conchos, eyelets, inks, mounts, mica, vellum, to watch crystals and everything in between, the quantity of information is outstanding. Each item explains how to use it, and shows you several layouts using the items.
This well-rounded book has a gallery of other uses for our scrapbooking toys, additional resources, and an appendix to cover technical stuff like archival quality, technology and organization.
Like scrapbooking? Want to try scrapbooking? Need a motivation to get started on those boxes of photos? The "Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking" belongs on your bookshelf, though I suspect mine will be out and read through again and again for good while.
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108 of 111 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Scrapbookers Bible!, September 23, 2005
This review is from: Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking (Leisure Arts #15941) (Creating Keepsakes) (Perfect Paperback)
Ive been into scrapbooking for years, but Ive only recently come to realize how versitile it can be. If you asked me a year ago, what an eyelet was, Id probably have to guess it was some sort of pulley that belonged on a sail boat or something. When I wanted to dig a little deeper into my old hobby, I found out how amazing the world of scrapbooking can be. I started out reading back issues of Creating Keepsakes at my local library, and that is how I came to find this particular book. The book starts out by identifying all the tools and materials the common scrapbooker usues. Explaining how to use a brad, and how to set an eyelet. Then it jumps into techniques like how to give tags that aged look. Then finally pages and pages of sample scrap book pages that will undoubtably inspire the scrapbooker in you! I originally checked this book out from my library, but once I realized how helpful it was to me on a daily basis, I realized I just had to get my own copy. Not only is this book amazingly helpful, but its absolutely beautiful, as are all of the other Creating Keepsakes books.
I hope you all find this book as helpful and wonderfully charming as I did. Its a must have bible for every scrapbooker, professional or amature.
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41 of 43 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great source for learning Scrapbooking!, October 8, 2005
This review is from: Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking (Leisure Arts #15941) (Creating Keepsakes) (Perfect Paperback)
I received this book recently and can't put it down. It is one of the best I've seen for taking you from Step 1 all the way to the finished product complete with pictures and descriptions. It is very easy to read and follow. I can hardly wait to get started with this book by my side. Beginners and advanced can learn and get ideas from it throughout the book. I like that it starts with what you need and how to use those items and then carries you on from there.
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