Baby Scrapbooking in 7 Easy Steps

As new parents you are sleep-deprived, exhausted and just so busy changing diapers and washing bottles that the last thing on your mind would be to start baby scrapbooking. However clichéd it may sound, time does fly and even though it doesn’t seem like it when you’re up for a 3AM feeding, your baby will grow up so fast that you wish you had preserved those priceless memories. Here is how you can start baby scrapbooking in just 7 easy steps:

1. Enroll in a baby scrapbooking class before the baby arrives

If you are a rookie in the scrapbooking world, you may find it easier to register for a baby scrapbooking class in your area. Specialty stores like Archivers have free classes as well as ones for a fee. Your local park district may also offer a short course on the fundamentals of baby scrapbooking.

2. Gather supplies well before your due date

If you find out the sex of the baby before hand, you can buy color coordinated paper, stickers or ribbon months before the baby is due. Otherwise, you could still opt for mostly neutral greens and yellows with unisex motifs like rubber duckies or balloons.

3. Sort as you take pictures

Whether you get your roll of film developed, or order digital prints, choose your favorite poses as the envelopes come in because if you begin to procrastinate, the piles will just get bigger and bigger.

4. Keep a journal on your nightstand

If there is something you want to jot down at any time of the day, just make a note in your journal. Write down the day your little bundle of joy first smiled at you, her first tooth and her first words. Then all you’ll need to do is cut and paste with the corresponding photos.

    5.   Look for shortcuts

Buy a ready-made scrapbooking kit or mini scrapbooking packages with a baby theme to make your life easier. You will not need to hunt for the perfect embellishment as you will have a variety to choose from in the package already.

6. Carve out time

Whether you classify baby scrapbooking as your personal ‘me time’ or as an investment in preserving your family memories, do not feel guilty about it. You would probably be better off napping while the baby sleeps, but if he’s happy in his swing or bouncer, go for it and create a page or two.

7. Put it all together

You have the supplies, the pictures, the journaling, the kit and the time. Now experiment with whatever look you may want for your page. Remember, the cutting, pasting and layout does not have to be perfect – because your memories are.