Scrapbooking is a fun and enjoyable hobby. It brings many benefits to mental and physical health. Scrapbooking gives an opportunity to step away from the screen and work with our hands. Creating has been scientifically proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and increase feelings of self-worth. 

Perhaps you are finding it hard to get into the craft room because you feel stuck recreating the same layouts over and over? Here are a few fun things to try to spice up your layouts and reap the positive mental health benefits.

Sewing and Embroidery 

Have you tried embroidering or sewing on a scrapbook page? This is an easy, inexpensive way to add embellishments to your pages. Sewing can add beautiful borders, flowers and sentiments. It is important to use a card stock so that the paper does not tear or rip. You can even send paper through the sewing machine! Be sure that there is no adhesive where you are sewing with the machine so that it does not gum up the needle. 

Photo Shapes

Photos don’t always need to be used in a scrapbooking layout in the common 4x6 size. Try printing photos in various sizes. Photo printing services can even print in square formats! Try pairing passport size photos with a standard photo size for more visual interest. If you are feeling adventurous try cutting photos with a paper punch or die. Fun shapes can be incorporated into every layout. 

Dimensional Elements

Try adding embellishments that are not paper. Get creative with ribbons, string, fabric, vinyl, balsa wood and leather. These items add fun textures and visual interest to your projects. Using items that might not be considered initially, gives you a creative problem to inspire creativity. Who knows? You might just stumble across a new favorite technique or medium.