How to Make Memory Book

Creating a homemade memory book is an ideal present for someone, who is getting older or someone who is moving away. If several shoe boxes of old pictures are taking up space in the closet, it may be time to create a memory book.

Step 1 – Select the Photos

Find the photos that will be part of the memory book. Keep in mind that if the memory book will be theme specific, such as memories from graduation or memories from a wedding, separate all other pictures from the specific event. Other memory book themes include the first year of a child’s life, commemorating a lost family member or a vacation.

If the photos are originals and no other copy exists, consider making copies for the memory book, especially if it is meant as a present. If the photos are digital simply print a copy of the pictures that will go in the memory book. The pictures will remain in digital version on the computer.

Step 2 – Organize the Supplies

Organize the supplies needed for the memory book. Place the scrapbooking paper in a pile and divide the paper in sections by color. This will help once the process begins. Also, locate scissors and double-stick tape.

Step 3 – Design and Assemble the Layout

Design the memory book layout. Decide what photos will be part of the memory book and in which order they will appear. The photos can be added in chronological order or by themes. For example, for a vacation memory book, the photos can be added in the order they were taken or in themes, such as plane trip, beach days, the food, events and family pictures.

Prepare the layout of each individual page in the memory book. Adding borders or figures can add personality to the page. Cut various shapes that can be added to the memory book in the final stages of assembly, including stars, hearts and circles.

Step 4 – Assembling the Pages

Start by applying glue to the backside of a piece of the scrapbooking paper and gluing it onto the first page of the scrapbook, which will become the memory book. It is a personal choice what color the scrapbooking paper is.

Take an additional piece of scrapbooking paper, but another color than the one used on the first page. Measure 1 inch inward from each side and draw a square by connecting the dots. Cut out the square in the middle of the paper, so a border is created from the remaining paper.

Apply glue to the backside of the border and line it up with each side of the first page in the memory book. Apply pressure until the border is attached. Repeat this entire step of background paper and border on each page in the memory book.

Step 5 – Create the Content

Add the photos to the pages of the memory book using double-stick tape. Arrange the photos so they tell a story, both by itself and collectively. To enhance each picture and tone, add stickers and the pre-cut shapes, including the hearts, circles and stars. Add these embellishments to the pictures where they work best.

Write a small section underneath each picture using the black marker, describing the location, the time and the context of the picture. For example, write that the picture was taken on a specific date, while on vacation a specific place. Include information about what is happening in the picture.