Scrapbooking Terminology

So, the other night, the hubby asks, "What's a crop?" It never really occured to me that us scrapbookers have our own lingo, that, usually, only we understand. So, I've done some research, and visited several different sites to get some sb (scrapbooking)terms and their definitions. If there's anything that I missed, please, feel free to add comments.

Acid Free Acid can cause paper to disinigrate over time. Acid can cause photos to deteriorate. Not all sb materisals are photo-safe. It's very important that all of your papers, pens, etc, say acid-free, or, eventually, it can ruin your photos and your layouts.

Adhesive Any kind of glue or tape can be considered adhesive. Adhesive is what sticks one thing to another. In the sb world, there are several kinds of adhesive from tape runners, glue sticks, glue dots to ATG guns (the best thing ever!).

Challenge A lot of us tend to rely on challenges for ideas for layouts, much like myself. A challenge is a motivator. Something to help us get started on a layout or project. It's also a great way to get people to try new things and expand their creative zone!

Crop Probably one of the most common terms used in sb'ing. Technically, to crop is the cutting down of a photo. However, cropping is also knonw as an activity for scrapbookers to gather and spend time scrapbooking with each other. Crops can go in various directions. You can have just a group of friends get together and share tools & ideas while you scrap or you can go to the extent of having games, challenges, and door prizes. There are also on-line crops for those who don't have a lot of local friends to scrap with or are just looking for new challenges and ideas.

Die-Cut A shape or letter cut from paper. Usually by machine or using a pattern.

Embellish or Embellishment To embellish a scrapbook page, is to enhance it. Usually with something other than words and a photo. Embellishment is the item used to embellish.

Element Basically, any item on your layout is considered an element.

Eyelet Small, metal circles, like what's used on a shoe to thread laces. They're used in a scrapbook context as a decoration and can hold elements on a page.

Journaling Journaling is the writting on your sb page. It can range from a simple title to a full page of your thoughts & feelings about the photos on your page. Journaling is done in many forms...letter stickers, or the most preferred, your own handwritting.

Matting The frame for your photo. You can matte a picture any way you like. Usually used with coordinating papers on your layout and the colors in your photos.

Page Protector The clear, acid free, cover used to protect your finished pages.

Permanent A term used for adhesives. The glue that we want to stay, not move around.

Photo Corners Holds a photo to a page by slipping the corners of the photo into them.

Post Bound Album An album that uses metal posts to hold the binding together. These albums can be extended with more posts to make thicker. Usually page protectors are already included on the album pages.

Punch A tool used to "punch" decorative shapes from paper or cardstock.

Punchies The paper shape which results from using a paper punch tool. Punchies can be used on a sb page for a decorative effect.

Repositionable Adhesive Used for adhesives that do not create a permanent bond until dry.

Scrapbook A collection of memories. Usually includes photos and journaling, although, by definition, a scrapbook can include anything memorable such as newspaper clippings, certificates, locks of hair, etc.

Scrapbooking The process of preserving photos and memorabilia by ceatively placing them in albums. A scrapbook is simply a decorated photo album, but it's different from a photo album because it preserves something more than just the photos.

Scraplift To copy an accent or embellishment idea, or the entire design of a scrapbook page.

Scrapper's block A horrible disease that all sb'rs get, now and then. A big creativity block...when we don't know what to do next.

Sketch A drawing or outline of a scrapbook page and/or card.

Strap Hinge Album Uses straps to allow pages to lie completely flat when the albums open.

Template Plastic or card sheet with punched out shapes to trace or cut.

Trimmer Tool used for, usually, straight cutting photos and paper.

Vellum A semi-transparent paper.

So, that's the basics. I know there's a ton more that I'm missing. I didn't even get into abbreviations like LSS or PP (not pee pee lol). I'll save that, for, yet, another thread, at some point.

Of course, I'm not as smart as I look, and had some help with these terms. So, I'll give credit where credit's due:

www.scrapbook.lifetips.com
www.cutthecrop.com
www.scrapplanet.com