Fabric

by rowarrior

If you want a background that isn't just standard patterned paper, have you considered using fabric? From finding a pretty pattern that matches your colour scheme, to adding a scrap of fabric from something in one of the photos, fabric is acid and lignin free, and therefore completely safe to use in your scrapbook.

The biggest challenge is how to attach the fabric to your page. Whilst gluing it down is an option (although I wouldn't recommend ‘wet' glues), the next logical step is to sew it on – yes, dust off that sewing machine you got as a wedding present, its time has come. (Albeit that your husband might think you're nuts as you start sewing fabric onto paper!)

You don't even need to use flat fabric as a patterned paper substitute – check out the MM fabric line, which includes pockets, letters and more. Create your own fabric tags, use belt loops over ribbon to give your page a ‘belt look', tear it into small strips and use as an alternative to ribbon for the embellishment of a photo or journaling mat.

The list is endless, but see these examples below for some ideas to get you started: