Simply sticking pictures and memorabilia to colored paper can make a basic and beautiful scrapbook, but if you find that there's a little something missing, try spicing up your pages with some embellishments. The term "embellishments" is catchall for supplies that don't need to be on the page functionally, but are eye pleasing and fun. Next to the paper isle in your local scrapbook supply store, the embellishment isle will have the largest and most diverse section of products.



Stickers are the most popular and abundant kind of embellishment. These aren't like the gold stars you got in grade school-stickers today come in just about any shape and size. One handy type of sticker is the letter sticker. These come in sheets featuring the entire alphabet so you can use them to create titles on your page. This works especially well for scrapbookers who don't like their own handwriting. Stickers also now come in three dimensions. Because your pages are most likely themed, the most common way to buy stickers is by theme as well. Some companies offer kits that have matching papers and stickers to make the process easier, and there are also kits on the market to make your own stickers just in case the store doesn't have exactly what you need.

If you want a look that's a little more simplistic, try die cuts. These paper cutouts look great on the page alone, or can be used for matting or journaling. The most elaborate kinds of die cuts are paper dolls. These are not unlike the paper dolls you may have played with as a child, but are meant to be glued to the page when you are done dressing them. You can buy paper dolls in every race, and with every hair color, so many scrapbookers like to create paper dolls to match their subject matter and then dress them in one of the countless outfits available in stores.

Ribbons and strings are fun embellishments as well, but can be difficult to attach to the paper. You can buy ribbons and strings separately or in a sample kit that includes many colors and varieties. Make sure these products are made for scrapbooking-they should be acid free. This is a rule that holds true for any scrapbooking supply. Almost anything can be stuck to a page as an embellishment as long as it is safe for your photographs. Browse through your local stores to find embellishments and inspiration for you pages, and you may be surprised at the new additions to your scrapbooking inventory.