How to create unique scrapbook backgrounds

Your HP All-in-One’s scanner lets you create unique scrapbook pages from just about anything—even green beans!

Most HP All-in-one printers can scan all kinds of three-dimensional objects. The key here is experimentation—and don’t be afraid to get personal. Try these:

• Ticket stubs or concert memorabilia
• Sports jerseys or a baseball mitt
• Food! Jelly beans, tomatoes, the navel of a navel orange
• Buttons and other sewing notions
• Coins and currency
• Matchbooks from favorite hotels
• Toys (LEGO people, for instance)
• Build a house of cards on the scanner bed
• Flowers or herbs from the garden

Tip: Make sure your scanner glass is clean when you start, as any specs will show up in your scan. Also, protect your scanner by placing a sheet of clear transparency on the glass before scanning objects.

Try combining patterns—here, from wrapping paper, music and stamps—for a unique background.

Copy an image, pattern, or texture, enlarge it, then enlarge it again, until you find an interesting abstract pattern. You can do the same by reducing the image. Try these:

• Book pages and covers
• Photographs—your own or favorites from magazines
• Newspaper headlines, photos or articles
• Sheet music
• Wrapping paper
• Post cards
• Fabric
• Maps
• CD or album covers

This 12" x 12" design is really an 8.5" x 11" page combined with a 3" border.

While all-in-one printers do not print media as large as 12" x 12", you can still create and print designs, and then combine them into pages for this popular scrapbook size. Here’s how:

• Create an 8.5" x 11" background, leaving a 1/2" seam around the edge.
• Make complimentary borders of approximately 3" wide (2 on an 8.5" x 11" page).
• Print out background and borders.
• Glue border to main design page.
• Get creative with glued edge:
• Use a thin needle and fine thread to sew a zigzag pattern along the seam between border and background. Or use a small hold punch, and thread ribbon through.
• Leave a portion unglued, and use as a pocket to display ticket stubs, stamps, or other mementoes.
  

Textured paper lends these backgrounds an earthy touch.

Get dramatic effects when you print on different kinds of paper. Specialty papers handle ink differently than conventional paper, so check your printer manual for exact settings, or use the Draft setting. Try these:

• Vellum—great for sheer overlays that add a hint of mystery.
• Textured paper—add tactile appeal to backgrounds and borders; best with simpler designs as the uneven surface can alter patterns.
• Metallic paper—for a contemporary edge.
• Fabric sheets—a sumptuous touch for rich designs.