When starting any heritage project, for me, it all comes down to the story I want to tell and naturally the photos. I’ve been fortunate that my Mother has been busy scanning in all our heritage family photographs so that each family member can receive copies. This has left me with some beautiful photos and tales of stories I am too young to remember. Almost all heritage photographs will be black and white or sepia, so finding paper to compliment them shouldn’t be an issue. With heritage scrapbooking we can document all these photos and stories using some of the beautiful vintage supplies available. Patterns that invoke the heritage style include pretty floral designs and stripes. Manufacturers that bring to mind the feeling of heritage or vintage include K & Company, Daisy D, Rebecca Sower, Anna Griffin, Melissa Frances, Karen Foster Heirloom line and many more.
 | 4 Generations Beginner Project Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: |
Photo editing really comes into its own with heritage photos. I know some of my personal heritage photos aren’t the best quality and haven’t stood the test of time that well, but with today’s modern photo editing software lots of these poor quality photos can be enhanced, scratches repaired and some can look almost as good as the day they were taken! Don’t forget though that photo editing can also work in reverse! If you have a recent photo you want to pair with an older heritage photo you can do all kinds of things to distress it BEFORE you print! Change it from color to black and white or sepia, add stains, you can even add scratches.
Heritage can also be described as a style, invoking images of vintage looking papers, lace, and distressing techniques. So many vintage embellishments are available from old style bookplates, frames, bobby pins and much more. Techniques that invoke the heritage feel include inking, paper tearing, paper folding, and layering. Many of these embellishments and techniques can be used on layouts but they can also be used on cards. I love to send and receive cards, and as a style, heritage can be applied to cards in all manner of techniques.
 | Best Wishes Beginner Project Zoom in to view this project closer Make this project: |
Even if you scrapbook just for yourself, for the creative outlet, you are still doing heritage scrapbooking! How so? Well you are creating projects that will be handed down to future generations (maybe not even your own). Everything we do right now is the heritage of generations to come. No matter what style you are in right now, or what product you are using, the project you work on today becomes someone’s heritage in the future!
To find the products mentioned in this article and shown in these layouts, check with your local scrapbook retailer. Browse our Premier Retail Stores for coupons to a store near you.
