There are times when you simply want to personalize a photo album rather than creating a scrapbook.

Whether it’s because you don’t have the time to create a scrapbook or for many other reasons there are a few simple tricks that you can use. In no time at all you can take a plain, ordinary photo album and turn it into a wonderful keepsake.

Using embellishments is probably the easiest and yet most flexible method of spicing up a photo album. With so many different choices available you’d be hard pressed to not find something you like.

They’re also widely available at craft stores, department stores and sites on the web.

To get started on this project you’ll want to organize your photos and any mementos you’ll want to include in the album. Next you’ll want to create the layout that you want. I recommend a chronological layout.

Select the photos you want on each page, leaving enough room for any mementos that you want placed with them. Remember, even though this isn’t a scrapbook, you can still add bits of journaling or captions to your pages.

You can type and print or handwrite them on bits of cardstock or other paper adding a nice, personal touch yet still staying within the bounds of an album.

After you’ve placed your photos and mementos on the pages you can start working on the embellishments.

There’s no rule that says you have to work in this order, but I believe having the page layout finished gives you a better idea of what look you want for your album cover and, if you’d like a first and last page created with the theme of your album.

Depending on the type of material your album cover is made out of you can use a number of different embellishments to work with. You may want to use stickers, paint, appliques or hot glue and items likes beads, shells and so on.

For the first and/or last page of your album consider the size and shape of your items carefully. You don’t want the items damaging the pages or falling out.

Following these simple suggestions you’ll be able to create an attractive, personalized photo album in no time at all. Most importantly, it will be an album that’s fun to share with friends and family!