It is difficult sometimes to choose your scrapbooking themes.   There are so many times that I am overwhelmed by all my ideas and pictures and other souvenirs from my trips that I at times just kind of look at it all and shake my head wondering do I even attempt this?  I then I stop and say to myself, "Baby steps, just take it one picture at a time."  Sometimes I actually listen to myself.  Ask yourself the following questions to help you decide what your theme should be.  Why do you want to do the scrapbook in the first place?  Is it for your self or will it be a gift for a friend?  Do you want to cover a span of time or just one special occasion?  When others look at your scrapbook, what do you want to convey to them?  What sentiment or ideas do you want to get across to them?  When you or the recipient is looking through this album, in the future, what do you most want to remember about it? 

Now that you know what direction you are heading in, your next step is to choose what to put in the album.  The way that I do this is when I think of the occasion, what are the first few images that cross my mind?  If I am doing a milestone birthday of a special friend, I want to focus on that friend.  For example, although I think my animals are absolutely irresistible, (no I'm not biased at all) I wouldn't want to put them in the album.  They have nothing to do with the friend's birthday.  Now if the friend did think that one of "my kids" was special, then I might include a charming picture in there with some sort of adorable saying that relates to the occasion.

Are you are having trouble deciding on a theme?  Dig into your closets, drawers, boxes or wherever else you keep your pictures, letters, postcards or any other sentiment that you might place in your scrapbook album.  Sort through your pictures.  Do you see a recurring theme in them?  Do you see different stages in your life that are emerging?  Are you able to categorize the pictures?  Do you have pictures of college friends and activities?  What trips have you and your friends taken?  Could you create an album of your dating life that leads to your engagement or wedding?   Do you have children or pets?   You could do one album of all the kids or do one for each child.  It could be as general or as specific as you want it to be.    You could create an album for your parent's or grandparent's anniversary.  That could include just pictures of the couple or you could have pictures of the whole family starting with the grandparents and working your way down to the children.  The possibilities are endless. 

Start with a small project.  Do not let yourself feel overwhelmed.  The main thing is to have fun. There are times that I have had to walk away from this project for a little while, because I feel the frustration mounting because I feel as though my creativity juices have dried up, and I am not getting the result that I want.  At that point I think the frustration will come through on the page, and that ' no fun.  Take your time and enjoy.  Take this time to relive the moments as you scrap them.  There are many times that I catch myself either giggling or laughing, cuz I am back in that moment in time.

So roll up your sleeves, pull out those pictures and get scrapping!