Here's a great idea for making a special 'first haircut' scrapbook page. Between the ages of about 12 and 18 months, a baby boy or girl may go for their first hair cut. You've probably seen that there are many children's hair salons that offer special deals for a child's first visit. They have a special chair, take a photo or even video the visit -- and then later you take away the photo or video and a lock of hair as a keepsake. So why not create a scrap book page to celebrate this event in a special way!

Here are some tips to give the page a fresh angle. And of course these ideas could be re-worked for all kinds of different kids' scrapbook projects.

Use Homemade Paper

For a unique background, try using homemade paper. You can make your own customized paper of any color and texture you want. This takes a bit of time and effort. Alternatively, try soaking a piece of card-stock. After a few minutes, crumple the paper a bit and then iron it flat again. This will closely approximate the appearance of homemade paper.

Painted Tissue Paper

Painted tissue paper can add a colorful flair to your child's 'first haircut' scrapbook page. To paint tissue paper, punch or tear bits of tissue paper into various shapes. Then, using watercolor pencils and a wet paintbrush, thoroughly coat the tissue paper. Now dip the painted tissue paper in a mixture of scrapbook glue and water and place it on white card-stock.

Let the pieces dry completely. Use the dry colored tissue paper as a background, a border, or as a fancy embellishment.

Beading

Beads are another way to add color and design to the page. Beading can be as simple as gluing a few beads onto a scrapbook page or as complex as a sewn beaded design. When arranged in an abstract pattern, they can create a child-like effect -- or place them carefully to make a fun title or artistic design.

Beads, micro-beads, and necklaces can be attached using two-sided tape or Xyron adhesive.

Make a Pocket

If you've kept a lock of your child's hair, why not store it in a pocket? Pockets allow you take out and put back items as you see fit and replace them without damage to your scrapbook page.

The easiest pocket is simply an envelope. But pockets can also quickly and easily made by folding a piece of paper in half and then gluing three of the side edges.

Pockets can also be made from pieces of fabric sewn together. In this way, pockets can be virtually any texture, color, and weave to suit your required needs.

There are so many events in a child's life that you can celebrate with your scrapbooking. From first haircuts to birthday parties, holidays and school celebrations, you can use your scrapbooking expertise to preserve the memories for years to come.

Nigel Patterson is a writer on arts and crafts and the publisher of Create Your Own Scrapbooks.

Visit his website for new and imaginative scrapbooking tips and ideas -- so you can maintain your most treasured mementos and present them artistically for you, your family and your friends to enjoy.