Scrapbooking food just seems like a natural topic. Everyone eats every day right? We all have preferences, traditions, and events that center around food. Just try to name a holiday that doesn’t have some kind of food tradition attached to it; birthdays center around cakes, Thanksgiving is all about the turkey, and Christmas well don’t get me started!

When photographing food for your layouts, a few simple tips can greatly improve the quality of the photos and your resulting page. First, turn off the flash and move the food into natural light. The flash will take away the texture of the food and color - the result will be less appealing. Declutter the area around your food and feel free to stage the shot as well - a good example from Christine Hertel is below - add a pretty napkin, display the food on a contrasting color, put a utensil in the food. Using a tripod or bracing yourself when taking the photos will allow for a lower shutter speed and allow for more light. Use a wide aperture to blur the background of the photo - this will make the food the star of the photo. In post processing, be sure to lighten up the photo and correct the white balance so the photo is neither too yellow nor too blue in cast. Lastly, get in close, let the food fill the frame. Using these tips, your readers will surely emit a "Yum!" when they see your page.

Everyone has a guilty pleasure. These are the simple little things that you cannot help but treat yourself to when times get tough. Jennifer Barksdale documented her son's weakness for frosting. She cleverly used a journal spot to create the top of her paper pieced cupcake! Doris Sander stopped at a roadside stand in Honduras for an ear of roasted corn. I love the shots she took of the stand and the corn; they really add to her story. Christine Hertel indulges in my pleasure Earl Grey tea. How interesting is that scalloped cut-out from the tea bag?

Cupcake Tester by Jennifer Barksdale

Supplies: Paper: KI Memories, BasicGrey, American Crafts, My Mind's Eye, Cardstock: Bazzill Basics Paper, Chipboard: KI Memories, Alphabet Stickers: K & Company, KI Memories, Journaling Spots: Making Memories, Stickers: K & Company, Martha Stewart Crafts, Jo-Ann, Felt: K&Company, Brads: Heidi Swapp, Pens: Sakura, Other: sequins, lace, ribbon. Tools: Punches: Marvy Uchida, Border Punches: Fiskars.

Design Notes: I used a journal spot to create the top of my paper pieced cupcake. Don’t be afraid to use embellishments for purposes other than the intended.

Journaling: You licked the frosting and said "oooh nasty!" then put the cupcake on the counter. Later on, I noticed a few lick spots on several cupcakes. I suppose you wanted to make sure that they were all still "nasty."

Elote by Doris Sander

Supplies: Paper: Studio Calico, Cardstock: Core'dinations, Journaling Spots: Studio Calico, Chipboard: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Alphabet Stickers: Studio Calico, Label Sticker: Jenni Bowlin Studio, Pearls: Kaisercraft, Pens: American Crafts, Thread: Coats and Clark, Other: flowers, buttons. Tools: Punch: EK Success, Other: sewing machine.

Design Notes: I punched the small circles and lined them up in rows to mimic the kernels on the ear of corn.

Journaling: Dear sweet corn on the cob with a touch of salt and lime served at a dirty roadside stand in Honduras, I still love you and long to enjoy you again even though you gave me diarrhea.

Simple Pleasures by Christine Hertel

Supplies: Paper: Pink Paislee, Cardstock: Die Cuts With a View, Alphabet: American Crafts, Alphabet Stickers: Pink Paislee, Rub-Ons: Pink Paislee, Die Cuts: K & Company, Tags: Pink Paislee, Journaling Spots: Pink Paislee, Stickers: Pink Paislee, Brads: Pink Paislee, Markers: American Crafts, Sketch: Pink Paislee. Tools: Electronic Cutter: Making Memories Slice, Cartridges: Making Memories Slice Basic Shapes 2, Border Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts

Design Notes: Use something "real" to help tell your story. I used the bag the tea pouch came in as an embellishment by using my Slice die cutter to cut it into a flower shape.

Journaling: They say the simple act of making a cup of tea can be very stress relieving. I find the simple pleasure of the brewing process quite satisfying in more ways than one.