| If you are an aspiring scrapbooker, getting started may | | | | Tip #2- Keep it simple. As you are getting started try |
| seem both overwhelming and intimidating. There are so | | | | to keep your page layouts simple. For your first few |
| many products available today that simply choosing | | | | pages, mount each of your photos on a |
| what you need to get started can be a huge | | | | complimentary colored paper with a small border to |
| challenge. | | | | frame the picture. Arrange them on your page until |
| Scrapbooking really doesn't have to all that challenging | | | | you have a pleasing composition and then adhere to |
| if you don't want it to. The key is to start small and find | | | | the page. Add some journaling and you're done. As |
| your style. As you create more and more pages, you | | | | your confidence grows, experiment with new |
| will learn what you like, both from a design perspective | | | | techniques and designs. |
| and from a technical one. | | | | Tip #3 - Attend "Crops." Crops are scrapbooking |
| I have compiled a few tips to help you get started in | | | | workshops. Attending crops can be one of the most |
| you new scrapbooking adventure. Be careful, though. | | | | useful things you can do as a scrapbooker. It gives |
| It's addictive. | | | | you an outlet to share ideas, and ask for help and |
| Tip #1 - Buy only the essentials. Don't be overwhelmed | | | | suggestions, as well as, an opportunity to make new |
| by the enormous array of scrapbooking supplies | | | | friends. Above all, participating in crops keeps you on |
| available. Yes, it's wonderful to have such an | | | | track and helps break through any creative blocks you |
| assortment to choose from, but you only need a few | | | | may be experiencing. |
| tools and supplies to get started. For now, save your | | | | Many local craft shops will offer scrapbooking classes |
| money and only purchase the essentials. As you gain | | | | and crops either for free or for a small fee (hoping |
| experience, you will get a good idea of what tools and | | | | you'll make purchases). Another option is to find a |
| supplies are important to you. | | | | Creative Memories consultant and attend crops |
| Here is my short list of essential scrapbooking supplies: | | | | through her. You can even organize your own crop |
| Scapbooking album - These come in a wide variety of | | | | with friends. What a great way to have fun and get |
| sizes and shapes. Try to choose one that you can | | | | the inspiration to need to create more pages. |
| add additional pages to. | | | | Tip #4 - Don't be afraid to slash and edit. Growing up I |
| Adhesive - You will need to choose some kind of | | | | thought every photo that came back from the |
| adhesive for mounting your photos to the page. There | | | | developer had to be included in our photo album, no |
| are many types to choose from, including glue sticks, | | | | matter how blurry or unflattering it might be. And to |
| double sided tape, liquid glue pens, tape runners, and | | | | even imaging cutting a photo was enough to send chills |
| sticky tabs. Tape runners are my favorite because | | | | down my spine. I am now over my inhibitions and crop |
| they are so quick and easy to and can also be used | | | | and edit my photos with wild abandon (okay, maybe |
| one handed. | | | | that's an overstatement). |
| Scissors - Nice sharp scissors will come in handy for a | | | | One of the things that is so wonderful about a well |
| variety of uses. Most homes will already have scissors | | | | made scrapbook album is that each photo is special |
| suitable for cutting paper, so this may not be an added | | | | and typically cropped down, to remove background |
| expense for many of you. | | | | clutter or emphasize the subject. Editing out repetitive |
| Paper/Cardstock - Probably mostly solid colors are | | | | images and careful cropping makes each photo |
| best to start with and maybe a few printed papers in | | | | important and makes for a much more interesting |
| colors or themes to match the some of the photos | | | | album. |
| you plan use. | | | | Tip #5 - Plan ahead. Set aside and group photos for |
| Corner Rounder - These handy little punches round the | | | | future pages. Jot down ideas for those pages. As you |
| corners of your photos for a more finished look. My | | | | compile your photos and ideas, you'll know what |
| favorite is the Creative Memories corner rounder. | | | | supplies (papers, stickers, embellishments, etc) you will |
| Paper Trimmer - You will need some kind of paper | | | | need. Then when you find yourself at the craft store, |
| trimmer for cropping your photos and paper. Here is | | | | you'll be better prepared to make more effective |
| another area where you can choose whichever type | | | | purchases. |
| appeals to you. There are rotary cutters and mats, | | | | Also consider taking a few key photos along on your |
| straight blade cutters, scaled down versions of | | | | shopping excursions. This will better enable you to |
| traditional paper cutters and exacto knives. At a later | | | | choose complimentary papers and embellishments. |
| date, you may even want to invest in circle and oval | | | | Nothing is more frustrating than sitting down to work |
| cutters. | | | | on a page and realizing you are going to have to |
| Journaling Pens - A few pens in some basic colors, | | | | make a special trip to the craft store to finish it. |
| including black should be fine to start. You will use | | | | Planning your pages ahead can also help you create a |
| these to add captions and chronicle your pages. | | | | more cohesive album. Ideally, your pages should flow |
| Important note - Always choose acid free supplies for | | | | naturally from one to the other and not jump around. If |
| scrapbooking. Using products that are not acid free | | | | you plan well, your scrapbook will be a visual and |
| may result in yellowing and degradation of your photos. | | | | emotional journey. |