| I recently moved house, and actually threw out a lot of | | | | manage most things, for example tags. You don't need |
| my scrapbooking supplies. Imagine my joy now that | | | | these, but who wouldn't want them? An inexpensive |
| we have more space - I still don't have that dream | | | | template, additional card, the scissors and a pen will |
| hobby room, but I'm closer, and I can think about getting | | | | create tags in several shapes and sizes and you can |
| some real storage furniture to make my hobby easier. | | | | write anything, from single letters to paragraphs on |
| Perhaps best of all I get the fun of starting again. We | | | | them. Attach them to the page with adhesive, or |
| all make odd choices at first, but I thought that second | | | | several fibers, or a pretty ribbon. You can even use a |
| time around I'd make far more sensible choices. The | | | | brad. |
| problem is, when it comes down to it, you don't actually | | | | The same is true of rubber stamps. flowers and/or |
| need that much equipment to scrapbook. Here's my | | | | butterflies look good on any page. To use them you'll |
| first list. Only 7 simple items, and we already have the | | | | need clear embossing ink and powder. I like silver and |
| printer, the scissors and the pen. | | | | gold because they go with everything but you could |
| 1. A printer | | | | choose black, sepia and gray for the same reason. |
| 2. scissors | | | | Distress inks are wonderful for backgrounds and |
| 3. a work mat | | | | effects, think about building a number of color palettes |
| 4. adhesive | | | | for the different projects you have planned. |
| 5. 20 sheets of blank paper/card | | | | You'll need something to color stamps with - Sakura |
| 6. a scrapbook album and page protectors (most | | | | pens do a wonderful job and buying a set is cheaper |
| albums come with a single set) | | | | than trying to buying each color one by one. Abstract |
| 7. A pen | | | | papers with simple backgrounds work well for all types |
| Everything else is a nice to have. Don't believe me? | | | | of layout, allowing you to add your own personality |
| What is a scrapbook other than a very pretty photo | | | | and vellum can do a wonderful job of toning very |
| album with decorations and notes? The major | | | | colorful backgrounds down so the photographs get the |
| requirements are the photo - the album (and page | | | | attention they deserve. |
| protectors) and the card which forms the pages. Then | | | | Before buying anything specific, like wedding papers or |
| you need adhesive. A work mat is useful to protect | | | | a birthday stamp ask yourself how many times you'll |
| your furniture as you work and scissors - you could | | | | use it, and act accordingly. With birthdays, depending |
| manage without, but they can be useful for cutting the | | | | on the stamp you should use it often, weddings not so |
| photos or for creating page borders. Last but not least | | | | much, unless you have a very large family! Build your |
| the pen allows you to write your journaling on the | | | | supplies like you'd build a designer wardrobe and you'll |
| pages. Only seven necessities, but where's the fun in | | | | always be able to find something appropriate for any |
| that? | | | | planned layout. We all know there are no real |
| Organizing your scrapbook items is just like planning a | | | | necessities in scrapbooking, the idea is to have fun and |
| wardrobe. It's so easy to go 'I love that' and find you | | | | create albums our families will treasure for years to |
| only use it once, but with a little thought you can plan | | | | come. |
| color combinations and stamp themes so you can | | | | |