| Learning to scrapbooking is something that takes | | | | available including rubber stamps, paper crimpers, and |
| commitment, just like learning any art. If you think that | | | | punches. Start with a few smaller items and increase |
| it's a craft you'd like to enjoy, there are a few basic | | | | your inventory as you learn more and more |
| tools, supplies, and skills you will need to get started. | | | | scrapbooking skills. |
| Creating albums takes time, but the projects are | | | | You will also need a few basic supplies before you |
| rewarding and the end result is a family heirloom that | | | | begin, the most important of which is the album itself. |
| can be enjoyed and then passed down to your | | | | Make sure whatever you purchase is large enough to |
| grandchildren, along with your love for scrapbooking. | | | | hold all the pictures you want to include; two to five |
| To get started, you first need pictures. Almost | | | | pictures will fit on a standard 8 ½ x 11 page with |
| everyone has boxes or photo albums full of pictures, | | | | cropping, with the most balanced layouts having three |
| and you may notice that some of these are discolored | | | | pictures. You can also choose from larger or smaller |
| or warped due to their poor storage. The world around | | | | albums. The only other supply you need to get started |
| us in our homes is full of acid and moisture, which | | | | is paper. Most albums come with a white piece of |
| breaks down the chemical balance used to produce | | | | paper in each sheet protector, but there are many |
| photographs and causes them to change appearance. | | | | colors and designs to choose from to help spice up |
| By scrapbooking with acid free supplies, you can | | | | your album. Other supplies that add interest to your |
| protect you pictures for many years to come. | | | | pages include paper dolls, stickers, die cuts, and |
| There are only a few basic tools you need to begin. | | | | three-dimensional elements. |
| Every good scrapbooker needs a cutting tool. Sharp | | | | Most of the skills you need to start scrapbooking can |
| scissors will work well, but there are also tools on the | | | | be easily learned by mimicking pages you see in |
| market to cut scalloped edges, perfectly straight lines, | | | | magazines or on the Internet. However, if you are still |
| and circles, among other things. You will also need | | | | unsure how to use your tools extremely well, you can |
| some form of adhesive. Beginners may find that the | | | | attend or host a scrapbooking workshop. Stores and |
| easiest products to buy are photo mounts, which are | | | | companies offer this option for people who are new |
| tiny pre-cut pieces of tape, and glue dots, which are | | | | to the craft, and it is the best option to help you create |
| pressure-sensitive strong spots of glue to hold larger | | | | your first page. Remember that learning to scrapbook |
| embellishments. Beyond a cutting tool and adhesive, | | | | is a process, and you will learn new skills as you fill |
| you really don't need any other tools to get started, but | | | | your album with pages. |
| if you want to create fancier pages, many options are | | | | |