beginner scrapbooking

For those of you new to scrapbooking, beginner scrapbooking can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many scrapbooking supplies and materials to choose from it is hard to know where to start. There are a few basic items that I would recommend you buy to get started. That way you don't spend a lot of money on supplies until you know whether or not you will love scrapbooking. It gets pretty addictive so chances are you will be ready to purchase more supplies in the near future anyway.

The main things you need to have for beginner scrapbooking are a photo album, page protectors, acid free solid and printed paper, stickers, a paper cutter or scissors, scrapbooking adhesive and scrapbooking pens. Make a list of these items and head to the scrapbooking store. Better yet, it might be best to start with the scrapbooking section in your local craft store as scrapbooking stores can be huge and can cause you to easily get off track. It is ok to look at the other items, but stick to the basic list the first time out or you can easily spend hundreds of dollars on supplies.

You need an acid free, lignin free scrapbook. They come in various sizes from 12 x 12 scrapbooks to 8 ½" x 11" to smaller scrapbooks that can only hold one picture per page. It is a personal preference of course. I started out with the 12 x 12 but others have opted for the smaller books and just scrapbooked a specific theme such as a vacation or wedding shower.

When purchasing your scrapbook, it is important to purchase page protectors if they aren't included with the book. They help protect your pages and all your hard work. It is easy for stickers and other embellishments to come off or things to rip or become frayed if they are not covered with these protectors.

Acid free and lignin free paper is a definite staple for scrapbooking. You can either use it as a complete background for the page or back pictures with different colors to make them pop. You can also use paper to cut out shapes and letters. You can find scrapbook paper in just about any color and pattern, but to start out with you just need some solid paper and a few patterned sheets that have the same theme you are scrapbooking.

Even though there are hundreds of different types of embellishments available, one of the easiest to use and most affordable of them all is acid and lignin free stickers. You can find them in any theme imaginable. I always try to keep a variety of numbers and letters on hand as well. Those just doing beginner scrapbooking could benefit from a few different colored numbers and letters and a pack of stickers that coordinate with your theme. You can create borders with stickers or just use them to fill in blank spaces. I often use letter stickers to title my pages.

Because scrapbooking typically involves cropping or cutting pictures, you will want to purchase a simple paper/photo trimmer and a few scrapbooking scissors. This allows you to either cut pictures in a straight line or to create a decorative edge depending on how you want it to look.

When you are scrapbooking you are preserving memories. In addition to the pictures and embellishments you need to journal or write down what is going on in the pictures. You can't scrapbook without scrapbooking pens. You can also use them to draw pictures, outline photos or create titles for your pages. Many people feel that titling their scrapbook pages is a hard thing to do, that it is hard to think up a witty title. If you find yourself in this same boat when you start scrapbooking, consider using quotes for the title. You can find all kinds of different scrapbooking quotes online that will fit just about any subject.

The last thing you need to start scrapbooking is scrapbook glue or tape to hold all your photos, papers and embellishments on your pages. I actually use both depending on what I am doing but some people are diehard glue or tape fans. Since they are relatively inexpensive, I suggest that you try both.

You can take classes for beginner scrapbooking at your local craft stores or scrapbook stores. If you have a Creative Memories representative in the area, contact them about upcoming crop parties where you can meet with other scrapbookers to get tips and ideas.

Now that you know the basic items you need you are ready to go out and get started. In reality, beginner scrapbooking is the easiest type of scrapbooking. The further you get into it, the more supplies you have and the more you have the harder it is to decide what to use. So, enjoy the simplicity while you can…in a few months you will have a room full of scrapbooking materials calling your name.