luvkadcl

Hi all,

My daughter(16) and I want to start scrapbooking. How do you recommend that we start? Can you give us some good web sites? Where do you buy your supplies? Thanks for any advice.
Cindy

scrappy_giraffe

Michaels and Hobby Lobby are good places to pick up scrapbooking supplies (especially when they have a 40% off coupon ) ~ they usually have some pretty decent sales on their paper crafting section.
As for where to start:

Buy a GOOD trimmer, there is nothing quite as disappointing as a crappy trimmer that ends up ruining pictures/paper instead of trimming them. I have the Making Memories 12x12 trimmer and I LOVE it ~ it is $50, but use a 40% off coupon and it brings it down in price considerably (that is what I did) ~ I bought it 2-3 years ago and I am still extemely happy with it.

Decide on what kind of adhesive you are going to use.

Decide what size scrapbooks you are going to make. I generally make 12x12 albums, but have made 8x8 sized ones for gifts.

Go through your pictures to get a feel for what you are going to be scrapping (birthdays, Christmas, weddings, everyday life, etc) ~ then you can figure out what kind of paper you'd like to buy (patterned and cardstock).

Get a good pen/marker to journal with, one to write on the back of your pictures (I try to always go through and date pictures when I have them printed....I'm a good 3 years behind, so I NEED to date my pictures....otherwise I'm lost! ), a red-eye marker is a nice thing to have.

The rest is up to you as to what kind of embellishments you would like to use ~ brads, eyelets (will need to get an eyelet setter if using eyelets), bling, stickers, stamps, etc.

Also look online, there is a TON of resources if you need lay-outs for inspiration ~ one nice blog is: http://unscriptedsketches.com/ you can use the sketches to make cards or scrapbooking lay-outs
You can always do a search for "scrapbook layouts" and I'm sure you will come up with a ton of hits.

Hope that helps! If you have more questions or if I didn't cover something you are wondering about, just ask and I'll do my best to answer =)

I've been scrapping for over 10 years....I started when I was around 16 ~ LOVE scrapping!

__________________
Lindsy ~ crafty mama to :zorro::batman:
My scrappy blog

Jrits

thanks scrappy giraffe!

luvkadcl

Thanks so much SG for all of the information. I will definitely check out the site. That's what I need. I wonder if youtube has any ,"Take my hand and show me how to do this videos." It is so scary when they are your pictures and keepsakes. I don't want to ruin them or have them come out....not so good KWIM?

Have a great day!
Cindy
PS: My girlfriend is on a digital scrapbooking cruise. She belongs to a big forum and they all get together several times a year on different retreats. Nice huh?

mamakaty

A scrapbooking cruise?? I wanna!!!!

scrappy_giraffe gave some great advice!! I ditto the good trimmer comment.

I will readily admit that a lot of what I use is from Creative Memories, just because that's how I got started, so it's what I bought and what I know. I've added to it with other brands over the years. Watch the sales at the stores mentioned, they almost always have something on sale.

If there is a local scrapbook store near you, check it out. They might have a beginner's class you could take. It was easier for me to have someone in person telling me exactly what to do!

Are your pictures digital, or are you wanting to scrapbook older pictures from negatives? A big piece of advice would be to sort through all your pictures, and figure out how want to scrapbook them. In other words, do you want to start with your oldest pics and go chronologically? Do you want to do a book just of family vacations? Start with your most recent pics and work your way back? Etc. Then, get some good photo storage boxes and organize your pics accordingly. You can also get holders just to store your negatives in to protect them.

Just make sure that whatever products you get are specifically for scrapbooking/photo storage. Acid-free, photo-safe, these are all different things to look for. A lot of the "photo albums" do more harm than good if they're not meant to actually protect the photos, kwim?

__________________


Sorry if I'm not online much...playing with the new baby has cut into my computer time!! If you need anything, please send me a PM and I will try to get back to you soon! Have a great crafty day!

scrappy_giraffe

WHOA! I am totally green with envy! Scrapbooking cruise sounds like a BLAST!!!
Glad to help....I love the enable (errrr "help") anyway I can

__________________
Lindsy ~ crafty mama to :zorro::batman:
My scrappy blog

gma2rjc

Great advice ladies!

When I started out, I used a glue stick for my layouts. Once the glue dried up, the pictures and embellishments started falling off the pages (after a couple years?). I will never use a glue stick again.

For pictures, I use either 3M double-sided tape ($8 or $10 for a package of 6 rolls at Sams Club) or the Vario tabs with a dispenser. Make sure the box says 'Permanent adhesive' on it. Some adhesives are 'temporary'.

To adhere tiny embellishments to a page, I use Glue Dots.

Any of the Xyron machines from 1.5" up to 12" are awesome, but not necessary when you're starting out. Although, the 1.5" is under $10 and the refills are cheap. That's the one I use a LOT.

You'll want a good quality pair of small scissors. I have some that are made by Fiskars, but I'm sure there are other brands that are as good or better.

You'll also want an Xacto type of knife to cut in very small spaces. And a self-healing mat to put under the paper you're cutting.

Resist the urge to buy all of the cute scissors with the decorative edges.

There are literally billions of $$$$ worth of embellishments and tools you can buy. But remember that the picture(s) are THE most important thing on the page, along with the journaling (where, what, who, when, etc.). I've seen so many layouts in scrapbooking magazines where the picture is lost among all the embellishments and decorative paper. I think that someday people will look back at those pages and wonder what the heck they were thinking.

Never cut or alter old, irreplaceable family photos. If you want to cut them, make a copy of it first and cut into the copy, not the original.

Mamakaty's advice about finding a beginners class is excellent. It will save you from making a lot of mistakes.

I'm so excited for you! Scrapbooking is such a great craft. Plus, every album you make can be enjoyed for generations to come. Good luck!

Barb

__________________
May your troubles be less.
May your blessings be more.
And may nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

justme

Thank you for starting this thread and thanks for all your great advice! It's my New Year's resolution to actually start scrapbooking in 2010 as I have been meaning to start for about 2 years and have only just about managed card making!

I love looking at blogs for ideas and inspirations, so thanks for the links scrappy giraffe. My tip (cos I am not an expert but have learnt one thing!) is not to buy mystery boxes of craft supplies or to buy loads of stuff you think you might use because it is a bargain! I did this and have never used some of the papers or embelishments as they are not to my taste so turned out to be a false economy.

I am in the UK and we have different stores to the USA and not as much choice. Also a lot of the fab products come from the USA so are a bit cheaper there. I have actually ordered online before as even with postage it can be a lot better value.

I hope to continue in this craft forum and learn lots from all you amazing creative people!!
Thank you all so much xxx

scrappycat

haha! Seems that most all scrappers are enablers as well!! =D

scrappycat

I definitely agree w/the good trimmer part. I recently upgraded to a guillotine table top trimmer. At 40% off (I ONLY buy w/a coupon or w/sales) it's reasonable...especially once you calculate how many pages & pics are ruined by your standard slicer trimmer. Plus, a good table top trimmer has a VERY useful measuring guide on it.
Also, a cricut. Maybe not as soon as you start, but if you start feeling the scrapping obsession taking over-I'd say jump in! When you calculate the $ of any other die cutting systems or over your standard embellishments like 3D stickers, chipboards, rub-ons, stamps, etc. etc. It really takes the place of sooo many things. Obviously having a range of different things on a page can really create depth and interest. But the amount options it provides...absolutely endless. And you can find the machines & cartridges at some really great prices on ebay. Seriously, it might seem expensive and even intimidating...but it's soooo worth it and sooo user friendly. I recently got a gypsy when I found it for $160 w/free shipping. There aren't words! I can get lost in it-just exploring the cartridges and creating new designs.
Well, have fun exploring this new world you're jumping into!! But beware...it DOES BECOME AN OBSESSION! =P