Getting Started in Scrapbooking

If I haven't yet convinced you to start scrapbooking, I hope that my ABC segment today at 3 pm PST will convince you that ANYONE can be a scrapper. If you missed the segment, below are the highlights with links to the supplies I mentioned (View Video HERE).

Where Do I Start?
Keep it simple and find your focus. Identify your purpose for scrapbooking by taking the quiz below. Rank the following statements from 1–5. Your results will indicate your scrapbooking priorities. 

___ a. Recording my family history is very important to me (Historian).

___ b. I like spending time with my friends (Girl Time).

___ c. I’m an avid photographer and like to showcase my photos (Photography).

___ d. I need a creative outlet in my life (Designer).

___ e. I want all my photos to be organized and easy to locate (Organizer).

Review the results and determine whether your focus lines up with your scrapbooking goals. If your goal is organization and finished albums, try making fast and easy pages. Girl time is another wonderful benefit of being part of a scrapbooking community. For a scrapper with this priority, take advantage of crop nights at your local scrapbook store and with independent consultants. If creating pages is your outlet for artistic expression, allow yourself the time and tools to nurture your craft. Should your focus be recording stories, carry a small journal or PDA with you to capture your memories. You can transfer them to your album later. Photography buffs will want to read up on the latest tips and tricks for capturing fabulous photos. If you’re interested in publication, study the magazines, join discussion boards, and submit. You’ll never hear a “yes” until you’re willing to accept a “no.” (excerpt from Real Women Scrap)

Basic Supplies to Get Started

1. Scissors and/or cutting board
   
2. Adhesive: Glue Roller, Glue Stick (UHU brand is great quality for a reasonable price.)
   
3. Paper: paper can be purchased in a pack or individually. Consider the colors and theme of your album before you choose your papers.
4. Embellishments: don't get overwhelmed by the vast amount of choices. Choose some basics in a few coordinating colors and just get started with that.
5. Pen: make sure it's scrapbook safe, meaning acid and lignin free.
6. Album: consider the size and style before you buy. Creative Memories has a lifetime guarantee on their albums. The PicFolio is the cheater album I mentioned on the show.
7. Photo Organizer: I use the PowerSort box from Creative Memories.  

All of these products can be purchased online at stores like Scrapbook.com. They can also be found at your local scrapbook store, Target, or Michaels. The advantage of going to a local scrapbook store is the individual attention.

Why Should I Scrapbook?
The three answers I hear most from real women about why they scrapbook are preserving memories, finding a creative outlet, and building relationships.

1. I don’t know about you, but my memory isn’t what it used to be. If I’ve scrapbooked the photos and memories I can go back and relive the moments.
2. Having a creative outlet is a source of retreat for many busy moms. They can relax, yet feel productive and have a sense of accomplishment with the pages they complete.
3. Finally, scrapbooking allows us to reconnect with family members and show them how much we love them. After a tough day with our kids, sometimes scrapbooking is the one thing that reminds us of why we choose to go to work or stay at home. It can boost self-esteem, they can read and look at their book and realize that things aren’t so bad.

How Do I Find the Time???
Most women are over-committed and overwhelmed. We’ll never find time, we have to make choices about living intentionally and planning our lives so that we can do the things that fill us up in order to continue giving to those we love.

So much of motherhood involves things that are recurring: laundry, dishes, wiping noses, changing diapers. Scrapbooking and finishing a layout or scrapbook provides a sense of accomplishment because it’s something we can finish and know that we are leaving a legacy for future generations.

If you're interested in learning more or getting additional tips and tricks, sign up for our free monthly newsletter. We'd love to have you join our community of real women who scrap!

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technorati tags: ABC7News, Scrapbooking, Supplies, Chatterbox, Scrapbook.com, Creative, Memories, PicFolio, UHU

Comments

[Margie]

I am so glad you left a comment on my blog so I could find yours :) I have to come back and catch up on yours-looks so good!!
Can't wait to read some more!

[Martha Alderson]

Dear Tasra,
Just sat down, put my feet up, and snapped on A View from the Bay to reward myself for a hard day at work. And there you were!!!!

What a wonderful surprise. I leaned forward and marveled at your presence, your style, your display. I'm not sure how much I missed, but what I saw really impressed me!

You are a natural at this! Full steam ahead. Here's to lots of sales and many happy scrappers!!!

Congratulations, Tasra!
fondly,
martha