Veteran scrapbookers, a question

Moms View Message Board: Arts, Crafts, Gardening and Ideas: Veteran scrapbookers, a question

I'm starting to think that Momsview is a bad influence and will be limiting my time here...just as soon as get answers to my questions.

I have read most of the posts about scrapbooking, but have never done it. As if I don't have enough to do, I want to try this! LOL What tools do you consider essential with scrapbooking? What kind of materials do you use (stickers, templates, etc.)? Will I regret getting started in this? Will I think about it all the time? Will I view every souvenir and scrap (pun intended) of paper a potential addition to a scrapbook? Will I look for this stuff whenever I go into a store? Is there a scrapbookers anonymous for those truly addicted?

I'm kidding with the last few questions (I think I'm kidding anyway), but am seriously interested. Any help for a novice is appreciated.

By Palmbchprincess on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 02:06 pm:

Personally, I bought most of my stuff at Walmart. One splurge thing I couldn't live without is Creative Memories circle cropper. The Corner Rounder, and the tape runner are really good too. The rest of the stuff is in a small part of the craft section in our Walmart, pens, paper, stickers, etc. I personally like drawing, writing, or cutting out designs rather than stickers. I'm really just a novice too, but it's all an experiment. One bit of advice? Create your page before permanantly attaching your pictures. This way if you screw something up, you don't ruin the photos. To find a CM consultant near you go to the website. Looking in the phonebook for scrapping stores is a good idea, the people there will give you tips on pages. Will it become addictive? YES!! Will you view each photo and paper as an addition to your book? YES!! Will you regret starting this hobby? Only if you get so caught up you forget your children's names, and your DH starts wondering when the maid quit!! LOL It is truly addictive, but so much fun, and hey... we all need a productive habit! There is a reason moms everywhere are scrapping, it helps us hold on to all our babies' memories, and go through them reminiscently (SP?!) often without people thinking we're nuts!! Happy scrapping!!

By Ladypeacek on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 03:51 pm:

well i also started scrapbooking a few weeks ago, now i am insanely addicted. I am always on ebay looking for neat stuff and in the bx on base! I don't think i am very good but i am pregressing, LOL!! Good Luck!

By Mommyathome on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 03:59 pm:

Yes to all of those last questions LOL
Sometimes I find myself taking pictures of my kids doing something because "this will be a great scrapbook page" LOL
You can really just start with some paper and some scissors, a pen, and a stick of glue. Once you get started, then you'll see where you can pull other elements into your pages (stickers, eyelets, ribbons etc.)
You'll want to make sure all of your products are photo safe..."acid free".
Stickers are fun, and if you can find a scrapbook store there are stickers to go with almost any page theme you can think of!
I like the scissors that cut in patterns. They are fun and add a nice touch.
You can write on darker paper with white scrapbook pens which is really neat.
The list is really endless LOL I'm sure you will enjoy it. You will get better and more adventurous as you go!!
Good luck!!!

By Sunny on Monday, May 3, 2004 - 05:28 pm:

Well, if I just happen to pass a Michaels store on my way home from an appointment tomorrow (which shouldn't be too hard if I turn instead of going straight ), I may just stop in and see what they have. Might as well jump in feet first and give it a try! LOL Actually, I already have ideas about some pages I'd like to do. Thanks for the advice and luck!

By Pamt on Tuesday, May 4, 2004 - 10:32 pm:

I think a paper cutter is essential. Then some pigma pens, adhesive, colored/decorative papers, and stickers. I have been scrapping for 10 years (and am waaaay behind). I actually have the original Creative Memories black and white layout-design book now selling on Ebay for $40+. LOL When I first started I meticulously laid out each page and really did them up. Now I'm am all about a little color, journaling, and BOOM it's done. With as many kids as you have I would STRONGLY encourage you to keep it simple and not try to make each page a work of art. If you do you will get discouraged and not make any progress. I would also really recommend taking a class. It's also a good way to play with the toys and decide which ones you like and which one you can do without. Have fun!

By Sunny on Wednesday, May 5, 2004 - 01:10 pm:

I have some supplies and when I get a chance, I'm going to do a test page of our day at Hershey Park. I just got a photo quality printer (Woo-Hoo!!!) so I can print out what I need.

What I'd really like to do is put together a book of all of the kids' first year (from birth to their 1st birthday). I figure 2 pages per child. Too ambitious? Geesh, I wished I had heard about this years ago! LOL

By Faunsnyder on Wednesday, September 17, 2008 - 12:59 pm:

Ok so I have been scrapping for about 10 years and have just in the past year got my groove. I agree with everything palmprincess said. Creative memories is great and there croppind circles and corner snipper are wonderful. I snip the corners of all my photos. (isnt it funny, photos used to just come with rounded corners now we snip them to get the same look, but I digress.) I tend toward more clean pages, where my photos take center stage.

I also will warn that if you start this you need to keep up because if you don't you will get behind and you will feel overwhelmed.
I used to be like ladypea and buying lots of stuff like stickers and paper but I found I never used it. I would buy in the mindset of "oh this is so cute if I ever go to "Paris" i will totally use these stickers" I ended up with way more than I needed. as you start each page/event/subject, buy only what you need for that one thing. it will keep your storage space down.

Make sure you use a acid free product to stick your photos down, a tape runner is great. Skip the one from creative memories too expensive for something you can get at walmart. save the money on the important stuff.

I have terrible handwriting so I journal using the computer and text boxes. I love the way it looks,so much better than my writing.