| Buy some basic supplies at the local scrapbook store | | | | should master. |
| orcraft store. Or if you have a friend already | | | | Trim your pictures to eliminate any |
| intoscrapbooking, borrow some tools. | | | | distractingbackground or foreground images. Use a |
| You'll want to buy an album, some printed paper, a | | | | corner rounderto give your pictures a softer look. Pick |
| packof colored paper (the same size as your album), | | | | a complementarycard stock color. Use the tape runner |
| card stock | | | | on the corners ofthe back of the picture. Adhere the |
| (construction paper), a trimmer, a tape runner, a | | | | picture to the cardstock and trim the card stock to 1/4" |
| cornerrounder, good scissors, and some stickers or | | | | border around thepicture. Then adhere the matted |
| other embellishments. | | | | pictures to your albumpage with the tape runner. |
| Don't go overboard buying a lot of stuff on your first | | | | Matting will make your picturesthe focal point of the |
| trip tothe scrapbook store; it will overwhelm you | | | | page. |
| before you evenget started. | | | | Once your pictures are arranged on the page, journal |
| Find a scrapping partner or take a mini-class. | | | | theday's events or describe what is happening in the |
| Partnering with someone when you're just starting out | | | | pictures. |
| is agreat way to learn scrapbook techniques and | | | | Using your penmanship in scrapbooks is a great way |
| borrow supplies. | | | | topass on a piece of yourself to future generations. |
| Many independent scrapbook consultants hold parties | | | | Incorporate memorabilia into your scrapbook. |
| whereyou can "make and take" a few pages in one | | | | Mementos from an event or milestone are great |
| night for under | | | | scrapbookembellishments. Some scrapbook |
| $10. There are many different materials and | | | | companies even have specialpages that have |
| techniques thatyou will learn and can incorporate into | | | | transparent pockets to hold your treasures. |
| your scrapbooks. | | | | Don't get stuck on finishing a page. |
| Stamping, chalking, embossing, fastening (eyelets and | | | | Many times you will look at your latest page and think |
| brags),paper tearing, and using fabric to name a few. | | | | "there is something missing". Don't spend time staring at |
| Organize your pictures for page layouts long before | | | | apage that is 90% done, move onto the next page |
| yousit down to scrapbook. | | | | layout. Whenyou use a tape runner adhesive, it's very |
| Most people organize their pictures in chronological | | | | easy to go backand move or change a layout later |
| orderfor their scrapbook. Others will group similar | | | | without ruining anything. |
| themedpictures together for a page layout, like | | | | Scrapbooking is easy if you don't pressure yourself to |
| "sports". Limit theamount of pictures per page to 4 | | | | beperfect. Start out using these simple techniques and |
| unless your albumis a larger size, like 12" x 12". This will | | | | onceyou gain confidence, learn more complicated |
| keep your albumclassy and not cluttered. | | | | techniques andembellishing. |
| Use magazines for page layout ideas. | | | | Anyone can learn to scrapbook with these 7 |
| Purchase a scrapbook magazine or borrow from your | | | | freescrapbooking tips. The possibilities are endless |
| friendsfor page layout ideas. (The library is also great | | | | forwhat you can create. I like to keep a box of "Things |
| place toget ideas from scrapbooking magazines). | | | | to |
| Using another sourcefor your inspiration may seem like | | | | Scrapbook," including tickets, ribbons, crayon |
| cheating, but browsingthrough a magazine will jump | | | | drawings,birthday cards, wrapping paper scraps, pieces |
| start your creativity everytime. I make notes on the | | | | of fabric,on and on. Hold on to those precious |
| page, rip it out and clip it tothe pictures I want to use | | | | memories in yourown unique way, now that you know |
| for that layout. This is a hugetime saver. Huge! | | | | how to start scrapbooking. |
| Trimming, matting and journaling are the basic skillsyou | | | | |