What do I need to start a scrapbook? About This Page:

[DisneyholicsAnonymouse]

I have seen and heard lots of things about scrapbooking but I am not even sure how to get started. I want to do one up for my son who's coming in March of next year. We already have 6 pictures of him from my 2 sonograms in an album somebody gave us for a wedding gift that was unused and I know that's a start.

Anybody else have any ideas? I am totally stuck here!

DA

[GATechGal]

Here's the suggestion:
Sissors
Photo Safe Glue
Decorative and Solid colored Papers
Acid Free Pen - if you're just starting black is fine
Stickers
Album with page protectors (sounds like you already have one)

That's what I would get to start. Our WalMart has a pretty nice selection of Scrapbook stuff to start you out. Probably most other discount retailers do too. Keep in mind that the whole point is to get your memories down to go with the pictures. Since you little one hasn't arrived, try writing him/her a letter about how you are feeling about becoming a new mother. What your hopes and dreams are, etc... Just make sure that your supplies say that they are acid free. The acid will damage your pictures over time. I like the page protectors cause my kids love to look at my albums, and I don't have to worry about thier smudgy little fingers messing up my pages. You might want to get a starting scrappers book or magazine to look at as well. Just be sure to start out slow. The pages you see in a lot of the books are <font color="red">VERY</font> embelished and done by professionals. Your job is to make it look nice, but get those memories down.

My grandmother did an old fashioned scrapbook when she was in college (1920's). She had all sorts of stuff in there including candy wrappers (showing where all her pocket money went). But she didn't do much journaling, so when we were looking at it recently, she couldn't remember the names of the girls in the pictures that had been her friends!! Your grandkids will love that kind of information as much as the pictures. So don't forget to spend the time writing stuff down.

[nanajoyx2]

I would recommend contacting a Creative Memories consultant. I am new to scrapbooking. My first exposure was at a CM party. I really like the simple style that CM encourages, nothing overdone or too busy. Go to the website and search for a consultant in your area. She will advise you as to what you need to get started. My consultant is not pushy at all trying to sell products. She has great suggestions and ideas. Congratulations and best of luck with your baby.

[LilMarcieMouse]

<font color="blue">Hi DisneyholicsAnonymouse welcome to the Spare Room. The thing I recomend most is imagination. Look in Scrapbook magazines for Idaes and look to see if anyone here shares layouts. All the supplies mentioned above are everthing I would have said. There is a thread at the top the has all Srcapbooking sites some show layouts and you can find so great things to buy. Good Luck and happy Scrapbooking.
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[Dumbo]

Congratulations on the baby.

Having not done a scrapbook but want to here is my advice.
Besure to include a lot of info. Maybe the date for some of the pictures as well as the baby's age. I have a lot of pictures in albums and have all this noted on the back of the picture. It's really important since you won't remember this down the road. Also be sure you note the baby's name. My 2 DSs looked a lot alike when they were young and if I hadn't put their name on some of the pictures we'd be guessing which one is in the picture.

[ripkensnana]

Yes! Identify your pictures with names, dates, and places. My mother recently gave me a huge box of family photos, and very few pictures have any ID at all, usually only the year (if that). The really frustrating part is that many of the pictures are from my father's side of the family (Mom and Dad divorced in the early 50's), and Mom has no idea of who some of the people are, and anyone who'd be able to help has passed away

[mrsmaup]

Im also very interested in getting started scrapbooking. I have my pictures somewhat divided into the albums I want to make, but when I go into Walmart or other places that sell scrapbook supplies, my eyeballs glaze over and I just have NO CLUE where to start.

Is there a place in The World where you can buy scrapbook stuff?

[LorinMO]

Hi DA and congratulations!!!

I also think that the best place for you to start is with a Creative Memories consultant. In my years of scrapbooking I have found that they carry the best line of albums - which are guaranteed for life! Also, Creative Memories is a great place to start and not have to make a significant investment in lots of products. It can be a pretty overwhelming experience to walk into a scrapbooking store or the scrapbooking section of any retailer.

One fun thing we did when I was pregnant was to take a photo of me standing sideways against a wall each month. It was fun to look back and see how big I got each month. After my son was born each month we put him in the same chair next to the same stuffed animal and took his photo.

Have fun scrapbooking all those great memories.


Lori