Need Scrapbooking Advice About This Page:

[Debookwrm]

Hi, I'm Deborah. I've decided to start a scrap book for all of my travel memories. And I'll be completely honest I do not have a clue. I'm going to begin with Disney, my most traveled destination and go from there. Are the kits they sell at Disney worth the price...actually all the materials look pricy? I took a look on my quicky trip last week and they're cute, but do I want to buy them? Any help at all getting me started or steering me away from the ridiculous would be helpful.

Thank you,
Deborah

[rescuesk]

I'm relatively new at scrapbooking, and let me tell you how I got hooked.

I wanted to start for a long time, but it seemed overwhelming..so many choices, styles, did I want top loading? Post bound? What was a card stock anyway? It was enough to stop anyone cold! So last year, I decided I wanted to scrapbook my Dec 2003 trip. I gathered my pictures and my various memorobilia (tickets, brochures, etc) and put them in one place. Then, off to WalMart I went. Yes, I started at WalMart. I bought a scrapbook, some letters, some stickers, a few pens, glue, borders and a vacation pack. It cost me about $50.00. I sat down, put my pictures in order and just started. My first scrapbook looks like a first scrapbook, very plain with only a few embellishments, but I am SO proud of it because it was my first. Once I got done with that, I felt I could go into a scrapbooking store and know what to look for. I still don't know alot (for instance, I don't have a cutting system yet) but I know what I like and what looks nice to me. I am now working on scrapbook number 7. Each one has come a little further in terms of creativity. It is fun, relaxing and I wish I had more time to work on it!

My personal opinion (strictly mine, others may have another opinion!) is that I don't like kits. I prefer to buy what I like and not be strapped into what they provide. You can add on, but then you end up with stuff you don't really use. I like to choose my scrapbook stuff based on what I want the finished product to look like, not what the makers of the kit want.

I like some of the Disney stuff, but some of it is quite expensive. I actually have yet to buy an actual Disney scrapbook because of the price, I buy a plain one and do my own cover. They have some pretty neat stickers, and I did pick up a really cool castle punch last year.

Don't be afraid to take the plunge and dive in! It is so much fun, you will love scrapbooking!

[Jennifer2003]

I bought a kit on Home Shopping last summer and loved the papers and hated the embellishments. So I can take or leave kits.

I'm like Sue. I buy what I want and boy, do I have a lot of stuff now. I did my first scrapbook a year ago. I've only done two, but I have all these creative ideas in my head. I hope my mom will let me take her Vegas pictures from this week and make a book for her.

It's very addicting and can get expensive. Watch out for coupons from Joann's, Michael's and AC Moore. The stuff sold at WDW is a little pricey, but exclusive. I bought a kit there in Sept and I still have some stickers left for next time.

Scrapping is great! Have fun! Share some pictures when you're complete if you can!

Jennifer

[LilMarcieMouse]

<font color="blue"> Hi Debookwrm, Welcome to the Spare Room. I think that the kits at WDW are great to pick up. They have stuff you can't find anywhere else. Like Ride stickers and the resturants. AS for a book you can find some almost any where that are Disney and very nice too. Have fun and Happy Scrapping.
</font>

[Nala]

First of all, the most important thing is that you have decided to start scrapbooking! I think I speak for all scrapbookers when I say it is a hobby you will not regret taking up. After all, you will be capturing all your precious memories and photos in one safe place that will last for generations.

Getting started can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many products to select! But start with the basics and build from there. While I have bought a few kits over the years, I am not a big fan of them. I have found that I use a few pieces and the rest sit around and never get used. But, for the first scrapbook, a kit can be a useful tool to get you used to using different elements.

I would suggest investing in some paper, a small kit and a few monthly publications to give you ideas. If you have a Hobby Lobby in your area they offer a magazine called "Scrappin, Stampin and Stationery" that is free with a $10 purchase.

You could also check out any local scrapbook stores to see if they have classes to get you started. You may find that not only the class will help you, but other scrappers there too.

Scrapbooking can become a very expensive addiction...ummm...I mean hobby, but the end result will be worth it! Like I said before, the important thing is to capture your memories.

Just dive in and do it. And don't worry about what the first scrapbook looks like. Your style, taste and abilities will change and develope with every page you do!

Good luck and happy scrapping! Feel free to ask us questions and post pictures of your work!!

[Helenn]

Hi Deborah, I don't think I would buy the kits myself ~ keep an eye out for on sale items at your local scrapbooking places - Michaels etc. I got a really nice album on sale at Michaels for 50% off and there are usually stickers or embellishments on sale at the different stores. Wherever you go shopping, make a list of what you need and try your best to stick to it- it is way to tempting to buy things you don't need. Yesterday I went to Archivers and spent $50 on Disney stuff - I came out with a bunch of items I didn't really need! As others have mentioned - scrapbooking is sooo much fun and VERY addicting! Whichever way you go - have fun making your albums!

[Debookwrm]

You guys are all so helpful. I did go to Hobby Lobby and check it out. The prices were all right , I can see how it could be an expensive hobby. I also have DirectTV and they have a show on the DIY channel for scrapbooking, but I have to admit I'm more confused than before after watching my first episode and yet more intrigued. I think I'll not buy any kits at first as most of you suggest and see how I do just flying by the seat of my pants. It may be horrible...but it will be mine.

Deborah

[DawnDenise]

Deborah:

I was a little apprehensive after I saw my first DIY show on scrapbooking. I was looking at my first scrapbook from my honeymoon in 2000 and wow...what a difference. With each page, I learn a little bit more and I try add a new technique when I can. I found that I got too stressed out when I tried to make every page look spectactular. I have learned that sometimes the simplest pages are just as good and sometimes become your favorites.

As far as the kits go, I bought two on my last trip and used aspects from them in my scrapbook. One cool thing is that I have the stuff I didn't use for future trips and I won't have to buy the same kit again. I live (or so it seems) in Michael's or Hobby Lobby. I also got a lot of great Disney stuff at mousememories.com. I might not need it right now but as everyone else has said...it's addicting.

HTH...Dawn

[graygables]

I've been scrapbooking for a long time and started with the Creative Memories 2 triangles-slap-on-some-stickers look (which is fine and I still like my albums I did that way, but I've *grown* ) Even now, I still pick up an occasional magazine or book just for inspiration and detailed instructions. I just got 2 new books: Mastering Scrapbook Page Design and Making Brilliant Scrapbook Pages (I *really* like this one, it goes into a lot of info about using patterned papers). It doesn't hurt to pick one up and see if you can make some of the pages work for you.

As far as the WDW kits go, I think they are a decent value, but only for the park exclusive/specific stuff. The eyelets, snaps, paper clips, etc are right on the money value wise. Otherwise, I like to get my stuff from Hobby Lobby (sign up online for the sales flyer...1/2 price EK Success and Jolee's this week! ), Archiver's (joined their Memory Savers Club for 15% off purchases), and Joann's (40% off coupons, use both online and off). I, too, tend to buy more than I need; sometimes I keep it b/c there will *always* be another WDW trip or sometimes I take it back. Make sure to save all your receipts!

I also like to go to crops (scrapbooking "parties") at my Archiver's. For $12.75 (w/ discount), I get 6 hours of uninterrupted scrapbooking time, the store at my fingertips, and inspiration and help if I get stuck. Oh, and PIZZA! So, you might look into a store in your area that offers scrapbooking classes or crops.

It is a wonderful, productive hobby to have that will last many generations. Telling the story of your life...what a great thing to have fun doing!!!

[LilMarcieMouse]

[ QUOTE ]
It may be horrible...but it will be mine.

Deborah

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue"> That's a good attitude, Remember to have fun doing it. My first albums are very primitive, I didn't use mats and that didn't help the pictures to pop. Now I use mats all the time, mostly single mats but the double and triple look great too. Have fun.

Oh and if you look here you can see my First Scrapbook. Disney Trip 1998 </font>

[RobinKay6573]

My first scrapbooks were for my trip to WDW for Christmas in 2002. I did two 8 1/2 x 11 scrapbooks. Looking back at them now they look a bit rough around the edges so to speak. They are a much better way to display my photos then just a plain old photo album.

Over 2 years later I have gotten a bit more sophisticated. I actually purchased an eyelet setter a couple of months ago and I visit the scrapbook store at least once a week (if not more...they know me by first name now) to pick up supplies. It has been alot of fun and I have alot of great work to show for it.

I say go for it...WING IT! That is what I did. I have taken one scrapbook class and learned NOTHING in it. All the instructor did was go on and on about how everything should be acid free and how you shouldn't cut up your photos in to "funny" shapes. Every once and a while I will need inspiration. If I do I go to http://www.scrapjazz.com

By the way if you are doing a scrapbook for you Disney vacation don't stick with JUST Disney items. I find it fun to pick a theme for a page. For example I am doing a spread for some photos taken at Camp Minnie/Mickey so I am doing a camping theme. I did a spread in my last scrapbook for the Stars and Motor cars parade and use car photos and sparkly stars on the page.

[GATechGal]

Take a look at Marcie's album. I think it's really good for a lot of reasons. It's a first album so it's simple. She jazzed it up with special papers and stickers and used memorabilia as most of her embellishments. That keeps the costs down for your first try and I think that folks looking at it in 30 years will enjoy seeing all the stuff she's included like tickets and maps and stuff.

[LilMarcieMouse]

[ QUOTE ]
Take a look at Marcie's album. I think it's really good for a lot of reasons. It's a first album so it's simple. She jazzed it up with special papers and stickers and used memorabilia as most of her embellishments. That keeps the costs down for your first try and I think that folks looking at it in 30 years will enjoy seeing all the stuff she's included like tickets and maps and stuff.

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue">Gee, Thanks Mary Ann for the kind words. </font>