Your Best Advice About This Page:

[Nimros]

I'm just starting to print out my photos from our Sep. WDW trip - and to be honest, I'm not sure I'm up to tackling the project of scrapbooking it yet. I have never in my life done any scrapbooking at all - and so trying to make such a special album seems daunting... In fact, I'm so overwhelmed I may end up going digital - or even just opting for a photo album!

Instead, I've decided to attempt my first try at scrapbooking by making two little Halloween scrapbooks with the girls. I figure we'll be learning it together and if we make mistakes it won't matter that much.

Sooo - since we are totally new to scrapbooking, what ONE resource/book/website etc. would you recommend to get us started? Do I need to take a class in this or can I just experiment and learn-as-I-go?

There are so many resources out there, it's too much to try and figure out how to take the first step!

[LilMarcieMouse]

You can experiment and learn-as-you-go. you can go to places these http://www.passporterboards.com/foru...ts-2007-a.html ,
About Scrapbooking , The Best Scrapbooking Supplies On The Web - Two Peas in a Bucket to look at the gallaries for Ideas. I think the small Halloween book with the kids is a great idea. Remeber it's you book you have to like it first. Ask any questions you want here and use your imagination. I believe there is no wrong way to scrapbook. Some like it fancy, some like it simple. Have fun doing it.

Happy Scrapping.

[kmurburg]

You can definitely learn as you do. Look at as many layouts as you can to get an idea of what you like and then really look at your pictures to "find the story" you want your pictures to tell. Once you have a feel for the look you want, jump right in and start. If you don't like your page, you can always reprint your pictures and start over. The first page is the scariest and once you get that one under your belt, you'll wonder why you were ever worried! Try to start with something that really excites you or that the pictures seem to tell the story on their own so that you have to do very little to get a really cool page. Good luck and have fun with your scrapping! It's so cool to relive the memories as you work on your book!

[Grandmasam]

I think the one thing that set me free was discovering that I could cut the photos! It seemed almost sacreligious at first, but it made such a HUGE difference!!!! I like to browse through the "how to" books at the local JoAnn etc. Great ideas, at no cost - my favorite price. As noted above, the key is making something that you like.

[mcc0313]

I just figured it out as I went and I am sure for a avid scrapbooker they would probably look at mine and laugh...lol

However I love it and it detailed our trip the way I wanted it too....

I think that as long as you and the girls have fun and detail your book in a way that will keep your memories alive then you can't go wrong....

[ripkensnana]

Another good place to look at layouts is right here, in the 2007 challenge layouts thread.....

[whoSEZ]

I second all of the above. You might also want to try finding a scrapbooking store near you. The people at those stores are almost always willing to answer questions and help you get started. If you were in Memphis, I'd suggest The premier scrapbook store… welcome to Archiver's., but they don't have a store in Nashville.

You're probably going to start off doing any number of things one way and then change your mind about them down the road. Even something as simple as adhesives -- you might change the kind of adhesive you use 6 months from now. And that's okay!! It's your book; it can be exactly what you want it to be.

[Nimros]

Thanks everyone! You guys have me all excited about doing this now...I'm wishing I could dash off to the store right now!

[stretch2864]

Digital scrapbooking is fun as well, and a great way to get your feet wet so to speak. I have been really happy with Shutterfly | Develop, Print & Share Digital Photos: Create Photo Gifts Online as far as digital scrapbooks go. You upload your photos to the site, and then you can choose what layouts you want to use as well as background paper, journaling etc. I've done a couple of them and was very pleased with the results. I bought a package since I was doing several albums, and it came out to $20 each for a 20 page scrapbook. Good luck and most of all have fun!

[Shell_of_the_South]

I would suggest finding a friend who has done scrapbooking before. That's how I got started. I never took classes or bought guidebooks. Actually my girls started before me and I joined in later. It's so much fun to crop with a group!

I would also suggest that you go ahead and find a second job to pay for your scrapbooking supplies, because once you get started - it's addicting!! I have a serious paper addiction right now! Just kidding - scrapbooking can be as cheap or expensive as you want it to be. I'd invest in a good pair of scissors, a paper trimmer, corner rounder. You'll need some type of adhesive - glue, glue stick, or tape. You can start with a pack of multi colored cardstock and build from there. Maybe take your pictures with you to the store and match some patterned paper and stickers to embellish your pages. Don't be afraid to experiment. I lay out my page before I glue anything. Choosing papers takes up a lot of my time because I'll try several colors/patterns before I decide on something.

Have fun!!

[Nala]

Great advise everyone.

I would suggest you pull out all your photos and decide which ones you want to scrap. Remember, you don't have to do them all. Pick out the ones that you love or that have special meaning or help tell your story.

You might also want to try and make a plan for your book, before you start. You will probably want to do an opening page and a closing page, but thnk about how will you do the pages in between. You can do pages by what you did each day, group your photos by parks, or any other order you want to, but I find it helps if I have a plan. This might also help from feeling like the book is a daunting task. If you have a plan, it will make picking out supplies easier and cut down on buying stuff that you may end up not using. (but, that doesn't always work! )

And last, but not least, make sure you journal about your photos to tell the story of them!

As others have said, just have fun with it. And don't be afraid to ask questions. Your local scrap book store should be a good place for help, but you can always post questions here. Everyone is always willing to help.

[Tonichelle]

I learned by having scrapbook parties with my friends and their moms... get together with scrapbookers in your area (many scrapbook supply stores have these get togethers after store hours, or during!)