These days many people would like to get started in the scrapbooking hobby, but a lot of them are fearful to start because they thing of the cost. They look at all the embellishments, patterned papers and doodads; they think that they are not creative enough to start.

For those who want to create your own design of a scrapbook, the first thing to do is you have to decide on what kind of scrapbook you would like to create. You even have a budding desire to be a scrapbooker, but when you walk into a scrapbook store, you feel misplaced and don’t know where to begin.

There are so many products available in the scrapbooking industry that it is easy to feel lost or overwhelmed. You don’t need to spend a lot to make a scrapbook, you can make it as expensive or inexpensive as you want.

Here is a “Must Have” starter list; you can use this list as a shopping list when you go shopping and you will be able to focus on those things that you really need to get started making beautiful scrapbooks!

• An Album – These come in a variety of sizes and styles. Select the size album you want to work in and find a color or pattern that works for the theme of your album. Do you want a 3-ring or a post-bound album? A 12×12 inch or an 8×8 inch scrapbook? A quick run-down of the choices available and which one’s work best for which project should help make your decision a little easier. A good album is one that will let your pages lay flat when you are looking at them.

• Refill Pages For Your Album. Refills are not standard sizes, so it is best to pick up a few packs when you purchase your album so that you get the same manufacturer and size. This way you will not have to hunt for the refills later.

• A Nice Sharp Pair of Scissors; use to cut paper, stickers, die cuts, etc. One of the fine tips is the scissors must be comfortable to hold and you want a pair of scissors that are dedicated exclusively to your scrapbooking. Make sure that they are always with your supplies and always nice and sharp.

• Adhesive; use this to adhere your photos and paper to your scrapbook page. There are many different styles of adhesive. Different scrapbooking projects require specific adhesives and it’s important to be prepared.

There are two types of adhesives: wet and dry. Wet adhesives are usually referred to as “glue” and come in liquid, paste,  stick or spray form. While Dry adhesives come in the form of tape, tab, dot and photo corners. To get started you want an acid-free adhesive that will work well on both cardstock and photos.

• Cardstock and Patterned Papers. Select paper to go with the colors you wish to accent in your photos. You may want to purchase paper at your local scrapbook store so that you can select individual sheets for each page.

• Journal Pens. Look for acid-free, permanant, pens with fine tips for hand writing your journaling. If you wish to hand write titles for your pages you may wish to purchase pens that have a fine tip on one end and a wider tip on the opposite end. Read Handwriting on Your Scrapbook Pages to help you get started using journaling pens.

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4 Quick Scrapbooking Tips by Sharon Tulley

Scrapbooking can be a great way to share the memories of your family and friends by taking advantage of a creative medium and organizing them in a pleasing way. For many of us, the problem is getting organized in the first place!

A scrapbook is like a photo album on crack (or steroids, if you prefer to go with something less illegal. Or Red Bull, if less illicit). With a scrapbook, you’re not limited to photos; anything you have that you want to save and/or display, as long as it will fit reasonably, can be included. All of your favorite knicknacks, trinkets, and other memorabilia can make great additions to a scrapbook.

• You Need Help (Or Could Use Some) It might take hours to go through the items you want to include, but this can be one of the most fun parts of the process. You can make it even more fun if you manage to convince your significant other, spouse, parents or kids to help you.

• Theme It! The next step in scrapbooking (or “scrapping,” as some like to call it) is to design a theme or layout – there could be a recurring theme throughout the book with a different layout for each page, or you could theme every new page independently of the others – the beauty is that it’s completely up to you. Your theme can be as simple or as involved as you want it, but remember not to be overzealous; less is more in many cases.

• Use Your Tools Grab anything and everything you can think of that might be of help. Odd shapes make good stencils or borders, and trying several types of adhesives and writing implements will allow you to get the best results with your materials. You can never have too much colored paper, either!

• Get A Second Opinion This isn’t medical plan 101, I’m talking about actually asking for input from your friends on what they think. It’s hard sometimes to have tough skin and deal with any critiques or criticism someone might have, but I’m sorry to say that it’s part of being a designer! The visual appeal you are trying to create can always benefit from a second set of eyes, no matter what the application.

How to Start a Scrapbook

from wikiHow - The How to Manual That You Can Edit

If you have a lot of pictures and mementos just stashed away in a box on your shelf, then it is time to check them out. These pictures usually reflect your hobbies, your youth, vacations, or photos of loved ones. It is time to get the boxes down from the shelf, and create a scrapbook !


Steps

1. Organize the photos and mementos. A scrapbook can contain pictures, movie tickets, programs, anything that will lay flat when the book is closed. There are two schools of thought when it comes to ways of scrap booking. The first is chronological scrap booking. The second approach to scrap booking is event or theme-based scrap booking which is more current and simple. Layouts are completed using event photos (birthday, graduation, first tooth, etc.) or with theme photos (ten things I love about you, dear ole’ dad, my favorite foods, etc.).
2. Count your photos and mementos. This way you can determine what size album to get. Albums come in multiple colors, sizes and even shapes. The more popular sizes are 12” x 12”, 8.5” x 11”, 8” x 8” or 6” x 6”. The most popular album binding are 3-ring notebook-style, post bound, and strap hinge. Other binding options are spiral, clasp-ring and hand-sewn. Page protectors finished layouts are slipped into for safe keeping should be PVC free.
3. Buy a scrapbook based on your theme, or just a regular inexpensive one, and mark it to reflect the theme. You will need stamps, cut-outs, stickers, scissors and glue. Construction paper is colorful and often cheaper than “specialty” papers made especially for scrapbooks.
4. Carefully measure and plan your page before you start gluing. You can write your plan down on a piece of paper, so you will not forget how you want to layout each page. Manufacturers of scrapbooking supplies and scrapbook designers often make kits that include everything needed to make a layout. Kits include most of the supplies but not the adhesives and tools needed for assembly.

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