Completely new - Where to start?

[NewEnglandDisney]

I've been reading a lot of threads and I have to admit I'm a little overwhelmed, and I'm not usually intimidated LOL. But I've never been to a scrapbooking store, or done anything like this besides fill picture frames before, so I'm at a loss as to exactly what materials I need to start and what I can do without at the begining.

I'm going to put some pictures in, but it's mostly going to be for the scraps of paper I've collected over the last few years at WDW. I save EVERYTHING. Every reciept for every bottle of water, every scrap of anything. I'm going to be more into placing those in the books than making picture-centric pages.

What I'd appriciate advice on is :

1) The mechanics of the book - there's paper, there is protective covers, etc. I've looked at "kits" and I'm never sure exactly what I can make with what's inside. What do you need for each sheet in the book.

2) I see tons of pretty Disney paper I'd love to try. I especially like anything park themed. Will I find this stuff in scrapbooking stores, or do I have to order it online or via eBay? I'm going to visit the stores in Disney on my next trip, but I'm hoping to have the essentials at home and just pick up the peripheral stuff there.

3) Any tips on working with the types of paper I'd like to use (i.e. old park schedules, reciepts, fastpasses, tickets, etc.?). I'd love links to anyone who has done similar projects.

Thanks so much for any help. I have a scrapbooking store near me I'm going to go explore in a few days, but I'd really like to have some idea of the tools/materials I'm going to need so I don't miss something essential or buy something I may not need.

NED

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I will not be of much help to you as I am new too. I've scrapped a total of TWO pages.

Anyway, for the FastPasses and Receipts and stuff like that, I plan on using Library Pockets to hold them in. This way the top of the item will stick out so you know what it is. I'll custom make each pocket for each item so the right amount of each item shows at the top.

The park schedules I am going to treat like photos and just double mat them and then use them as toppers or borders.

I have not yet figured out what to do with maps. I may just let them have a page all their own so as to not cover up all the information on them.

Looking at the TwoPeas gallery you will notice that everyone's pages are so very different. Some are super simple with the photos being center stage and some are sooo embellished that it is confusing to me, but I'm sure are beautiful in real life. You need to figure out you own style or preference. I don't think that a page NEEDS to have anything in particular, except your stuff. That said, there are some site that have layouts to help. You've seen the element lists from our swaps. There is no way you could put all of that on a page, there'd be no room for you.

Ha, see, I told you I'd be no help. But I can totally empathize with you. Want to come over and see all the stuff I've collected that I have no idea what to do with? I'll put a pot of coffee or tea on for you.

 

[vanyel]

When I started, I found it helpful to get some books on scrapbooking. I picked up some at the library then bought one that I really liked from Simply (or simple) Scrapbooks.

Haven't done much with it yet, just a few things but it gave me some great ideas though I want more and more supplies, the more I read.

I prefer the page protectors to the paper pages. For me it's easier to work on the page that way. I'm sure others prefer the other way.

You can find a lot of disney paper at craft stores - Joann's have a nice selection and so do others. There's also stuff online but I haven't ordered there yet.

Others here have way more experience than me so I'm sure they'll give you good advice

 

[ddavis860]

I've been reading a lot of threads and I have to admit I'm a little overwhelmed, and I'm not usually intimidated LOL. But I've never been to a scrapbooking store, or done anything like this besides fill picture frames before, so I'm at a loss as to exactly what materials I need to start and what I can do without at the begining.

I'm going to put some pictures in, but it's mostly going to be for the scraps of paper I've collected over the last few years at WDW. I save EVERYTHING. Every reciept for every bottle of water, every scrap of anything. I'm going to be more into placing those in the books than making picture-centric pages.

When I started, my pages were very simple. I didn't understand focus, or placement, but I liked the process. Now that I understand the mechanics better, my pages are so different.

You can go nuts getting lots of stuff...I have TONS. And I still buy more

What I'd appriciate advice on is :
1) The mechanics of the book - there's paper, there is protective covers, etc. I've looked at "kits" and I'm never sure exactly what I can make with what's inside. What do you need for each sheet in the book.

For me a page is a sheet protector, the background paper, my pics matted or framed, and any embellishments, i.e. the title, tags, shaker box, stickers....

2) I see tons of pretty Disney paper I'd love to try. I especially like anything park themed. Will I find this stuff in scrapbooking stores, or do I have to order it online or via eBay? I'm going to visit the stores in Disney on my next trip, but I'm hoping to have the essentials at home and just pick up the peripheral stuff there.

The shop in Disney is just OK. It does have some good park stuff, but you can get some interesting things online. Park themed titles are available, and some papers are park related in some of the Disney papers books.

3) Any tips on working with the types of paper I'd like to use (i.e. old park schedules, reciepts, fastpasses, tickets, etc.?). I'd love links to anyone who has done similar projects.

I put items like this in pockets on the page. You could make velum envelopes for receipts from the park for that day. Maps get their own pages in my books, as do programs or invitations...in a pocket, showing what the park or event was. Top loading pages allow you to remove the items without having to remove the whole page, unlike side loading pages.

Hope this helps some...Have a great trip....

 

[huge mickey fan]

I do have some advice for you. Start basic and simple. Album, Papers, stickers and adhesive. I love the printed papers for backgrounds then I usually choose a solid color to mat my photos or extras like fast passes and such. I think a great way for beginners to start would be to do one of two things. Check with your local scrapbook store and see if they have any beginners classes. Also find out if they have a crop time when lots of people will be there at the store doing scrapbooking. I find that scrapbookers are generally very helpful and kind about showing someone how to layout something or maybe color and paper choices. You could also look at the layouts on this board for some inspiration. As for the purchasing of papers and stickers I am completely obsessed. I can't help myself when I see cute papers I don't have. I have purchased at my LSS and several places online. I find the online stores sometimes have great sales like free shipping over a certain amount or just a different selection than my LSS. For a list of great online stores check out the Scrap sites thread. Hope this can guide you in the right direction.

Huge Mickey Fan

Huge Mickey Fan

 

[disneyfreakk]

I agree with taking some classes at your local scrapbook store FIRST, before you buy anything! They will have everything you need to take the class with maybe the exception of adhesive and scissors. Just ask what you need when you are signing up for the class. When I first started scrapbooking I went nuts buying everything that I thought I might use. I hit the 1/2 off sales at Hobby Lobby and spent a BUNDLE. Now most of that stuff is sitting in storage, I just don't use it anymore. I learned about different brands and now have my favorites. Good luck and feel free to ask lots and lots of questions! There are some very informative people here. Now to give my perspective on your questions :

1) The mechanics of the book - there's paper, there is protective covers, etc. I've looked at "kits" and I'm never sure exactly what I can make with what's inside. What do you need for each sheet in the book.

everyone has different styles, so you will get many different answers. Kits will give you a basic idea of how to put a page together. Just remember that you can use as much or as little of the kit as you want, and even add things that aren't in the kit. As long as you like it, its "right". You are scrapbooking for yourself!!


"2) I see tons of pretty Disney paper I'd love to try. I especially like anything park themed. Will I find this stuff in scrapbooking stores, or do I have to order it online or via eBay? I'm going to visit the stores in Disney on my next trip, but I'm hoping to have the essentials at home and just pick up the peripheral stuff there."

Each scrapbook store will have different stuff, so its hard to say. I would suggest going online and looking at everything. try www.mousememories.com for the widest collection of Disney. If you see something you like, checkout hobby lobby and your local scrapbook store. You might just be able to get it cheaper, or you might feel differently about the items when you see them in person.

 

[BlessedMomOfTwo]

I used to teach Scrapbooking classes at our LSS (local scrapbook store). I have an outline I used for my beginners class saved in Word. If you are interested in me emailing you a copy, you can send me a message with your email address in it. I will be happy to share it with you.

Carol

 

[NewEnglandDisney]

Wow, thanks so much for all the wonderful advice. I read all of them carefully and each one of them had great advice!

I found a great desciption of a lot of the tools, etc. in one of the beginner guides at scrapbooking.com which really helped a lot as well. I really wasn't sure what I needed for tools, etc. to make a basic page, and between your posts and that I made my first trip to the Scrapbooking store.

I intended on buying an album there, but the ones they had were all as expensive as the offical Disney ones anyway, so I bought one online that I hope makes it here next week. I bought a pack of protector sheets but I'm not going to open them until I get the album/kit in the mail and can ensure they fit (I left the reciept in the bag as well). I wasn't sure what the offical Disney albums used.

I ended up buying Tombo Mono liquid glue adhesive to start with. I bought it and when I got home and checked a few sites it seems a common all-purpose choice. The store had a small Disney section, and I bought a set of adhesive black and red mouse ear stickers to get myself started.

For paper/cardstock I need to go back and get some plain cardstock to back with, but between what's in the kit I ordered and what I bought I think I'll have enough to make a few very nice pages. I bought a card-stock princess page, 2 pages of sayings/titles to cut out (one Mickey one Princess), 1 swirly transparent sheet (looking it up online it seems it is called "vellium"), a couple of more sheets of Disney paper, and one halloween piece of cardstock they had that I liked.

I think I did okay. I've got a busy day tomorrow but Sunday I'm going to go down to the drugstore and order up some 1-hour prints to start my first couple of pages. I think I might also stop by the scrapbook store and get some more of their Halloween papers - I've decided I'm going to start with one of my MNSSHP's last year.

I've been saving stuff to scrap from Disney (every bit of paper I get from check-in to check-out) so it's so exciting to get into this finally.

Thanks again everyone!

NED

 

[disneyfreakk]

GOOD LUCK!! And have a great time!

 

[BlessedMomOfTwo]

It sounds like you are off to a great start with what you purchased!

One suggestion... when I was teaching (I sent you the outline, BTW) I usually recommended that people use the photo sticker squares to adhere their photos to the page rather than some other types of adhesives such as glue. Here is why... they will do less damage to your photos should you choose to remove them from the page (if you want to make a copy for someone or something). They have an adhesive on both sides of the little square sticker. If you pull the photo up after you have applied it, the square will split in half and separate rather than possibly pull the finish off the back of your photo. (It is hard to explain without my examples to show you).

This isn't as much of an issue now since most folks are using digital and could just print out another photo, etc. But I still wanted to share for those who might find it helpful.

I love the Tombow Mono glue. I used to make punch art for sale and I always used the Tombow glue as it held so well.

I hope you have fun putting your pages together!
Carol