five shoe boxes of photos

[Tiggeroo]

many albums, not well done, and countless undeveloped rolls of film.

I want to start scrapbooking, where whould you start? And if I want to go to the store with like $50. to start on supplies, what wouldl you buy. I have nothing. I think I can use the AC Moore 50% off coupon. And I may have one for Joanne's as well.

 

[Tiger Fan]

Wow, how exciting! I would personally decide which kind and style of album you want to use and purchase that along with a minimum of supplies - adhesives, a basic cutting device, some very simple papers (shortcuts or triangles come to mind). I would then take the most recent photographs and sort through them. Decide if your album will be a theme like for a child or your entire family. If you try to work on all those photos you will feel overwhelmed and most likely not complete any albums. After you select the most recent photos just slowly start scrappin' away. It will all come together. Welcome to the wonderful world of scrapbooking and definately use those coupons!!

Lisa

 

[bananiem]

This is what I'd do:
First I'd pick out some pictures to start with, so as not to get overwhelmed. Maybe a vacation album or something. Take some pictures with you to match paper or cardstock. If you have a theme in mind sometimes you'll see the perfect paper. I often pick up paper that I know I won't use for awhile but then I'll have it when I get to that page.
Second, buy I GOOD album. If you know anyone who scraps it might be worthwhile to look at the albums they use. I used to do all strap-hinge but have done some post-bound lately. It's a matter of preference.
Third, buy adhesive. There are a ton of types. Look at all the different ones and see what you think you'll like. I used to only use Creative Memories tape runner but they changed the dispenser and I HATE it. Now I've tried Hermafix and really like that. My daughter uses a glue stick but she's not quite 8 and that is just easy for her.
Next I'd buy scissors and a paper cutter. I like my 12 inch Fiskars one because I do 12 x 12 albums and I can cut both 12 inch papers and pictures. I also use my coluzzle for cutting shapes and mats but you could start with just a template that would come with several shapes. I use my corner rounder (again, it's from Creative Memories) all the time.
After you have the bare necessities you can buy your embellishments. I suggest starting ut slow. I have a bunch of the Creative Memories idea books and they are really helpful when you get stuck or can't come up with an idea.
A warning--You may spend more than $50 the first time you shop.

 

[lisaschu]

Well, you can get started on your own or you can certainly take a beginner class. CM is great for getting you started. If you don't know a consultant in your area, go to www.creativememories.com and look for someone on the consultant locator. Anyway, you really only need a few things to start with. Decide on what album size you want. Make sure it is acid free, lignen free and photo safe. This is VERY important! The beginner tools I would recomend:

* photo trimmer (I'm partial the CMs)
* corner rounder (again CM has a great one)
* Black fine tip pen - waterproof, fade proof and photo safe.
* photo mounting paper. Make sure it's acid free and lignen free. Do not use construction paper!!

Once you've gotten used to these you can move towards the advanced tools so that you're not so overwhelmed. I LOVE CMs Custom Cutting System. It cuts ovals, circles, wavy lines, etc. Don't go crazy over decorative scissors. A couple designs are fine, but once you have ten or so it seems to be a bit much.

Well, hope this helps. Let us know if you have any other questions.
Lisa

 

[ScrappinBear]

Reading your post is like reading how I started.... I went to Michaels with $50 to spend and spent $49.xx !! I talked to alot of people before I went.... I just got the basics... glue, paper, some scissors, and a couple of pens, and some stencils. I didn't even know back then that they had coupons !!

Looking back, I would have waited until some things went on sale so that I could buy even more.... but you learn with experience !!

Good Luck !!!

 

[Connie of Trenton]

This sounds like a fun project, especially if you like to organize stuff. First I would get the rest of the film developed so you know what all you have to work with. Then I would go through the pics and see if there is a theme or which ones you want to include in a scrapbook. I don't put all my pics in a scrapbook just my favorites-the rest go in a regular photobook in order of date. So then I would decide on the type book you want-like a vacation theme, a wedding, anniversary, holidays, etc. With my kids I have done seperate books from birth-graduation with them. A good quality scrapbooking album is a must, good scissors, mounting tabs, colored cardstock paper for background shapes, stencils are good, cutting mat, corner rounder for pictures. Michaels and other scrapbooking stores have alot of cute background papers. As you can see the possibilities are endless. And the coupons are very helpful when you have alot of stuff to get you going. Have fun-keep us updated!

 

[3MinnieMom]

Hey, Connie of Trenton...........I grew up in Trenton, MI and graduated from Trenton High School (GO TROJANS !!) in 1982. How are things out that way ???

Anyway, back to Scrapbooking. I did one page back in 1997...then another page in 1999...and last year I finally got into it. What a great hobby!! My girlfriend became a CM consultant, and we get together at her house every 3 weeks. It's my "girls' night out" away from the hubby and kids, yet I'm doing something so important for my family !! I love the CM supplies (cutting supplies, albums, corner rounder), but I love when Hobby Lobby has 50% off of stickers, diecuts or papers (I also use coupons from Michaels). Another place for good quality supplies at decent prices is Times to Cherish [www.TimestoCherish.com] (through Current stationary products catalog). QVC also sells scrapbooking supplies (I believe through the Creating Keepsakes line, which also publish a magazine). Always check for acid and lignin-free products !! I'd hate to think how much I've invested in supplies, but it makes it so much easier when you need a new idea for a layout (the CM idea books are fabulous - my one girlfriend gets older copies off of e-bay !!). I highly recommend finding some friends to scrapbook with - and make the time in your busy schedule for scrapbooking. My kids and my husband love to see the "new" pages I've come up with !! Just start with your most current developed package of pictues, start with simple ides, get comfortable, and work backwards. You'll get the hang of it !! Don't forget to journel - invest in some good acid-free pens ! Have fun !!

 

[Connie of Trenton]

Greetings to 3 Minnie Mom from Trenton,
Small world isn't it? I/we did not grow up in Trenton-we are transplants from the west side of the state. Things in Trenton probably have not changed that much since you left. You know things like..... trying to get some new life in the downtown area since the department store fire kind of brought things to a halt. Hopefully things will come around-people are trying. Do you still come back to the area to visit? If you have not been around recently I would say Woodhaven has had the most changes. Lots of new homes and stores....places like Michael's to buy SCRAPBOOKING stuff at! I like your idea of scrapping with friends. I have only done with my daughter. We have been talking at work about having a workshop-for us that have been doing it to teach people who are new. I have found this forum (recipes included) a great place for new and different ideas. Whoever thought of it had a great idea! I have also ordered from Times to Cherish and like the quality. The buy one get one free items are a plus.

 

[chessie]

How exciting for you to have come by all those photos. Everyone has given you wonderful advice.

I get overwhelmed when it comes to large projects so I have to break them down into tiny pieces in order to fool my brain. Here are some things that I do. I use a 3 ring binder with page protectors to keep my completed pages in and I have project envelopes where I keep pages in progress. I don't scrap in order of anything. If I had to I would never get anything accomplished. I scrap what interests me at the time. When I get an idea for a page I do it then. By keeping them in a three ring binder I can arrange and rearrange the pages until an album emerges and I can then transfer them into their own album.

Have fun with your new found hobby

Chessie