How did you learn??

[cobbler]

To do all the wonderful scrapbooking pages I have seen from some of you??

I am rather new to this, before just put my pictures in Albums but am now trying to work on scrapbooking and I am just having the worst time.

I wish I could show you what I mean.

Did any of you take classes? Are naturally talented?

I am working on my sons from my pregnancy to now and the first few pages I swear are awful.

Any help would be GREATLY, GREATLY appreciated!!!

Thanks

 

[hockeymom7691]

The first time I scrapped was when I went to a Creative Memories party. I actually came across that page last night.

I keep mine very simple (no chalk or fancy stuff) using die cuts colored papers, stickers, etc.

My friend who is also a CM consultant always says that it doesn't matter what they look like as long as you're preserving them. She said your child/family won't care that a page isn't perfect when 20 years from now they're looking at your albums. So I try to keep that in mine, but I still like them to look nice.

Check out some of the websites for ideas. www.creativememories.com & www.twopeasinabucket.com both have some great ideas.

CM also sells "snap packs" and they have everything you need in them for a couple of pages such as layout ideas, stickers, paper, diecuts.

Gee, I feel like I should be a CM consultant myself Honestly, I do love their products and if you're starting out and go to Michaels or AC Moore sometimes it's a bit overwhelming.

Relax & have fun!

Annette

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Most of us will tell you that when we compare our "first" pages and books with what we do now we consider them pretty awful. But, with few exceptions, we wouldn't redo them either!

Like anything else confidence comes with practice. And scraplifting! Seriously...look at websites, magazines, other people's work and lift those components to use in your own books that are right for you. Emphasis on the last 3 words...RIGHT FOR YOU.

Most of my pages are pretty simple...paper, cardstock, and stickers along with my photos. I really don't use any embellishments that "stick up" from the page as I am concerned about the wear and tear factor. But occasionally I'll see something that I like, not usually a whole page but an element that I will incorporate. I also have a whole basket of idea books and magazines that I flip through for inspiration. And I remember thinking when I began scrapping with a friend who did that, "how can she have time"? Well it can sometimes save time because it jumpstarts.

Speaking of friends, that is also a great way to learn. You can bounce ideas off each other, ask opinions, etc. My DS has a great eye for color and design so I'll often ask him what he thinks!

And bottom line, it IS about preserving the photos. I just did a page this weekend that was incredibly simple. Just a single color border (red with the wavy edge) and photos matted on dark navy. The title was even free hand and said "what goes up...must come down". It was a two page spread of a flag lowering ceremony up on Mackinac Island that my DD was involved in. The colors in the photos were so intense that anything more would have been overkill.

Hang in there, visit often, and don't get discouraged.

Deb

 

[cobbler]

Thanks a million!!

I went out to a scrapbook store today and just picked up some paper and a carryier thing to put all my stuff in and I called a creative memories gal and am going to see her tonight.

You two were a great help! Thanks

 

[pattyT]

practice...

my first pages are horrific (I find it comical now)
as time goes by they get batter!

 

[MikeScott8]

I got started in a class at JoAnns ETC.

That first page is till fairly simple to the ones I do now.

I have also taken SDU classes at LSS as well as some other classes. (just signed up on my lunch hour for a SDU Masters class for next week)

Those and just doing pages with others at crops you pick up some new techniques.

check out the sites mentioned above by another poster for ideas, I used to do that, have not had time for it lately though.

Also please feel free to check out my layouts at my site
My Albums

Mike

 

[nicki dahling]

Practice, Practice, Practice and more practice. I also have a lot of idea books and check out the scrapbook websites each day for more info and inspiration.

Cyndi

 

[nicki dahling]

Hey Mike I hope you don't mind but I added your album link to my fav. list on my website.

Cyndi

 

[cobbler]

Wow, thanks a ton everyone!!

I went out today as well and got 2 magazines for some ideas and signed up for a basics class at my local michaels which is an introduction type thing.

You all have been very helpful!! Thanks so much.

 

[castlegazer]

I started at a CM party and then I began to explore different styles and try them out - this was my way of finding what I really liked to do. I am now finding that I am getting bogged down in idea books and looking at people's pages. I need to refocus and just get my photos down in albums and just do what I want to do like when I started. But my exploration phase allowed me to learn a lot about the different terms and new ideas out there and to play with everything. I now know that I do like to use brads and eyelets and vellum but I don't like to use stickers or tags. I love to mat but not to frame. I have found what works for me as a time savings device and what just bogs me down. Its all about practice and exploration as everyone has just said. But for me its also about developing a personal style that may not be the hip and fashionable style of the moment.

Be careful not to get overwhelmed with the idea pages and other people's work - some people do have a lot of time to do this - I just don't. There are countless different styles and all come down to one thing - putting your photo into an archival album.

 

[JudithM]

Naturally talented or naturally creative are phrases that do not describe me!

I initially went to a CM fundraiser at a local school. I bought several items - corner rounder, circle & oval makers, pens, etc. I prefer the top loading albums, so I didn't buy an CM albums.

Shortly afterwards I took all my photos out of their sticky albums. Then I found Michael's, AC Moore & two LSS. The LSS are wonderful & both offer classes. I got a magazine subscription to Simple Scrapbooking for my birthday last year. (I was disappointed that they did not send me a renewal notice ). Several friends & coworkers also scrap, so we share ideas. My sister gave me a long list of sb sites that I visited & signed up for free emails. I have bought a few idea books, too.

And of course there are the folks here on this bb. I was in the SS Swaps last year which definitely broadened my repetoire of ideas!