? on Album for new Scrapbooker....

[Princess Tink]

Okay, so I'm new to the whole scrapbooking thing......actually it kind of scares me to be real honest, but I love the final results! So, I'm standing in Michael's Crafts and have no clue were to begin to be real honest. I purchased a scrapbook kit to get me started......is this the wrong thing to do? Can you give me an idea on what Album(s) are good for beginners? Any help you can offer would be a tremendous help!

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Welcome to our addiction!

A kit is probably not a bad place to start - it gives you some things already sort of planned out.

Also if you can identify a friend that is into this usually we're willing to take a newbie under our wing.

As for the type of album I'd suggest tryin either a top load or strap hinge. Personally the ring binders and sprial (although I've done some of both) just don't seem right to me. And before those of you who like those flame me! Let me just say this is a VERY personal opinion.

Personally I like the top load better but strap hinge afcianados are just as strong in their reasons for liking those.

Pick something up and try it. If you don't like it - use something else for the next book.

Deb

 

[Annae]

I'm sort of new too so I can relate. What I did was found a creative memories consultant in my area. They have two open scrap nights a month. I went to a couple, bought some of their pages and got myself started. I have not purchased one of the albums yet, but they are very very nice. From there, I have been at AC Moore (an arts and crafts store near me) at least 2 dozen times and picked up stuff here and stuff there. I have also bought stuff on Mouse Memories.com for my upcoming disney/cruise trip in May. I don't know if you have QVC available where you live but this past Saturday, they a Creating Keepsakes 2 hour display. I wound up buying a 1400 piece scrapbooking kit. It comes with the book 12 x 12 and tons of embellishments, pages, tags, stickers, etc. Just about all you need to get going. If you are interested, let me know and I'll give you the information to order the kit.

Anna

 

[HaleyB]

Creative Memories is a great place to start and learn the basics. But do not limit yourself to Creative Memories, they will hard sell CM only but ignor them. 10 years ago they were the only game in town but now there are thousands of safe products on the market. My advice to new scrappers is always the same:
Only buy what you know you will use. Don't buy something because you might use it someday. This is double true for stickers.
Check out this message board, it has lots of ladies on it that will answer questions
http://www.creatingkeepsakes.com/message_board/
Find your local scrapbook store (LSS) and visit, they will be very helpful.
Other good websites:
tons of info, clear how to directions, and free paper piecing patterns
http://www.scrappingbyalaine.com/index.htm
Great online store
http://www.gonescrappin.com/cgi-bin/miva?/Merchant/merchant.mv+Screen=SFNT
2peas- 1000's of layouts (lo) posted for you to look at!
http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/

 

[disneysnowflake]

Also, maybe you could check http://www.qvc.com . They sell some kits on there that are pretty nice. I bought one from them last year that had an album, paper, stickers, and other items. Then it came in a cardboard matching storage box. The paper coordinated with the album and such.

I've been scrapbooking since 1996, and I'm still not bored with it.

 

[Alice28]

I too recommed trying to go to a basic Creative Memories home class to get the b-a-s-i-c-s on how to do an album. I am a CMC and of course I love the albums and cutting systems we offer, I also know there are lots of beautiful papers and stickers out there by other brands too!

My tips:

Pick an occasion you want to scrap. I started with my wedding because there was a definite beginning-middle and ending.

Go through your photos of event and pick and choose which to use- you won't need to use ALL of them.

I would avoid eyelets/fibers/beading for now. Just stick to the basics- cropping your photos (trimming the excess off of your photos and only focusing on main point of picture), having some coordinating paper for backgrounds, and stickers and die cuts to coordinate with your event you are working on.

If you can and you think this is a hobby you are going to stick with, I highly recommend the Creative Memories cutting system- it is an easy to use, quick way to cut circles & ovals in a snap. It's $38 for the basic set and $14 to add each set of templates.

Be sure everything you buy- stickers, papers, adhesives are acid-free & lignin free.

Don't forget to buy a few acid-free journaling pens- it's important to write your thoughts about your photos!

Have fun! We're always here to answer questions!

 

[Princess Tink]

I appreciate all your help.........I'm just gonna have to bite the bullet and take the plunge now.

 

[Spinning]

Best thing to do is find some one to help you get started...we scrappers love to yack and give our point of view!
If you have a scrap book store near you stop in and talk to the ladies! lots of information!
I agree with the information you have rec'd...go easy on the supplies...watch out for stickers and die cuts..they are so cute and just say BUY ME TAKE ME HOME....but then you end up with a binder full of stickers....that you will never use!
I love when I see people in the store with their photo's SMART! I of course don't do that....I have a paper addiction...I need it all!

anyway......think about your style are you in to cute pages, simple lines? do you get bored easy? lots of pictures to scrap? CM is a good place to start. Helps you weed out and answer a lot of questions. I swear by their tools...just not their albums. I like to hope around and need top loading....
Don't go over board on any tool or item...I have way more punches than I need or want! But buy a good paper trimmer that is at least 12 inches long. I also love the personal trimmer to trim your photo's. Good adhesive. Again I think this is a personal choice. I loved hermifix for a long time but now I use Creative memories tape runner...Just depends on what I am doing...Buy a few pens...another area people can go nuts with...You need a good black pen. I also use gold and silver a lot. but hardly touch all the other pens I have. I love the brand Saukani (sp) they make the CM pens or didl.
Enjoy! Have fun with it!

 

[Annae]

Another good item from Creative Memories is the corner rounder. You have to that!!! Its awesome