Scrapbook Hopeful Newbie - Make that WORRIED Newbie

[Tulirose]

New craft store opened in area - A.C. Moore. They offer a class called Scrapbooking for Beginners for $15 fee plus supplies. They did not have the supply list at the time of my signup. I said I don't want to pay 15 bucks and then another 50 dollars for supplies. They said no, it will probably be about another 10 dollars.

I need to call my sister. She lives in the midwest and has been scrapbooking for quite a while and she does beautiful books. The store didn't even tell me to bring pictures with me (I guess they figured I should know that but I really don't know much except what I've seen of my sister's books).

Am I asking for trouble?

How do I decide what pictures to bring in? I can't get in touch with sister just now but I remembered that the DIS has a craft forum and decided to ask you guys. I haven't looked at much postings yet - just the one where you all seem to have 10 scrapbook projects going on at once.

How expensive of a hobby is this thing? Isn't it rather strange that they conveniently don't have a supply list for me ahead of time? Wouldn't the album alone cost about 10 to 15 bucks? I should have taken a closer look at the scrapbook section but I was pressed for time.

The class is set for March 23rd. I can cancel up to three days prior but meanwhile I have already paid the 15 dollar fee. I am the 7th person to sign up for the class. The other six seemed to be three groups of 2's who were related.

I hope I am not getting into something that will be over my head.

I think I am looking for some words of encouragement. I really do not have an artistic bone in my body. I only signed up today and already I feel like canceling out. I wish I lived closer to my sister.

 

[rhiansmom]

It sounds like you will probably be making pages instead of purchasing an album. Either that or making a small album that would cost a few dollars.

Scrapbooking can be expensive but it doesn't have to be - depending on your style. I recently made a grandparents album and it was about $50 for 10 pages but then I made calendars for Christmas gifts (12 pages) and they averaged about $5 each worth of supplies.

I would say if you are interested in scrapbooking that you should take the class but if you think it will be something you will forget about a month or so down the road then go ahead and cancel.

I enjoy the idea that I'm preserving my daughter's life in words and pictures - I don't have that of my life.

Good Luck and please let us know what your decision is and if you decide to take the class please show us your work!

 

[Disneyland_emily]

It can be an overwhelming hobby but the idea is start slow and work up. The easiest way is find a specific event like a party or holiday and just do that page- Once you get that page done do another one.

Sometimes to get the ideas flowing breeze through magazines or online- Now most pages will be above your head (heck most are over my head) but I often find parts like color combos, photo layouts or other fun ideas that I adapt for my liking. The class you mentioned might be a fun class to just feel the water and see whats out there

Its a hobby thats as diverse as the pictures people are using. There is no wrong way to scrapbook (okay make sure to use acid free and dont slice originals to shreds) but besides that dont worry about making pages akin to the magazines (most of us dont scrapbook to that extreme- well I dont)

-em

 

[PigletsPal]

Emily is right----there is no right or wrong way to scrap its only your way. If you have a Local Scrapbook store besides AC Moore I would suggest going there and having them help you get started. It can be very a little to much for you when you first get started. I remember sitting a crying because I would have to cut my sons picture and was so afraid of messing up, now I don't think twice about it............cut that baby up!!! Go on line and look at alot of different layouts. I use paperjazz.com alot to scrap lift ideas.

Good luck and come back and let us know how it went. You will be OK just take a deep breath.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

I have to echo the earlier idea of checking for a class somewhere else besides the one you're signed up for. It sounds like they don't quite have it all together. At the very least stop back and ask to speak with the person who will be conducting the class. It may be that the person handling the sign up was just clueless.

Scrapping is a lot more fun with a "buddy", even when you don't scrap with them all the time. So I can certainly understand the desire to be closer to your sister. I'm sure she'll give you some good pointers, and do visit with us often! Beyond that you'll probably be surprised to find a number of people you already know - maybe not that well - involved in other things you are such as kids' school, church, etc that are also scrappers. Usually casual conversations will reveal the mutual interest and can lead to some help.

Can it be expensive? Yes, but most start slowly. You don't have to do fancy pages. The vast majority of mine are relatively simple and then every once in a while I get a little more involved. Sort of depends on what I'm doing. Flipping through magazines is a good idea too - and I don't know ANYONE that scraps to that extent!

Welcome again, take a deep breath and you will love this.

Deb

 

[Tulirose]

Thank you all the warm welcome and encouraging words and helpful hints. I feel better today. I explored some websites that I found links to from this forum and I heard from my sister. I will share her email with you guys:

The first scrapbook class I took was bad. It was not where I scrapbook now. It was a stamp store trying to get in on the scrapbook craze. They should spend a lot of time going over what supplies are available. i.e. different kinds and size of books and the advantage and disadvantage of each. (IMO you should get a book similar to one we did for mom as you can change the order of the pages anytime). They should go over the different kinds of paper cutters and glue and then most of the supplies that are on the market. They should spend time on 'acid free' and what that means for your pictures. They should do a little bit about color theory or how to pick out the paper (the hardest part and what my class did not do). They most likely will have scrapbooks for you to look at and then send you into the store to buy paper for your pictures. The paper you should have to pay for. Although, some classes include that in the fee. They really should have paper cutters for you to use and not have to buy as you are just learning and don't know what you like yet. You may have to buy your own tape to use.

I would bring pictures that either you have doubles of, or pictures that are not that important. When I went I brought the wedding pics that I used in Mom's album (the page with each of our weddings on it) and I had a hard time picking out paper as they did not have a big selection and I did not want to mess it up! The class ended and I had just only picked out paper. So they said we could come back and work on the page later in the week.

You should ask the store if they have a 'work room' and what the fee is to use it. You will then want to take a peek at it. You really won't know what you are seeing, but they should explain all the stuff in the class. If they do not have a work room then you will end up buying a lot of stuff so you can do it at home and like I said not all stuff is good stuff.

I bet the reason they do not have a supply list as the supplies are the paper and stickers and markers you buy when you make your page. I would not buy any hard supplies until after you take the class and have had a chance to use their stuff. also if you use the work room and see someone using something you can ask them if they like it and would they recommend it. there is a lot of JUNK on the market that is a waste of money.

You do not need to buy the book before you start, just know what size you want. I love the 12x12 as you can put a lot of pictures on a page. You may however, want to make a little book (5X7) for a one time event that you do not have a lot of pictures of. Maybe Christmas or a trip where you did not take a lot of pictures. This would go fast, give you confidence and you would have a finished product to show people. : )

I would spend hours at the store and come home and ask Bob if he wanted to see what I did and I would show him 4 pages and he would say is that all you did?

If your class did not say to bring pictures they may just be talking and showing. Some of the classes have you make generic pages that you can then add pictures to. This is mainly to get you to practice using the stuff that you have not used. I like those classes as you get ideas and you get to use new things, but I have NEVER had pictures to put on those pages, but they do get you thinking on how to make it fit your picture,(change the color, change the stickers, change the saying etc.)

Hope this helps the best way to start is to just start and unless they do not have a workroom that you can use I would go for it!

I really wish you lived closer too, cause now that I don't have Wendy to go with it is lonely.

Wendy is her daughter who went off to college this year. I decided after hearing from her and you guys that I am going to use photos from my son's 1st Holy Communion. They are in a small album where the pictures are easily accessible. I do have doubles of them and there are not too many of them.

The book she mentions for my mom was a Memory Book we made for her 80th B-day three years ago. I did my pages on the computer and she did hers by scrapbooking and others did just handwriting stuff. Mom loves the book.

On the advice you gave me also, I investigated and there are several "real" scrapbooking stores nearby. However, I am going to go through with the class at A.C. Moore next week just to see how that it and because it is REAL close (three minutes away!). Was going to stop in after work to speak with instructors but snow today made me just want to go home asap.

Thank you all once again for your help and advice. Sorry this is such a long post but I thought you guys might be interested in hearing what my sis had to say. I will report my progress here if you are still interested.

 

[Twigs]

Tulirose, I don't know where you are on L.I., but Srap-A-Way in Stony Brook has the nicest ladies working there. They are very helpful, and don't mind being asked a lot of questions. I just took a Making Memories embellishment class there on Mon. night and it was very good.

 

[Tulirose]

Hey Twiggs! Stony Brook was the store I was thinking of going to after this course at the new A.C. Moore store. I did find a website for another scrap store in Cold Spring Harbor but that's a bit far for me.

Something else I thought of doing, if this goes good, is contacting one of the consultants I found listed in Creative Memories website. There are several - located in Hauppauge, Commack, Islip, and other places nearby.

P.S. - Don't forget, Survivor on WEDNESDAY this week!

 

[Tiger Fan]

I was just about to suggest a Creative Memories class for a good beginner's class. You don't have to stick with CM or only use their products, but it's a great start. I'm a CMC and love to shop at AC Moore - they have great sales. Don't feel overwhelmed, just start slow and you will love scrapbooking!!
Lisa

 

[Mamu]

Hi Tuli Lots of fun scrapping, especially during those cold winter months when you can't garden.

Time to scrap that cruise!! While AC Moore is great for supplies and crafts. Don't forget to use those weekly coupons to purchase your items. Only buy products when their on sale.

Wish you lived closer, we seem to like the same things. We could be Crafty Buddy Buds! lol!

See if there are any Creative Memory Consultants in your area, find out whats available, classes, hosting a scrap party or if they have scrap nights. I also think that CM is the best way to get started.

 

[FantasticDisFamily]

Tulirose,

IF we're interested? Of course we're interested. You might actually say we're addicted to knowing what everyone is up to! Come back often. And definitely tell us what you're learning and doing. It helps all of us.

Deb

 

[Twigs]

Tulirose, I should have thought about CM, I do agree with Tiger Fan, it is a great start. I went to a friends house for a CM party and that is where I got started with all this. My CMC quit last fall, but she gave me the name of someone she is friendly with and I have ordered from her, she is very nice and seems to be quite helpful if you want, I can PM you with her info. I have been wanting to try that Cold Spring Harbor store, but it is such a pain getting to that town, I haven't tried it yet.

 

[castlegazer]

Tulirose - just remember scrapbooking is nothing more than putting your photos down onto acid free paper in an acid free book. The rest is gavy. I started by supporting a friend who wanted to be a CM consultant. It opened my eyes to what I was doing wrong with my photos, i.e. putting them into a magnentic album that was already discoloring my photos from childhood. It also intriduced me to cropping my photos - CM uses circles cutters which I really liked then. It made my albums look so professional. Just start by doing this. You can make frames for your photos and place stickers around them as a start.

I have now moved up to using papers, vellums, brads, and developed a dislike for stickers and a true compulsion to mimick unique layouts I see. This is my unique style that I had to develop over a period of time where I just experimented and allowed myself to understand that CM was not the only products out there - not something they like for you to know.

I have learned a lot just by osmosis from this board and the wonderful ladies here - they are represented in your respondants.

Just relax and start by looking at your photos in a whole new light - do not try to put your whole life or someone elses into an album in one night - I have done this so don't snicker too loud. You will feel compelled to do so - don't. Just start with a day of photos or an event and work on that to begin with.

Check back often. I am sure you will learn a lot from here as I did.

 

[castlegazer]

Hey Becky - I haven't been able to get to paperjazz.com

can you do the wole link here for everyone, and for little 'ole me? It does not go through using www.paperjazz.com

Thank you - I am dying to see where all your wonderful inspiration comes from.

 

[Tulirose]

You guys are just so great! Hey Mamu!!!

I was able to get my hands on the material list but was not able to talk with instructor or even go look at the supply aisle in the store due to time factor. (Why is time always a factor?)

Anyway, this is what it said:

~ 5 pictures that are related
~ 12x12 scrapbook paper that coordinates with your pictures (for background)
~ 4 pieces of 8 1/2 x12 paper that matches background paper
~ Fiskars 12 inch paper trimmer
~ scissors
~ Double sided tape from scrapbooking section
~ Tube of glue found in paper aisle on left hand side
~ Stickers with letters on them that match background paper
~ Any adornments you would like to use on your page
Ex: Stickers, Jolees, Die cuts
~ Optional: A scrap book, corner cutter, decorative scissors, etc.

Instructor will be available 30 minutes prior to class to help people shop.

I definitely think I want to go the Creative Consultant way also. I have a trip coming up shortly (to Disney and beyond) and I think I am going to email the most local one upon our return and after seeing how the class goes.

Twigs - Sent you a p.m.