Where Do I Begin?

[TINKERIFIC]

OK I would like to start scrapbooking. I have never started, too scared. I have been married for 10 years, have a 9 yo daughter and 8 month old son. Where should I begin?

 

[mantaz]

I think I would start with the current stuff. If you have pics in order of DS and want to do an album for him then start there. Any recent trips you want to scrap do those too. That way you can work your way backwards. The current stuff is easier as all the things are fresher in your mind. You might look to see if there are any crop clubs in your area. That way you would have a place to crop away from home.

I hope this helps some. Once you start though, it is very addicting. You have come to a great place. We have a monthly challenge here to keep us motivated and moving on our albums.

And...

Welcome to the fun of scrapbooking!!

 

[Fran98765]

I would also look around for local scrapbook shops and even some of the larger craft stores. They may host some classes that will get you started. Also bring up the topic with friends, at work, at church, etc and you will find that you know more scrapbookers then you thought. Look through their books and get some tips from them! They may also know of some local resources for good shops and bargains.

 

[Queenie]

My mum is in the same position as you, maybe worse as she has two grown up kids and a school age grandkid now. She has enough stash to open her own branch of Michaels so enough is enough she needs to start making LOs!

I'm suggesting she begins with our first Disney trip as there is a set number of pics and so a set beginning and end to the story. It may be easier than starting with something open ended like her life our one of ours. Perhaps a wedding album would be good, or even a small mini album of a day trip or weekend away? I made a mini album of a day out to a nearby theme park, it was so simple it was done in an afternoon. I'd recommend starting like that as it will help you feel like you've achieved something quicker

Can't wait to see your first LO's!

 

[beasleybear]

I've also heard that it's best to start with current stuff & work backward. I'm not sure why, exactly. Maybe because it's freshest in your mind?

Good luck!

 

[Michele]

I started late also, my DS's were 9 & 7 when I started. I recommend starting with current things but also simultaneously working on the beginning things for your DD. I did not do it this way I started with only the old stuff and wish I had done it differently.

 

[KBerly]

Scrapbooking is awesome. I've been doing it for years (way before there were sb storess.

A few pieces of advice. 1. You don't have to scrapbook every picture. Pick the best and forget the rest. You can always put all of the extra pictures on a CD and put it in the back of your scrapbook. 2. Do not cut up, trim, etc. photos that you don't have a copy to (like a heritage photo). 3. Start with the current stuff and work your way back (as others have said.) Old stuff is old and will still be old.

Most of all...have fun. It's addictive.

 

[TPCShauna]

The overwhelming thing for me when I started was all of the "stuff" you see. You start to think, "Oh I need one of these or I can't do anything without that" etc.

I "happened" upon scrapbooking because I was invited to a Creative Memories Workshop. This wasn't one of those parties they have. It was a 6 hour workshop where I paid $10 and got to use the CMC's tools and scrap paper.

I would really recommend doing something like those. Most CMs have workshops or crop nights and will allow newbies to use their tools and will offer lots of help and support. And CM products are some of the best on the market in terms of quality.

Like the other ladies said, it's easier to start with something that is exciting or immediate for you. I started with my first trip to DL which was very exciting for me and easy to scrap.

Your DS's baby pictures might be that for you and there is tons of cute baby stuff on the market!!!

Good luck!!!

 

[Kim1964]

I just started in January, and I love it. I started with our 2006 trip to Disney World. It was an easy subject with lots of cool paper and embellishments available. When I finished those pages, I went on to other 2006 events, and I am almost done with our 2006 book. None of my pages are particularly fancy, but they're nice and for the first time since DD#1 was a baby, I have photos in an album instead of shoved in desk drawers, never to be seen again.

I went a little crazy in January and early February with buying stuff. I was starting from zero so I did need some things, but then I had to stop going to AC Moore and sit down and use what I have. I would suggest buying what you need for your first project and using it before you buy anything else.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE ADVISE...AND ENCOURAGEMENT.

I was never interested "getting into" scrapbooking until my son was born. Now I have a very strong urge to go full force, but the product selection is just overwhelming. I have also heard creative memories has great products. I think I will start with my sons first year...a month by month account.

 

[MazdaUK]

I started December 2005 - I'd been looking at stuff but didn't really know what anything was or how to use it - even in WDW I looked at scrapbooks (I'd gone prepared to buy loads of stuff) AND WUSSED OUT

I started off with family holidays from when DS(13) was born, plus Christmas (because I got a free Christmas album) then did my Disney album and one from our Canadian holiday. I've started scrapping my boys - separate books - and have nearly filled 2 books (12x12) for DS(13) and just reached DS(7)'s 1st birthday in his 1st album - notice how many fewer photos you take after the first child

Eventually I will go back and do honeymoon, wedding etc. I did do a "courtship" album for Valentines for DH - not that he was exceptionally grateful! I think its a girl thing.

 

[KittieKChick]

I say start off finding some layouts you like online. Try searching "2 peas" and "a cherry on top" online. Both of these sites have member galleries. YOu can search for "Disney" and then you will have TONS of layouts to look through.

YOu can start by copying a page you like (also called scraplifting) OR, the better option, take what you like from that layout and change a few things to make it your own. You can even combine ideas from various layouts.

Also, there are some good groups on Yahoo for scrapbooking, even ones for Disney scrapbooking. So you may want to join a few so you can look at everyone's layouts.

Be sure to bookmark layouts you like (or print them off) and keep them all together in a file. That way you can refer back to them for ideas and you can even take your little folder into the scrapbook store with you. Hey, I've done it before!

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I say start off finding some layouts you like online. Try searching "2 peas" and "a cherry on top" online. Both of these sites have member galleries. YOu can search for "Disney" and then you will have TONS of layouts to look through.

YOu can start by copying a page you like (also called scraplifting) OR, the better option, take what you like from that layout and change a few things to make it your own. You can even combine ideas from various layouts.

Also, there are some good groups on Yahoo for scrapbooking, even ones for Disney scrapbooking. So you may want to join a few so you can look at everyone's layouts.

Be sure to bookmark layouts you like (or print them off) and keep them all together in a file. That way you can refer back to them for ideas and you can even take your little folder into the scrapbook store with you. Hey, I've done it before!

Just peeked at a cherry on top!! WOW!!! Cool pages!

 

[cncDisney4]

I know exactly how you feel. I have been scrapbooking for about 7 months and absolutely love it. However, I had no idea where to start. My sister is the one who got me into this and her pages just blew me away. I didn't want to have anyone around when I started putting my pages together - ha! Anyway, I went to my first crop last month with my sister and loved the experience. I, of course, worked on our last Disney trip. To me Disney is the best to start with since there is so much you can do. I was able to get about a dozen pages done from our December trip - now I'm just waiting for my Disney cricut cartridges to continue.

I'm starting very late in the game - my youngest DS is 18. I thought they ran from a camera before but now I guess I just get a certain look in my eye because they starting hiding before I can even pick the camera up. Anyway, my DH is excited about my new obsession (I almost said hobby but it's more than that - ha). Now instead of just having pictures lying around or thrown in envelopes they will be put in albums to tell the story of our life together. My problem is I have several "projects" going - our Disney trips, our wedding album (the old album literally fell apart when I went to look thru it last month - we're at 25 years), and I've worked on several pages of our DS's growing up.

The most wonderful advice I received was that whatever you put on the paper is never wrong. You are telling a story and it is your story to tell so you can't go wrong. Have fun, take a deep breath, and enjoy!

 

[TPCShauna]

Be sure to bookmark layouts you like (or print them off) and keep them all together in a file. That way you can refer back to them for ideas and you can even take your little folder into the scrapbook store with you. Hey, I've done it before!

This is GREAT advice! I can never find layouts again that I want to scraplift and I never thought of printing them off. I love the idea of taking my little book of prints to scraplift with me to my LSS. What a great idea!!!!

 

[aroyer]

I have been scrapbooking since 2003. I wanted to get into it long before then, but like you, was very intimidated by all the stuff! I started out with Creative Memories and it was great for me. It taught me the basics and the basic tools. Gradually over time I have become more elaborate- heck, I just bought an Crop-A-Dile (hole punch and eyelet setter) this past weekend. As my preacher said at my wedding rehearsal (and I have found that it applies in so many aspects of life) "There are no mistakes, only memories!"

 

[aroyer]

I have been scrapbooking since 2003. I wanted to get into it long before then, but like you, was very intimidated by all the stuff! I started out with Creative Memories and it was great for me. It taught me the basics and the basic tools. Gradually over time I have become more elaborate- heck, I just bought an Crop-A-Dile (hole punch and eyelet setter) this past weekend. As my preacher said at my wedding rehearsal (and I have found that it applies in so many aspects of life) "There are no mistakes, only memories!"

 

[Lyndarella]

I agree with starting with your most recent pics. That way you won't keep finding things later that you wished you had put in there! I make a book for each year, and some have fewer pages than others, but I just keep going. The suggestion to scrap something with a beginning and an end (like a trip) is a good one too. But I wouldn't start with something as important as a wedding album, because your skill level will improve, and you may not be happy with your first tries, later on. And don't get side-tracked with all the scrapbook materials that are for sale. When I started, I had almost no supplies, but I attended workshops to use what other people had (including ideas), and that way I figured out what I was really going to need. Like another poster said, you don't have to use every photo. Just do it!!

 

[SplshMtn99]

Start by turning around & running away from this group.....quickly. Save yourself.

 

[TINKERIFIC]

Start by turning around & running away from this group.....quickly. Save yourself.

LOL, but with you