"Simply Scrapping"-Getting Started

So you are new to scrapbooking?  Looks like fun, but where do you start.  It seems everyone knows what they are doing except you.  What should you buy? Where should you start?  So many questions for the new scrapper.  This is a fun hobby and there are no wrong ways to scrapbook.  Always put your photos into acid and lignin free protection.  

Enjoy yourself. Keep is Simple.  There is a wide wide world of scrapbooking advice and supplies out there.  Don't get overwhelmed or the FUN of it will FADE.

Simply Scrapping is here to help you get on the path to successful scrapbooking!  We will help you sort and organize photos,purchase albums and supplies, find the basic tools, to work space organization and motivation.  Let's learn how to get a lot done in a short amount of time.  Uncertain about a topic, ask a question.  Be patient as we take through a step by step guide to help you get started.


SUPPLIES

• Pen
  

• Post A Notes (put on back of photo)
  

• Photo Box: hold 4x6 or 5x7
  

• Index Cards Both white and colored/or tabbed. ( Colored can be used to subdivide your photos into subcategories)
  

• ALL your photos
  

Step One

In order to prepare for what you want to purchase or how to begin making a page, you must begin with the PHOTO.  If you are like most of us, where do I begin to even where did all the photos go.  I found them in drawers, in photo albums, in boxes, in storage, and even in my wallet.  This is the FIRST place to start.  I know you want to get started creating, but without all the photos of the event in one place it will become a project and not a pleasure.

1. Set an afternoon of assembling all your photos into one location.  Since most of us either work at our kitchen table or a small table space at least get all your photos into one large container until we sort them out with a method.  If you are like me, even after I found the majority of my photos, I keep finding more.  

2. Determine first how and where you want to store your photos.  The first thing I would recommend is purchase a storage container.  Either a Photo Storage system by Cropper Hopper, or even a Rubbermaid or Photo File Box that you can use dividers and make labels.

3. The most recommended way to sort is Chronologically.  We are trained to think Chronological Order. i.e.  "A Graduation" photo:Event took place May 2004.  Start sorting photos in to the year it happened.  If you are going to make an album based on emotion, sentiments, or other style, you will begin your thought process on "When did it happen" and "Where."

Rule #1 Determine the When and then the Where of the photo.  Use this as a basis for your photo filing system.

Step 2

1. Start setting up your Photo box. Assign a Colored index card for each year. Example: Colored Index cards usually come with 6 colors.  Use the color blue for year 2005.  Jan 2005, Feb 2005 and so forth will each have a colored index/tab card.  When you are sorting out your photos you can put your photos behind the index card representing each month.

2. When you are sorting your photos by year and then breaking them down by month you break them down to event.  Example: You have all of your photos for December 2005 then you can break them down to events: Office Christmas Party, School Program, Church Program, and so forth.  Use an index card within each month to break down the events.

Summary: You will have photos sorted in the month of December, year 2005 that may say Billy's School Christmas, Sara's Sunday School Program.


Let's Get Started

Take a big pile of loose photos and figure out the "When" they were taken.  If you are not sure exactly try to put them in the Decade they were taken and later see if you can determine from clues in your photos that will give you a more specific year down to the month.  Don't get bogged down. If you can't think of it move on.

As you are sorting, determine to discard BAD photos within reason.  If you have 15 photos of dad and one is bad, then discard it.  If you only have a couple photos that I might save it you maybe able to fix it or use it.  

If you find a photo that you want to scrap for an emotion page this is where your Post a Note comes in.  Write on the Note and adhere it to the back of the photo. Please do not put it on the front.  

You can sort approximate 2000 photos this way in less than 2 hours.  Do not worry! I know you can do this.  

What a sense of accomplishment this brings! Your photos are sorted, labeled, and in storage containers ready for your to scrap. This is a scrapbooking basic.  You will be able to find what you want easily which translates in to saving time.

Copyright © 2007 Simply Scrapping.  

--Last edited by simplyscrapping on 2007-03-22 07:25:14 --

Thanks for the info. I have gotten as far as sorting the 3 projects I wanted to start with, My son's baby book, our wedding and a vacation we took.  I had no clue how to start sorting "ALL" the other pics I have and this system makes sense and sounds easy enough.
I never thought of the post it note idea, it will help me so much, as I have too many pics of the same type of thing and it will make it easier to narrow down the best pics...
Thanks!
Maria   :0)