TIPS FOR GETTING STARTED

I am going to try to keep each list in sets of 5. It is much easier to keep track of. We are about keeping Scrapbooking Simple.

DEFINITION OF THE WORD SIMPLE
sim·ple (sĭm'pəl)
adj., -pler, -plest.
Having or composed of only one thing, element, or part. See synonyms at pure.
Not involved or complicated; easy: a simple task. See synonyms at easy.
Being without additions or modifications; mere: a simple “yes” or “no.”
Having little or no ornamentation; not embellished or adorned: a simple dress.
Not elaborate, elegant, or luxurious


KEEP IT SIMPLE STEP 1
Your main Goal:"Preserving Your Memories of a Lifetime, Simply."

Keep that in mind. When you get overwhelmed go back to the basics. Keep it simple!

KEEP IT SIMPLE STEP 2
1.Determine your Goal
2.Determine your Budget
3.Determine your Project
4.Determine your Supplies
5.Determine your Workspace & Storage Solutions

Do NOT get yourself overwhelmed. Start out by getting your Basic Supplies to make a few simple pages and then shop or buy with some page ideas in mind. If you are working on Summer Pages then purchase what you need for those projects.  If you are beginning and on a budget or would like a variety I would recommend our Wholesale Scrapbook Kits.  You receive a variety of products not only for the beginning scrapper but advanced.  They offer you a selection of paper, stickers, embellishments for your scrapbook projects.  For the beginner these are perfect.

KEEP IT SIMPLE STEP 3

Supplies to Get Started
The first piece of advice I would give to beginners is to keep it SIMPLE. Sometimes SIMPLE is more. If you struggle with selecting your papers, layout designs, or ideas viist our Gallery for current work submitted by members, visit the Page Maps Website provided in our Forum and utilizing Color.


YOUR SHOPPING LIST

• Album & Photo Storage Box
  

• Paper/Cardstock
  

• Cutting Tool
  

• Adhesive
  

• Pens
  

KEEP IT SIMPLE STEP 4

FIRST START WITH ORGANIZING YOUR PHOTOS. I cannot emphasize this enough. Get all your photos in one spot.  Like any project do not get the supplies if you do not have the photos organized and in one location.  You will get frustrated.  I recommend starting out organizing your latest roll of film and working your way backwards.  Sometimes it will take time to locate all the old photos.  Set aside one Scrapbook Time to find and organzie your photos.  


When you first start scrapbooking there are few items you MUST have and cannot do without. KEEP it SIMPLE.

Albums
For your first album, you will need to decide which album best suits your needs. Albums now come in such a variety of sizes and shapes it is hard to list them all.  Persoanally I would decided what my budget allows.  If your budget allows you to spend $25.00 then you need to purchase the best album that amount can buy. I would get a POST Bound Album so you can add pages.  I would also keep it neutral themed.  If you are working on a Christams Page and Calebs birthday it is best to have all your pages in ONE Album until you can afford both a Holiday Album and a Little Boy Album.  Too many scrappers will complete their layouts and stack them and put them in an album when they have time. It is much better to put them in protective pages and remove them when you have the funds to purchase the Albums you need.  You can arrange it into sections like Holidays, Children, Events.

Paper  
Paper is your main backbone of scrapbooking your pages.  Be sure your paper is Acid Free and Lignin Free.  We will address those terms later.  Along with your papers you should purchase Cardstock either in your primary colors or a variety package. Size either 12x12 or 8 1/2 x 11 will depend on what size Album you are working on.  

Scissors & Paper Cutter
Having a pair of good, sharp scissors is a definite must along with a 12" paper cutter. You may even want to consider buying a new pair just for your scrapbooking. I don't include decorative scissors in this section because they aren't a necessity. It is nice to use them occasionally, but your plain sharp scissors will be what you need the most.

Photo Safe Glues and Adhesives
Once you have all of the above, you need to have something to make your photos stick to the paper. Once again, there is a wide variety and you will have to determine what works best for you. Some of the options include photo corners, double sided tape, glue pens, glue sticks and photo splints or squares. Be sure that they adhesive you use is acid-free.  

Pen
An acid-free, archival quality pen for journaling is a necessity. To start off, just buy a basic black pen, and if you want, you can add to your collection later.

Sheet Protectors
Sheet or page protectors are a necessity if you are preparing your own pages to be inserted into a Albumr. They must be acid-free and I recommend those that are top-loading. Don't skip the page protectors as this is excellent "insurance" against fingerprints, dust, and other materials.

KEEP IT SIMPLE STEP 5  
Repeat steps 1-4. If you get overwhelmed or have put scrapping aside for one reason or another. Get back to the BASICS.  
Your Goal: "Perserving your Memories of a Lifetime, Simply"
Copyright © 2007 Simply Scrapping  

--Last edited by simplyscrapping on 2007-03-31 09:26:19 --