The world of scrapbooking can be overwhelming. There are tons of gorgeous products to choose from, there are so many different styles and techniques and quite possibly you have a backlog of photos and you have no idea which to scrapbook first. Every Monday we will focus on a topic plaguing the beginner scrapbooker and make this hobby/craft a fun one!
I’ve always been a shutterbug, I’ve always collected mementos and memorabilia, so just over twelve years ago one of my good friends put together a gift basket of scrapbooking supplies for me and the rest as they say is history! Now I didn’t develop my style overnight and my approach to scrapbooking has changed drastically since that first layout. So if you are just starting out don’t expect that your first page will be how all your pages from here on out will be. There are no rules here, you can change and develop as you go, you’ll learn new things, try new techniques and find products you have to use.
I started out feeling I had to scrapbook chronologically and I felt that I had to focus on all the major events; vacations, weddings, birthdays, Christmas. I became super frustrated scrapbooking this way. I became bored with photos and uninspired. Of course this is a personal choice but I threw all the preconceived notions of scrapbooking in order out the window and I opened the door to a whole new world. Now I scrapbook what inspires me when it inspires me – that may be a photo from yesterday or five years ago or six months ago. I also let go of scrapbooking only those big occasions. Of course I still scrapbook Christmas and birthdays but I dig deeper for the stories I will really want to remember.
If you are just starting out I’m going to say this: go with your gut!
Only you know the stories you want to tell and share, only you know what photos and products inspire you and only you can determine how technique driven you want your layouts to be.
Those of you still wanting a set starting point I will suggest the following:
- Photos that inspire
- Adhesive
- Cardstock
- Patterned paper you want to use
- Embellishments that appeal to you
- Paper cutter and a good pair of scissors
With these items in hand you can now go through magazines, visit your favorite Scrapper on the Street or other online resources and find sketches, or layout ideas. Scrapbook.com is a great resource for sketches but don’t worry we will be digging further into sketches in the future. Just get out there and see what appeals to you. So tell me what stories do you want to tell? What struggles are you having getting started? What are you curious or stumped about? Leave me a comment below and I will help in any way I can and I hope you will join me for the next Back to Basics Monday!
Great post and I get asked all these questions all the time. I will have to come and tell people to read yours since you already wrote it
I actually still scrapbook chronologically I don’t mind it and I am way behind but that doesn’t bother. I hardly ever scrap the pictures that were taken in the same year. Thats ok with me though. The kids will have an album for every year of their lives though and thats important to me. Which is why I still scrap chronologically. They also each have a baby album and a birthday album. When they are all grown I dont think I will continue to scrapbook chronologically but who knows by then.
After reading your post, I went to three different stores and found that I can use anything I see that will add to my scrapbook page or pages. Although a Scrapbook store is very helpful, I do not feel confined to use only what that store has to offer. I spent some time planning exactly what I want the information on my scrappaper to show. Thanks for sharing your knowledge of scrapbooking.
I am so glad you found what needed!! I have never lived in a place where I had easy access to Scrapbooking stores, I rely on what I can find and what I can make and what I already have
Such a great post! I love you 5 things to start with. I think it can be really overwhelming for people just starting out. Very well said!