How To Get Started Scrapbooking

So you’re interested in taking up the classic and fun hobby of scrapbooking? Great! You probably have some questions on what you need to start and how to get going. No problem, we’ll show you how to get started in a matter of minutes!

The first thing you’ll need is an actual scrapbook album. Maybe you have one laying around the house, but if not, head over to your favorite crafts store or look online at one of the many scrapbooking stores for a 12″x12″ album that you feel would capture the look and feel you’re going for. They come in many different “flavors”, and you could spend an hour or two just picking out the best one for the moment! That’s half the fun, so make sure you get a good one that suits you.

The next thing you’ll need is scrapbook paper. It’s perhaps the most important part of the entire process, because without pages you have no scrapbook, right? There are thousands of different types and designs out there, so you might need a while to find the right one for the job, but again, that’s part of the fun! Just make sure you pick up more than you think you need, because especially if you’re new to scrapbooking, you’re bound to make a few mistakes here and there, and you want the album to be perfect. Also make sure you get acid free paper, that way it will not harm your pictures over time.

Stickers, although not as important as the above items, are also fun and usually essential to any good scrapbook. As you’re probably aware of – there are millions of different stickers out there, and they even make sticker machines that you can get to turn your regular photos into stickers! It’s great fun for the kids and yourself, and you can pick up a decent sticker machine for about $30 online.

Now here is where it really gets fun! Adding embellishments is the part of the process that brings magic to the scrapbook. Sprinkles, tags, charms, beads, necklaces, clips and everything else you can imagine could fall under this category. Better yet, you can find tons of stuff laying around the house (check your “junk” drawers!) or you can go to any crafts store, or even Wal-Mart and find thousands of little trinkets and things you can use for embellishing.

Next, using die cuts, which are thicker stock and decorative cardboard, can add another dimension to the pages, and makes things look a lot more “scrapbooky”, more-so than stickers can do alone.

Now for another fun part – markers, pens, calligraphy pens, and other writing utensils are a crucial part of the scrapbooking experience. Whether you decide to use gel pens, colored pencils, or whatever your heart desires, it can add a lot to the experience, and is considered necessary to any scrapbooking adventure. There are some expensive professional pens you can buy, but I wouldn’t recommend them until you’re comfortable with the whole process first.

Also, make sure you pick up some assorted ribbons to decorate the pages. They make great borders, and better yet – dig through your Holiday decorations around the house and you may be surprised at all the fun décor you come up with!

So the above is a general overview on how to get started with your first scrapbook, and remember, patience is a virtue. The more time you have to think about how to craft your book, the happier you’ll be with the end product. Now go have some fun!