Wednesday Sponsor Giveaways: Elise Blaha, ReVa, Studio Calico, & SheyB

Keep it simple and have fun!

Just do it! Don't get wrapped up in trying to make everything perfect. Just get the memories down before you forget or life gets too busy to do it :)

I wish someone had told me to not buy everything out there BEFORE getting started . . . now that I have so much STUFF, I'm overwhelmed!!

I have two pieces of advice for a new scrapper. Spend in moderation - the array of goodies and tools can be intoxicatingly tempting but develop your style first before you sink lots of money into "stuff". Also, start small. I often see women overwhelmed at crops because they feel that they have to do all of the childhood pics right away. Pace yourself and experiment with mini books that you can complete quickly rather than taking on projects that leave you stymied. Oh - and each page doesn't have to be perfect!

My advice would be to not worry about scrapping your pictures in chronological order. Just go with the flow and scrap which pictures spark your mojo. :)

My advice would be- You don't need all the latest gadgets and tools to get started. Just start with what you have and collect the basics along the way.

I would tell a new scrapper that there are no rules... and that every layout does not have to be "designer-quality."
I think I spent too many years perusing scrapbooking magazines and then feeling inadequate b/c my pages didn't look like theirs! I enjoyed scrapping a lot more when I first started, and was TERRIBLE, but didn't know any better! ;)

Don't get caught up in the elements and design of the papers, just think about the picture and the moment it captured, then reflect on the memories with simple journaling.

Lots of great goodies!
I wish someone would have advised me to not buy everything that I saw and that I didn't need all the "new" things. I like how a lot of people have an essential tools list and than certain products they always use - I would have loved to have had a list like that to start out with.

I wish someone had told me not to buy all of those stickers! Gack! And had told me that I didn't need every single new item that came out and I should read reviews before purchasing big end items. Really think about a product before buying.

My advice for a new scrapbooker is to just be yourself. You don't have to do what everyone else is doing or making, just use the products that feel right for you.

My advice would be to make sure you have a story for every layout and to WRITE it. I created probably 30 layouts in the early part of my scrapping career and left spots for the journalling... those spots are still there, 3 years later.
Also, use your supplies. Don't horde them. There will always be cool new papers and embellishments - go ahead and use what you purchased today!

If you like it go for it! There is no right or wrong scrapping. And I wish someone would have told me how addicting it is...lol.

Scrap what you love. Don't worry about being caught up or what everyone else's pages look like. Just scrap for yourself.

It's soo true...don't buy every new thing you see! I've only been scrapping about 3 years and I still have stuff I bought at the beginnning when I found this great hobby! Take time to find our style and then you'll know what you REALLY want and need!
Great giveaways!

You don't have to scrap in chronological order. Scrap the things you really want to record and make it fun.

start scrapbooking your most recent, fun pictures. you'll remember the stories behind them better and your journaling will be much better than the older pictures. nothing wrong with working backwards. buy a package of coordinating paper (my favorite is Basic Grey) and basic supplies to get yourself going and HAVE FUN!

I think it's really intimidating to see magazine layouts and friends' layouts when one is first starting to scrap. Just remember it's a process like everything else. When mistakes happen, think of them as indications that your project was handmade with love and move on. If one looked at my albums from five years ago, they look a lot different than how I scrap now but the story remains.

Pick your very favourite pictures to scrapbook. You'll never use all of them and don't worry about staying in order. If you love the picture, you'll love telling the story that goes with it!

My advice is don't get caught up in buying all the 'stuff'. Keep it simple. Love what you buy and then use it!

The important part is to get the pictures with the story and have fun in the process. It isn't a chore, you don't need to document everything, photo albums are still perfectly ok to use - just enjoy the fun of playing around with your photos and words, the papers and colors and textures, and know that you are making a gift of your memories to yourself first. So long as you enjoy the process, and finish page by page, the outcome will please and surprise you and everyone else who gets to enjoy the fruits of your efforts.

Find your own style. Tell the story behind the pictures. You do not have to scrap all your pictures. Enjoy the process

You don't have to scrap every picture - just the really good ones that tell the story.

I really can't just pin down one thing. I supposed I could write a whole blog on stuff I wish people had told me before I started. Scrapping doesn't have to be perfect 100% of the time! You don't need to go out and buy every scrapping product/tool! Trust me, I've spent way too many paychecks on stuff I could've lived without. And surf the web (especially Ali's blog!) for inspiration if you get stuck!

take time to figure out your own styly. . . what you truly like. . . the rest will fall into place :)