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I am a new scrapbooker. I have been scrapping for about 6 weeks. It all started with a class at the local scrapbook store and now I'm addicted. I think the best advice I have received is not to get too uptight. No matter what mistake you think you've made, it's mostly paper and it can be fixed. Just relax and enjoy yourself.
Lisa P.

1) Don't do chronological, because you will never stay caught up , you will just get overwhelmed and frustrated. Besides, making connections with years of pictures is way more fun and meaningful.
2) Tell the story, not just the facts.
3) Don't get hung up on supplies, there are new goodies coming out everyday. Just use what you've got, what you love because no matter what in a few years the supplies will be dated, just like your hairstyle in the photo.
4) RELAX AND HAVE FUN!

Start with the photos that speak to you the most. It doesn't matter when they were taken - it could be yesterday or 10 years ago. Don't get hung up on what is right or wrong as there are no rules. Tell the stories that you will want to remember and don't worry about the rest as you will never be caught up or able to scrap every single photo! Keep your pages simple and don't worry about buying all the latest and greatest products.

Relax, don't become overwhelmed. Remember you don't have to scrapbook every picture you own just the ones you want to remember. When buying albums use 3 ring binder albums. You don't have to have every new tool that comes out.

My best advice: Don't worry about what you haven't scrapped....just start....TODAY.....one day when you feel like it you can go back and scrap the past. The fear of having so much that you haven't done can paralyze you from getting started so just don't worry about it...just begin.

The best advice I have for a new scrapbooker is not to go overboard buying things. Your taste and style will change and hording things will only stiffle your creativity. Buy only things you already have pictures printed for, use it then buy more.

my advice would be to buy with specific projects in mind, not just because it's cute, your style will change and this way you won't be stuck with a bunch of supplies that don't suit you.

Best advice is to not look at the magazines (books, whatever) until you really start it and like it... you will start criticizing your own work and forget why you're doing it... I spent so many hours thinking LO's need to be perfect, forgetting why I do this.

My advice to a new scrapbooker would be what I learned from you, Ali Edwards. To use a 3 ring binder scrapbook and you can use different size pages. I have always dreaded getting started on a scrapbook. I felt very limited as to layouts, etc. I feel so liberated after reading your blog. I know I can use a 3-ring binder scrapbook and make my pages all different sizes. I am so excited now about starting my son's scrapbook. I feel like I can finally be creative with my scrapbooks!!

Hi there. I would tell a first-time scrapbooker that working in only a one size format is very limiting, especially creatively. If you have a 12x12 album, insert an 8 1.5 x 11, or even smaller page. It makes the album so much more interesting. Scrapbooking should be fun and relaxing, not regimental or stressful. Also, remember, often, less is more. The words that you add to explain the importance of the picture or event are much more valuable than the embellishments. Embellisments are fun, words are priceless. Have fun. Ali, your baby is adorable and Simon is so handsome.

Don't go overboard. Start with the basics. Think about what album/pictures you are working on and go from there. We think we need everything, when we really don't.
Missy

Do what you can, when you can. Enjoy the process. It is not a race! You dont have to scrap every photo. Tell the story. It's the little things that are important. Write things down, you forget little things. That way when you are ready to scrap it, you have something to jog your memory of the event.

I think some great advice would be to use what you already have on hand to make your own embellishments. You can buy cute paper cutouts, but it's much more satisfying (and personal!) to make your own.

That you don't have to scrap every picture, that the journaling is the most important to any page. When I go back to look at my pages, I love the journaling the best. Take tons of pictures. You never regret taking lots of pictures but you do regret not taking the pictures.

Tell a story with a few pictures, put the rest in the album in pocket pages.
Each of my kids has an ongoing album by school year. Scrap a few pages but mostly drop in 8.5 by 11 inches page protectors items such as art work, newspaper articles, team roosters, school bulletins, letters and cards from family and friends, Mom and Dad notes, tickets, awards, report cards, school papers, teacher notes, catalog pages, sides of video game boxes and other reminders of their culture. Use the notebook front sleeve for a summary of the year. Fun to go back and look at and best of all - it is their own book.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes and cut pretty paper. Also find out what your scrap book style is.

I have a friend who is interested in starting to scrapbook and my advice to her was buy basic supplies and take a beginners class at her LSS. I was so overwhelmed when I first started not knowing what all the stuff was or how to use it.

I would tell a new scrapbooker a few things:
1.) There are NO rules!!! Do your own thing!!!
2.) You do NOT have to scrap every single picture you take.
3.) You do NOT have to scrap in chornological order
4.) You DO need to scrap YOU, too! YOU are part of your family's story, too!
5.) The little things of everyday life make the best pages!

My advice would be: It's okay to experiment. Your style will change anyway, so just have fun. And perfection is overrated!

LOL Don't go shopping and buy every cute thing you see. You'll end up with a pile of stuff that you will never use.
Stick to basics, the necessities in tools, some cardstock and a few patterned papers. Once you have scrapped some with what you started out with, and gotten a feel for the stuff you will most likely use... then go shop for the things you want and know you intend on using.