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

To a new scrapbooker I would say... keep it simple. Focus on the stories. Just like you do Ali. After years of "collecting" supplies, I have not scrapbooked in a long time and it's really not about how pretty the page can look anymore. I crave now to go back to it and just tell the stories of my family. My scrap room is calling me... gotta go! ;-)

My best advice is:
There is no such thing as perfect!
Trying to make every page into perfection only stifles your creativity. Just do what makes you happy.

Wow!! I really wish I was told in the beginning to pace myself it's ok to accumulate supplies slowly, it's ok to share tools and supplies amongst friends to save money and that you can use a michaels coupon at Joann's and Vise Versa. Last but not the least look at blogs to get inspirations it's really not that difficult also it's ok to lift from others.

I wish someone would have told me to keep it simple - your pages don't have to be a grandiose display. It's kind of fun to see how your scrapping evolves over time as well.

You may not like what you made in the beginning but "its okay." It's what make you- you. At one point you need to say to yourself, "Stop and move on to the next one," because I just can't stop working. Enjoy the process, really enjoy.

When i attended my first big event I was completely overwhelmed about five minutes into the first class. At the end of the class the TA put her arm around me and said..."This is supposed to be fun...relax and just enjoy yourself..". From that moment on, i did not stress. I also wish someone had told me to not just buy stuff for my stash...to buy for projects....not that i would have listened but still :-)

My advice would be that you dont have to scrap every picture....Thats a habit that I had, but once someone told me it was OK to not to scrap every single picture, I changed my habit and am OK with it!

not to panic, and not to try and be anyone but yourself.
even if i don't win, i'm signing up for that get crafty workshop!

Do it in any order you like. DOn't get overwhelmed.

Buy a good camera -- it doesn't have to be an expensive digital SLR -- even a good point & shoot for less than $200. Good pictures make good scrapbook pages!

My best advice for a new scrapbooker-SLOW DOWN! Its ok to never be caught up in your scrapbooks. Journal a lot and then scrapbook it later. You will thank yourself and wont feel so much pressure!

WOW! Great giveaway today!
My advice would be...do your own thign! It's easy to get wrapped up in the "world" of scrapbooking, and it's easy to compete with others. Scrap for you!!!

I always tell my friends to take a lo of picturesm if the want to scrap they need something to put in their pages!!! Also, start with the basics; and don't pay attention to others styles, everyone has different stories, make that your style!!!

Try not to get overwhelmed! There is SO SO SO much STUFF out there about how to scrapbook and what to us and products in general! Try to focus on telling your story in a way that is comfortable to you. That makes sense to you. Try not to get carried away with all th bells and whistles out there.

My advice is to be consistently scrapping. Otherwise you end up with piles of "to be scrapped" photos and you lose some of the feeling of recording something that happened a year ago.

what wonderful prizes today!!
i absolutely would tell new scrappers NOT to purchase anything besides a trimmer and adhesive and a few pieces of paper. get an idea book, scrap with a friend, see what you LIKE. then you're not wasting money on things that you soon find out you don't like after all.

My advice is to not get overwhelmed with all that is out there! Start small, with a mini album or project that has a definite completion goal. It will give you some hands on experience and give you some confidence to tackle a larger project!

Oh I'm on the verge of buying my very first digital SLR...I need a camera strap!!!
My advice would be to not buy any more paper than what you need for current projects. I have spent way more $$ on paper than I ever needed to.

I wish someone had told me not to buy every single piece of patterned paper that I thought was "pretty" but had no particular LO in mind to use them for! Buy paper and other supplies (stickers, rub-on's, etc) as you go and not all at once! (P.S. Anyone want to buy a bunch of "pretty" paper??!!)

My advice is to focus on the storytelling, be creative, and create your own stuff.
love your blog :o)