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

My advice would be to not feel intimidated. We all have our own style. The fact that you are doing it at all is amazing for you and future generations. Also, keep a journal (e.g. a moleskin) next to your bed and write EVERY night. When I'm at a loss with journaling, I find there's always some inspiration in my notebook.

Buy just as you need.
Many people, myself included purchase paper and supplies because we love them. There will always be beautiful papers, trust me. If your supplies become too much, you can feel overwhelmed and spend more time sorting and continuously organizing, instead of scrapbooking.

WOW! Awesome giveaways!!
Okay - my best advice? Get mostly white cardstock (plus some basic coloured sheets), some nice adhesive and start creating. Make it YOU, make it fun. You can always get the patterns, the embellishments and the expensive stuff later. Just make sure you don't get in over your head. Keep wanting, longing, wishing, dreaming and having FUN!!

I'd say pretty much what you usually say: tell the story and get it done! Write down the little och big things as soon as you can to bring out once you get some scrapping-time. Keep it simple och and concentrate on telling your story.

Best advice is to just tell the story - doesn't have to be over fancy or embellished to the ying yang - just tell the story.
Thanks always for your giveaways - maybe one time I'll win.

Less is better, acid free and you don't have to make things look a certain way.

I wish someone would have told me to search for my own style! Just because everyone else is using decorative scissors, and cutting every thing from star and heart templates, doesn't mean that you have to do it! :)
That is what I would tell someone...do what you like, use the supplies that you like....even if they aren't archival safe (as long as you understand what that means) I think that it's okay!

My advice is to RELAX and enjoy the journey, because that really is what scrapbooking is all about... our journey through our life events. Take the time to remember what the pictures/event meant to you and why you want to preserve it. You don't have to scrap it all! Also know that time scrapping with some of your friends can be a sweet bonus in your " journey".

Nothing really stands out about when I started but if I were giving advice to someone new I would stress that it should be what YOU want out of it, your story, your art, your creativity. If you aren't creative the same way as the magazines it doesn't matter, its yours.

So much good advice here. I agree not to hoard the product and not to overbuy it either! I am guilty of both! I think though that the most important thing is to just do it! Don't worry if its perfect. Years from now, your children won't care if the papers co-ordinated exactly or if you had the latest product. They will care about the photos and the story. Their story. Your story.

My advice? Don't try and stock yourself with every too many supplies at once... Your style will evolve over time.

I wish someone had told me to get a basic three-ring binder/album. I wish I knew about this blog. And I wish I kept the emphasis on the story as opposed to the products. Live and Learn.

just begin....don't wait until you've found the perfect scrapbook or paper or embellishments or pictures...just start so you can begin figuring out what actually works for you. don't be afraid to experiment OR don't be afraid to stick to the patterns/ideas/layouts that work for you. every page doesn't have to be different from the last and evey page doesn't have to be a work of art!

Do what makes you happy and consider digi scrapping, less stuff to store! Thanks for the giveaway!

Less is more.... too many products inhibits my creativity! It's interesting to read similar comment from fellow bloggers!

My best advice would be that you will never be "caught up" so don't go into it with that attitude. Instead, just have a great time and enjoy the hobby.

Buy stuff as needed otherwise you'll be swimming in stuff before you know it!

Simplicity is best (took me too long to realize this!!). You don't need every new product of gadget - there is a such thing as too much. You don't have to scrap every photo. Really look at them and think of the story you're trying to tell / capture. I let my digital photos sit for a while b/c if I go to print too early, I find myself printing more than I need. And, with digital, take TONS of photos. You'll never be sorry you did!

My advice to a new scrapper would be that there are no rules, what you FEEL is right is perfect, that you just need basic supplies, and to try something at least once before you say, "oh that's not my style" or "i definitely can't do that" You will be amazed at what you CAN do and at what you actually LOVE to do!! Scrapbooking is an inner-art that you just need to find and let out!! Do! Do! Do!

My advice would be to create an inspiration notebook and carry it around with you. I made a 3 ring binder with clear sleeve protectors and cut out things that inspire me or I want to try on my next layout.
I LOVE the photo of the 3 edwards on their laptops. Too cute. what a great photo that will be 20 years from now!

My advice is to start simple. Don't try to mimic the layouts that you see online and in magazines. Start simple and develop your own style. Another would be to crop with friends. You can borrow their tools and they are usually more than happy to show you how to use something. final piece of advice is to have fun and don't stress about it.

I wish someone would have told me how addicting AND EXPENSIVE it is. I also wish someone would have told me the pages don't have to be perfect. They're mine and I could do WHATEVER I want!

Follow your own idea of scrapbooking. It is great to use other's ideas, but try not to get caught up in what other people are doing and why you can't. Your kids certainly won't care that your page isn't what someone else thought it should be.

Use what you buy *wink*

Great giveaways!!
The best advice I wish someone had told me is to NOT buy tons of patterned paper before you know what kind of style you have. I have so much leftover from when I started that I know I'll never use now. I've been slowly weeding it out to give away, hoping someone else can love it since I can't. ;)
- April