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you don't have to just use "scrapbooking supplies." use every little inspiring thing you come across!

If I have any advice it would be to focus on the story and photos. Also, I would tell them that it's ok to "lift" others layouts. Some of the best pages I have done are "lifts" from layouts or using templates. In the beginning, I could sit at a 6 hour crop and not even finish a 2 page spread because I was being to critical of myself and trying to create my own design. If you feel creative....then go for it....if you don't (but still want to scrap)...then use a template! IT'S OK!! I agree with everyone that it's not about the "stuff" and I too got caught up in that (still do at times). My children will not care that I used the cutest new patterned paper collection from **some named manufacturer**, but they will care about the photos, story and dates behind the story. That's what I would suggest.
Thanks for the opportunity!!

I think the best idea would have been to be thoughtful about which photos you keep. If you only keep the good ones then you have less stuff to manage and only great photos! :)

Well.... I started scrapbooking because my friends were there.... and there was wine!!! lol... and I annoyed then asking lots of questions... and for ideas... was that ok... so my advise is to just go for it, stick things down... the photos and the words are what is important - it doesn't have to be perfect - trust yourself! and go for it!

This advice is popular, haha! They need to know they don't need every piece of paper and embellishment known to man!

Advice I wish I'd got sooner is pick only your favourite pictures, you don't have to scrapbook everything and it doesn't have to be chronological.

The best advice I would give a new scrapbooker would be to scrapbook what you want when you want!!!!!! Forget trying to scrapbook in chronological order...I originally started that way and quickly became very overwhelmed with being "behind" all the time. Now that I've given up on the whole idea of scrapbooking chronologically I'm having a lot more fun...AND I believe my stories are much more meaningful to me and my family!!!!!!

I wish that somebody would have told me that my pages don't have to be "perfect". I spent hours and hours on one layout and always ended up feeling behind. I wish that I would have focused more on the story and not so much on all of the details.

Try not to go overboard with supplies and don't buy everything in sight. Just try to stick with the basics for awhile and figure out what you use/don't use.

I wish that someone had told me not to start with my baby's newborn pictures, for which I no longer had the negatives!

1. It's not about having all the products it's about telling your story. 2. You don't have to scrap all the pictures you have from before you started scrapbooking. 3. In addition to the family/kid pages, make pages for yourself and about yourself.

My best advice is to have fun with what you're doing. Don't ever worry about being "caught up." Just enjoy it!

Yes it's great to scrapbook a specific event or milestone but don't forget to capture your day to day life. It's a great way to see the miracles that happen every day.

The best advice is to not be overwhelmed by all of the products out there. Try scrapping with stuff you already have and then see what you really feel you need to add to your collection. I've wasted so much time and money buying products I thought I would need and now they wind up sitting on my desk waiting to be used.
Jenn

What a great topic! My advice would be...you don't need to buy everything out there right away. Start with the basics, and build your collection of supplies based on what you actually use and love.

Not to use Elmer's glue. I was twelve, it was my first attempt at scrapbooking and I completely ruined some photos of my grandma and I on a trip we took together. Thankfully I ran across her copies of the photos a few years ago!
Be sure to use the right sort of adhesive!

i guess when i started i wish that i hadnt thought you had to go in any order. its so much more fun and inspiring to just pick your fave pics and get going! :)

Things I wish I knew when I started scrapbooking: 1) There is no right or wrong. 2) Scraplifting is OK..better than OK, it's a compliment 3) Don't compare yourself to others so much 4) chronological, theme, color, season, emotion.....you can do whatever pictures, on whatever page, whenever you want 4) scrapbooking because you need a creative, social outlet is oK....you don't have to become the chronological keeper of all things in your family...unless of course you want to. 5) you CAN have too much stuff 6) If it isn't fun, you're trying to hard.....

Don't be afraid to crop your photos or experiment, the best stuff happens that way!

I would have to say just enjoy the process of creating and having fun. Remember there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. Don't buy just to buy. It sometimes makes it harder when you have too many things to choose from. As the saying goes less is more. Just remember to journal on your pages about what is going on in the layout.
As always blog surf and enjoy the creativeness of other crafty scrapbookers. So much inspiration out there.