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

It's more about having fun than "getting caught up." Just dive in and scrap the things you're excited about - the things you really want to remember.

My advice is that there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. however you want to display your photos is fine as long as you are satisfied with the final product. Just try to make pages that reflect your style, and have fun with it! It should not be something that you dread, it should be something that you enjoy!

My advice it that you don't have to crop all of your pictures down or cut them into circles and ovals, and try and fit as many of them on a page as possible.

When I first started scrapbooking, I wish I knew that I didn’t have to scrap every single picture that I took! I was always looking for ideas on how to scrap 6+ pictures. Then someone told me to pick three favorite pictures of a topic and scrap those! Phew!! That was easier…and now at times, I may even scrap just one favorite picture!! Very liberating!

You're allowed to throw photos away or delete them. I would get completely overwhelmed looking a stacks of photos, many of which were of the same shot. Pick the best and get rid of the rest.

Do NOT try to just focus on getting IT done. Go at your own pace and don't feel pressure to use all of the pictures from an event or photo outing.

Don't feel like you need to buy up every cute thing you see! There is always something new and fabulous coming out and you will waste a lot of money if you buy stuff before you actually have a specific project to use it on. Of course there are basics you can stock up on like adhesives and white or black cardstock, but don't buy stuff just to have it. I have spent thousands and now I have to sell it all off at a garage sale this weekend to make room for another bedroom!

I would tell a new scrapper to be very careful when buying anything NEW. It may look cool in the package, but it may not go with anything in your "arsenal" of scrapping goodies. I have a lot of those items...Thank God for my little sister and the fact I have a little girl that will scrap soon (I am thinking of starting her at 3 years old! ;) ) Also, try to read some of the books you think you want to get at the store...when you get them home they may not be as good as you thought.
Last, but not least...HAVE FUN...you are documenting memories for the future...don't make it "WORK" make it "FUN"! :)

Keep it simple and really try to journal, it doesn't have to be perfect!

I would say to keep things simple. Sometimes less is more. And to not worry so much about chronological order, but just to get the important stories that you want to remember/share down.

Remember to put a date on your page. It doesn't have to be on the front, but make sure it is written down.

Sigh, things we wish we'd known.
I say:
Decide why you are starting this journey; for heirloom, hobby, therapy, faith, creative outlet, or as a relationship/friendship building block. That will help you focus on your goals and purchases.
Shop by the project. Doing a baby album? Buy only what you wnat to use in that project. Not by random "cute" things or because it's a deal you can't refuse. Your stash will build quickly enough, believe us all!
-tania

don't think too much -- just start.

Keep it simple, journal from the heart and make the pictures and stories that come from them the focus.

My advice is that there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook. however you want to display your photos is fine as long as you are satisfied with the final product. Just try to make pages that reflect your style, and have fun with it! It should not be something that you dread, it should be something that you enjoy!

A wise scrapbook teacher always told us to bring our pictures with us to the scrapbook store. I would have saved a lot of money by not buying paper that didn't match my photos.

"Don't be overwhelmed, you don't need it all." Thats what I would say, and I would follow that up with advice for usable adhesive, cutters, cardstock, albums, punches and pens. All the other bells and whistles are optional!
Thanks for the giveaway....

You don't need as many supplies as you think so buy slowly! It's easy to feel like you need to buy everything and quickly become overwhelmed by the money you spend and the amount of stuff you now have. It will all be there later when you need it....or there will be something else that you like even better, I promise!

my advice is not to stress so much over whether something is acid-free or archival-safe....go with the concept that if you love it, use it! it's so much more freeing to use what you LOVE even if it doesn't meet the "safe-scrapping" standard.

i took a long time for me to understand that it is actually ok to use the most beautiful papers and cutest embellishments instead of keeping the for years. there are new wonderful products coming in the market all the time and what could be more fun than shopping :).