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

Buy only what you love,love,love! Just because that paper's kinda pretty but not reallly you and on sale, doesn't mean you have to buy it. And they release new paper all the time--so you don't have to buy everything now--chances are there will be something you love more next time or that paper will still be available in 6 months--buy it then if you still love it!

Good Morning! I wish someone had told me - Don't buy stickers! unless you have a use for them in your mind. I also would strongly say - don't buy the big pads of patterned paper. Purchase 2-4 pieces of paper that goes with your photos or really moves you. That would have saved me a lot of money. I still have stickers from 5 years ago! TY for the opportunity to win. I would so much enjoy the class, as I am disabled and housebound. I hope you and your family have a lovely day.

Don't buy the new-fangled supplies right off the bat. Scrap for awhile using what you have..get a feel for what you are missing..and buy selectively. You don't need ALL 50 pairs of decrorative scissors!!

I wish someone had told me from the beginning: more stickers does not cure all, don't buy every tool and punch you see, and most of all...you don't have to scrapbook EVERY photo you take :-)

Don't feel that you have to try every trend. Everyone has a different style so find yours and go with it...there is no right or wrong way to scrapbook.
Oh and don't forget to journal!

I wish someone had told me that it was just this addicting! Kidding! My advice for new scrappers...as much as you hate your own handwriting...you need to journal in your own handwriting..it's a memory your family will treasure!
xoxo
ronee

Don't be overwhelmed, work one page (or a two page layout) at a time. It will all come to you. If you lose your inspiration, get up and walk away. Coming back to your piece will bring new inspiration.

There are no rules. If you are comfortable scrapping chronologically, then do so. If you want to scrap pictures you took yesterday, then do so. Most importantly - JUST DO SO. Don't leave those memories in your head, in a box, or god forbid, in your camera. And whatever you do - HAVE FUN! This is the BEST hobby - if you could even call it that at this point - in the world.

My advice...the important part is that you're documenting your life and telling your story...not the stickers and embellishments. Also, scrapbooking is as expensive/hard as you make it.

Hi Ali!!! i think its wonderful how you do these weds. giveaways...
my tip for a new scrapbooker??? SHOP!!! buy some product that speaks to you!! buy paper that looks cool!!! if you are excited by the product then starting will be easier!! I wish i had this much for options in product when i started scrapbooking!!! and lastly? don't sweat it!!! each one of us has our own perception of what looks good!! who are we to tell someone "that doesn't work, or that doesn't look right"??
those are my tips!!!

Have fun:) Set up a spot in your house, no matter how small, that you can keep up so you can steal a few minutes here & there to be creative:-)

Only buy what products you truly love and use them - don't wait for that "right" layout.

Love the give-a-ways! Thanks, Ali!
Well..I work at Archivers and I always suggest our free Scrapbooking Basics class. But mostly...I tell them to keep is simeple...there's no right or wrong way to scrapbook. It's your own personal style and don't get caught up with with everyone else is going (if your pages don't look like theirs..etc.)

Don't worry about scrapping in order...just scrap what inspires you at that moment/day. And try 3-ring binder albums right away!

My advice is to love whatever you create. Don't second guess your layouts or think they must look like an example in a magazine. Create what makes you happy and you'll be creating your own style.

As I am a beginner myself, I'd like to share the best advice I received somewhere along on this blog in my own words: There is no need to catch up. Don't feel overwhelmed by all the stories you haven't told yet – rather than trying to cross off a list of things you haven't done yet, see the things you have completed as a growing list of accomplishments.

My advice for new scrappers:
Take a lot of pictures so you'll have plenty to select from when telling your story, and remember to journal about the event. Otherwise, one day down the road you will look back and wish you could remember the details.
live...laugh...LOVE!
laura

My advice is to not worry about taking the perfect photo... just take LOTS of photos!

My advice? Don't buy anything other than some cardstock & scissors & glue. Try that out for a while and then decide if you want to get more involved with the patterned paper and embellishments. I spent more time 'collecting' supplies at the beginning of my scrapbooking instead of actually making pages - too much pressure from 'demo-based sales consultants' and commitment issues with paper that was too pretty to cut. I would have done much better with the cardstock, scissors & glue to see what direction I wanted to go before diving in head first and allowing it all to pile up around me.

Don't worry about scrapbooking chronologically...or about the "rules." If you make your hobby a stressful thing, then what can you ever do that ISN'T stressful?