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

My best advice foe new scrapbookers is just to sit down and try and create something at first, without worrying about if it will look good or if you need the newest supplies.

My advice is to a new scrapbooker would be to tell your own story. Don't worry about whether you are doing it "right". There is no right or wrong way, just your own way.

Don't spend more time shopping for supplies then you do actually scrapbooking. Despite what ever sale is going on, in the long run it's probably cheaper to shop on a project to project basis. That way you don't end up with a bunch of embellishments and papers you will never use, just because they were 50% off.

I wish someone had said that I didnt have to buy everything I see.. chances are you will still have it 2 years later... take your time buying supplies... learn techniques before you start buying a lot of supplies...

I recommend a complete, coordintated kit and a good scrap magazine. Most importantly, a scrapping friend who is more experienced. Great to learn techniques and chat!

My best advise for a new scrapbooker (or any scrapbooker really) is to find a space that is dedicated to your craft. Even if you have to put everything on a board that you then slide under your bed...it is important to be able to work on your pages when you have a few moments. With a busy life that is often hard to do..and if you have to spend a bulk of your time setting up and taking down...you end up with no time left to scrap...NOT GOOD!!
And don't be afraid to Scraplift...you will develop your own style in time. Just do it!!

Well, I wish someone had said "you don't have to buy everything" - 'though I most likely would not have listened. The other bit of advice that would have been helpful would have been if someone had said "scrap a little everyday" - and keep a journal of daily happenings on which to collect items for journaling.
Thanks for the opportunity to share.
Take care

I wish someone had told me that it would probably become one of the best things I do. I wish someone had told me that I don't have to scrap every single picture.
Only my favorites. Only the ones that speak to me. Only the ones that tell where/what point in life we are at.
I LOVE the give aways....pick me. pick me.

I would say - start easy. Buy a few products and 'play' a bit, before buying all there is and then realising not everything is your style. Also, if you're not overly creative (like me), do some reading. It helped me a lot and gave me inspiration. Thanks for your inspiration, Ali.

Scrap for yourself and your family...not for others. And don't forget to add dates:)

Just do what you enjoy doing. Scrap what moves you when it moves you, and don't worry about what you're not doing. Every story you get down is one that you'll appreciate one day.

to a new scrapbooker:
there is no right or wrong way, your style will evolve and you don't need anything to be perfect. The reason you are doing this is because you want to document your life for your loved ones. Scrap what you love, the pics or the events or the stuff, don't worry about getting everything done- it's not about getting everything done, it is about telling your stories.

When you get stuck, start pasteing things on you page. Sometimes I get so caught up trying to put everything in the "right" spot that I never finish the page! The bottom line is to not overthink but to have fun!

My advice to new scrapbookers - don't buy everything cute in sight! Get your basic tools and cardstock, a few items of patterned paper and embellishments. In the excitement, it's easy to get carried away and buy everything cute only to come home and discover that it's not really your style or that you struggle to fit it in with what you want to do. Take time to evaluate your own style or sketch out ideas and go from there rather than buy all the latest, greatest and cutest supplies out there.

My advice would be to have fun. Scrapbooking is something for people to enjoy as we record our memories for future generations.

i wish people had told me not to buy everything i see at the store... buy a few things and learn techniques first...

My advice is focus on the story and not on the stuff.

I would tell a new scrapper to use D-ring binder albums and to go scrapbook shopping with at least a basic idea of what you want to match your photos. I wish someone would have told me to use d-ring albums when i started.

How to start more simple...not feeling like you had to have everything first (products and embellishments). Binder albums vs. post (you can add, take out, rearrange with ease). Start from today or choose moments - you don't have to go back to the beginning and do it all.
First advice...read through Ali's blog for all sorts of great tips, advice and inspiration!

I wish someone had told me to WRITE IT DOWN when it happens. There are so many wonderful things to scrapbook in my life and now when I look at the photos I don't always remember exactly what happened on that day and at that moment. When I did take quick notes, whether for a trip or just a funny/sweet moment in time, it is so much more meaningful ... not just to me today, but I know it will be to my boys and their families to come in the future.