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You don't need the latest and greatest stuff... you just need what you really love!

There is no right or wrong way to scrapbook! You don't have to follow any specific style, nor do you have to scrapbook everything in the correct chronological order. Scrapbook in any way, style or order you find enjoyable!

My advice is to print pictures quickly after you take them. I find that actually having them on hand (rather than on my hard drive) makes me that much more inspired to actually begin scrapbooking....rather than just thinking about it. :)

I wish someone would have told me that all I really needed was a paper cutter, some cardstock, a black pen, and some adhesive, and I was good to go.
I think I would have saved a lot of $$ on things that were not necessary, and I did not use anyway.

All you really need is paper, pictures, and glue.

Best advice I wish I had gotten - don't rush out and buy everything. Just start with the basics. Then you won't be unloading lots of stuff you'll never use at your local yard sale :)

I wish someone would have told me that it is okay to scrap out of chronological order! I spent years trying to "catch up" when all I really wanted to be doing what scrapping what was happening in my life and the life of my family right now. It has been so liberating to let go of that pressure and scrap whatever is inspiring me- even if there is no "order" to it at all!

I wish someone had told me I didn't have to scrap EVERY single photo. After 10 years of scrapping, I'm just learning this lesson

My best advice to a newbie is always do what you really feel, don´t try to just copy other scrapbookers because everyone has a story to count, I always focus my work on my pictures, I love to be a story teller!

Gotta agree with so many posts here... I wish someone had sat me down and given me some of this advice when I began. The one key thing that I'm not seeing mentioned so much in the comments I've read is this:
Don't forget yourself.
Make sure you're in some of the photos and layouts. Make sure you scrap about your own life, in your own words. It's important, not selfish, to sometimes celebrate YOU! :) (Your family will thank you for it down the line)
Thanks for giving us all the opportunity to voice our opinions, Ali.

Read blogs and magazines to find ideas and then develop your own personal style!

Start simple...you don't have to have everything to start scrapbooking, buy a little at a time!

***Scan any non-digital photos before cutting!!!***
It's fine to get creative with them, but ugh, so many times I've gone back to use a photo for another purpose, and had to crop them down so small, just to regain a rectilinear shape (for framing, etc.)
- A

hi there,
Ali, I have found your blog an absolutely wonderful site for inspiration and instruction, as a relatively new scrapbooker, I have found lots of wonderful ideas and tips that have been very useful - so a big thank to you indeed!

I wish someone had told me to just enjoy the process. It is as much fun the process as the finished results.

Be creative! Recycle your scraps, use stuff you have around the house, have no boundaries!

I wish somebody had told me right away that it is OK to scrap non chronologically! I was stuck for years doing this until I discovered you :)

you don't need the latest and greatest stuff... only buy what you really love!

Don't buy too much stuff that you might use later.... because you wont.

My best piece of advice for ANY scrapbooker is that there is no right or wrong! Just do what you like and what feels right for YOU! :) Oh, and Happy Scrappin'!