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

I wish someone would have told me to just scrap the pictures you love. You don't have to scrap every single picture. :)

Keep it simple, utilize the day to day words/conversations and thoughts on your pages, hand journal. There is nothing more meaningful than your photos, words and handwriting to take you back to that special moment - and that is what it is all about - the keepsakes you create for now and always.

That you should not worry about catching up, do pages that you are inspired to do!

Don't be afraid to use things you already have around the house - even junk mail!
Never be afraid to try something new and lastly - have fun!

Don't buy everything you can get your hands on right away. I ended up with a lot of things that I look at now and really can't stand. Be purposeful and selective while shopping.

Don't worry about being caught up!

Don't stress. You, your friends and your family won't expect millions of pages or every second documented years from now. Document the pictures you love and the pictures of everyday life. Document how much you love the people in your life. Document how much you love life. Enjoy life and capture a glimpse of that in your scrapbooks and you have succeeded.

Invest in good basic tools (to include trimmer, pens and adhesive) and good solid color cardstock. Anything else only buy for specific layouts/pictures. You will save so much more money this way!
And look online (ebay, etc.) you can save a ton!

I wish someone had explained to me the futility of scrapbooking chronologically. The pressure of always needing to be "caught up" took some of the joy out of my earlier scrapbooking. Now, thanks to a commitment to relax and Stacy Julian's Photo Freedom book and LOM method, I scrapbook that which inspires me and makes me smile. I may not be caught up, but I'm fulfilled and creating more than ever!

Don't get caught up in trying to create the "perfect" page--telling the story is what is important.

I wish someone had explained to me the futility of scrapbooking chronologically. The pressure of always needing to be "caught up" took some of the joy out of my earlier scrapbooking. Now, thanks to a commitment to relax and Stacy Julian's Photo Freedom book and LOM method, I scrapbook that which inspires me and makes me smile. I may not be caught up, but I'm fulfilled and creating more than ever!

Start with the 3 ring binder style albums instead of the post or strap style!

Keep it simple. Do what makes you happy. And that there really are no rules as long as you like what you do.

There is no 'right or wrong' when it comes to scrapbooking. Do what your heart says to do, and DON'T compare your work to that of other people's. Journal what YOU want to remember. This is about you, and your family, your memories, your life. ENJOY the journey!

What great giveaways...again :o) As for a tip I would say don't scrap chronologically. Sometimes its really hard to just scrap in order. That and don't cut your photos into teeny tiny hearts and circles, like I did when I first started. I now regret that!!

My advise is to just start with the basics until you get a sense for your "style", & you can never go wrong with Fiskars tools ;)

Being new to the scrapbook world myself, my advice to me (and any others) would be to relinquish control to your creative side and leave the perfectionist at home. Wanting everything perfect can be very inhibiting.
Thanks for your tips and tricks Ali.
Lori

Take a basic scrapbooker's class at your LSS that highlights the basic must haves & the proper use of your tools as well as terminology.
Next check the local library for mags & books on scrapbooking.
MOST important of all "JUST DO IT"-try-play-test-create-follow the rules-then break the rules-learn new techniques
And make for yourself and don't compare your results againest those that have been perfecting their talent for years.
ENJOY The process as much as the result and remember everything is about learning and growing

Less is more!!!

My advice would be not to spend to much time trying to make every page perfect. When I started scrapbooking I would spend hours on one page and get frustrated if I couldn't get the page to look exactly like I envisioned. I wasted a lot of time that I could have used to create other pages and projects. Now I know that it is the act of creating that is important, that no matter what the final page looks like it's good, because you've put that memory down on paper for the future. And there are no rules in scrapbooking. No one is going to tell you that you can't scrap the same pictures again later if you're not fully satisfied and you get a new idea. The possibilities are limitless, it's getting the stories on paper that's important.