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I wish I had realized that, for me, the most important thing is getting the story down. I am sure to forget all the little things later. Now I try to write it all down so that when I get around to scrapping the pics I have the story too.

I wish someone had told me not to stock pile on cute pattern paper. I have so many sheets that I bought years ago that I thought "oh, so cute" that now I cringe when I look at them. Seriously, what was I thinking? Buy supplies with ideas in mind - then go home and get it done. =)

It was very freeing when I realized that not all my pages needed to coordinate, even if they are in the same album. Now I have two different approaches to scrapbooking: 1. chronological albums that are very very simple; 2. an album full of individual layouts that don't coordinate and give me a chance to use different products and highlight more "random" themes.

My best advice to a new scrapper is start slow and develop your own style. Use sketches to help you along the way!

Keep everything simple. Simple is best. Make the photograph the main focus and then only add a few "extras". It can be overwhelming with all the products and lines out there. Only buy what you will use and just because it's on sale...doesn't mean you have to buy it.

My advice is to scrapbook your favorite pics and memories. Do not go in chronological order because you will always feel like you are behind.

Mine would be, if you try to make your layout perfect, you will NEVER get a layout done.

Put down the shaped scissors. I love a good scalloped edge now but I cut lots of things with funky edges.
Classic is totally more my thing.

My best advice is to keep it simple. All you need is a little paper, adhesive, pictures and some creativity. Everything else is fluff!

Think big! Don't be shy! Scrap with authority; it's your story and it deserves to be told by you in your way and with your artistry! Be bold!!!

I think the best advise I ever recieved as a newbie was from my SIL-she told me to leave my wedding pictures alone until I'd been scrapbooking for 10 years :)

Not to cut up original photos from the "olden" days (before digital).

Play and have fun. It's only paper after all. It's so tempting to want to make all your pages look like the magazines or those of other established scrappers, but it takes time to learn the techniques, build a stash and to find your own style and comfort level. Until then enjoy the process and don't be too hard on yourself. Even Ali Edwards was a beginner once.

The advice I always give to new scrappers is to know from the beginning that it is an expensive hobby - I'm a realist. Next I tell them to keep basic items in a kit always close at hand, saves a lot of frustration. Most importantly, love what you are doing!

My advice is to keep the page simple and speak from the heart for a good journaling. I wish I knew about Becky H., Lisa B,, Stacey J., and Paula W., and you Ali, the first time I made a layout.

I wish someone has just told me that any way I create is okay..... that capturing the memory is the most important thing. It's all good!!

I wish I would have run across Ali Edwards first! So I would know I don't NEED 1000 different sheets of paper that are now sitting in my closet! I wish that I could have known I only needed basics.

I wish someone would have told me not to think too hard about it. A lot of valuable time got wasted...

My advice is to just give yourself the freedom to experiment. Buy a few basics and get started. It took me a while to figure out what I liked and what my style was, although, I still consider myself to be a beginner. One thing that has helped me to get to my scrapbooking is to schedule it. Put it on the calendar that way you get to it. Otherwise, I am always so busy with the husband, the kids, the family, the house, etc.

Use your product! Hoarding it just causes unorganization and wasted product!