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

Try to remember WHY you are scrapbooking & not get too caught up in what the end-product looks like or others' opinions of your efforts. You're creating a memory, not sitting an exam :)

Write! Really! Journal the story or (at least) the 5 W's. But, better, tell why you love this picture!

You don't have to scrap everything and you don't have to scrap in order. Just get started!

Do not buy things that you "probably" are going to use some day, like hot dog shaped brads (ohh, look at these!) or beach papers and so on. Go with the basics. Plain cardstock, neutral eyelets and patterned paper with evergreen patterns, like polka dots, circles, ... . I'm still having some papers that I don't even know what to use them for! I just liked them when I saw them! Could have saved the money ...

I wish I had known to keep things simple and not cut the photo into cutesy shapes.

Start with pictures and words. Tell the most important stories. Add embellishments to your repertoire later.

My advise would be to relax and have fun. It's always awesome to look back on your early creations and see how far your creative process has come.

My advice would be to scrap what inspires you with your best photos (you don't have to use every single one). I love Ali's way of keeping it simple and telling the story, so try not to let that get lost in all the embellishments and paper! Let your photos and story be the stars of your pages.

don't worry about getting behind... you don't have to scrapbook month by month. just scrapbook what is important to you & the photos you love... that way your not so overwhelmed & the pages mean so much more!

You do not need everything to start out! You never need everything. All you need is the want to do it. Use what you have and get creative about the things you don't have but someday want.

This is suppose to be fun, so enjoy the process. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed, start with some pictures you feel good about. For supplies, start with the core staples like a trimmer, pen, and add as you go with tools that you really think you will use.

I wish someone had told me that you don't have to start at "the beginning." Scrapbooking does not have to be chronological. You should never feel like you are "behind." Scrapbook what you want, when you want and be happy with your art!

Oh, SO many things I'd tell a newbie! No, you don't have to buy every cute product that hits the shelves; No, you don't have to scrap chronologically; There are NO rules in scrapbooking - if you like it, then do it! Keep a journal - you WILL forget the cute thing your 4 yr old said even if you think you couldn't POSSIBLY forget it! Let your kids scrap w/you, this isn't an Adult-only hobbie! OK - I could go on, but you get the gist! LOL

My advice to a new scrapper... don't buy things just because its on sale thinking, "oh, I know I'll use this somewhere..." Invest in the basics... scissors, basic shape punches, etc. And only buy paper and establishments per project... I have a TON of stuff like this and it's still untouched and not my "style".

The advise that I wish I had had when startin to scrapbook would be that you DO NOT have to scrap ALL of your pictures from a particular event. Just find the ones that mean the most and tell the story behind them. Oh and there is no such thing as "being caught up"!

Scrap what you want, not what you think you have to. Read Stacy Julian's book about Library of Memories.

My advice...stick to the basics. You don't need all the newest bells and whistles! I have become more of a "collector" which I love, but for someone just starting out...stick with the basics. Once, you find your style then you can "collect".

The story is much more important than the technique or the product. Your family cares about the story!

My advice is to not get caught up in trends and fancy scrapbook tools. Sigh - i have tools i have no need for :( Also, even if you can't scrap photos right away, jot down memories/thoughts as reference for when you do start putting those photos on layouts

You don't have to buy the entire store! Plan your projects, then go shopping. This way you don't get overwhelmed. :)

start simple and don't go back. I have some friends who agonize over their pages and that completely takes the fun out of it. don't try to make your page impressive...make it YOU! Once the page is done, move on. It is fun to look back and see what I was "in to" in the past.

I wish someone would have told me not to stress out about making your pages perfect. I used to sit for hours on end staring at my blank page, afraid to get started because I was afraid to mess up. Just relax and have fun with it! Also, you do NOT have to scrap chronologically! If you don't ever get inspired to scrap those christmas photos, then DON'T! Scrap what you love and what excites you.

My advice would be to really evaluate your purchases and only buy things that fit your style. Or just go digi. It takes up less space and is much faster, and greener!

My advice...start with good basics and you can't go wrong....you don't have to have every new thing out there. Start with good cardstock, a good trimmer, adhesive and pens. You can do so much with just these items. The rest can come in time. Enjoy the creative process and dont' getover whelmed by it all.

If you use digi photos, organization is the key to getting anything done!:)
Aso, if you don't scrap certain events right away, get your journaling down somewhere so you don't forget the details of the story.