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

Dont just buy stuff cause its cheap. Buy what you love even if its expensive cause what you love is what you use!!

keep it simple.

When I first started, I wish someone told me to use my skills as a graphic designer to create (full or partial) digital layouts and use them alongside traditional scrapbooking materials/layouts. I practically smack my head and say "DUH! Why didn't I think of that!"

...you DON'T have to scrap in ORDER...just jump in and have fun...you'll get a lot more done if you just have fun and do the pictures you want and not worry so much about the order! :)

Do not EVER, no matter how bad the impulse, cut your photos into tiny circles and squares using decorative scissors! You will regret this either minutes later when you realize how it looks or years later when the negatives are no where to be found. Such a bummer. Also, covering a page with stickers is not such a good idea either. Finally, pick up the newest issue of CK - which is sure to inspire! Be sure to take a close look at Studio A and Ask Lizzy...both are tremendously valuable for inspiration!

I would say to not worry about scrapping chronologically. And forget about staying up-to-date. Scrap the things that inspire you and the little moments you want to remember.

There is no right or wrong way to scrapbook, the most important thing is telling the story through the photos.

I wish I had realised earlier, that just because my layouts don't appear in magazines (except for that one - leap for joy!), doesn't mean that they are not worthy of publication. Magazines are not measuring sticks against which we assess ourselves. At least, they shouldn't be.

My advice to a new scrapper?
Hold off on all those stickers. You won't use them or the decorative edge scissors either! haha

Start simple & stay simple, don't put pressure on yourself to have the "perfect" page. Enjoy the process your family will be grateful for anything you do.

Relive and Enjoy the memories as you Scrap!!!!!!!!

It is OK to do it simple. You do not have to try every trend. This will certainly overwhelm anyone.
Journal. Very important.
And....you do not have to scrapbook every photo. It is OK to just do the good photos of an event. And...if you only have a bad, blurry photo or 2, then scrap them.
And ENJOY!!!!!

I wish someone would have told me I don't have to put every picture of an event into a scrapbook. I wish someone would have told me I didn't have to scrapbook chronologically. I wish someone would have told me it's okay to use a photo from a different time to help tell a story.

Don't cut your photos into shapes. Straight lines work best. An occasional circle is ok

My best advise would be to focus on your photos. Don't worry about being all fancy at first and having all the newest items.

I wish I someone would have told me to scrap whatever I wanted and to really focus on telling the stories that were important to me and my family; regardless of whether the photos were not the best. I wish I had started scrapping this way from the beginning instead of focusing on chronological scrapping.

My best tip is don't try to be like other people. Be true to yourself and don't get caught up in trying to win a contest. In the end, it is about you and preserving your memories for your family.

I wish someone had told me to simplify! I always tend to OVERembellish my pages and I have to remind myself to let the photos do the talking! :)

Hi Ali!
I wish someone would have told me that I don't have to scrap everything in order!!! I also wish someone would have told me that it's o.k. to just scrap one picture on a page if I really love that picture. I love doing both of these things now, but it took me a long time to get here. :)

You don't need everything all at once! Most times, less is more! ~Jennifer

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.