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

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.

No matter how much you dislike your own handwriting, or whatever the excuse, make sure you tell THE STORY. The words are so important!
You put enough effort into creating a page you love. Chances are you'll never get back to that 'blank' journaling spot later.

I think for me it was thinking that I just had to have everything that was mentioned in a class or magazine, instead of creativily making it my own with some of the stuff I already own.

I wish someone had told me "there are no rules in scrapbooking". Let your creativity flow!

My advice would be... less is more. There's no need to buy every single gadget/supply out there. And when you do buy stuff, make sure to actually use them before buying more! And don't put so much pressure on yourself. It's supposed to be fun! =)

Invest in the "basic supplies, i.e. paper trimmer, acid free paper and pens, adhesive, etc. Take pictures
using a digital camera (in case you feel the need to erase not-so-good pictures).

I wish that someone had told me that I, and my kids, would all be just fine if I didn't try to scrapbook every picture I took ;-)

I wish someone had told me to relax and let the stories and photos dictate. I worried so much about how things looked that I lost the real meaning of scrapping. I enjoyed it much more, and my pages are more valuable, since I just relaxed.

You don't have to scrapbook every photo
You don't have to have every gadget out there
Most times less is more and much better.
Write, write, write! Tell your story, you are the only one that can!

I wish someone had told me earlier that my family won't care if the cardstock matches exactly or if the font is the same as the last lo.
All about embracing "it is ok"
=)

I wish some one would have told me:
~you don't HAVE to scrapbook in order
~you don't have to scrap EVERYTHING that happens in you and your families lives
~scrap what you love
~Just have fun!