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

I would tell a new scrapbooker that there is no wrong way to create. When I first started scrapbooking years ago, I looked at all the idea books and magazines and thought my pages had to look just like them. I realized that it is about the moment and the message and creating pages that show who you are...that is what makes them special!!

To not feel pressured to scrap every single photo! Just dive in and scrap what tickles your fancy and go for it!

you don't need to buy every new product, it can be an expensive hobby.
also scrap to make yurself feel good- don't compare your work to that of others, & you will be happier in the long run :)

I wish that someone had told me that you don't need EVERYTHING in order to be a good scrapper. You only need pictures and a desire to get memories down on paper; there are so many opportunities to be creative with a minimum amount of stuff. Now, with that said...I love the Soda Fountain Kit - the colors are vibrant, new and juicy.

It really is about the story! Not just the pictures and who, where, what!

My advice is to enjoy what you create. It doens't really matter what anyone else thinks except for family and they love what I do. My next advice to newbies is to remember to go slow buying supplies and tools. My daughter and I will never use all the stickers I bought in the beginning because they were on sale. I still find stuff that I have forgotten I ever bought. Make time to enjoy your hobby without feeling guilty about what isn't getting done. Scrapbooking is my main stress reliever and I don't do enough of it. Do what makes you happy!

it's ok not to be perfect. it's life, just capture it :o)

My best tip is to not worry about every layout being perfect and just stay caught up!!! I am in catch-up mode right now!

look on-line for pages you like. just copy the page and it will turn out great, and have your own 'twist'!

Seriously do not buy every tool out there (every scissor, punch, stamp...) Get together with friends and share before deciding on the tools you use the most and have to have. It all looks pretty cool and irresistible in the beginning. :)

My advise...use your zoom. It's there for a reason. My favorite pics? The ones that show the droplets of water running down the kids faces and the tiny freckles across the bridge of my daughter's nose...those little things make me smile!

write down all the quirky and ordinary things that happen in your everyday to prompt your lournallin. take photos of all kinds of stuff,not just specialevents eg kids shoes,partners feet ,your breakfast. We always retain meoroies fop the big events but the little things slip by.

I would make page kits in bags or sleeves by cropper hopper and work on those. This would be to avoid the feeling of having too much product and not enough work done.

I wish I had someone to give me advice about which basic scrapbooking tools to buy. I must have tried 3 or 4 different paper cutters, many types of adhesives and albums before I settle with the brands that I'm using. Basically I wish I found your website earlier as I'm using all the products that you recommend.

when i started scrapping there were so many rules...so i would say 'just start...there is no right or worng way....photos and journalling are the most important things.....and simple is good!!!
rach xx

Hi Ali, You get such a huge number of comments! Cool!
Best advice for a new scrapper...don't feel like you have to have every gadget and cutesy sticker. Those are all still in my stash untouched! Stick to timeless embellishments that you love. Most importantly...JOURNAL on the page at the time you are creating it.
Thanks Ali.

Nice prizes this week Ali!
When I first started scrapbooking, I wish someone had convinced me that I didn't have to scrap in chronological order and could just enjoy events, holidays and photos as I got film developed (Yup! I've been scrapping with 35mm photos! LOL)
Sue

If anything I wish that someone would have told me that this is a process and that my style would evolve. And it keeps evolving, ever changing, new ideas, new tools, new products. Nothing stays the same, each day is new and different - and so is my scrapbooking style.

Goodness sakes you don't have to use every embellishment on every page.

The advice that I would give a new scrapper is that you do not need to know everything and/or own everything when you first start. You can always make beautiul pages with whatever tools and supplies you have and remember scrapbooking is a hobby. You don't need to be perfect. If you like the page you created then it's fine.

I wish someone had told me that I didn't need every gadget on the market!!

Definitely keep it simple and don't stress about how many years of photos you have to get scrapped! Just start with now and gradually work your way back or do the events that mean the most to you, that you want to document for the future. So many stories get lost otherwise! Just do what you can and anything you do is better than nothing!
Aloha, Kate

Start basic and remember to journal! Journaling is so important in preserving memories.

if you can't scrap it right away at least jot down some journaling, so you always remember the details

When I was first starting to scrapbook I wish someone would have told me to keep it simple and classic so that over time I'd continue to be happy with my pages. Also, that you don't have to go with what is trendy - do what you like and what features your photos and stories best. They are your memories - not magazine art!