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

My advice to a beginning scrapbooker is to keep it simple. Don't try to create layouts with tons of layers, embellishments, etc. right away. Get comfortable with cropping photos and journaling. Then, begin to develop your overall style.

use tab dispensers, don't cut them in half to save money--save time instead!!

My advice would be, read a lot of forum online, look at galleries first, learn to know what your style would be, so you know what supplies to buy, instead of hoarding all the beautiful things. =)

wow. great giveaways this week. I would love any of them. inspiring.

I wish someone had told me that there is no WRONG way to scrapbook your life's memories. Just the fact that you are documenting your life story is RIGHT!

Get organized right from the beginning...disorganization = wasted money buying stuff you already have!

My advice for a new scrapbooker is to only get the absolute essentials (paper trimmer, adhesive) until you really find your style. Buying all the products under the sun won't help until you know what really inspires you and what you will really use.

I wish someone had told me to not buy "cheap" supplies when I first started scrapbooking, and to "play" a lot more. I jumped right in at the beginning and scrapped important photos using low-quality supplies. This means that the pages weren't great, and since I was just starting out, I had a lot of "misses" with the pages. If I had bought some higher-quality supplies, and played around with the supplies a little bit first (maybe making a mini-album or altered project to start with), then my initial layouts would have been a lot better (and I would have saved money in the long-run as I woudldn't have had supplies to get rid of that I wasn't in love with!)
Lizzy

I wish someone had told me that the tools I really needed were the ones that MADE all the embellishments I bought premade..... but wait.... those tools weren't around 18 years ago when I started.... lol.

Sue P
My advice would be to just enjoy the experience. Less is often more. Work with friends and work together. There is no right or wrong. Its all about the memories.

My best advice for a new scrap artist would be to begin with the basics! You don't need to buy out the store to make beautiful layouts. All you need is a few patterned papers, a few pieces of cardstock and a trimmer. CK magazine is a great start too!

Start small and simple. You don't need everything out there. Focus on the PHOTOS.

my best advice is to scrapbook in your own right - don't try to do too much to start with. There is no 'wrong' way to scrapbook! Just make memories for your family and any creation is fantastic!

don't stress about the perfect embellishments or paper- just capture and scrap the moments to relive them over and over again.

I wish someone told me that there are no rules! Just tell your story and forget what the next gal thinks! It's what your family think of your story of their life! That's what really matters...

i think the best advise is to just create what *you* like. dont get all caught up in what is "in" or what everyone else is doing. :)

When I was a new scrapbooker, I wish someone had told me not to worry about scrapping every single picture I took on a trip! I look back now at these massive double-page LOs with far too many photos crammed onto them and just cringe.

My advice is to start simply. Photos, paper, trimmer, and pen is enough to begin. You don't need to know how to do every technique all at once. Every time you get a little bored with the same types of layouts, then you can learn a new technique like embossing, inking, or stitching. It's a great way to maintain your excitement and enjoyment.

Don't spend too much money - start small and figure out what you REALLY need before you spend thousands of dollars! (not speaking from experience or anything, lol)

1. Don't let yourself to go crazy and mad with all scrapbooking supplies in a local store or internet.
You don't need a lot to start.
2. Research for a group of scrap-girls in your neighbourhood. You can earn new friends, some help and inspiration.
3. Subscribe a magazine. For example my favourite Creating Keepsakes. You will find a lots of great ideas.

i wish someone had told me it would be so addicting! I think i would tell a new scrapbooker that you don't have to buy all of the new stuff that comes out, try and use what you have so you don't end up with such a huge stash!
~yasmin

Always remember why you started scrapping - its not necessarily about the latest product or what other people think of your scrapbooking. Do it for you and your desire to record treasured moments in your life or of the lifes of loved ones or to have a creative outlet for yourself.

simple words: no pressure, no limits, no rules, just be your creative self. words i live by daily. such great goodies ali, thanks!

My advice would be that there is no right way or wrong way to scrapbook. It is just "your way", your freedom of expression and art... that's what matters :)

My advice would be to do what makes you happy. If you don't want to scrap in order of events, don't. If you don't want to have a color theme throughout an entire album, no need. Go with what makes you happy, and understand that even that may change with time. Enjoy the ride... Scrapbooking should be fun, not tedious!