Getting Started

First you need to understand that you will probably never be caught up in this hobby. I started scrapbooking in 1996 and have been behind since. Life keeps going and doesn’t wait for us to catch up so just enjoy each page you make.
How to start – basic needs / supplies:

1. Album 2. Paper 3. Cutting tools 4. Glue 5.pens

First get an album; they come in different sizes, styles, and costs. I prefer a 12 x 12 book, with top loading pages (so you can rearrange the order if needed). I really only buy fancier ones for a gift or special occasion album, cheap ones work fine. It’s wise to get some refills for the book you are buying just in case you cannot find another one and have extra pages to do. Next you need paper, remember “acid free”, you need to use acid free paper & glue. Do not buy cheap thin paper; quality is important in a nice page. Cut costs somewhere else. Most craft store’s put out weekly coupons; use one to buy a stack of solid paper. Over time you will build up your supply but to start pick some basic color packs. If you are doing a baby album look for pastel, for holidays or seasonal go with that theme colors. I use a complementing solid paper to boarder almost all of my pictures, it helps them stand out. You will make a lot of use out of a cutter and a good pair of straight scissors. Glue is an absolute necessity – they have so many to choice from. I use a variety including glue dots, lines & squares, double sided tape, Zig 2 way pens for smaller jobs and my all time favorite Tombo Mono Multi liquid glue.

I am not a fan of photo corners or glue sticks – which do work well for kids. You can also buy foam dots to raise your “subject” off the page slightly.