Intro to scrapbooking Part 1

In New Zealand very dear friend of mine is getting started in scrapbooking. I kind of wish I could be there with her to help her out- but I actually think she'll get more info from these posts. So here goes.

Don't do it!
I LOVE scrapbooking but I'm actually a little serious. Here are the reasons not to take up scrapbooking:

• It gets expensive. It doesn't seem like it when it's a bit of paper here and some sparkly stuff there a few stickers and perhaps some ribbon. But then there's more delicious paper and stamps, and if you have stamps you'll want ink. And then you'll see someone use paint in a cool way, and then misters and other glittery stuff. And what colours... just one or two, maybe five or twelve- why not complete the set? I know.
• It takes up room... seriously. If you get that whole set of misters you'll need somewhere to put them. And the other stuff. And the albums you'll start filling up. And before long you'll need new bookshelves, and a pantry cupboard for your stash and a dedicated table to work on, so you don't have to pack up your stuff each day.... and a room to put it all in. I know.
• Did I mention it's gets expensive.
• It takes time. Lets face it if you have a few years under your belt and a a few kids just imagine how many photos you've taken in that time... and imagine how you can scrap them.... and imagine the stories yet to come..... that's a lot of scrapping.
• It takes more time.... if you get really hardcore you'll discover crop nights, and scrapcamps and lets face it you deserve some me time!... before you know it you'll be waving your kids and partners good bye and heading off to hang out with other hardcore scrappers.  I know.
• Oh and by the way it gets expensive.
• It takes more time. You'll discover Pinterest, and scrapping blogs and forums and online stores. When you aren't scrapping you be thinking about scrapping and shopping for scrapping. I know.
• That can be quite expensive.
• It's addictive. Seriously it's addictive like drugs. And soon you'll just want to do more. And if you don't get much time to feed your habit you'll go through withdrawal and get all cranky. I know.
• You'll become a scrapbook snob... The Warehouse and spotlight papers won't be good enough for you eventually.You'll go on pilgrimages to scrapbook shops in Wellington and Christchurch and if you can get free Airforce flights, Auckland as well! You'll trawl Trade-me for good deals and spend time looking at stuff in US dollars on Two Peas and wonder who you know that can bring some stuff home for you from the States. I know.
• You realise you can spend quite a bit of money right? It can get quite expensive.
• It makes you a bad parent. Seriously, you'll hoard previously available art supplies and won't let your kids play with your gear. You'll leave them behind for the previously mentioned retreats and camps. You'll make them undergo torturous photo shoots. You'll be the daggy mum at their parties, sports games and school events taking 100's of photos. And  eventually you'll start buying them clothes that co-ordinate, not just with each other- but with that piece of patterned paper you've been hanging out to use. And you'll record all of their most embarrassing moments in scrapbook pages you'll share with friends and families. I know. 
• Oh and if you're not careful you'll end up spending quite a bit of money. I know. (I'm not sure if Les knows though so Shhhhhhh!)

You didn't listen to me did you?

Ok then, don't say I didn't warn you though. And make sure your significant other knows I told you about the dark side of scrapbooking. Because I don't want to be held responsible when he finds you in what used to be your master bedroom at 6am hunched over some glue and paper, with a bunch of photos trying to decide if you should use the baby blue ribbon or the sky blue ribbon. After you told him at 11pm as he went to bed you'd be there soon and led him to believe he might get lucky. Because believe me once you've got the bug there won't be any action in the bedroom- unless that's where your scrapbook table is. I know.

So here's what you need to know.

Before you start

My very best suggestion is to go buy some magazines either in a shop or score a bundle on trade me or try the library. Get yourself a few different mags: Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooking Memories, and Scrapbook Creations are a good starting point. As you read through look out for the pages that really resonate with you. Mark them with post-its or fold down the corners of the pages. Then go back and ask yourself what you like about them. Look at the style of the pages and the products being used. Look at the colours and find any common themes across the pages. If you didn't like the flowery flouncy pages with doilies and pretty diamanté spirals- then please don't go out and buy lots of pretty flowers and doilies and diamanté spirals. No matter how pretty or how cheap. If you liked the pages with muted tones and greens and browns then don't go out and buy a pack of bright party coloured paper. Make a list of ideas and stuff.

Think about what sorts of pictures you'll be scrapping. If you are a world traveller and all your pages will be travel pics- then don't buy those cute little baby hand print brads- no matter how cute or how cheap. If you have a bunch of boys who like to play in dirt and run around on the rugby field- then think about getting stuff that's going to suit those stories.

Ok, time to shop.
Please don't go nuts. Please. Just get a few things, scrap a few pages, and get a feel for what you like and don't like.

Tools: The Bare necessities:

Don't tell my husband but add card, and photos to that lot and that's all I really need to make a page.
Basic Tool Kit:
Craft Mat- (bigger the better).
Paper Trimmer- I've tried a few and quite happily swear by my Fiskars and know a lot of people that agree. But if you know some scrappers and have the option to try before you buy don't be shy about asking to do so. This is the one absolutely MUST have tool.
Ruler- I prefer metal- they are always straight and the weight can come in handy as well.
Scissors- These were $2- I've been sucked into the wonders of some more expensive ones- they sit forlorn in my scissor basket- other people swear by them- use what works for you.
Rubber and a Pencil.
A couple of pens for journalling and such I like the Smiggle Pigment pens but there are HEAPS of options out there.
Adhesive-

1.  Photos and paper (I use Henzo Photo splits- but there are a whole heap of options out there see what others use and figure what will best suit your work flow).
2. Tiny heavy things (and when you are in a hurry)  for things like buttons, metal embellishments etc I use glue dots they are instant and easy- but not as cheap as using a liquid glue. 
3. Everything else: Chipboard, ribbon, flowers, die cuts etc. A good all round liquid glue. I like Tombo Green it can handle quite a lot of weight dries clear and doesn't pucker your paper.

(More on adhesives later).

Seriously that's all I need to make a LO. Want me to prove it?

(and I didn't even use the scissors or two of the adhesives!)

A little bit more:

So you've got a little bit of cash and you want a few more options....

More Pens- more colours, more options.

White Journalling Pen For writing on dark backgrounds and also doodling.

Stapler- alternative way to attach stuff like ribbon, tags and twine

Corner rounder- Some times it's nice to round the corners of your photos, card or patterned paper.

Knife/Blade/Scalpel- lots of different options try and find out what's best for you.

Tweezers- Mine seem to come in handy for all sorts of fiddly things.

Eyelet setting tools (inclu Hammer)- Eyelets are a cheap and easy embellishment that can be used in all sorts of ways to use them you need a punch, setter, and  hammer. Note you can buy various tools that set eyelets some cost $20 (silent setter) some cost $85 (Big Bite) unless you need to set a lot of eyelets and punch a lot of holes- save your money.

A basic set of inks- Black and brown, 95% of the time these are the only colours I use.

Sand Paper- Great for distressing things- roughing them up- a nice feature on lots of pages- especially the more masculine ones. (Steal it from your husband if possible).

Sewing Needles- for stitching on your pages. And poking holes for brads.

Date stamp- I like to add the date to each project I do... this is just a sweet easy way to do it on some of my work.

Xyron 150- this is one of the most handy tools/adhesives I have- small flat things go in, pull the strip, and they come out ready to stick down. This one does up to 1.5 inches wide- you can get bigger- but then anything bigger is easy to use another adhesive on. A must if you are die-cutting letters and other little things. Use permanent adhesive.

Circle Punch- I use mine quite a bit, you may not be that way inclined. The one inch is my most used- but I have a collection of bigger ones too- but then I scrap a lot so the investment is worth it for me.

Centering Ruler- You don't need one of these but I love mine and I use it all the time- the numbers go from the centre out- that makes it easy to find the middle on photos, photo matts, cardstock and so forth- and get your photos and paper even and straight on your page- yay!

Paint brush and Pallette - If you are going to invest in some paints- if you like the look of them on pages, then obviously you'll need something to mix it up on and apply it with. 

Your computer and Printer: For journalling on among other things.

Books: A small selection for ideas, inspiration, and techniques: You'll need to find these second hand but look for Cathy Zielske's- Clean and Simple Scrapbooking and/or Clean and Simple The Sequel even if simple pages are not your style there is a lot of information in these two books about layout and design, type, journalling and content. And for tips and techniques Creating Keepsakes Encyclopedia of Scrapbooking. Note: There are a lot of books out there- the scrapbooking industry is huge and a lot of people jumped on the gravy train... and produced crap! Before you buy a book have a really good look through it! If you can't look throught it then ask me because I'll probably know- I've seen a lot of them. And don't forget your library!

Ok that's enough for now right? More later, soon I promise.

Gypsy

♥