Where To Learn Beginner Scrapbooking Techniques
July 19, 2009 by Scrapbooking Ideas and Tips
Filed under About Scrapbooking
Beginner scrapbookers have many resources available to learn how to scrapbook. Scrapbooking is one of the fastest growing hobbies, and options for learning this craft come in many different places. Before considering which method is best for you, consider your time and money commitment, as well as, your goals for scrapbooking.
Are you just looking to make attractive pages for your family to enjoy and preserve your photographs and memories? Maybe you want to learn scrapbooking for a new hobby you can share with others. Scrapbooking can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.
Your local craft store is a great resource to learn beginner scrapbooking. Some craft stores specialize in scrapbooking, and their staff can help you choose basic tools and supplies to get you started. Many of these stores offer classes on the latest techniques. These classes often allow you to try out new tools and see how others approach their scrapbook pages. You might also take a project class that allows you to complete an entire album.
Scrapbooking classes vary in cost, but most are quite reasonable. They usually provide all the tools and materials necessary, which make them a great way to try out this hobby with little financial investment. You will need to bring several photographs to use on your page layouts. Teachers are experienced and enthusiastic. They are trained to teach all levels of scrapbooking techniques and can answer any questions you might have about this hobby to help you decide if scrapbooking is right for you. Don’t be surprised if you see more experienced scrapbookers in these classes. Some people will take them just for the social aspect of the class and for new ideas on how to use basic techniques more effectively.
To find a class in your area, check with the large craft stores, as well as your local scrapbooking stores. Most offer classes with convenient schedules, and many offer classes that can be started any time.
Another option is to learn beginner scrapbooking in your own home. Direct sales companies, like Creative Memories and Close to My Heart, have consultants that will come to your home and give a class on basic scrapbooking. Much like a Tupperware party, you invite your friends to your home for a lesson. The consultant will teach the basic philosophy behind scrapbooking, as well as, how to choose supplies and tools, and how to design a simple page. You and your friends will usually make a 2-page layout with materials supplied by the consultant and photos you bring from home. Consultants may or may not charge for the lesson. This usually depends on the cost of the supplies used for the pages. The lesson usually ends with an opportunity to purchase that company’s products.
Scrapbooking magazines are full of information on basic techniques and beginner tips. In the United States, most bookstores sell a variety of scrapbooking magazines. The most popular magazines are Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Memory Makers and Scrapbooks, Etc. Buy a single issue of each magazine first. Each has a slightly different slant on scrapbooking. For example, Simple Scrapbooks focuses on quick, easy pages. Once you find one that seems to match your style, buy the annual subscription which is always more cost effective than buying single newsstand copies.
Many craft stores offer crop nights that can be another way to learn scrapbooking. Crops bring together groups of scrapbookers to work on their pages together. Basically, they are scrapbooking parties. The store will often charge a nominal fee and provide refreshments for the evening. Many will allow you to use their tools during the crop, as well. This is a great way to try out more expensive tools, like die cut machines and cutters. You could even invite your scrapbooking friends to your home for a crop. Crops allow everyone to share techniques with each other and provide beginner scrapbookers with tips and ideas.
One more option to learn basic techniques is to purchase an album kit. Many album kits come complete with all the supplies you need to make a scrapbook. They provide detailed instructions and sometimes even basic color and design layout theory. However, to complete the album you will need to buy your own tools, such as, scissors and adhesive.
Once you’ve learned beginner scrapbooking, remember to practice your techniques often. The more pages you make the better you will become at designing layouts. As you master the basics, you can use the same resources above to find more advanced tips and techniques.
Thanks to Christine Perry for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:
Are you just looking to make attractive pages for your family to enjoy and preserve your photographs and memories? Maybe you want to learn scrapbooking for a new hobby you can share with others. Scrapbooking can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.
Your local craft store is a great resource to learn beginner scrapbooking. Some craft stores specialize in scrapbooking, and their staff can help you choose basic tools and supplies to get you started. Many of these stores offer classes on the latest techniques. These classes often allow you to try out new tools and see how others approach their scrapbook pages. You might also take a project class that allows you to complete an entire album.
Scrapbooking classes vary in cost, but most are quite reasonable. They usually provide all the tools and materials necessary, which make them a great way to try out this hobby with little financial investment. You will need to bring several photographs to use on your page layouts. Teachers are experienced and enthusiastic. They are trained to teach all levels of scrapbooking techniques and can answer any questions you might have about this hobby to help you decide if scrapbooking is right for you. Don’t be surprised if you see more experienced scrapbookers in these classes. Some people will take them just for the social aspect of the class and for new ideas on how to use basic techniques more effectively.
To find a class in your area, check with the large craft stores, as well as your local scrapbooking stores. Most offer classes with convenient schedules, and many offer classes that can be started any time.
Another option is to learn beginner scrapbooking in your own home. Direct sales companies, like Creative Memories and Close to My Heart, have consultants that will come to your home and give a class on basic scrapbooking. Much like a Tupperware party, you invite your friends to your home for a lesson. The consultant will teach the basic philosophy behind scrapbooking, as well as, how to choose supplies and tools, and how to design a simple page. You and your friends will usually make a 2-page layout with materials supplied by the consultant and photos you bring from home. Consultants may or may not charge for the lesson. This usually depends on the cost of the supplies used for the pages. The lesson usually ends with an opportunity to purchase that company’s products.
Scrapbooking magazines are full of information on basic techniques and beginner tips. In the United States, most bookstores sell a variety of scrapbooking magazines. The most popular magazines are Creating Keepsakes, Simple Scrapbooks, Memory Makers and Scrapbooks, Etc. Buy a single issue of each magazine first. Each has a slightly different slant on scrapbooking. For example, Simple Scrapbooks focuses on quick, easy pages. Once you find one that seems to match your style, buy the annual subscription which is always more cost effective than buying single newsstand copies.
Many craft stores offer crop nights that can be another way to learn scrapbooking. Crops bring together groups of scrapbookers to work on their pages together. Basically, they are scrapbooking parties. The store will often charge a nominal fee and provide refreshments for the evening. Many will allow you to use their tools during the crop, as well. This is a great way to try out more expensive tools, like die cut machines and cutters. You could even invite your scrapbooking friends to your home for a crop. Crops allow everyone to share techniques with each other and provide beginner scrapbookers with tips and ideas.
One more option to learn basic techniques is to purchase an album kit. Many album kits come complete with all the supplies you need to make a scrapbook. They provide detailed instructions and sometimes even basic color and design layout theory. However, to complete the album you will need to buy your own tools, such as, scissors and adhesive.
Once you’ve learned beginner scrapbooking, remember to practice your techniques often. The more pages you make the better you will become at designing layouts. As you master the basics, you can use the same resources above to find more advanced tips and techniques.
Thanks to Christine Perry for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:
Christine Perry invites you to her website, http://www.intoscrapbooking.com for more scrapbooking tips and discount scrapbooking supplies.
How do you know if buttons are safe for scrapbooking?
July 14, 2009 by Scrapbooking Ideas and Tips
Filed under More Scrapbooking Answers
Can you answer shee23’s question about Scrapbooking?:
I’d like to use buttons in my scrapbooking pages, but I don’t want to pay the price for what they sell in craft stores. What materials are generally safe (acid/lingin-free) to use on scrapbook pages?
Scrapbook Supplies Online
I’d like to use buttons in my scrapbooking pages, but I don’t want to pay the price for what they sell in craft stores. What materials are generally safe (acid/lingin-free) to use on scrapbook pages?
Scrapbook Supplies Online
A Simple Guide to Cricut Products
July 8, 2009 by Scrapbooking Ideas and Tips
Filed under Cricut, Die Cuts and Stamping
You have likely heard the buzz about Cricut products. Its popularity and versatility are making the Cricut a legend in the scrapbooking and paper crafting world. Cricut is your personal cutting system that does not require a computer.
Its cartridge-based system allows you to cut thousands of beautiful shapes, letters, and phrases in a variety of styles with just the touch of a button. Cricut font and shape cartridges put hundreds of the freshest shapes, letters, and phrases created by leading scrapbook designers at your fingertips.
Knowing which Cricut products you will need and want can be helpful in getting started and using this fabulous product!
What Cricut Products Will I Need?
When you purchase your Cricut personal electronic cutter, you will receive the machine, a shapes cartridge and a cutting mat to get you started. After learning how to use the machine, however, you will certainly be inspired to purchase other Cricut products, likely starting with more Cricut cartridges.
There are dozens of these Cricut cartridges available for purchase, and they boast a wide range of themes, fonts, and styles. Your Cricut machine will use special blades and cutting mats that may need to be replaced after many uses. Plenty of other optional Cricut products are sure to tempt your creative bone as well. Cricut offers special paper, cardstock, and vinyl sheets, and you can even purchase special inks to be used with the machine.
Cricut products such as the storage box, carrying tote, and messenger bag can help keep your Cricut tools organized and easy to transport. These accessories are generally available wherever Cricut products are sold, and they can also be purchased on the Cricut.com website.
How to Purchase Cricut Products
Cricut products are widely available from a variety of retailers. Large chain craft stores are certain to carry a large selection of Cricut cartridges. Discount retail chain stores also usually carry some Cricut cartridges, but you may have a little trouble trying to find all of the cartridges you are looking for.
Local scrap booking stores and online scrapbooking supply stores may also sell Cricut cartridges. Online auction sites, such as eBay, can be an excellent resource for finding new Cricut cartridges at a reduced price! One of my favorite websites for finding good prices on Cricut cartridges is CricutCartridges.net. CricutCartridges.net is a website that uses a program that basically does the searching for Cricut cartridges on eBay for you.
Registering Your Cricut Products
It is a great idea to register your Cricut products on the company website. Cricut products are carefully manufactured from the highest quality materials. Should you have any problem with your Cricut products, however, Provo Craft does offer a limited warranty.
Registering your Cricut products will ensure that you have followed the necessary steps in the event that you need to use the warranty. In addition, if there are ever any known defects or problems with Cricut products, Provo Craft will have your contact information to let you know.
Thanks to Cathy Scraps for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:
Its cartridge-based system allows you to cut thousands of beautiful shapes, letters, and phrases in a variety of styles with just the touch of a button. Cricut font and shape cartridges put hundreds of the freshest shapes, letters, and phrases created by leading scrapbook designers at your fingertips.
Knowing which Cricut products you will need and want can be helpful in getting started and using this fabulous product!
What Cricut Products Will I Need?
When you purchase your Cricut personal electronic cutter, you will receive the machine, a shapes cartridge and a cutting mat to get you started. After learning how to use the machine, however, you will certainly be inspired to purchase other Cricut products, likely starting with more Cricut cartridges.
There are dozens of these Cricut cartridges available for purchase, and they boast a wide range of themes, fonts, and styles. Your Cricut machine will use special blades and cutting mats that may need to be replaced after many uses. Plenty of other optional Cricut products are sure to tempt your creative bone as well. Cricut offers special paper, cardstock, and vinyl sheets, and you can even purchase special inks to be used with the machine.
Cricut products such as the storage box, carrying tote, and messenger bag can help keep your Cricut tools organized and easy to transport. These accessories are generally available wherever Cricut products are sold, and they can also be purchased on the Cricut.com website.
How to Purchase Cricut Products
Cricut products are widely available from a variety of retailers. Large chain craft stores are certain to carry a large selection of Cricut cartridges. Discount retail chain stores also usually carry some Cricut cartridges, but you may have a little trouble trying to find all of the cartridges you are looking for.
Local scrap booking stores and online scrapbooking supply stores may also sell Cricut cartridges. Online auction sites, such as eBay, can be an excellent resource for finding new Cricut cartridges at a reduced price! One of my favorite websites for finding good prices on Cricut cartridges is CricutCartridges.net. CricutCartridges.net is a website that uses a program that basically does the searching for Cricut cartridges on eBay for you.
Registering Your Cricut Products
It is a great idea to register your Cricut products on the company website. Cricut products are carefully manufactured from the highest quality materials. Should you have any problem with your Cricut products, however, Provo Craft does offer a limited warranty.
Registering your Cricut products will ensure that you have followed the necessary steps in the event that you need to use the warranty. In addition, if there are ever any known defects or problems with Cricut products, Provo Craft will have your contact information to let you know.
Thanks to Cathy Scraps for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:
Cathy Scraps is a full time nurse, mother of two, and wife. She gives advice on Cricut Cartridges on her website at
Cost Free Scrapbooking - 3 Great Ideas
June 26, 2009 by Scrapbooking Ideas and Tips
Filed under About Scrapbooking
Americans love scrapbooking! And why wouldn’t this be a popular hobby? You get to recall and preserve your special memories by doing something really creative. It’s addictive! There’s no wonder so many people enjoy scrapbooking.
But scrapbooking can really put a dent in your pocketbook. You have to get the scrapbook itself or an album, usually from craft store. And then you have to find plenty of special papers and decorations to add some flare to your scrapbook. Tools like glue and scissors add to the cost. If you’re an avid scrapbooker, you can invest a good part of your spending money.
Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be expensive, though. In fact, you can turn into a cost-free hobby. We already know you’re resourceful because you’re a scrapbooker! Now, apply that resourcefulness to your hobby and find the things you need around your house. Here are some ideas that may help you turn scrapbooking into a cost-free pursuit.
Don’t Buy Your Paper - Recycle It
You can buy a prepared scrapbook or album for your scrapbooks, but you don’t have to.
You can create most of the books that you find in craft stores today. Just give it a try.
If you have the time and patience, recycle your own papers. Use newspapers, loose papers from around the house, or scratch paper from your kids’ school. Recycling is easy, even though there are many steps to the process. All the materials you’ll need are scrap paper, a bucket, water and bleach, a blender, an embroidery hoop, and some netting. Create your own colors and textures for a truly unique scrapbook.
It can take some time, too. First, you have to tear the paper into smaller pieces. Then you have to dry the pieces after the recycling process. Imagine your pride when you respond, “Oh, no. I did every bit of it myself, even the paper!” If you’re interested in how to recycle your own scrapbooking paper, do a little research on the Internet, and have at it!
If you don’t have the time or interest in recycling your own scrapbook paper, you can use plain bond or pages from magazines or newspapers. They don’t have to be recycled to add some real flare to your scrapbook. For example, you can use photos and ads to add color and graphics to your pages. You can find photos and articles related to your scrapbook theme and add some interesting touches to your scrapbook pages.
Don’t Buy Embellishments - Go Through Your Cabinets, Drawers, and Closets
Most of us are pack rats. We keep everything just in case we’ll need it for a scrapbook. Well, now’s the time to hunt all those treasures down. You don’t have to buy fancy new decorations for your scrapbook. You can make your pages look great using items in your home. The benefit of doing this is that it adds unique personal touches to your scrapbook that you can’t buy from a craft store.
Examples include old buttons you’ve saved to put back on that old blouse or shirt, lace from old lingerie, or ribbons you’ve been saving to wrap gifts. You can get faux gemstones from old or broken costume jewelry. You can use scraps from old clothing to add texture to your scrapbook pages. You can use broken chains from old belts, jewelry, and clothing to add interesting borders.
Personalize Your Scrapbook with Paper Memories
You can literally fill a scrapbook without having to buy anything. Use old tickets for movies, busses, and concerts to mirror your theme. You can use reminders like old parking tickets or receipts from the time of your page focus items. Old programs from school plays, greeting cards, party invitations, old shopping lists, and personal notes add to the memories and make great decorations and graphics.
Scrapbookers are creative people from the start. Apply that resourcefulness to finding your own scrapbook materials, and you save a bundle while you create a family heirloom!
Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:
But scrapbooking can really put a dent in your pocketbook. You have to get the scrapbook itself or an album, usually from craft store. And then you have to find plenty of special papers and decorations to add some flare to your scrapbook. Tools like glue and scissors add to the cost. If you’re an avid scrapbooker, you can invest a good part of your spending money.
Scrapbooking doesn’t have to be expensive, though. In fact, you can turn into a cost-free hobby. We already know you’re resourceful because you’re a scrapbooker! Now, apply that resourcefulness to your hobby and find the things you need around your house. Here are some ideas that may help you turn scrapbooking into a cost-free pursuit.
Don’t Buy Your Paper - Recycle It
You can buy a prepared scrapbook or album for your scrapbooks, but you don’t have to.
You can create most of the books that you find in craft stores today. Just give it a try.
If you have the time and patience, recycle your own papers. Use newspapers, loose papers from around the house, or scratch paper from your kids’ school. Recycling is easy, even though there are many steps to the process. All the materials you’ll need are scrap paper, a bucket, water and bleach, a blender, an embroidery hoop, and some netting. Create your own colors and textures for a truly unique scrapbook.
It can take some time, too. First, you have to tear the paper into smaller pieces. Then you have to dry the pieces after the recycling process. Imagine your pride when you respond, “Oh, no. I did every bit of it myself, even the paper!” If you’re interested in how to recycle your own scrapbooking paper, do a little research on the Internet, and have at it!
If you don’t have the time or interest in recycling your own scrapbook paper, you can use plain bond or pages from magazines or newspapers. They don’t have to be recycled to add some real flare to your scrapbook. For example, you can use photos and ads to add color and graphics to your pages. You can find photos and articles related to your scrapbook theme and add some interesting touches to your scrapbook pages.
Don’t Buy Embellishments - Go Through Your Cabinets, Drawers, and Closets
Most of us are pack rats. We keep everything just in case we’ll need it for a scrapbook. Well, now’s the time to hunt all those treasures down. You don’t have to buy fancy new decorations for your scrapbook. You can make your pages look great using items in your home. The benefit of doing this is that it adds unique personal touches to your scrapbook that you can’t buy from a craft store.
Examples include old buttons you’ve saved to put back on that old blouse or shirt, lace from old lingerie, or ribbons you’ve been saving to wrap gifts. You can get faux gemstones from old or broken costume jewelry. You can use scraps from old clothing to add texture to your scrapbook pages. You can use broken chains from old belts, jewelry, and clothing to add interesting borders.
Personalize Your Scrapbook with Paper Memories
You can literally fill a scrapbook without having to buy anything. Use old tickets for movies, busses, and concerts to mirror your theme. You can use reminders like old parking tickets or receipts from the time of your page focus items. Old programs from school plays, greeting cards, party invitations, old shopping lists, and personal notes add to the memories and make great decorations and graphics.
Scrapbookers are creative people from the start. Apply that resourcefulness to finding your own scrapbook materials, and you save a bundle while you create a family heirloom!
Thanks to Abhishek Agarwal for contributing this article to our Scrapbooking blog:
Abhishek is a Scrapbooking expert and he has got some great Scrapbooking Secrets up his sleeves! Download his FREE 73 Pages Ebook, “Scrapbooking Made Easy!” from his website http://www.Fun-Galore.com/821/index.htm . Only limited Free Copies available.
