Scrapbooking: Where do I begin??

You should look up scrapbooking stores on yahoo local or in the phone book. If you do not have one around you, craft stores like Michael's carry a wide variety of scrapbooking supplies. Depending on how much you want to spend, I would recomend buying either a scrapbook or an album with acid free pages and some type of clear plastic box to put your supplies in. You absolutely need these because yo don't want to lose anything. You also may want to buy stickers to go along with the pictures, glue sticks, photo corners, pattern scissors, and a package of fun patterned papers to use as backgrounds and mats for the pictures. The possibilities are endless! Stamps, glitter, paint pens, embossing powders...

I am a SCRAP-A-HOLIC! Go to Michales, Jo Ann Fabrics, or Hobby Lobby. .. they have a good selection of supplies. They have classes, too, for begining scrapping. Ask at those stores if there is a local scrapbook store in your area. . .they offer classes too and alot of personal help. There are alot of sites to check out, it can get very overwhelming! Creative memories is a great scrapbooking direct sales company. Go to www.creativememories.com and search for a consultant, they'll be happy to help you. (And their tools are rated as some of the best! The prices are very comparable, too.) Also, www.closetomyheart.com and www.stampinup.com are direct sales companies that will give you a consultant that will personally help you. THese companies have classes and workshops and they will help you. HAVE FUN! Good luck!! Oh, some other popular scrap sites with message boards and stuff are www.twopeasinabucket.com , www.scrapbook.com and check out www.splitcoaststampers.com

1. have your budget in mind at all times ! 2. use the best pics of the batches for the scrap books, other put in less expensive albums to give to family members for gifts, or children. 3. come to my house and sort out the 2 zillion pics i have in various boxes all over my house......

To get started, you need cardstock in a variety of colors, a good pair of scissors, a paper trimmer, and maybe some fun stickers. Look for sales at craft store like Micheals and be sure to take advantage of their 40% off coupon!

I live in Australia so I'm not sure if this will be totally appropriate for you, but for shopping on a budget I would recommend buying from places like K-Mart and Big W. They have good products but at a much cheaper price than exclusive scrapbooking stores. Also try Riot Art and Two Dollar type stores (good for stickers and stamps). Online, I tend to keep an eye on the 'Clearance' sections for items that have been marked down due simply to new stock that's come in. Basic materials that I'd suggest: Cutting Mat Guilottine (don't make the same mistake I made - buy a 12x12 guilottine) Good Scissors Next important, but not basic, I'd suggest: Craft Hammer and Eyelet Tool Stamps and Ink Pads You can build your supplies from there. I love scrapbooking and it's so much fun. If you want to learn more, either join a community group (should be cheap), or buy magazines that teach you different techniques as well as have ideas. I usually buy a double pack magazine (an older version and current version packaged together for the price of one). Good luck!