Encouragement for Beginning Scrapbooking

National Scrapbooking Day was May 3rd.

So I thought what better time than to encourage and enlighten those of you that are hesitant to begin scrapbooking.

I spent the day with hubby at the casino and horse races (it was his birthday gift from me!) so I missed all the action with the crafting community on the web.
Classes, giveaways, blog hops and all kinds of stuff was going on!

I started scrapbooking around (can't remember exactly!) 10 yrs ago.
The first scrapbook album I had ever seen was my sister's and was immediately hooked!
She had generously given me the basic supplies to start with. 
And that's how I began!

Wow, how simple it seemed back then!

{a brief thought} I should insert a photo of my very first layout here.....
naa, don't think so!!

Fast forward...to today!
The inspiration, techniques, and variety of supplies are so immense, that one even thinking about scrapbooking can feel strongly overwhelmed!
Do not fear!

When trying to figure out where to begin, scrapbooking can be as simple or as complex as you would like to make it.

Start out simple and in no time soon your inspiration and creative mojo will grow and grow, along with your supplies!!

Don't be intimidated by the seasoned pros on the Internet or magazines. You don't have to be a professional artist to scrapbook. I'm not!!

Don't feel bound to chronologically scrapbook your mounds of photos from way back when.
In no particular order, I will chose a photo or two that I especially like, it can be from years ago, then for the next layout I might chose a more recent photo.

There is no right or wrong way to document your precious memories.

Though I have not embarked on Project Life, it is a great format for beginners. It's a simple and straight forward memory keeping system that incorporates pockets for photos and journaling cards, without a lot of embellishments.
No glue, no fancy tools needed!!

You might benefit by purchasing a scrapbooking kit club available on the Internet.
They offer a collection of coordinated papers, embellishments, etc. that changes from month to month. Companies like cocoadaisy.com and studiocalico.com or clubsei.com are just some of the many clubs that offer great one of a kind kits.

I find oodles and oodles of inspiration online!

It's okay to scrap lift - getting layout ideas from others.

Do a Google search for 'scrapbooking sketches' for creative ideas from sketch images. A awesome place for tons of free sketches is pagemaps.com.

Check out sites and galleries, such as Pinterest, scrapbook.com, splitcoaststampers.com, and acherryontop.com.
Twopeasinabucket.com was my very first station for inspiration!

Search YouTube for great tutorials and ideas from crafters all around the world.

You don't have to scrapbook every single photo you take or own.
Let's say you want to make a layout or two from the many photos of last Christmas. Pick out just couple or so of your favorites and go from there.

Not comfortable with journaling–then don't! That's me! But I have not totally disregarded it yet!
Instead, incorporate a couple words or short phrases that pop in your head when you look at your photos that you have chosen to scrapbook.

Don't think you have to create the perfect page using the perfect supplies!
Handmade is not supposed to be perfect! And what exactly is the perfect embellishment ??

Embrace the imperfections, make it your own unique style, your own special memories.

Most of all, enjoy the process, without any guilt!

It's all about having fun!


TTFN and have a great week!

Happy Crafting!

aka The Rebel Blogger