What will I need to get started?

Hi, I would recommend starting out small. I did not do this and now I have "stuff" everywhere. I can tell you that Fred's and the Dollar General sell scissors, paper, stickies, page covers and glue dots for $1.00 a package. They also sell nice pens to use, I think they will run you about $3 per package. What ever you do - stay away from the big scrapbook stores. They are hiway robbery. Go to your local thrift stores and look for lace, buttons, cards, calendars with pretty pictures and neat sayings. These things are all great for scrapbooking and cheap. I am going to send you a friend request so that hopefully we can continue to exchange scrapping ideals.

The easiest way I found to learn how to scrapbook was a bought a kit that had everything in it that I would need. After that first kit, then I started to buy all the other supplies that the other people have mentioned in here. I think starting out with a pre-packaged kit is the way to go for a beginner.

Alright: a book and pages (obviously), a picture cropper (you can just use a regular paper cutter too), stickies (acid and lignon free), pens, different colored paper, and stickers always help. Make sure everything is photo-safe. As you get more involved, there are all sorts of good tools, like circle cutters and journaling tools, but this is good to start you off.

My basic must haves for scrapbooking would incude a paper trimmer for sure (I don't tend to cut straight with scissors), adhesive (my favorite is Hermafix) a good black journaling pen, and a 12 x12 album. I started scrapbooking with 8 1/2 x 11, but I love 12 x 12 much better.

Basic materials you'll be needing are scissors, adhesives, ruler or paper cutter, cardstock and patterned papers and a few embellishements: ribbons (make sure the colors don't smudge, test with baby wipes or wet tissue), buttons, paper flowers, felt flowers. Those are the basic materials I started off with and you can create some basic pages with it already. Once you've gotten the hang of scrapbooking, you can then advance yourself to other embellishements like brads (they're like paper fasteners), and eyelets (but for this you'll need a hole puncher and eyelet setter). You can also add up to your list a few foam stamps and acrylic paints for your titles, or rubber stamps and pigment ink pads, etc. Most importantly, make sure all the things you're going to buy are photo-safe, acid-free, lignin-free and for plastic embellishments, make sure they're not made of PVC plastic. Hope this helps.

I own a small scrapbooking store in Hilton, NY. I have taught many beginners how to scrapbook. First thing is that the $1 store is great for cheap products but the adhesives do dry out and then pictures will eventually fall off your pages, too much work gets put into these pages for that to happen. Buy something like the Kokuyo tape-n-roller, it is refillable and very awesome. I sell only these in my store. There are glue dots too, they are great for little things like buttons and ribbon, etc. I have many items on my website www.giftsforlife.biz and you can order all the items on there, right to your house. Shipping isn't much either.

Good paper and adhesives are a MUST. Beware of dollar store quality materials because they have not be tested, so you never know if they will fade over time. I'm lucky that one of my friends is with a great scrapbooking selling program that tests all of their products over and over again. Above all just have FUN with it once you get going. I'm still new to it myself.

oh ya and adhesive...glue stick or sticky tabs.

First and foremost make sure everything you get is acid free. You'll need some good scissors that don't stick, pens, album, paper...hmmm...pictures....paper cutter (best for trimming down pictures).

Get lots of adhesive. Everyone has their fav...mine is glue sticks. Cheap and easy to use! A good 12x12 cutter is a must and a great pair of scissors. Get your paper and you're set! Good luck!!!

I have taught beginner scrapbooking for five years, so I think I can help. First I would like to agree and disagree with some of the posts. Yes, everything needs to be acid free. Second, don't skip the scrapbook stores. The scrapbook stores have quality assured acid free products. I would not trust stuff from the dollar stores unless they specifically state that they are acid free. I recommend a dry roll on adhesive, like Tombow Permanent. I also recommend a straight blade trimmer, not a rotary trimmer. Get the larger size even if you are only doing smaller books, that way you can turn your paper every direction to cut. A vanishing ink pen is nice to have for journaling and measuring. the ink will disppear if you make a mistake or when you are done cutting. For journaling I recommend purchasing Slick Writers (or something similar), not gel pens. Gel pens tend to dry out and become useless. The store I work for has some step by step instructions online. You can find them at http://www.scrapnnook.com I am new here just joined today, so there a way for us to stay connected in case you have questions? Hope that Helps, Crystal

I agree with all the posts. I would say check around your area sometimes recreation centers or even local churches hold "Crops" these are not only great places to pick tips and learn new things, but it is a way of sharing the fun with others. Another idea is if you have a few friends that want to also get started host your own party. There are several Direct Sell companies that have consultants that will come to your house and teach you things and give great advice. Plus, you can usually end up with free products. I would list some company names but I am still new to the rules here.