Scrapbook Essentials for the Beginner

When you first start to scrapbook, the amount of products and choices available can be overwhelming. It’s best to keep it simple until you develop your own style and see exactly what you need. Basically, this hobby can be as complicated or as simple as you want. Here is all you really need:

1. photos

2. archival scrapbooks and acid-free paper

3. adhesive

4. scissors

5. sheet protectors

Advice on Cropping

Basically, two kinds of crops exist. An “official” crop is when a scrapbook seller is involved. The participants sample and purchase products, along with participating in contests and giveaways. The second kind of crop is an informal gathering of friends on at least a semiregular basis to share, scrapbook, eat, and gossip, just like the Cumberland Creek croppers.

1. In both cases, food and drinks are usually served. Finger food is most appropriate. The usual drinks are nonalcoholic, but sometimes wine is served. There should be plenty of space for snacking around the scrapbooking area. If something spills, you don’t want your cherished photos to get ruined.

2. If you have an official crop, it’s imperative that your scrapbook seller doesn’t come on too strong. Scrapbook materials sell themselves. Scrapbookers know what they want and need.

3. Be prepared to share. If you have a die-cut machine, for example, bring it along, show others how to use it, and so on. Crops are about generosity of spirit. It can be about something as small as paper that you purchased and decided not to use. Someone will find a use for it.

4. Make sure there’s a lot of surface space, such as long tables where scrapbookers can spread out. (Some even use the floor.)

5. Be open to both giving scrapbooking advice and receiving it. You can always ignore advice if it’s bad.

6. Get organized before you crop. You don’t need fancy boxes and organizing systems. Place the photos you want to crop with in an envelope, and you are ready to go.

7. Go with realistic expectations. You probably won’t get a whole scrapbook done during the crop. Focus on several pages.

8. Always ask about what you can bring, such as food, drinks, cups, plates, and so on.

9. If you’re the host, have plenty of garbage bags around. Ideally, have one small bag for each person. That way scrapbookers can throw away unusable scraps as they go along, which makes cleanup much easier.

10. If you’re the host, make certain there is plenty of good lighting, as well as an adequate number of electricity outlets.

Frugal Scrapbooking Tips

1. Spend your money where it counts. The scrapbook itself is the carrier of all your memories and creativity. Splurge here.

2. You can find perfectly fine scrapbooking paper in discount stores, along with stickers, pens, and sometimes glue. If it’s labeled “archival,” it’s safe.

3. You can cut your own paper and make matting, borders, journal boxes, and so on. You don’t need fancy templates, though they make it easier.

4. Check on some online auction sites, like eBay, for scrapbooking materials and tools.

5. Reuse and recycle as much as you can. Keep a box of paper scraps, for example, that you might be able to use for a border, mat, or journal box. Commit to not buying anything else until what you’ve already purchased has been used.

6. Wait for special coupons. Some national crafts stores run excellent coupons—sometimes 40 percent off. Wait for these coupons, and then go and buy something on your wish list that you could not otherwise afford.