Jumpstart Your  Scrapbooking Efforts

Scrapbooking is one of the fastest growing crafts in the U.S. More and more people are wanting to preserve their memories in fun and exciting new ways and there are more products developed everyday to help scrapbookers do so. Therefore, getting started in scrapbooking can be very overwhelming. However, if you follow a few simple steps you’ll be on your way to creating your first scrapbook page and before you know it you’ll be ready to try new ideas, techniques, colors and themes.

Here are a few simple steps to help you get started:

• Get organized. Sort photos. Decide which photos you want to work with. You can work chronologically, by theme/event or both.
• Stock up. You’ll need a few basic supplies. I recommend a quality album with page protectors, adhesive, paper trimmer, journaling pen and cardstock. Be sure products are archival quality, acid-free, lignin free products. These will help to preserve your photos and materials, keeping them from deteriorating and yellowing over time.
  
  
  As you sit down to create your first page remember the reason you are scrapbooking is to preserve the memory. The focus of the page is your photos. Here is what you need to do:
  
  
• Choose your background color to place your photos on.
• Arrange your photos on the page. This can be one or two photos or a collection. Try different arrangements until you are satisfied.
• Create a title for your page.
• Create a journaling box or journal on your layout. If you don’t like to
  
  Once you have completed a few layouts with these simple steps you might be ready to try a few new techniques or ideas. Once again you might feel overwhelmed with the choices. Don’t worry, there is help. Visit your local scrapbook store, attend a crop or check out the variety of magazines currently available.
  

About the Author

Tiare Smith is a professional Scrapbook Designer and publisher of http://www.memories2hold.com providing unique scrapbooking ideas and detailed instructions for scrapbook albums.