"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12


Definitions for Beginners

So, are you new to scrapbooking and a little overwhelmed by the vast (and sometimes conflicting) amount of information out there? What is this "photo safety" business about, anyway? Very briefly, here are a few definitions to get you started:

Now that your head is spinning with what is/isn't safe for your photos and scrapbook pages, keep in mind that this is a hobby that is about having fun! The only way to be sure completely that your albums/photos will be around for generations is to work on them in a vacuum, in absence of sunlight and dust, then hermetically seal them and lock them away where no one can handle them. Because this totally defeats the purpose of preserving your photo memories to enjoy along with your family, it is much more realistic to make an effort to keep your photos safe, but let fun be your focus! We are just talking about pictures, after all. . .



Helpful Hints for Beginners

So much information, so many products--just where does one begin? Advice I wish I had received when I first started scrapbooking is "start slowly." I jumped in with both feet without knowing about using photo safe products or getting acquainted with some of the different techniques, and as a result I have had to re-do many of my early scrapbook pages. Now that you've gained insight as to the basic scrapbooking terms and definitions, here's a list of products--the basics to get you started:



That's really all it takes--an album with page protectors, adhesive, pen, and cardstock. Use the colored cardstock to mat your photos, add journaling about the event with your pen, and you've got a simple but effective layout. As you become more familiar with scrapbooking and start to develop your own style, you'll want to expand your "inventory" of scrapbook essentials to include fun products like stickers, templates, die-cuts, and the like. The best way to do this is to learn some scrapbook design principles through books, magazines, and by looking at layouts others have done. A particular layout or two will catch your eye, and it won't be long before you're developing a style of your own.

>For more information of specific products and my own personal favorites, see Product Reviews.

Be sure to check out these other areas:

Scrapbook home| Scrapbook product review| Scrapbook page ideas| Scrapbook savings|
Scrapbook beginner's guide| Scrapbook layout index| Scrapbook links

To view layouts as if you were actually looking through my scrapbooks, click on the links below.

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