Scrapbooking Recommendations?

by Regina
(USA)

Hi, I would love to know if you have any recommendations on which tools are the best and which ones I just don't need right now. I'm just starting to scrapbook and don't have a ton of money. I want to get the bare necessities without breaking the bank.

Hi Regina,

That is a great question! Scrapbooking can be an expensive hobby, but it doesn't have to be - you can put together beautiful pages without spending much at all.

As far as basic necessities, I would recommend the following:

Plain cardstock and printed paper: Even paper and cardstock can leave you with a little sticker shock. Keep an eye out for sales, use those coupons, and always save your scraps. I love to combine patterns and textures, so don't be afraid to layer, combining different patterns and using as borders and photo mats.

Adhesives: You will definitely need some adhesives. When starting out, get yourself a couple rolls of double stick tape or tape runners (make sure they are acid-free).

Paper Trimmer: Although you could use scissors, paper trimmers are much easier. Most of them have integrated rulers, and while it's almost impossible to cut a straight line with scissors (at least for me it is), paper trimmers make it a breeze. Use your trimmer to crop photos, create photo mats, and other elements of your page, such as journaling squares and borders.

Embellishments: Embellishments are the finishing touch to your page. Make sure to pick up some alphabet stickers to make titles for your layouts, and then add other stickers, die cuts, ribbons, buttons, etc. to complete your pages. If you have any friends that scrapbook, see if they have any items that they want to donate to you to get you started. More advanced scrapbookers may even have die cut machines or other tools. If you have a friend with one of these, see if you can spend some time with them and their machine, making custom embellishments and titles for your pages.

Archival Quality Pens: If you plan to add journaling to your layouts (which I really recommend you do), make sure to use archival quality pens to print the journaling.

Page Protectors and Album: After you finish your layouts, you will need to protect them. Get them into a page protector, and stashed away in an album as soon as you are finished. There are many different types of albums available, but my favorite are the three ring binder styles. It's easy to add pages as you go.

Other supplies you probably already have around your home - ruler, scissors, even your computer and printer.

I'm sure I have forgotten something, but if I think of anything else, I will add it to this list. However, if anyone else thinks of something else I forgot, please add your comment!