by Heather Horn

Created on: January 23, 2009   Last Updated: January 29, 2009

Getting started with scrapbooking is simple, affordable, and fun. Take a look at these basic steps for creating your first scrapbooking album.

1. BUY OR FIND BASIC SUPPLIES

Start by gathering up basic supplies from around the house. Find that ever-elusive pair of sharp scissors, grab some pens and markers, and find whatever decorative or colored paper you have lying around. You might even be able to find glue sticks and double-stick tape. Check to make sure that all of your paper products, adhesives, and writing utensils are acid-free so that they don't cause your scrapbook to get discolored or fade over time.

If you have scissors with patterned edges, dig them out for making paper borders and cutting out pictures. You can buy some if you don't have any, but they're not essential. The same goes for tools that cut pictures into circles or ovals, as well as stamps with acid-free ink and hole-punchers with decorative shapes. If you don't already have tape, double-sided tape can be bought in pre-cut squares in craft stores. The glue sticks aren't essential since they're mostly for attacking decorations and not for pictures, so don't worry about picking one up if you don't have one.

Next you'll need to buy an album and refill pages. The most common sizes for albums are 12x12 inches and 8.5x11 inches. Check the album binding before you buy it. Bindings that use thin plastic material can rip just from normal wear and tear, so it might be worth investing in an album with heavier, cardboard or cardstock bindings. Refill pages should be sold in the same place as albums and allow you to add have thicker, fuller albums. If you're not picky about your album, you can use a normal three-ring binder to hold your scrapbook.

You'll also need paper for backgrounds. Get creative about using things around the house. Again, wrapping paper, scraps of wallpaper, and fliers from events can make great backgrounds. Craft stores sell individual pieces of paper with event-specific designs for around 10 to 15 cents per sheet as well as packages of solid-colored paper.

2. FIND PICTURES AND MEMORABILIA TO SCRAPBOOK

You will probably have a lot of things that you want to scrapbook when you start out, so decide on a starting goal to keep yourself from getting overwhelmed. Specific trips or events make good topics for a first scrapbook. Gather pictures, brochures, tickets, and other semi-flat items that you would like to use in your scrapbook. If your pictures aren't printed out yet and you don't have

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