Scrapbooks are made up primarily to showcase the items that remind us of precious memories. Knowing that, you will be delving into memories that are both good and bad, happy and sad, so it could end up being a bit more emotional than you expect. There aren't any set 'rules' to scrapbooking, so you can go about it basically any way that you like- that's the beauty of it. But, to ensure success when beginning a scrapbooking project you must first create the proper frame of mind. Beyond that there are, of course, items and tools that you need and tips that can get you through the process seamlessly.
~Get Equipped
For anything scrapbook related you will need supplies. You will need scissors, glue, paper, scrapbook pages, pens, markers, and whatever else catches your eye to make your book perfect. Then you will want to get whatever mementos, relics, pictures, and accessories that you will be inserting into the book. Most-likely you will have gathered the mementos and photo's over many years so you would need to sort through these and decide which you will use. Make sure that you have enough supplies to last you, as well. There is nothing worse than running out of glue when you are mid-page. There are several different types of paper (acid-free, textures, flocked, metallic, lignin free, etc.), so it might seem daunting at first. The best way to overcome that is to simply choose to use whatever you like. If you plan on becoming a serious scrapbooker, you will learn what items work better, or what you prefer as you go along.
~Get organized
It is difficult to work on a scrapbook if you go about it in an unorganized fashion. If you have managed to gather a great deal of materials, tools and mementos you will need a place to keep them when you are not working on the scrapbook. You may want to invest in a container (or several) of some sort. This will keep things in order for you so that they are easier to locate, and it will keep any memorable souvenirs safe from harm. If you are using items that you do not have multiple copies of (like pictures), you may want to make a duplicate so that you do not lose or ruin them. Also, keep a garbage can handy, because you will need it when you start using your scissors (you will have a lot of scrap that will be just that, scrap).
~Make room
Since scrapbooking it can be a large task, you will want to prepare an area that has plenty of room so that you may spread out. Since a standard scrapbook page measures 12x12, and you will need plenty of supplies, you must make sure that you have plenty of space. The ideal area is a large table or unencumbered desk (or the floor). The more room you have, the better, so that you can spread all of your supplies out and be able to see what you are working with. This makes it easier for you to lay out the items that you might want to use and weed out what you do not wish to include.
~Make time
It may take you awhile to make a scrapbook, especially if you've never done so before. Let's be honest, you can not complete a full scrapbook in just a few hours time. You must have the desire to enter into what could be a lengthy project. If you are making a scrapbook as a gift, you want to make certain that you do so in a suitable time frame. It could actually take months to finish a book, dependant upon how you work. This is especially true if you already have a hectic lifestyle.
~Have fun
Scrapbooking can be a fun hobby if you allow yourself to relax and recall all of the fond memories that your mementos trigger. It is also a great way to make more memories, especially if you start this project with a close friend or family member. It allows you to experiment with your creativity and discover any hidden talents that you might have. It could very well happen that when shopping for the right scrapbook, you don't find the perfect one that you need for your project, so look around. Not having a scrapbook does not mean you can't begin your project. Also, know that you can't really make a mistake, at least not one that will affix itself to your final project. This is because in scrap booking, you can always cover up a mistake or re-do a page or area, and that usually gives your scrapbook an even more unique quality.
Scrapbooks make wonderful gifts, and they are great items that allow you to display your favorite memories. There is no wrong way to start a scrapbook, and there are no time limits. The idea is to have fun while creating something that can be cherished and beloved for generations to come. Whether you are embarking on this journey to create a gift, preserve your photo's, or establish memories for posterity's sake, scrap booking is a great hobby to indulge in.