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It's hard to be analytical about scrapbooking, but here are some tips that should help you to begin this wonderful hobby. Scrapbooking is very popular right now and has evolved so much just since I began about four years ago. When I look at pages I did in the beginning, I see some very plain layouts, mostly because the products I use today just simply were not available then. The enjoyment to be had from this hobby makes the investment in materials well worthwhile. For me, it is very relaxing, therapeutic and just plain fun.

1. It is a really good idea to visit your local specialty Scrapbooking store to get advice on basic tools like papers, adhesives, scissors and cutters, stickers, brads, and the many different embellishments available. The people who own these stores are much like the gals who owned and operated knitting stores we used to frequent. They are scrapbook "divas" themselves and are up on the latest techniques. Often, they hold "crop sessions" and classes. They can give you lots of ideas and show you something that will just make a page that much more interesting!

2. Clear a nice large table or set up a folding table to assemble your supplies and put together your layouts. Putting your photos, souvenirs (ticket stubs, programs, news clippings) in files is really helpful. There are many filing systems to sort these and your papers. (I use the Picasa2 computer program for my photos and this gives me wonderful flexibility with cropping and sizing.)

3. Purchase some basics and just sit down and begin! It will be obvious as you are working that you might like to have, say, some pink flowers with matching brads (decorative fasteners) or ribbon to tweak the page. As you are working, you will also be able to decide just how you think a photo would be highlighted the best. You can mat it with a plain paper or affix it with photo corners or just glue it. This is a hobby where learning is really the main fun and there are VERY FEW MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE!

4. Do make sure that your materials and supplies are all marked "acid-free": your adhesives, papers, embellishments. If there is a mistake, it would be in not spraying newspaper articles, for instance, with a special product designed to eliminate the acid.

5. Attend crop sessions sponsored by your local shop so that you can avail yourself of their experience and advice. Where I crop, there are large tables set up with handy wastebaskets underneath. I take my beverage and a couple of energy bars but there could be snacks available. You'll enjoy the uninterrupted time to put your pages together. Sometimes, I have to remember to get up and walk around the shop to stretch my legs and possibly get another idea or two. There are some very nice people to be met at these crop sessions: that's a major plus!

There is a lot of satisfaction and enjoyment from seeing completed layouts and finished books. I was surprised how much people appreciate a gift book. Perhaps that person just would not have the time to make that book themselves. (I also sometimes "crop" a page to go on our church bulletin board promoting an upcoming event or featuring an achievement, event or party.)

Although there is also digital Scrapbooking where you compose your pages online, the quiet and calm of regular real paper scrapbooking is very relaxing and fun.

Learn more about this author, Martha Sutton.
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