Avoid Some Common Mistakes

Avoid buying lots of items just because they're "cute". Buying supplies for specific projects helps ensure that you'll use the items you're purchasing. No matter how cute a boat die cut is - unless you go for a ride on a boat, you may never use that "cute" item.

 

Having too many supplies can be overwhelming. It's a much better idea to start with basic supplies and keep your pages simple. As you learn, gradually add supplies and tools. Your scrapbooking style will evolve. So what you liked in the beginning may be very different to what you like later on.

 

Think about storage for you new supplies, even as a beginner you'll need somewhere to store your goodies. Don't buy heaps of products before you have a storage system in place.

 

Organising your photos and memorabilia is the most time consuming task of scrapbooking. Here are some tips on making the whole process a little easier.

• Gather all your photos and memorabilia into one place. Look in the garage, drawers, files, wardrobes, old and new photo albums, photo frames around your house, old Christmas cards and letters from family members. Obtain photos from family members that you would like a copy of. While you are at it, think about all the photos that you have framed in your home. Tip: Photos in photo frames will be the first fade and deteriorate – so ideally you can get copies made and then store in a safe place.

• Make categories for you photos and memorabilia – eg. Year (chronological order), activity, person, or theme (some examples include wedding, birthdays, holidays, baby or heritage photos)

• Sort photos into the categories decided upon

• Write on the back of the photos with a photo-safe pencil any details important for the photo

• Store the photos in a safe environment eg. An acid free photo box

 

Memorabilia

Memorabilia can really enhance your scrapbook projects. Items that are too large can be photographed and written about.If the item is flat you can protect it with an acid-free laminate – remember though, once laminated you can't undo it. Paper items can be made acid free by using deacidification spray. Children’s artwork can be mounted onto acid-free paper.

 

Some ideas of memorabilia you can scrapbook include:

Artwork Awards Baby booties Certificates Coins Dried flowers Embroidery Fabric Swatches First tooth

Hair Hand written notes Hospital bracelet Letters Newspaper clippings Pamphlets Postcards Pregnancy tests Pressed flowers

Programs Receipts Recipes Ribbons School projects Shells/Sand Stamps Tickets Ultrasound photos

 

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