What do I need?

Scrapbooking is a great hobby!

Instruction

There are:
  1. classes offered by representatives of Creative Memories (TM) or other home distributors. (See list in "Whom Can I Contact?)
  2. local craft stores carrying supplies which will probably begin scheduling classes. (See list in "Whom Can I Contact?)
  3. classes offered at Adult Education programs held at local schools. (Check your school district's listing of adult/continuing education classes)
  4. some good introductory basics offered on-line or in speciality magazines.
  5. See "Whom Can I Contact?" and the "Sites" links listed on the Index page for some ideas.
    6.

Supplies you'll need

Supplies

There are some necessities and then there are some frills (that make it fun)
THE ALBUM
Make sure they are acid-free, PVC-free, photo-safe
Read "Why Does It Matter?" section if you're not sure why you need to find acid-free, PVC-free, photo-safe materials!
They can be bought in stores which have scrapbooking areas, directly from representatives of companies such as Creative Memories, or by mail order.
There are several types:
  1. Three ring binders similar--but NOT identical--to what people have been using in school forever
  2. Specially prepared archival quality spiral bound albums
  3. Expandable albums such as Webway's, Creative Memories', Pioneer's
There's a pretty good article explaining the differences between the types of albums in the July/August '97 issue of Creating Keepsakes magazine. Try to find a copy if you need more information on choosing the best type for you.
THE PAGES FOR MOUNTING
Acid-free, lignin-free, photo-safe and preferably attractive
Again, see "Why Does It Matter?" if you want to know why materials should be acid- and lignin-free
Please, PLEASE, PLEASE do not use some of your children's construction paper!! It is not safe and boy, do the colors fade fast!
Some companies have great patterned sheets of paper for mounting or for decoration in safe viewing sleeves. These come in 8 1/2 x 11 and in 12 x 12, the two most popular sizes for these albums.
Other companies have special mounting pages with firm edges to prevent bending--especially good if you are also putting memorabilia in your albums (dance programs, wedding invitations, special greeting cards are all examples.)
In either case the photos or memorabilia are applied to the plain color or patterned papers with special glues or tapes. Then decorations in the form of diecuts &/or stickers, etc. can be added if desired.
MOUNTING SUPPLIES
Glues, mounting corners, phototapes that are safe

Please don't use just any old glue or tape! Make sure they are marked 'photosafe' or 'archival'.

There are even some deacidification sprays that will allow you to use newspaper clippings more safely. Beware of using these clippings with photos otherwise--newsprint is extremely acidic, contains lots of lignin, and breaks down easily. You can see that by how quickly old newspaper turns yellow and brittle.
STICKERS, STAMPS, DECORATIONS
Now, this is the fun stuff but you've still got to be careful

Those of you with children who love stickers will know there are lots of them out there. Quite a few of the manufacturers are now manufacturing stickers that won't damage your photos. Here's a partial list of companies whose stickers have been tested and approved:
There are also some great die-cuts available in wonderful colors to decorate your pages. Ellison and Accu-Cut are two of the companies that manufacture the die-cutting equipment. Ellison has started marketing sets of their die-cuts for use in scrapbooking. Can Accu-Cut be far behind? An alternative is to see if you can find a school, church or temple, or other organzation that has a die-cut machine--perhaps they will let you use it to cut your own with your acid-free/lignin-free paper. Example: a yellow die-cut of a school bus or a red one of a schoolhouse to add some color to a page of your child's school pictures. Just be sure that the plain or patterned paper used for the die-cuts is safe!