Getting Started

Congratulations on your decision to start scrap booking. It is a wonderful way to preserve your memories and share them with the future generations.

There is only one rule in scrap booking. That is everything must be Archival safe. That is acid and lignin free. Otherwise all your hard work will be lost in years to come when your photos yellow and deteriorate. You must make sure that all supplies below you buy specifically say they are "archival safe".

Here is a list of basic supplies you will need to get started:

These are some supplies that are helpful but you don't need them to start.

Paper Trimmer
Templates
Decorative Scissors
Die-cuts and/or stickers
Circle Cutter/ Oval Cutter
Punches

 

 

Album

 The Album is a must to keep your pages protected after they are finished. You can get spiral binding, post binging and one and my personal favorite three ring  binders. Keep in mind if you do a three ring or post bound you will need page protectors. Be sure that the binders and page protectors are archival safe.
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You need some way of attaching your pictures. There are lots of safe choices: Spray Adhesive, photo dots, photo tape, photo corners and much more. Just be sure to check the label carefully to be sure it is photo or archival safe.

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Pens
You will want a pen to journal your photos. Like always it needs to be archival safe. You will also want it to be waterproof, lightfast and colorfast. These pens come in a wide variety of colors. The best choice to get you started is a black pen. You can ass colors to your collection later.
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Your Photos
You will need your photos. This is the whole basis of the process. I would not crop any photo that I can not or do not have a copy of. Unfortunately mistakes happen. Also you do not want to cut Polaroid's. If you do all the chemicals will leak out and ruin your pages.
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Paper
This is one of your main supplies. You can buy color paper, pattern paper, glitter paper, velvet paper, you name it, I bet you can find it. Just be sure that is is archival safe. 
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Scissors/ Ruler
What ever you prefer.
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Paper Trimmer
Remember those paper slicers they had in school. Now you can buy smaller versions. This is great to help you cut straight lines. 
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Templates
I would recommend buying basic shape templates until you have an idea of what you are going to do. These are fairly inexpensive. I have balloon's, hearts, stars, and ovals.
You can also get lettering templates to help you letter your pages. 
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Decorative Scissors
These give you a fancy edge on what you cut. There are many styles out there.
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Die-cuts and/or stickers
These are a great easy way to add to your pages. You can find any shape or theme imaginable in these. Just be sure they are archival safe.
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Circle Cutter/ Oval Cutter
I love this item. It lets you cut the perfect circle or oval. If you are good with scissors you don't need these but this is the only way I can get a smooth edge and a perfect shape.
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Punches
You can get these in many different forms. There are decorative punches that punch shapes and then there are corner punches that will put a decorative edge on or round your corners on photos. It is a personal choice of which you want or need.
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This page was created by Alissa for the Heartland Homefront committee on June 4, 2000.