Let's Watch TV...
I just found out about this really cool segment on a CBC show called “Living Vancouver”. They have a section on hobbies and there was one segment about scrapbooking. If you’re just starting out, or looking for tips to keep it simple, take a look at the show.

Click here to go to the website and select “living segments” on the right and choose “live and learn”. You’ll see “hobbies” listed, click on it and scroll to the third page of the hobbies for the segment called “scrapbooking”.

Kudos to Tacye McLagan from Scrapbook Warehouse. She gives a good definition of this fine hobby.

“Scrapbooking is about using photos and putting them into acid free safe environment and putting the stories behind them so you can enjoy them for years to come. How much or how little you do is up to you.”

That last part is so key, isn’t it? There is so much you CAN do with scrapbooking but it depends how much you want to do.

Tacye lists some of the key things you need to get started, but I’m not sure I completely agree with her list. She says you need: an album that lies flat, a paper trimmer, a coluzzle (a template to create circles, ovals and rectangles by using a swivel exacto knife), acid free paper, acid free adhesive, and an archival pen.

What kind of scrapbooker are you? Do you want to make cards? Do you want to do altered projects? Do you want to scrapbook family photos? I think it’s important to have a vague answer to that question before you can know what tools you need.

That being said, I do think it’s important to start with a paper trimmer, paper and adhesive. If you want to create a scrapbook album, I don’t think a coluzzle or an archival pen is necessary. I know many scrapbookers who don’t like journaling so they would never use an archival pen. Some scrapbookers I know do journal on their layouts but they would never write themselves, they’ll type something out on the computer and adhere it to the page.

One good point Tacye makes is that you should try out products before you buy them. There are so many products on the market, you can’t possibly buy them all so focus on the ones you know you like, or know you’ll use.

And since you asked for my advice (well, you didn’t, but I’ll give it to you anyway, just cuz I like ya!), if you’re just starting out find someone who can walk you through the first few steps. Start with a small project you can do together so that you get comfortable with the tools and how to put a project together. Personally, I love helping newbies out because at the end of the day you get to see the fabulous finished project! It’s so gratifying!