Essential tools to help you start scrapbooking in your own style

Although Memory Makers has been publishing magazines and idea books for years now, one basic yet very involved question still seems to surface in e-mails and letters more than any other: "How do I get started?" Anyone who has ever been to a scrapbook store knows that choosing basic supplies is a big part of this. As a beginning scrapbooker, it's often helpful to try new classes to learn a variety of techniques. These classes will help you determine your scrapbooking style, and thus help you decide which products to purchase. Some scrappers discover they are punchers, others are stampers, still others love to journal. Whatever your style, there are a few basics you'll need to get off on the right foot for each type of album craft. The following lists of simple scrapbooking additions outline products beginners can use decorate their pages.

The Bare Necessities

First choose the type of album: post-bound, strap hinge, or three-ring binder you want to use. Keep in mind that you don't need the album to get started, just the pages that can go in an album later. When buying the barest of scrapbooking necessities, you'll need only three items. The album and page protectors come next.

• Refill pages. Mount your photos and journal on these pages.
• Pen. Black ink will match any page design.
• Adhesive/corners. Dry adhesives work best on photographs.

Simple Additions

Many scrapbookers rely on the following items for quick and easy creative scrapbooking. Scrapbookers of all styles agree that these are essentials for beginners.

• Stickers and die cuts. Choose designs that go with photos you have a lot of, such as holiday or summer vacation.
• Colored/printed paper. Select papers that coordinate with your photos, stickers and die cuts.
• Corner rounder. A quick and easy tool to enhance your photos.
• Templates. An inexpensive option for cropping photos and paper in different shapes.
• Scissors/paper trimmer. Essentials to help you get the most photos on each page.

Beginning Punch Art

If you'd like to add punch art to your scrapbook, simple geometric shapes are some of the most versatile. Medium or large punches are usually best for beginners since they are easier to use.

• Square, circle, triangle, oval, heart, star, flower and leaf punches.
These shapes are the building blocks of many punch art designs.
• An idea book. Helps make the most out of your punches.
• Therm O Web adhesive. Adhesive sheets make adhering easy.
• Tweezers. Good for picking up and holding small pieces.
• Wax paper. Good for "unsticking" punches.

Beginning Stamping

Cheryl Algiere, owner of the Treasure Box scrapbook and stamp store in Fort Collins, Colorado, recommends the following products for a scrapbooker who would like to start rubber stamping. Cheryl says wood or acrylic-backed stamps are easier to use than foam stamps, which means there is less chance of ink getting on areas where it's not supposed to be. If you decide you'd like to continue stamping, embossing powder and a heat gun are good "next step" purchases.

• Black ink pad. Black makes a nice outline for stamped images.
• Wood- or acrylic-backed rubber stamps. Deep, well-defined cuts in the rubber make for easier stamping.
• Colored markers. Use them to color in your stamped images.
• Stamp cleaner or baby wipes. Either works well for keeping your stamps clean.

Creative Journaling

Maybe you've started scrapbooking and discovered your favorite part is recording the stories that go with your photos. Your black pen works fine, but maybe you'd like your heavily journaled pages to be more visually pleasing and better organized. These supplies can help.

• A computer. A basic word processing program will help with spelling, grammar and overall neatness.
• Ruler. Necessary for keeping handwritten journaling straight.
• Journaling templates. Tools to showcase your stories in different arrangements.
• Self-stick notes. Organize your thoughts about journaling by placing notes on each album page listing what to write about.
• Set of colored pens. Pens in a variety of colors and thicknesses will make writing more fun.
• Pencils. Necessary for rough drafts.

By Lydia Rueger
Reprinted from Memory Makers Magazine.

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Features over 100 inspirational designs in each issue complete with supply lists and easy-to-follow instructions. Includes the latest tips and techniques for preserving precious memories for generations to come.