Scrapbooking is a creative hobby that allows you to create albums to document the events in your life and in the lives of your family members. Scrapbookers create individual layouts that are accumulated into albums and grouped chronologically or by theme. Scrapbookers may also create mini-albums to document single events or themes, cards to send for any occasion, or home decor using their paper crafting skills and materials.

It can seem a little daunting to someone who is interested in scrapbooking but is not sure where to begin. Craft stores are overflowing with paper crafting products that are advertised as "must buys", so it can be hard to determine what you really need just to get started. Read on to learn how to start scrapbooking.

Scrapbooking is a creative hobby that allows you to create albums to document the events in your life and in the lives of your family members. Scrapbookers create individual layouts that are accumulated into albums and grouped chronologically or by theme. Scrapbookers may also create mini-albums to document single events or themes, cards to send for any occasion, or home decor using their paper crafting skills and materials.

It can seem a little daunting to someone who is interested in scrapbooking but is not sure where to begin. Craft stores are overflowing with paper crafting products that are advertised as "must buys", so it can be hard to determine what you really need just to get started. Read on to learn how to start scrapbooking.

Before you start purchasing scrapbooking materials and working on layouts, take some time to gather all of your photos and organize them. Your photo collection may contain printed photos, digital photos, or a combination of both.

For printed photos, gather all of your prints into one place. Sort your photos chronologically by year, and then sort each year into months or events. Store your photos in order in either a photo storage box or in a photo album. A photo album has the advantage of allowing you and your family to enjoy the photos, and you can remove photos when you are ready to scrapbook them.

For digital photos, you'll perform the same general organizational actions as with printed photos, but you'll do so on your computer. Gather all of your photos into one directory, then sort the files into individual subdirectories by year. You can further sort each year by month or event. Make sure to regularly back up your digital photo files so that in the event of a hard drive crash, you don't lose all of your photos.

If you're looking at a huge box of photos, you may be a bit overwhelmed at the thought of trying to get "caught up". Relax and take one project at a time. If you have children, start by creating one album for each child. If you have a specific hobby, such as a sport, create one album for that. There's nothing wrong with having more than one project in progress, but start with one to get used to the process.

Once you've selected a first project, go through your photos and pull out all photos related to that project. If you're working on a baby scrapbook, gather all of the photos from baby's first year.

Based on your selection, purchase an album for this project, so as you finish pages you can add them right into the album. Albums are available in post-bound and 3-ring binder configurations, and in 12"x12" or 8.5"x11" sizes. Choose the style and size that appeals to you. If you choose one size, try to stick with that size so that all of your layouts will fit into any of your albums. Albums are also available pre-decorated with various themes, or in plain solid colors.

To get started scrapbooking, you really only need a few tools:

- A paper trimmer large enough to cut 12" paper - Adhesive - Scissors - Small hole punch (1/8") - Black and brown fine tip journaling pens

These basic tools will perform just about anything you really need when scrapbooking. Once you gain some experience, you can try other tools, such as paper punches and rubber stamps.

When purchasing materials for your scrapbook project, keep in mind the theme of your scrapbook. For each page of your scrapbook, you'll need:

- 1 or 2 pieces of cardstock in solid colors - 1 or 2 pieces of patterned paper - Coordinating embellishments, such as smaller stickers, chipboard shapes, ribbon, or brads - Larger stickers or chipboard letters for page titles

Many scrapbook materials such as paper and embellishments are packaged in bulk, so you can buy paper in packs of 25 sheets, or brads in packages of 50. If you're creating a themed album, don't worry about the quantity, you'll use the items over and over in your scrapbook.

Now that you have your photos, album, tools, and materials, it's time to scrap!

Select one event, and pull out the photos for that event. If you have one or two photos, start with a one-page layout for that event. If you have more than two photos, start with a two-page layout. Use one or two pieces of cardstock as a layout base. Mat the photos with contrasting cardstock or patterned paper. Use the embellishments to accent photos or to create balance. Add a creative title, and don't forget to add journaling.

If you're not sure how to design your layout, lay your photos on a piece of cardstock, and play around. Try arranging the photos in different ways, put embellishments out on the paper, and get some ideas for what the layout could look like. Avoid using any adhesive until you like what you see.

If you're still stuck, look through scrapbooking magazines or online blogs to find composition inspiration.