New to Scrapbooking!

My two favourite items is the Fiskars paper trimmer

and corner cutter Click on the picture to see that the pink sheet has the round corners. I used to use templates for cutting my pictures but they all ended up relatively the same size and shape. With my paper cutter, I crop my pictures. Then I cut the corners round with my corner cutter and adhere the picture to coloured paper that matches my picture to mat it. Then I use my paper trimmer to trim the mat and again, use the corner cutters to round the edges. I also love using eyelets to attach pictures to my pages, or just for decoration. If you want some good ideas and examples for pages go to Click on the big link near the center of the page where it tells you to, and then click on Go! You can search the layouts at the top of the page. I have a few in there too. Just search for me: D Fraser. I have 13 basic simple pages there.

My favorite tool ever is definately my perfect layers. I bought it on QVC, and I have actually never seen it anywhere else.

The QVC site is:

makes it so easy to make even mats for any size picture. I use it onevery layout that I do, so it is well worth the money. Best,

Jen

-- there are TONS of picture galleries there as well as lots of other stuff. Here's one scrapper's gallery there:

Main advice: I hope you have deep pockets!! You'll spend a fortune before you're done. It's a cult. "-)

Welcome to RCS Becka! This group is full of knowledge and TONS of advice about scrapbooking.

The things that I can think of that you would need to start off with are:

a paper cutter - I like the Fiskars 12" cutter, makes cutting photos & paper so easy because I can't cut a straight line to save my life! acid free adhesive - I like permanent, but some like removable. There's several different brands out there to choose from. I would suggest to stay away from glue sticks. I used glue sticks on my first album and have had to redo that album because the sticky became unsticky. (is 'unsticky' a word??? but you get the picture, I hope) journaling pen(s) - For hand journaling, you'll need a permanent, acid free pen. acid free paper / cardstock - An obvious one! :-) scrapbook album - Another obvious one! :-) There's post-bound, strap-hinge, and spiral-bound. I prefer post-bound, but others prefer strap-hinge or sprial-bound. Just look at all three and see which one you like better.

My biggest piece of advice, is to HAVE FUN. Don't look at this as something you have to do. When I start seeing my layouts as something I HAVE to get done, it's time for me to stop and go back to it later. I have most of my scrapbooking layouts on my photo website below. Feel free to take a look at them.

Again, welcome to RCS!

I have to agree with the Fiskars 12" cutter. I bought it for stamping projects, but now that I scrapbook I use it far more for it. You can buy replacement blades for it and I'm on my 3rd one. I also us the Creative Memories personal trimmer about equal as much. Paper is usually big and the

12"cutter is good for getting it down to size to then use in the Personal Trimmer.

Lynne

Welcome to the group Becka.

Welcome to RCS Becka! Check out the RCS website at

The supplies I could NOT do without are:

1. An acid free album Album (most popular sizes are 12x12 and 8 1/2 x 11) - I prefer 12x12 as I feel I have more room to work with. *You also have to decide what type of album to use (Strap Hinge, Post Bound, Sprial, 3 ring, etc.) I prefer strap hinge, but a lot of the ladies like the post bound. I do not care for spiral or 3 ring as I feel they are not as sturdy. I recommend getting page protectors to save your pages.

1. A paper trimmer (Fiskars or Cutterpede). I have a Fiskars 12x12 trimmer myself.

2. A good pair of smaller scrapbooking scissors (Creative Memories or Cutterbee). I have both.

1. An acid free pen for journaling. I prefer the Black Zig brand 2-sided marker (thin & thick tip). You can also journal on your computer.

2. Adhesive. Stay away from glue sticks, as they do not hold up in the long run! I like tape runners or photo splits. These do the job quite well. I use lots of different kinds, Herma Vario tape runner, Herma Vario tab dispenser, Creative Memories photo splits, mini glue dots, sticky dots adhesive sheets, Scotch vellum tape, and my new favorite the Scrapbook Adhesives tape runner by 3L! This is like the old style tape runner that Creative Memories used to make. Some are refillable and some are not, you decide which you like. I prefer not to refill them, as I find it a "pain" but my Herma's are all refillable.

1. I really don't care for decorative scissors. I used to find them interesting but they are hard to line up so the pattern is totally straight and a lot of them are cheaply made. The only one I ever use any more is my Fiskars Deckle edge scissors (sort of looks like a torn type edge).

2. Background Paper, Cardstock (12x12 or 8 1/2 x 11) I tend to use Background paper over my page and use cardstock for matting my photos.

1. Some sort of storage container for your photos (photo safe box) If they are in one of those old magnetic albums get them out! I have had some of my wedding photos ruined in a magnetic album and this is from only 12 years ago. They were sticking and starting to change colors.

If you want examples you can get a Creative Keepsakes Scrapbooking magazine or book or even look online. I say just get in there and start! Good Luck!

Hi Becka and welcome to the group!!

Hugs, Sabrina in Kentucky

a good friend is a life long treasure

Welcome to RCS Becka - you will find web links in most of our signatures that will take you to our scrapbook layouts.

-- Maureen in FL aka Smilingtooo :-) SMILE BE HAPPY :-)

See LO's at:

snipped-for-privacy@yahoo.com (remove SPAM to email)

Pages complete in 2004: 42 Goal for 2004: a page a week Pages complete in 2003: 37 Member since June 6, 2002

Do you use Perfect Layers cut out the inside of a frame or what? I have one of those paper cutter and trimmers, so does this do more, I've never seen one?

Now that's a fact. We are CULTivated CULT

Welcome to RCS, Becka. I am sure that you'll love this group. Most of us have links to our layout pages in our signatures.

Where in Canada do you live?