...so now where do I start? It's a little overwhelming to me on how to do my first page & what pictures I want to use.

Since this is my first album I am just going to do an album on our family. Pages of dh & I dating, our wedding, when we first bought our house, being pregnant, the kids. Just gonna do an overview right now, and if I find that I really like scrapping & want to continue then I will start one for dd first and then so on.

What do you ladies think? When you got your first starter kit did you feel a little overwhelmed when it was time to start that first page & select the pictures and stuff? There's some many ideas! Decisions, decisions.

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Mommy to Ariana 8/11/01 & Davis 4/11/05
I love my kiddos!

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I got my first kit when I was pregnant with my dd and I would pull it out, spread all of my supplies out in front of me and then pack it all up again cause I didnt know where to start. I did this four or five times and then my good buddy Renee gave me some sketches and I went from there. Take a sketch ( there are some really good ones on here ) and just follow them. You will soon get the hang of it and be off and running. It can be really fun and addictive. Just dont get overwhelmed and stressed, it is suppose to be fun and there are no rules, just do what you like. Also another way to get started is to take someone elses layout and copy it. ( We dont mind, thats why we do them, for others to admire.) you can copy it exatly or mix it up a little. Such as take a layout and use the same colors or put ribbon in the same spot as your copy layout but use buttons instead or stickers KWIM? Its all about making it your own.

The best thing is to just start. Be willing to make pages that you don't like. You can change them later, but it's a good way to find out what you DO like. Copy other people's pages (there are lots of good ones in the Layout gallery). Don't be afraid to ask for advice. Just post a thread here and you know you'll get lots of ideas. Good luck and enjoy!

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Julie M.

Stacey - You have been given some great advice. I agree you just have to dig in and start . Dont be afraid and I think one of the greatest fears of scrapbooking that a person has to get over is cutting your photos. There are lots of people that just cant bring themselves to cut the pictures but you have to cut them because a lot of times there are things in the background that you really dont like or you just want to focus on the one object. Like everyone has said it is a very addicting hobby and one that brings great joy when others can sit down and enjoy your scrapbooks. I would also suggest taking a look at the gallery and trying to duplicate some of them. When I first started I did things very simple just cutting my photos with fancy scissors and maybe matting some of them with cardstock and using stickers to fill in the white areas. You dont have to get fancy at first and you will soon learn what your own style is ENJOY!!! and HAVE FUN!!!

My local stamping/scrapbooking store offers beginning classes for $10. I think other craft stores also have them. I took a Creative Memories seminar in 1990 and another class just last year. They really helped me to focus and get going. You will learn what to do with all the stuff.

Another thing to consider - we all go back to our first pages at some point and scratch our heads and think, "Good Lord, what was I thinking?!@" On my first pages you can totally tell I was trying out every gizmo and do-dad I had. You know what? I wouldn't trade those pages for anything because they helped me become the scrapper I am. The advice above is all great. Remember to journal lots. That's the part that comes easiest for me becuase I've ALWAYS got a lot to say. My son loves hearing what I wrote about him and everyone else.

Another good place to start is a simple ABC book for a child. Think "Owen likes Apples. Owen loved his Blue Bunny." kind of thing. They are quick and easy. My older son still loves his and he's had it for 2 1/2 years now.

Good luck!