| Scrapbooking is a wonderful hobby! Besides being | | | | sites, etc.-- keep a 3-ring binder with some |
| relaxing and fun, it also allows you to be creative | | | | notepaper inside for all your thoughts and ideas. |
| and to spend quality time with your family and | | | | Plus, when you see something in a magazine, you |
| friends. Plus, it results in a storybook of lifelong | | | | can simply tear the page out of the magazine, |
| memories.One very important element of | | | | 3-hold punch it, and place it in your binder. The |
| scrapbooking is getting it all organized. This | | | | same goes if you see something on a web site |
| includes, but is not limited to:storing all of your | | | | that you wish to refer to later; just print it out |
| supplies in an organized fashion so they can be | | | | and insert it into your binder. You can even |
| found instantly when you need them.remembering | | | | separate the binder into a few different sections, |
| what supplies to pick up at the store, and | | | | such as page layout ideas, organizing ideas, neat |
| eliminating duplicate purchases.finding time to | | | | tools/supplies, etc.CHOOSE A DESIGNATED |
| research new and creative ways to spruce up | | | | WORK AREA.Scrapbooking is more fun and less |
| your scrapbooks.finding enough time to enjoy the | | | | of a chore, when everything is in one place and in |
| art of scrapbooking in your busy life.TELL A | | | | close, accessible proximity to your working area. |
| STORY.Plan your photos, before you shoot. | | | | Designate a room, or a portion of a room, in your |
| Instead of taking random shots of someone | | | | home for this activity. You should be able to |
| standing here, or someone else sitting there, tell a | | | | retrieve your supplies, photos, etc. in seconds, |
| story. For example, let's say it's Halloween. You | | | | without having to walk into another room, or |
| may plan on taking four photos of your child:on | | | | rummage through a closet.SHOPPING.Use an |
| the hayride taking him/her to the pumpkin | | | | organized shopping system so you remember |
| field.looking for a pumpkin.finding a pumpkin.with | | | | what you want to pick up for your hobby |
| the carved pumpkin later.GREAT PHOTOS.Photos | | | | --scissors, crimpers, papers, etc. This will also |
| for your scrapbooks can be extra nice if you | | | | eliminate purchasing items that you already have. |
| take a little bit of time to learn some basic | | | | When you think of something you need, |
| photography. Visit for a quick photography tutorial. | | | | immediately put it on a SCRAPBOOKING PICK UP |
| Getting organized has a lot to do with preparation | | | | list, and bring this list with you when you go |
| and this site is filled with helpful tips and | | | | shopping. Using 3 inch x 5 inch index cards, make |
| ideas.WHO, WHAT, WHERE, WHEN. Organized | | | | examples of your cuts and punches on them. |
| documentation is important for the serious | | | | Label and keep them in your day timer, or a tiny |
| scrapbooker. The main goal is to eliminate future | | | | 3-ring binder. Bring these cards with you when |
| questions such as "Who or what is that?", "Where | | | | shopping for scrapbooking items, and you'll never |
| and when was this photo taken?", and so on. | | | | buy duplicates. This also works great for |
| Document photos as you're taking them, so you'll | | | | remembering what color pens/pencils you have. |
| know exactly what is on each roll of film. That | | | | Just draw a line on your index cards and label |
| way you'll be prepared when you're ready to | | | | them.USE WHAT YOU HAVE FIRST.Resist the |
| organize the photos in your scrapbooks.TAKE | | | | urge to buy a million new papers, punches, and so |
| CARE OF THAT UNDEVELOPED FILM.If you find | | | | on, until you've used some of the craft supplies |
| rolls of film around your house that are ready to | | | | you already have. Unless you're planning on |
| go to the developer, bring them today. You may | | | | opening a scrapbooking warehouse, it's best to be |
| consider mailing all of your film to a supplier such | | | | choosy before emptying your wallet on new |
| as so you don't have to spend time dropping off | | | | items, when you already have items you could |
| film or picking up photos. Simply mail your film | | | | use in your current supply.SHOP ONLINE.You'll |
| out, and you'll get your photos back in the mail a | | | | save a lot of time running back and forth to the |
| week later. From now on, always get your film | | | | store, if you commit instead to making your |
| developed as soon as you take the used rolls out | | | | purchases online.TRADE.If you have something |
| of your camera.STORING PHOTOGRAPHS.Once | | | | that you haven't used in a year or more, such as |
| your photos are developed, you need a place to | | | | craft scissors, stickers, etc., swap them with a |
| store them until you're ready to put them in your | | | | friend. Who knows? Perhaps your friend will find |
| scrapbook. Keep them separated by year or | | | | immediate use for this item, and you will get |
| event, in Ziplock bags. Label each bag with a | | | | something you can use right now in |
| number, and put a corresponding number on your | | | | return.GOALS.Always set goals for your |
| Documentation Form. Then, store them in a photo | | | | scrapbooking hobby, perhaps one to two pages a |
| box. Keep the box in a dry, cool place to protect | | | | week. This is especially necessary if you're |
| your photos until you're ready to put the photos | | | | creating a scrapbook for an upcoming special |
| into your scrapbook.ORGANIZING BOXES OF | | | | occasion.PLAN.Before you start working on your |
| PHOTOS.If you have boxes of photos that span | | | | pages, plan ahead. Arrange your photos in |
| from the beginning of the 1900's to now, it's time | | | | chronological order and gather stickers, diecuts, |
| to start getting them organized. Schedule a day | | | | etc. that correspond with your photos. Think |
| and time to begin sorting through them and stick | | | | about your layout and how you plan to document |
| with your appointment when the day rolls around. | | | | each photo. This will ensure you're going to be |
| Get your kids, or friends, to help out. Begin by | | | | happy with the final results, and will reduce the |
| making piles, categorized by event or year. If you | | | | need to redo things.DO THE TWO STEP.Step |
| don't know the exact year, at least sort them by | | | | One: Assemble your pages with your photos, |
| decade. This may take a little while, but once | | | | documentation and critical diecuts.Step Two: |
| everything is separated, scrapbooking your | | | | Decorate with stickers, stamps, etc. The |
| photos will be much easier and more pleasant. | | | | two-step process will help you get the critical part |
| Once they're all sorted, store your photographs | | | | (step one) done faster, and then you can continue |
| as mentioned above.WORK BACKWARDS.If | | | | with the second step (less important) later |
| you're planning to scrapbook lots of photos from | | | | on.KEEP YOUR PAGES SIMPLE.Although you may |
| way back, start with the most recent photos you | | | | really feel the need for creating a work of art on |
| have, and work backwards. Chances are, you | | | | occasion, if your goal is to get a scrapbook done |
| have a journal describing recent photos, and even | | | | as quickly as possible, keep it simple. Getting |
| if you don't, you can probably recall the details | | | | photos and documentation in the album is the |
| more easily. Older photos--the ones that you don't | | | | main goal. Save your really creative moments for |
| have a journal for--will take a little more | | | | extra special scrapbooking projects. And |
| thinking.BABY STEPS.If your scrapbooking hobby | | | | remember, too much stuff on any one page, |
| seems like a colossal job to you, it's not going to | | | | takes away from the photos.QUICK COLOR |
| be fun. Don't feel like you have to put ALL of | | | | SCHEMES.Quickly, organize your scrapbooks with |
| your photos into scrapbooks. You can always put | | | | colors that compliment each other, by referencing |
| the majority of your photos in acid-free photo | | | | a good color harmony book. You can pick one up |
| albums or photo boxes where they will be safe. | | | | at your local bookstore. They include hundreds of |
| Choose a small set of photos to begin | | | | color combination examples. Color Harmony, by |
| scrapbooking. Once you're done with this small | | | | Hideaki Chijiiwa, is an excellent book for this |
| set, you can then decide whether you want to | | | | purpose.MULTI-TASKING.Looking for a few |
| dig into your photo albums or photo boxes and | | | | minutes here or there to catch up on your |
| continue scrapbooking them, or leave those | | | | scrapbooking? Take and make all your phone calls |
| photos where they are, and simply scrapbook | | | | in the same room as your designated |
| any new photos in the future.DOUBLE | | | | scrapbooking work area. Then, while you're on the |
| PRINTS.Double prints will do you no good if | | | | phone with your friends or family, you can crop, |
| they're just sitting in your photo box taking up | | | | frame or mount at the same time. Or, instead of |
| space. Do something with them. Perhaps send | | | | making punches when you need them, make a |
| them to someone who is in the photograph. It's a | | | | bunch of punches at once while you're watching |
| great way to keep in touch. Or, pass the doubles | | | | television, or are on the telephone, or when you're |
| onto your young children who may like to create | | | | waiting for a pot of water to boil. This will save |
| their own scrapbooks. It's a great way for them | | | | time later because your punches will be ready |
| to learn your beloved hobby and decide if they | | | | when you need them.GET YOUR KIDS |
| would like it to be a hobby of their own.RELATED | | | | INVOLVED.Many people like to get their kids |
| STUFF.Sometimes, for the purpose of creatively | | | | involved with the actual project, such as arranging |
| decorating your scrapbook, you may wish to | | | | stickers, applying diecuts, etc. If you would rather |
| keep tickets, brochures, maps, postcards, and so | | | | your kids were not involved with the actual |
| on, that are related to a particular trip or event. | | | | project, give them a project of their own. You |
| Use manila file folders or catalog envelopes for | | | | can always find a few photos that you're not |
| this purpose. Label the folder/envelope so that | | | | going to use in your scrapbook, some inexpensive |
| you know which photos/Documentation Form it | | | | paper, kid scissors, etc. Then have each child |
| corresponds to. File these until they're ready to be | | | | make their very own scrapbook. Either way, the |
| used.KEEPING IT ALL TOGETHER.Already have a | | | | kids will be occupied, which will give you time to |
| pretty good idea of stickers, diecuts, etc. that | | | | enjoy your hobby.ELIMINATE BICKERING.If you |
| you're planning to use with a particular set of | | | | have more than one child that is involved with a |
| photographs? Keep them in the same Ziplock bag | | | | scrapbooking activity, get them each their own |
| with the photos until you're ready to put them | | | | plastic storage box and/or accordion files to keep |
| into your scrapbook. This way, everything will be | | | | their own supplies in. This way, when they want |
| in one place and ready to use.STICKERS AND | | | | to work on their scrapbook, all of their supplies will |
| SHAPES.Stickers and punched shapes can be kept | | | | already be separated. You may even color code |
| in acid-free sheet protectors, plastic baseball card | | | | their supplies, plastic boxes, etc. so they always |
| sheets, business card sheets, or even Ziplock | | | | know which stuff belongs to them. For example, |
| bags that are 3-hole punched. Each sheet should | | | | blue container, blue scissors and markers labeled in |
| be categorized and labeled by theme: birthday, | | | | blue for Billy, and all pink for Sally.FAMILY |
| Christmas, Halloween, wedding, springtime, etc. | | | | TIME.Scrapbooking is a great way to spend some |
| Insert these sheets into a 3-ring binder. If you | | | | time with your family. Get the whole family |
| have a large number of stickers and shapes, you | | | | involved and around the table at the same time. |
| may want to use index dividers labeled with | | | | It's a great time to share ideas and dreams with |
| general categories. For example, a general | | | | each other. Can't seem to get the male family |
| HOLIDAY category, may hold Easter, Christmas | | | | members involved? Perhaps they can sit at the |
| Hanukkah, Halloween, etc., a general SEASONS | | | | table while the females are scrapbooking, and |
| category, may hold Summer, Fall, Winter and | | | | they could do something they enjoy at the same |
| Spring, and so on.TINY STUFF.For very tiny | | | | time. At least everyone will be together and |
| diecuts and other small items, consider storing | | | | having fun.TEAM UP.Scrapbooking is a great way |
| then in empty film canisters. The clear ones are | | | | to spend time with your friends and catch up with |
| best, but if you only have opaque ones, simply | | | | each other. Start a scrapbooking club and meet at |
| stick a label--or the actual diecut attached with a | | | | each other's homes one day every few weeks. |
| piece of tape-- on the canister indicating what is | | | | Make a party of it!IDENTIFY.The next time you |
| inside. Baby food jars serve the same purpose | | | | get together with friends, or a scrapbooking club, |
| well.PAPER.Where do you keep all of that cool | | | | put a little piece of colored tape on your scissors' |
| paper until you're ready to use it? You can get a | | | | handles, the sides of your punch tools, pens, etc. |
| plastic, portable filing container--research its | | | | Then, everyone could share, but you'll be sure to |
| composition to assure archival safety--that holds | | | | get your tools back when it's time to go |
| hanging file folders. Label the hanging files by | | | | home.DON'T TAKE THE KITCHEN SINK.If you're |
| theme or color. You may want to place a manila | | | | going to be scrapbooking at a friend's home, take |
| file folder into each hanging file folder, to keep | | | | a few minutes to plan what you want to work |
| your papers from curling. Or, you may buy file | | | | on. By doing this, you will only have to carry |
| folder pockets or sheet protectors that fit into a | | | | those supplies you're going to use. In other words, |
| 3-ring binder and store your papers inside each | | | | if you're going to be working on a wedding |
| pocket, categorized and labeled. By the way, be | | | | theme, there's no reason to be carrying all of |
| very careful not to store acid-free paper with | | | | your holiday items with you.CLEAR THE WAY.If |
| other paper.STORAGE CONTAINERS.Do a little bit | | | | you are spending too much time looking for |
| of research and purchase a scrapbooking | | | | supplies, background papers, photos, frames, that |
| organizer, which will hold papers, supplies, etc. | | | | great rubber stamp and so on, then, it's time to |
| There are many products on the market that can | | | | organize your work station. Declutter and toss |
| help you keep it all together. Many office supply | | | | out or trade those items you don't need, you |
| stores carry six-drawer organization stations. | | | | don't like, etc. Organize your supplies into binders |
| They're vertical and have 6 see-through drawers | | | | and storage containers. You should always be |
| of equal size. Each drawer can be designated for | | | | working on a clear surface, with only the current |
| a different purpose--papers, templates/diecuts, | | | | project in front of you.CLEAN UP THE SCRAPS.If |
| stickers, etc. Plus, they have wheels, which makes | | | | there is a wastepaper basket right near your |
| them very easy to transport from one room to | | | | work station, all of the scraps that you're not |
| another. Or, if you often bring your scrapbooking | | | | planning on using can be tossed immediately. Don't |
| supplies outside of your home, such as to a | | | | leave trash on your work surface. If you visit a |
| friend's house, use a portable system that isn't | | | | friend's home, you may want to carry along an |
| too heavy or cumbersome, and comes with a | | | | empty tissue box so that all scraps can be |
| handle.STENCILS.Put your stencils/templates into | | | | discarded immediately, and make clean-up for |
| sheet protectors that can be purchased at any | | | | your host quick and easy.PUT IT AWAY.Always |
| office supplies store. Then insert them into a | | | | have a home for your supplies, and when you're |
| 3-ring binder for easy access. By the way, you | | | | finished using them, take a few moments to put |
| can store two templates in one sheet protector | | | | everything away. You should be able to start |
| with a piece of paper in between each--white or | | | | fresh with a clear mind and a clear surface.BIG |
| colored depending on the color of your template. | | | | ITEM/SMALL ITEM.Never place a big item over a |
| This will make it easier to see the designs and | | | | smaller item, because if you do, it will be out of |
| eliminate them from catching onto each | | | | sight, and difficult to find |
| other.SUPPLY CADDY.If you always scrapbook at | | | | quickly.ERGONOMICS.Organize your work area for |
| home, use a kitchen utensil caddy with a number | | | | increased productivity. Make sure it's well lit. Have |
| of divided compartments, like those you normally | | | | a comfortable chair to sit on. Your supplies and |
| keep tall kitchen spoons, ladles, and spatulas in. | | | | tools should be within arms |
| The ones that spin will keep everything you need | | | | reach.SAFETY.Organize your scrapbooking with |
| at your fingertips.HANG IT UP.If you're lucky | | | | safety in mind. Use a protective covering for your |
| enough to have a room specifically designated for | | | | table. Craft mats are great for cutting on. |
| your scrapbooking hobby, hang a large pegboard | | | | Scissors and other sharp tools should be face |
| above your work area. You can then attach | | | | down in a holder, and out of a young child's |
| scissors, templates, crimpers, rulers, stencils and | | | | reach.MAKE IT EASY.Different personality styles |
| more, all within easy sight and reach. In addition, | | | | require different organization systems. Make sure |
| you might hang a small ledge or shelf nearby, to | | | | you use an organization system you can live |
| store all of your corner rounders, photo corners, | | | | with--one that works with your style and that |
| and so on. If you prefer everything out in the | | | | allows you to find things without delay. If you find |
| open, this system will work like a charm.RUBBER | | | | things easier when they're alphabetized, then use |
| STAMPS.Store rubber stamps in shallow, plastic | | | | that type of system. Perhaps you're better at |
| containers, a rubber stamping organizer, or a | | | | finding things by color. Then use that system. |
| plastic organizer with shallow drawers. Don't stack | | | | Your organization system must work in harmony |
| stamps. They should be stored in a single layer, | | | | with your personality.DON'T DO SO MUCH.Finding |
| so that you can always see the top of the stamp | | | | the time for your scrapbooking and/or |
| showing the design.OTHER STORAGE | | | | rubberstamping hobby can be difficult if you have |
| IDEAS.Fishing tackle boxes--with compartments | | | | too many things going on in your life. Reduce or |
| and levels that expand and collapse--are wonderful | | | | eliminate the activities you don't truly enjoy. |
| for storing scrapbooking supplies and tools. Plastic | | | | Reduce the activities of your children. Get on an |
| tool boxes, with many see-through drawers are | | | | organized cleaning schedule, so you're not wasting |
| also great for this purpose.SCRAPBOOKING | | | | the entire weekend cleaning up. Make easier |
| MAGAZINES.Is your closet full of scrapbooking | | | | dinners that are healthy, but take half the time to |
| magazines? There are a few things to do about | | | | prepare. Get your family to help out with |
| this dilemma. 1) You can go through your | | | | household chores and obligations.SPARE |
| magazines, find the articles you wish to keep and | | | | TIME.Those spare minutes that we all have can |
| organize them into file folders by category. In | | | | be put to good use. Have to wait at the doctor's |
| other words, keep the article, toss the magazine. | | | | office for your appointment? Sketch out a quick |
| 2) Or you can keep the magazines in cardboard | | | | layout idea. Waiting for the wash cycle to finish? |
| magazine boxes. If you do this, you should always | | | | Sort out some photos, or gather supplies for |
| keep a list of the title/issue of the magazine, the | | | | tomorrow's scrapbooking project.WRITE IT |
| pages that interest you, and a few words | | | | DOWN.Don't ever leave your home without a |
| describing why they interested you. This way, | | | | small notebook in hand. You're bound to come up |
| you can just scan your list, instead of going | | | | with a thought, or a cute caption, for your |
| through the entire magazine to find what you're | | | | scrapbook. If you don't write it down right away, |
| looking for. You can even use your computer and | | | | you may forget about it. You may also want to |
| create the list in a word processing file. Then using | | | | keep a small pad and a pen right near your |
| the Find feature, you can simply search for key | | | | bedside, in case you have a bright idea in the |
| words in your document.HOLD THAT | | | | middle of the night.ENJOY!Plan, organize and |
| THOUGHT.Rather than keeping all those great | | | | schedule some time to enjoy your creations with |
| scrapbooking ideas and tips in your head--you | | | | family and friends. Scrapbooking is all about fun, |
| know, the ones you pick up from magazines, web | | | | laughter, memories, and touching moments! |