"Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." Psalm 90:12

Definitions for Beginners

So, are you new to scrapbooking and a little overwhelmed by the vast (and sometimes conflicting) amount of information out there? What is this "photo safety" business about, anyway? Very briefly, here are a few definitions to get you started:

• Photo-Safe:Products and materials designed to prevent the deterioration of photos in scrapbooking.
• Archival:Referring to the permanency, durability, and chemical stablity of a product to be used for preservation purposes.
• Acid-free:Think chemistry--the ph scale runs from 0 to 14, with numbers under 7 being acidic, numbers above 7 alkaline. Ph levels between 7.0 and 9.0 are photo safe and acid free. Look for papers and paper products specifically marked "acid free" or "archival" to protect your photos from the acid that can damage them.
• Lignin-free:Lignin is naturally found in wood products. It turns paper brown with time and breaks down into acids. Cheap papers like newsprint and construction paper are high lignin. Most high quality papers are lignin free, and only those should be used for scrapbooking to maintain photo safety and ensure longevity.
• Buffering:When calcium carbonate is added to paper, it is considered buffered. This is done to neutralize acids that may form later, thus making for a safer, longer-lasting product.
• Any more terms/definitions you're confused about? E-mail them to me, and I'll see if I can find the answer for you.
  
  The above definitions were adapted from those in the Pebbles in my Pocket catalog. To obtain a catalog from Pebbles, call 1-800-438-8153.
  
  

Helpful Hints for Beginners

So much information, so many products--just where does one begin? Advice I wish I had received when I first started scrapbooking is "start slowly." I jumped in with both feet without knowing about using photo safe products or getting acquainted with some of the different techniques, and as a result I have had to re-do many of my early scrapbook pages. Now that you've gained insight as to the basic scrapbooking terms and definitions, here's a list of products--the basics to get you started:

• Album--The first big decision you'll have to make is what type of album you want to use. Choices vary as to size (5 X 7, 8.5 X 11, 12 X 12, 12 X 15, and others) and style (postbound, strap-hinge, spiral, or 3-ring binder). There are pros and cons to each style, and each scrapper has a personal favorite. For more info on albums, see Scrapbook Savings.
• Page Protectors--These are a must no matter what size or style album you choose, especially if you are creating albums to be enjoyed by small children. There are top-loading and side-loading styles, and even protectors for spiral-bound albums.
• Cardstock--If you choose 3-ring binder or postbound albums, cardstock will be the basis for each scrapbook page. You'll mount your photos and decorations on cardstock, then slip the page into a page protector. If you choose strap-hinge or spiral-bound albums, the pages are already bound and included with the album, but you'll still use cardstock for photo mats and decoration. I like to have a variety of colors on hand: neutral shades like white, cream or tan for backgrounds, as well as dark, bright, and pastel colors for photo mats and embellishments. Depending on the size album you choose, you'll need cardstock in either 12 X 12 or 8.5 X 11 size.
• Adhesive--There are several types of adhesives available specifically for scrapbooking, and each has a purpose for which it is best used. For starters, try Photo Squares (also called Photo Fix or Photo Splits). These are tiny squares of double-sided adesive that are especially terrific for affixing photos to a page. They're acid-free, photo-safe, and permanent. For more info on adhesives, see Product Reviews.
• Pens--Look for pens labeled pigment ink, archival, waterproof, and fadeproof. Acid-free isn't so much a concern, though mose pens designed for sccrapbooking are labeled as such. Brands such as Zig and Sakura work well. Many colors are available, but black is all you really need to get started. It is recommended that you do at least some of your journaling (the story behind the pictures) in your own handwriting rather than on the computer. Your progeny will someday appreciate being able to look back and read about ever-so-great Grandma So-and-So's memories in her own handwriting.
• Idea books and magazines--While these aren't necessary to beginning scrapbooking, they certainly are very helpful. Perusing through idea books and magazines will give you an idea of what others are doing, show you some of the products available, and hopefully even teach you some basic design principles. These have been most helpful for me:
  • Core Composition by Stacey Julian and Terina Darcey. I read this book after about a year of scrapbooking, and consequently went back and changed many of the pages I had already done. This book taught me how to effectively lay out a page, going through such design principles as balance and color. It has many sample layouts and is simple to follow. I'd say it's a must-read for any scrapbooker. Core Composition is available online from many sources, and retails for around $10.
  • Creating Keepsakes Magazine. There are several scrapbook magazines out there, but this remains my favorite. Every month it features special articles and layouts, and it is crammed with ads. While some might see this as a negative, I for one love to see what the industry is producing, and often the ads are great idea-starters themselves. Check out Creating Keepsakes and request a free issue.

That's really all it takes--an album with page protectors, adhesive, pen, and cardstock. Use the colored cardstock to mat your photos, add journaling about the event with your pen, and you've got a simple but effective layout. As you become more familiar with scrapbooking and start to develop your own style, you'll want to expand your "inventory" of scrapbook essentials to include fun products like stickers, templates, die-cuts, and the like. The best way to do this is to learn some scrapbook design principles through books, magazines, and by looking at layouts others have done. A particular layout or two will catch your eye, and it won't be long before you're developing a style of your own.

>For more information of specific products and my own personal favorites, see Product Reviews.

Be sure to check out these other areas:

Scrapbook home| Scrapbook product review| Scrapbook page ideas| Scrapbook savings|
Scrapbook beginner's guide| Scrapbook layout index| Scrapbook links