Getting started in scrap booking and be a frightening experience without any help. I worked at a craft store for a few years and the most common question I got about scrap booking was "What do I need to get started?" When you first get into the car set on your mission, it sounds like an easy question. Then you get to the store! There are aisles and aisles of scrap booking stuff. This is if you are lucky enough to have a store close by. If you are getting started by shopping online, there are thousands of websites out there. In my personal opinion, a person just starting out should stick to the stores that don't specialize. Stores that specialize will give you too many individual options. They usually have higher quality stuff so the prices are a little higher. For a craft that your are just getting to know you probably don't want to spend $2.00 on a single sheet of paper.

The large craft stores like Michaels, AC Moore and Joann's Etc seem to be everywhere. If you don't have a craft store close by, don't worry! Those stores that sell everything (like Target), carry scrapbook stuff. The scrapbook industry makes millions of dollars a year so most of these large stores want their piece of that pie. If you prefer to shop online, most of the big name craft stores have online stores and there is usually a section on their site just for scrap booking.

Now for the important stuff, what you need to start. The first thing you want to do is decide what size scrapbook you want to use. I use 4X6 pictures and I like to use 8X8 books for small trips or parties or a 12X12 for longer trips. 8.5X11 is another common size. Be careful on the size you choose because you may get stuck with something that is hard to find inserts for. This may sound trivial but it will save you heart ache in the future. There are some great specialty lines out there like Martha Stewart, but you have to continue buying their product because no other paper fits in the album. Among the different sizes of albums there are different types like post and strap hinge. This refers to the way the pages are held in. I prefer post because its much easier to add to. You just add another post and most extra pages come with an extension.

Once you have chosen your album you'll need to choose a color theme. Usually the theme of the pictures will help. You can do many things with this. The easiest thing to do is choose a package of paper in the size of your album. There are solid color packages and and themed packages. You can also go with loose sheets if you find some that would complement your theme. This is usually a more expensive route but when paper is on sale it's great. I have done both and usually solids are quicker and easier. Plus, you don't want to draw to much attention away from your pictures.

The next step would be basic and for beginners (unless you prefer the look). Choose solid color card stock that is slightly bigger than your pictures. If using a 4X6 picture, choose 4.5X6.5 card stock. You can usually get these in different color assortments like primary's, pastels or color hues. If you opted to use designed paper for your base paper then this is really helpful to "frame" your pictures.

There are just a few remaining items that you will want. Unless you have flawless hand writing, you will want to pick up some pre-cut letters. You can buy sticker letters but this can be a little on the expensive side if you are doing a large album. You can also fun pre-cut letter stacks. These are pads of letters that aren't sticky (you might be able to find them sticky). The other option is to print your sayings from your computer then mount them on a small piece of card stock. That will make them a little dressier and much more cost effective. If you go this route I recommend using a paper trimmer as opposed to scissors. It will make a cleaner edge and a more even cut. You will also need some adhesive to attach the pictures and card stock. There are tons of options for this. I use sticky squares instead of glue. They aren't messy, you won't have any leaking and you don't have to wait for them to dry. You can also purchase decorative accents, like stickers, that go along with the theme of your album. This is always fun when doing a vacation book. There are tons of fun stickers for travel.

Now that you have all the necessary items, you are ready to start scrap booking. I recommend laying out your pages before sticking everything down. This way if you decide to add or take away pictures nothing gets ruined. These are just basic fundamentals. If you have a dozen or so pictures, you could put your album together in an evening. Once you master the basic book, its time to start experimenting. Eyelets and brads are a fun next step. Die-cuts are always fun to work with too. There are also some fun 3D items out there.