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