scrapbook basics (or more than you ever wanted to know about scrapbooking)

ok, so someone, who shall remain nameless, sent me an email asking what are the basic tools i use for scrapbooking for their christmas wish list.  after writing an entirely too long email i thought i would just share it here on my blog.  in case others were interested too.  and this way i can share pictures and links.


you know I'm a big fan of ali edwards.  she has a great list of  basics on her blog.  i use a lot of the same items, albums, paper and page protectors.

the mini stapler is great for getting small items on your pages, ribbon, tags, bits of chipboard and i love the look of the metal.  

i love these pens for journaling.  especially the .03 size.

this is the tape runner i use and you can get it at joann's,  michaels and target.  

i also have the crop-a-dile and i use it to punch holes in cardboard for mini books.  it's also useful when you want to punch through a lot of paper at the same time.

i've started using a lot of punches.  fiskars makes a bunch that i love.  so does martha stewart and ek success.  you can find a lot of them at michael's and joann's.  i especially love border punches.  this is my favorite right now.

i love how stephanie howell uses them. 

staz-on stamp pads.  i use the black one mostly.  you can pretty much stamp on anything.  also available at michael's and joann's.

i love these letter stickers.  they come in a million colors, fonts, sizes.  they are so easy to use for titles.  love them.

other fun ideas:

-a membership to a kit club - you pay on a monthly basis and you get one kit a month.  or you can pay a little bit more and just buy the kits you like.  i love that they coordinate the paper and the embellishments for you so you don't have to think about it.  there are a lot out there, but i belonged to studio calico. i'm not a member right now but when i was i really only spent money on that.  so in a way it was cheaper because i wasn't going to the scrapbook store and buying a lot of stuff. they also split items for you.  so instead of a package of 25 buttons you may only get 10.  that helps because you hardly ever use the entire package and it's cheaper. each kit includes the latest products to be released and an exclusive stamp. they are some of my favorites.  they have an awesome design team and i still get a lot of inspiration looking at what they do with the kit each month. in fact tomorrow they reveal the kit for december.  i'm hoping to see it under the christmas tree this year.

-take a class - i love classes because it forces you to get some pages done and it teaches you a specific skill.  some of the best pages/projects i have done have been after taking a class.  they always include downloadable instructions and range in topics.  i especially love classes from big picture classes.  the self paced classes let you take the course whenever you want and you are on your own.  the workshops start and end at specific times.  you follow along with the syllabus and do something different every day or week.  there is a gallery where you can view other people's projects and post your own.  it's a good way to do a specific project. my all time favorite class was yesterday and today.  i took it right before i turned 40 and it was the perfect way to tell meaningful stories from my past and my present.  

i have also taken classes from kelley purkey that i loved.  those are offered at a specific time on her blog.  many more designers are offering classes like this on their sites.

-mini books - another huge trend is mini books.  it's basically a small scrapbook, 4x6 or 5x7 that is about a specific event or theme.  I usually make them for trips or seasons.  I'm working on my december daily right now.  but they are also fun for keeping little bits and pieces about your life.  movie and concert tickets, one photo from an event that you wouldn't necessarily do a whole scrapbook page about, etc.  you need paper cut to size and binding rings that you get at the office supple store.  they are really easy to make and so much fun.  but if you want to get them already done elise blaha makes some great ones and sells them on etsy. she doesn't have a lot listed right now but I love the city mini book.  check out her blog for the one she did about san diego.

with all that said, i have to admit that i haven't done a scrapbook page in a while.  right now my space is not set up and i have my supplies scattered between my room and my garage.   but this post reminded me how much i love it.  my hope is that next year i incorporate more scrapbooking into my blog.  it will be a challenge but i really want to do it.  thanks for the inspiration.