Scrapbooking has skyrocketed to the top of the list of favorite hobbies of Americans. I recently read that there are more scrapbookers than golfers in the United States! Scrapbooking helps you to preserve your memories, organize your photos and perpetuate your family history. Maybe you’ve decided to jump on the bandwagon, but you have no idea how to get started.


So what supplies do you need to begin scrapbooking? The number of scrapbooking supplies available can be overwhelming to the beginner.



First of all, you need an album. Make sure it’s made from archival quality materials. That way it won’t harm your precious photographs. There are all kinds of albums, but my favorite is a 12×12 album with

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clear pages open at the top (called top-loading.) With this kind of album, you make your page on a sheet of 12×12 cardstock and just slip it into the plastic page, which will protect it. There is no need to buy page protectors separately.


Next you’ll need paper. Get several colors of plain cardstock. This can serve as backing for your pages as well as paper on which to mat your photos. You may want to invest in some printed paper, too. Printed paper is best used as an accent rather than a background, as it’s often “busy” and your photos may not show up well on it.


You need adhesive with which to attach photos and embellishments. I prefer

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tape runners, which are easy to use and dispense small pre-cut pieces of double-sided tape. Some people like to use glue sticks, squares of double-sided tape or some sort of cement. Just make sure it is photo-safe.


Of course, you need scissors to cut things out. Another great investment that I use constantly is a small papercutter. Mine cuts paper up to 12×12. I use it to trim photos as well as paper.


The last thing you absolutely have to have is pens. Buy ones that say they are archival quality or photo-safe. You may want both fine-tip and calligraphy-type pens. You’ll use these for captions, journaling, and dating pictures.


There are all sorts of embellishments available to dress up

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your pages, but you can buy those gradually, as you see a need for them. Brads and eyelets are great for attaching things to the pages, as well as for decoration. Stickers and die-cuts also add interest to your pages.


These things can come later. As long as you have an album, paper, adhesive, cutting tools and pens, you can start making scrapbook pages.


Pat McCarthy is an instructor for the Institute of Children’s Literature and the author of over a dozen books for children. Learn more about her books at her blog, http://www.PatMcCarthysAuthorBlog.blogspot.com If you have a question about writing for children, e-mail Pat at [mailto:patmcbirder@woh.rr.com]patmcbirder@woh.rr.com . More resources for children’s writers will soon be up on

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