I want to start scrapbooking, should I go with Creative Memories or the craft store items?
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oh do the creative memories — they do the project better than you could ever imagine than if you improvised it
I’d start out small. Go to a craft store like Jo-ann’s or Micheals. and get a scrapbook KIT! they will cost you under 20 dollars, and then, if you like scrappin’ add to your collection. Get coordinating papers, the patterened scissors, and STICKERS….LOTS of them! It’s more fun to put together your OWN ideas. That’s what I do. If you want to see some of the layouts I’ve done for ideas, let me know at javagirl09@excite.com
My personal preference is a post-bound album with drop in pages, rather than strap-bound like CM. Be sure to shop around for the best deals, and don’t be shy about contacting consultants from other companies, too. Close to my Heart is a good one, with some simple pre-printed layouts that come in kits – great for beginners.
look around at craft stores for ideas. take a notebook tto write down ideas. remember to look at the stencils.
then choose.
There are a multitude of scrapbooking resources beyond CM. If you want to start simple – CM has a very ‘simple’ style, and will give you the basis for some great scrapbooking pages, HOWEVER don’t get caught in the ‘I can only do CM’…. your style will evolve and there are SO MANY other REPUTABLE resources for supplies.
As one other gal mentioned…contact other scrapbooking consultants as well as tap into classes at your local scrapbook store. Each has valuable things that will help you learn.
Most of all remember…. these are your memories and have fun with them!
While Creative Memories has Great products, you might want to start out small. Also, if you’ve never scrapbooked before, it can be overwhelming to jump in with all that CM has to offer. I am a post-bound scrapper because I don’t scrapbook chronologically, so I like the ease of slipping layouts in and out of protectors to re-order them. I would suggest that you start out with a single event and concentrate on an album for that. It will give you an idea to work from and an attainable goal so that you are less overwhelmed. Michaels, JoAnns and Hobby Lobby all have good things available. And coupons will help you out greatly… sign up for the mailing list for JoAnns and Hobby Lobby and you’ll get coupons either via email or snail mail. Also, if you want a basic understanding, you might consider taking a class at either Michaels or JoAnns or a local Scrapbook store in your area.
Hope that helps
I use a combination of both. I like ideas and products that both carry, so I tend to make a blend of the two.
I’ve found some CM items cheaper on eBay. Just know your products and prices before you buy. I am amazed by the number of people who are so determined to win they do so without researching the value of the item.
Start small when you scrapbook. It’s very easy to buy too much, get in over your head and then quit. If you spend 20 minutes a day or a week scrapbooking, you’ll get more out of it than if you dive in and start to drown.
Creative Memories has an incredible cutting system. I’ve never used their scrapbooking supplies other than that. They do base journaling and titling on stickers. Letters would have a tendancy to run out, I’m sure, and you’d be stuck with umpteem Q’s or somesuch thing.
Close to My Heart, which was mentioned before, not only has the very fast and easy layouts for beginners, it has My Acrylix stamps with alphabets available. No more running out of letters! We also have several teaching “tools”, programs to guide you along the process. If I can follow them, anyone can. I’m still learning to scrapbook, myself.
As the others have said, whichever company or store you choose, start simply. Too many supplies can overwhelm. Have a plan. I learned backwards, pages first, then looked for photos to add. Starting with the photos has to be way easier. Good luck and have fun!
I would go with the craft store. It is the best place to be.
Or do cricut. It is in my michaels, It is the bomb. It cuts words out in ANY font/size. And It also does images.
You will love scrapbooking!
To avoid being overwhelmed by all the choices in a store, I recommend finding someone you know who scrapbooks or contacting a consultant from any scrapbook company.
There are a number of companies that make scrapbooking super easy, and affordable, for a beginner. (And you do not have to have a tremendous amount of special tools to begin either! A simple paper trimmer, scissors, adhesives, and a journalling pen are perfect to start with. Wait to invest in ‘tools’ until you have more experience!)
Simple Scrapbooks is a great magazine for quick and easy ideas, with a lot of creativity thrown in, too!
Leaving Prints Scrapbook Company was just in a “Life and Leisure Television” feature on Style Network, check out the links below!
Creative Memories books are very nice quality BUT I find them hard to use because you kind of have to scrapbook in order and I don’t. However, I have friends who do all their pages for a book first and then attach them to the Creative Memories pages once they get them in order. I do like the post bound books because you can move your pages around if you want to.. just slide them out and move them. My favorite scrapbook has been the Perfect Scrapbook by Colorbok…you can get one at Jo-Ann’s and use your 40% off coupon. The protectors are nice because they are a little bigger than some of the cheaper ones and your paper will fit in them better and lay better. I find Creative Memories products limiting… they’re branching out a little, but I still shop in the other stores and buy from other companies… shhhh.. don’t tell my Creative Memories lady!
I started with store bought
scrapbooking stuff.But i would
really have to say creative memories
stuff is better quality and lasts a
lot longer and it protects your photos
better and everything stays much nicer.
When I started scrappin I was low on cash but I was VERY excited to start doing this so I started out by going to Dollar (or 99cent) stores , they have TONS AND TONS of stuff and it is getting nicer all of the time…my fave is dollar tree…their stuff is quality and expensive *looking*. I would also say go to scrapbooking stores. Creative Memories can be expensive and if you decide you don’t like it you will end up investing a lot ocf cash for nothing.
I’d have to say that while CM is nice….its also VERY expensive. I usually buy from Michaels, Joann’s, and different Scrapbooking Stores for a variety of ideas. As said before, The Dollar Stores sometimes have little things every once in awhile. I also think that CM is over kill on die-cuts. –Just not my style. Go with what supplies/ideas that catch your eye.