What Tools Do I Need to Get Started Scrapbooking

Shopping for Supplies

As scrapbooking becomes increasingly popular, it’s easier than ever to find the tools you need to get started. Craft superstores such as Hobby Lobby, Michaels Crafts, and Joann Crafts have extensive sections of scrapbook supplies. Direct sales consultants for companies such as Creative Memories, Close to My Heart, Memory Works, and Stampin’ Up can provide supplies as well as personalized shopping assistance. Even discount stores such as Wal-Mart and Target now carry cardstock, albums, stickers, scissors, paper trimmers, and other basic supplies.

If you don’t mind shopping online, you can find an even greater variety of scrapbook supplies on the following Web sites:

• Two Peas in a Bucket
• Scrapbook.com
• Scrapbook Supply Store
• Cropping Corner
• Jordan Paper Arts
• Scrap Your Trip

What Tools Do I Need to Get Started Scrapbooking?

While shopping for patterned paper and pretty page embellishments is certainly entertaining, having a good selection of high-quality tools available will make your scrapbooking experience much more enjoyable. Luckily, LoveToKnow Scrapbooking is here to answer your question, “What tools do I need to get started scrapbooking?”

Scissors

A paper of sharp scissors is a necessity for any scrapbooker. Scissors help you cut tiny items such as strips of background paper or ribbon bows. Honey Bee non-stick craft scissors are a particularly wise choice for scrapbookers, since they are coated with a special material that prevents them from becoming dulled by sticky adhesive residue.

Paper Trimmer

Scissors are great for detail work, but scrapbookers typically use paper trimmers to cut photo mats, journaling blocks, and other large items. Since most scrapbook paper is available in the 12x12 size, you’ll want to purchase a trimmer that is intended for paper crafting. Regular trimmers from an office supply store are generally designed for 8½ x 11 paper.

Popular brands of scrapbooking paper trimmers include:

• EK Success Cutterpede
• Fiskars Portable Rotary Trimmer
• Purple Cow Combo Trimmer
• Making Memories 12x12 Trimmer

Xyron

Although an acid-free glue stick can accommodate most of your adhesive needs, a Xyron is a highly useful scrapbooking tool. This machine applies a thin coat of permanent or removable adhesive to the item of your choice—effectively allowing you to create your own stickers. This is especially handy when working with intricate die cuts or other tiny embellishments. Many different Xyron models are available, with the key difference being the size of embellishments each model can handle.

Eyelet Setter

There’s a good reason eyelets are such a popular scrapbook supply—they’re amazingly versatile. Eyelets add dimension without creating extra bulk on your pages and can be purchased in colors, sizes, and shapes to fit almost any layout theme. However, you’ll need to invest in an eyelet setter before you can begin using these fun embellishments on your pages. Traditional eyelet setters require a hammer to flatten your eyelet, while silent setters such as the Crop-A-Dile use a special punching mechanism to eliminate the need for noisy hammering.

Additional Resources

The Internet is a great resource for novice scrapbookers. Answers to questions such as “What tools do I need to get started scrapbooking?” can be found on the following Web sites:

• Scrapbook Basics
• Scrapbooking 101
• Scrapbooking: 10 Easy Steps to Get Started Now
• How to Make a Scrapbook
• Scrapbooking Glossary

You may also enjoy these helpful scrapbooking reference books:

• Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection: Let's Start Scrapbooking
• The Complete Idiot's Guide to Scrapbook Projects Illustrated
• Michele Gerbrandt's Scrapbook Basics: The Complete Guide to Preserving Your Memories