Beginners Scrapbooking Guide to Scrapbooking: Basic Supplies

Now that you've decided to scrapbook there are a few basic supplies you will need. I have listed the tools and supplies you must have to start, followed by some tools that are useful. All of these basic supplies can be found at your local scrapbook store.

12" Paper Trimmer
Nothing is more distracting to the symmetry of your scrapbook page than crooked, hand cut lines. Your trimmer can be used to trim down photos and cut photo mats in just seconds. Forget scissors, buy a trimmer.

Cardstock
Cardstock is a scrapbooking staple. You will use cardstock for backgrounds, photo mats, journaling blocks, and more. Later we will discuss how to chose the colors you will need.

Patterned Paper
Another scrapbooking staple is patterned paper. Patterned paper has the same uses as cardstock, many patterned papers are double sided giving you an automatic coordinating color or pattern.

Dry Adhesive
Dry roll-on adhesives like Tombow Mono Adhesive are the recommended adhesives for scrapbooking. A dry adhesive will roll on clear and is acid free. Just a small strip at each corner of your photo or embellishment will hold the item in place without schmearing.

Acid Free Pens
For journaling you will need a few fine tipped, quick drying, acid free pens. I recommend Slick Writers from American Crafts. Slick writers work great on cardstock, photos, vellum and more. Use Slick Writers for your journaling or photo labeling.

Vanishing Ink Pen
Like the name says the Vanishing Ink Pen vanishes. The purple ink will disappear after a few minutes giving you enough time to measure and cut or re-write in a permanent pen. Forget the pencil and eraser, get a Vanishing Ink Pen.

Photo Organizer
There are many different styles of photo organization boxes. I recommend the Photo Organizer from Cropper Hooper. You can store hundreds of photos in one box. The top side fits 4"x6" photos that can be divided into 12 sections and the backside holds oversized photos or scrapbook papers.

Optional Supplies:
Curvy Cutter
A new tool from EK Success that cuts circles and ovals. Easily cut photos and mats into circles or ovals without the hassle of tracing and measuring.

Eyelet Setter
To use eyelets in your scrapbook they require a special tool. I recommend the Silent Setter from ProvoCraft. The Silent Setter sets eyelets without a hammer, just push and twist.

Sticker Maker
The Xyron 150 turns anything that fits into its 1 ½" opening into a sticker. The 150 covers the complete backside with adhesive. Useful for small diecuts, photos, and letters that can be difficult to adhere.

Decorative Scissors
Decorative scissors can be used to create borders, photo mats, and more. I don't recommend using decorative scissors on photos, they decorative edge will distract from the content of the photo.