Order from Nothing

Gosh, it's been almost 18 months now that I've began scrapbooking.  How far I've come!


How easy it is to forget the process of building skills and inventory along this path.  I've asked fellow crafters how? and when? and what order?  Then get the vaguest of answers.  How great it would be to keep a running commentary about how to build a workable inventory so that the general list could be shared with others just starting out. An attempt.

1. Paper, paper, paper.  Buy in pads, the quickest way to build a diverse inventory.  Buy card stock and paper, because you will learn there is a huge difference in function.  Buy paper only when on sale, preferably at 50% off or more.  Don't buy anything you don't like... the paper will be pushed to the back and a year later you'll still not like it.  (There are exceptions to this last part, but they are rare and few.)
2. Stickers.  The simplest and less costly embellishment.  Take advantage of sales, again, never at full price.  When buying for a specific layout, and the stickers are on sale, pick up at least another package you'll probably use (or that you think pretty) so you don't end up running to the store and paying full price during the next project.
3. Begin to build an inventory of "must have" tools.  A paper trimmer is absolutely essential.  Designate common household items such as rulers, and coloured pens as scrapbooking ONLY.  It's no fun having to track down equipment every time you want to sit and scrapbook, especially when time is a factor.
4. Invest in mixed batch of adhesive types.  A tape runner, acid free liquid glues, and sticky dots go very far.  Purchase the expense applicators such as an ATG gun only after comfortable knowing you will stick with the hobby.
5.  Stamps & Inks.  Whenever possible, buy stamp sets over a single wooden stamp, for several reasons.  Individual wood stamps take up more space, are generally very occasion/function specific and offer no variety to the occasion.  The same "Happy Birthday" stamp gets old very quickly.  Begin an ink inventory beginning with very basic colours, blacks, reds, green and blue.  Pick up a different colour at every opportunity.
6. Punches.  Begin with a circle punch, the most basic.  There are so many punch systems and types, any direction after that is best left to the user.

That sums up the very basics of inventory building.


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This hobby is still very thrilling, exciting and new.  There's so much to learn and so many ways to express thoughts and feelings.  Each day I sit down in anticipation of what can be learned or accomplished.