Scrapbooking Supplies

I am working on a project for which I need to cut out several hundred copies of (fairly simple) paper doll pattern for a children’s craft table. I am wondering if I can save time for myself and my volunteers by getting some kind of cutting machine. I have never done any scrapbooking. I will be using some sort of cardstock or lightweight posterboard. If I buy a cutting machine, can I make my own die for the pattern? (I have access to a metal shop that might be able to do it.) I have looked at cutting machines online, but don’t quite understand how they all work. Also, many don’t list the maximum size of a sheet they can handle. Any thoughts would be most appreciated! Thanks!

Well there are manual and electronic/automatic die cutters machines. The manual die cutters have been around the longest, and the popular manufacturer is sizzix. The contraption can be a hand held, to a hefty one, and it has a presser to cut the shapes. But you have to purchase the die cut shapes separately. So how it works is that you get cardstock, preferably a small size like the size of a postcard or whatever size will fit in the presser. The die cut lays on top of the cardstock. And it is going to either cut it by pressing down, or a hand roller that will press it through, and the shape is cut!

As for the electronic cutters, those are really cool but really pricy. But personally if you can find a few people to split that cost with you it can be a really good investment if you make cards and scrapbook frequently. But purchasing a die c utter machine is very expensive because with a manual you have to purchase the die cuts, and with an electronic it’s a no brainer and it’s faster with a lot of features, but like the cricut machine, it comes with one cartridge, but you have to purchase quite a few accessories. YOur best bet is to ask around to someone you know who scrapbooks and ask if you can rent their machine. Or if you know of a place in your area that does scrapbooking classes or sells supplies some will actually make the cuts for you for a certain price. Good luck and have fun with the project!

I live in beverly hills and need to find a place where I can pick up a book for scrapbooking as well as all different materials like ribbon, glitter, lace. glue etc….. preferably somewhere nearby??? thankyou!!!!

here’s a few to get you get started and a few of my personal favorites
good quality things too

scrapbooking.com
leavingprints.com
the angel company.com
creativememories.com

There are all these free clipart, fonts & backgrounds on the web. This may sound silly but since the scrapbook pages don’t fit in the printer do I cut out the letters and pictures and paste them on? Any ideas for a new scrapbooker? Thanks!!!!

Neatly trim them to a shape that works, and adhere them to your paper. My favorite scissors are really strange-looking. They have short blades (that are quite sharp) and big handles. Oddly enough, it makes it easier to cut small things out.

Put things together so they look good to you. Free clipart that prints in B/W may be colored with markers, crayons, or pencils, depending on the effect you want.

Figure out which pictures you’ll want to put on the same pages together. See what you have that looks good with them. Leave space for written details, too. It’s easiest to write whatever details you want on that page, cut it out, and adhere it to the page.

Ugh!

I am making a scrapbook calender for my cousin and if i buy the only stickers for the months of the year, they are 5 dollars a piece…In the end i will end up spending a good 120 bucks on making this calener…

Does anybody know where I can get some print at home templates for the months of the year? Is there a stencil out there I can buy where I can cut the months out and make it look nice? I realize you can use the letter stickers, but they are smaller than I would like. This calender is a full 12×12 size. Thanks in advance.

Try scrapbook.com – they have lots of templates. Other than that can’t you divide your page into a grid to make the month yourself. Large rectangle for the name of the month. Then evenly rule the 7 days of the week vertically, and 5 horizontally for the dates. This way you could make as large or as small as you like. You could put small photos in birthdays and anniversary’s. Special holiday stickers. It sounds like a really cute project. You could cover the lines of the calendar with thin cut strips of paper – maybe to match the time of the year. Decorate with appropriate stickers for the season/monthly holidays. If all else fails – make up a table in Microsoft word – 7 vertical -5 horizontal – and enlarge to your choice – print on card stock. You can always use an alphabet stencil for your headings.

Hi. I am just wondering what everyone else makes/uses the Cricut for? Other than card making, posters and scrapbooking.

They have vinyl now that you can stick to your walls and or your cars. I’ve seen people use them to label stuff. I use mine to make embossing folders for the cuttlebug. We also use it for school projects when my son needs something.

my son is now 5 months old, and i go back to school in a few months.. so i want to get his first scrap book out of the way.. but i cant find any cute "fully loaded" kits for little boys anywhere. you know, the kind with pre-made decorative pages and the extras like, stickers and buttons and ribbon to put on them. anyone know any places online i can check out?

AC Moore sells them.

I got most of my kits online.

Try ebay, you can get really good deals there.

does anyone know where to find easy, but cool ideas for scrapbooking? thanks!

I love scrapbooking (and other papercrafts!) Here are some ideas for you -

Make a paper bag album: http://www.papercraftcentral.com/paper-bag-album.html

Try different theme ideas: http://www.papercraftcentral.com/scrapbook-theme-ideas.html

Make your own paper flowers: http://www.papercraftcentral.com/scrapbook-theme-ideas.html

Try a circle journal with your friends: http://www.papercraftcentral.com/circle-journal.html

There are a number of other scrapbooking ideas on PaperCraftCentral.com if you want to browse around.

Try SplitCoastStampers and PaperCraftPlanet for inspiration:

http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=586

http://www.papercraftplanet.com/

If you want page payouts, try

Page Maps: http://www.pagemaps.com/

Beggahunna: http://scrapbook.is/beggahuna/

For loads of mixed media art ideas try Mixed Media Workshops:

http://debcompany.ning.com/

I hope these sites inspire you. They do it for me!

I am aware that it is recommended to use acid-free supplies when scrapbooking, but I have already made a few beautiful and time-consuming pages and I don’t want to redo/rebuy my supplies. How long will the scrapbook last? Is it a really big deal?

If anyone has experience NOT using acid-free, and their scrapbooks are still intact, please let me know!

Thanks!

Hi there,

Acid free scrapbook supplies will ensure that your pages will last as long as possible without wearing down or aging.

However…I have made some scrapbook pages and even hand made cards without Acid Free supplies that have lasted well over 15 years!

So you don’t need to recreate your beautiful works of art…but I would suggest that you take some steps to protect them (now that you know that the lifespan might be less).

Here’s what you can do:

1) Purchase some page protectors to keep them contained and away from harm.
2) Make digital copies (scans) of them down at your local printers – just so you have a back up of them.

*And consider purchasing some acid free supplies down the road (if you are indeed an avid scrapbooker now).

Wal-Mart just started carrying the Cricut and cartridges. The cartridges are about $59.00 a piece.
Ebay also has them fairly inexpensive.
Another idea…on the Cricut website on message boards they have people listing used cartridges for sale.
Also, I would call your local scrapbook stores and see if they have cartridge rentals, most of them do.
If you don’t want to invest that much for a font you may not use often, most local scrapbook stores have the Cricut and other die cut machines that you can go in and use free of charge, but show the owners how much you appreciate the use of their equiptment and make a small purchase.

I am looking to get a die cutter, I have looked around a bit and i was thinking about get this http://www.uscutterdirect.com/USCutter-Raindrop-Craft-and-Scrapbooking-Cutter–RECOMMENDED_p_314.html I want a die cutter that I can use with my computer and I can take images of goggle or make myself and my die cutter will cut them out, the cheaper the better but I want something that is good and not a piece of junk

That one looks good.
Also check out Staples and Office Depot for recommendations.