For a beginner you will need

· Photographs! – don’t use your originals unless you have a negative or saved copy of the original

· Acid free paper and/or card stock

· Cutting mat (preferably A2)

· Craft knife

· Metal 12 inch ruler

· Scissors

· Journaling pens (acid free of course)

· Album to store your finished pages

· Embellishments – anything you want basically! e.g. brads, eyelets, buttons, ribbons, fibres, stickers, memorabilia e.g. - entrance tickets(check they are acid free/lignin free or use a protective spray or pocket to hold it if not)

· Photo safe adhesives e.g. - glue pens, foam pads, glue sticks, double sided tape

 Choosing an album

There are many different albums available, and in different sizes.

Most albums are 12x12 inches, but you can get them in 6x6, 8x8, 8x11 (American letter size), or A4.

They also have different ways of holding the pages, again most are post bound, but you can also get D-ring folders (easier to rearrange page), but these are not so common to obtain.

There are pros and cons for each type, so it is upto personal preference which one you choose.

You can also make your own mini books and albums from chipboard to make themed albums, such as birthday gifts, wedding gifts, etc.

Archiving of photos

To ensure that your photos stay in pristine condition it is essential to use papers and embellishments that are acid and lignin free. Some of the sticky backed albums designed to hold your photos are not the best way to store your photos. You may notice some of the photos have turned a bit yellow, this is because there is acid or lignin in the papers and glue have attacked the photos, my advice is take them out now before they get too bad and store them in a safe place. If you have the negative or a saved image, then it might be a good idea to get a reprint.

Scrapbooking is not just about saving memories, but about preservation of your photos. There are a number of ways that your photos can become damaged over time, e.g. dust, heat, humidity, light, lignin or acid from the paper, plastic, even handling them with your hands. It is essential that you store them in a box that is designed for photos, even some of the cheaper photo albums are damaging, check for acid, or lignin free on the packaging.