So, you've decided to take the plunge and start scrapbooking. Congratulations! Getting started is typically the hardest part. Below, the City Planners talk about their personal introductions to scrapbooking. Read about their unique experiences, challenges and lessons learned. Each of the ladies were asked the same set of questions and the wide range of results show that there are multiple ways and reasons to scrap. Yet, common sentiments expressed by this fun-loving group not only identify important scrapbooking basics but also demonstrate the meaningful connection shared amongst those who scrap.

Rachael Emmertson
username: Rachael

In 1996 my husband and I walked into a small scrapbook store in a strip mall. They had papers and stickers like I had never seen. I purchased a few patterned papers, a pair of decorative scissors, and various stickers to put together some pages about paintballing. At work the next week, a friend of mine let me flip through her copy of Creating Keepsakes. Who knew there were so many possibilities?

I've always been a sucker for combining photos with words. Add in all the pretty papers and I was hooked on scrapbooking.

As I put together pages and albums I found myself mired in photos. I couldn't keep up. I got behind and became frustrated. Then, I found a book by Stacy Julian. Her philosophy? You don't need to be "caught up." Tell the stories that inspire you. Play. Have fun. So, I did.

The best advice I ever got about scrapbooking was to work on what inspires me. Putting together a page is so much more fun when I'm excited about the story and the papers.

Another realization about scrapbooking? It's all so very subjective. We all have our different styles. It's okay if my pages don't look like the ones in the magazine. Once I let go of my perfectionist tendencies and stopped comparing my pages (and finding fault with them) I scrapped a lot more. And I liked it.

My biggest regret in scrapbooking is that I didn't learn the basics of photography sooner. While the snapshots I took of my kids when they were little capture the details of life, I wish they looked prettier.

When I make a page, I invariably make mistakes. A stray rub-on. Crooked ric rac. Wonky journaling. Some of my favorite page embellishments come from covering these random goofs. My sister often points out something she loves on a page, only to find out it was originally a mess I had to cover up. 

When my first layout was published in Creating Keepsakes I was beyond ecstatic. Then to find out that the layout was used as Becky Higgins' inspiration in a CKU class was awesome. At the top of my heyday I even won an honorable mention in the Creating Keepsakes Hall of Fame. But the most welcome awards were for my journaling. Whenever something I write connects with someone else…that's just downright cool.

My favorite tools to use while scrapbooking? A good trimmer, a good adhesive, a good pen, textured cardstock, rub-ons and a pushpin. It's amazing what you can do with a pushpin. I have lately fallen in love with the Crop-A-Dile and use it on everything. Add in some ric rac or pretty ribbon and I'm a happy scrapper.

I have a whole room to scrapbook in. It's filled with lavender, blue and spring green colors. Since the kids have gone to school full-time, I often wander into my studio. I start with my story. I type it or handwrite it. Then I find the perfect photos. Choosing colors to coordinate is one of my favorite parts of making a page. I love color. I lay everything out. Move it around. Trim. Reposition. Then I leave the page and do something else. When I come back, I adjust a few things then glue everything down. Then I let go of all the quirky, crooked imperfections and put the page into an album.

Rachael's First Layout

The stories I love to tell are the ones about connections. How I connect to my kids. How I connect to my environment. The details that make up my crazy life. I learned long ago that it's the everyday things I do and write about that will linger.

As I search out inspiration, I come across other people and styles that make an impression on me and/or my style. Stacy Julian was the first woman to change the way I look at scrapping. She has so much fun with this crazy hobby, and she loves colors. Just because they make her happy. She lets go of imperfection and enjoys the process. I discovered Ali Edwards' work years ago. I was drawn to her clean style and the way she tells her stories. The embellishments she uses are simple and help tell her story. Barbara Carroll had the biggest influence on my photos. Her photos speak. They tell a story. She helped me look at the photos I take and improve them. When she combines a photo with journaling, her pages are meaningful. I want that, too.

Cheryl Gardner
username: mrsG

Scrapping since: not sure...9 or 10 years

My introduction to scrapbooking: My sister gave me some basic supplies and a gift certificate to a local scrapbook store. I had no idea about scrapbooking. She thought I'd like it. It took one trip to the local scrapbook store and I was hooked! I ended up working at that store a year or so later.

What enticed me the most about scrapbooking: The process of creating a page and all the paper!

The most difficult part of scrapbooking for me: balance and flow

What I did (or do) to overcome it: Ask for advice and have people look at my layouts. I like having extra sets of brains and eyes. My husband is good at helping me.

Best scrapbooking advice I ever received: From Rebecca Sower's book, "There are no scrapping police. Do what you like."

Best scrapbooking advice I could give: Same thing...do what you like. There is no right or wrong way to scrap.

Something I wish I knew before I started scrapping: More photo skills.

A major "ah-ha" moment I've had in scrapbooking: Finally getting to a point where I did what I liked and not what I thought would get published.

Regrets in scrapbooking: Not knowing about scrapping when Casey was a puppy.

My biggest scrapbooking secret: I have several color combination books. I go to them when I'm stuck.

3 scrapbook-related accomplishments: Being published in most of the scrapping magazines. Being on the best design team ever! Making lifelong friends all over the world that are fellow scrappers.

My first scrapbooking purchases: Paper!

My must-have tools and supplies today: Genesis paper trimmer, pattern paper and rub-on letters.

Where I scrapbook: I have a scrapbook room that my husband is trying to take over for his painting room.

When and how I make time to scrap: I scrap when I'm motivated.

Cheryl's First Layout

My process for making a page: Pick background color, pick pattern paper, decide where the title will go and embellish from there.

People/topics I scrapbook about the most: my niece, my family, my husband/wedding/honeymoon :)

3 scrapbookers I admire and why: I really admire Jennifer McGuire for her creativity and ability to use anything and make it look super cool. I also love Cathy Blackstone cause she rocks! I like Ashley Calder because her stuff is fun and playful.

Krista Lund
username: cheerful cropper

Scrapping since: 1997

My introduction to scrapbooking: My college roomie and I started scrapbooking together. We would spread out all our supplies: construction paper, glitter glue, deco scissors and die cuts all over our dorm floor and scrap til the wee hours of the night.

What enticed me the most about scrapbooking: Getting to do something creative with all my pictures.

The most difficult part of scrapbooking for me: Keeping organized...and finding the time.

What I did (or do) to overcome it: Just embrace it.

Best scrapbooking advice I ever received: Hmmm, I think it is my own -- your pages don't have to be perfect. You could always recreate your layout if you really don't like or can't live with your finished product.

Best scrapbooking advice I could give: See above.

Something I wish I knew before I started scrapping: Stay away from the creatively cropped pics with the deco scissors -- LOL!

A major "ah-ha" moment I've had in scrapbooking: hhhhmmmm... I am not sure if it is good "ah-ha" moment but I was moving out of my scraproom to turn it into the nursery. I have about 20+ FULL albums in the closet and I thought to myself , "Self, what the heck am I going to do with all these albums??" (and all the many others I have yet to make??) I contemplated going digital. I even created a Christmas Journal. But I missed paper scrapping and to heck with worrying about where or what I am going to do with all my albums!

Regrets in scrapbooking: I don't think I have any.

My biggest scrapbooking secret: I can't throw away my scraps!

3 scrapbook-related accomplishments: I won 1st Place in the Make It Meaningful Chatterbox Contest, I've been published in several scrapbooking magazines, becoming a ScrapVillage Design Team City Planner.

My first scrapbooking purchases: I can't remember, probably some diecuts.

My must-have tools and supplies today: paper cutter, paper piercer, Glossy Accents, Kokuyo adhesive, patterned paper, ribbon, buttons...I could go on and on.

Where I scrapbook: In the dungeon (a little room off of my laundry room).

    
Krista's First Layouts

When and how I make time to scrap: I scrap when DD goes down for a nap or when she is playing with Daddy.

My process for making a page: I usually start with my pics. Then draw a sketch. Then gather my supplies.

People/topics I scrapbook about the most: My family, especially my 9-month-old DD, Katelyn.

3 scrapbookers I admire and why: There are so many! I love Susan Weinroth. So hip and a first time mommy, like me. I've always loved Keisha Campbell's style. So girly and stylish. I recently discovered Laura Vegas. I love the way she embellishes.

Celeste Mores
username: NightOwlMo

Scrapping since: 1997, the year I got married.

My introduction to scrapbooking: Officially, it was a Creative Memories home party. I was scrapbooking before that but not the archival-safe way and I didn't know there were things like the local scrapbook store.

What enticed me the most about scrapbooking: Being able to revisit places I've gone to and remember faces from the past.

The most difficult part of scrapbooking for me: Editing down my pictures.

What I did (or do) to overcome it: I haven't. I still have boxes of unused/never-to-be-scrapped prints.

Best scrapbooking advice I ever received: Have fun!

Best scrapbooking advice I could give: HAVE FUN!!!

Something I wish I knew before I started scrapping: Good photography techniques.

Regrets in scrapbooking: Falling into the "but it's on sale" trap.

3 scrapbook-related accomplishments: Published in Creating Keepsakes, a store at Etsy, design team member for ScrapVillage!

My first scrapbooking purchases: Cardstock and stickers. I never stopped buying cardstock but I have falling in and out of love with stickers.

My must-have tools and supplies today: Wishblade! And of course, gotta have my trimmer, scissors and pens.

Where I scrapbook: I am lucky enough to have my own studio.

When and how I make time to scrap: I scrap at night after the kids go to bed. Sometimes way into the wee hours.

My process for making a page: Most of the time I start with the pictures, but every now and then it's a new printed paper or embellishment that would inspire me. I also like to look through magazines for color and subject ideas.

People/topics I scrapbook about the most: My kids, hands down. They grow up so fast!

3 scrapbookers I admire and why: Ali Edwards -- I like her style the best and her life inspires me. Elsie Flannigan -- every now and then she inspires me to to experiment with something bold, fun and funky. But right now, I am a huge fan of A Bit East -- *love* her projects AND her studio!

Tracey Odachowski
username: Mama Odie

(coming soon!)

Leah Blanco Williams
username: OrangeShooze

Scrapping since: August 1998

My introduction to scrapbooking: I was working in a card shop in Toronto when we dug up dusty old scrapbook kits from storage. Intrigued, I thought, "Hmm, what's this?" On the label was the word scrapbooking. When I got home, I turned on the computer and typed that into a search engine which resulted in hundreds of devoted sites. I couldn't stop clicking on the links! My discovery of scrapbooking came at a good time. I had a growing pile of photos with my then-fiancé (now husband) who was active military and long-distance at the time. Re-living, remembering and scrapbooking fun times together helped me make it through four years of missing him. 

What enticed me the most about scrapbooking: The cute paper!

The most difficult part of scrapbooking for me: Figuring out how to translate ideas in my head onto paper.

What I did (or do) to overcome it: I do the best I can and call it a day.

Best scrapbooking advice I ever received: People MAKE time to do the things that are important to them.

Best scrapbooking advice I could give: Forget the many different things you heard scrapbooking should be and figure out what it will be for you personally.

Something I wish I knew before I started scrapping: I wish I had known more about basic principles of design and applying them in scrapbooking. There would have been more balance and less "sticker sneeze" on my early pages!

A major "ah-ha" moment I've had in scrapbooking: Realizing I never use up two sheets of the same patterned paper so I stopped automatically buying two at a time. That literally cut my paper stash -- and spending -- in half.

Regrets in scrapbooking: Butchering single-copy original photos into decorative shapes. (see my first layout below) Not dating every page -- not even on the back. That would've come in handy when I finally got around to arranging a decade's worth of scrapbook pages into albums.

My biggest scrapbooking secret: Believe it or not, I don't take scrapbooking too seriously.

3 scrapbook-related accomplishments: 1) Organizing and arranging all my pages into albums...finally! 2) Doing what I like and liking what I do -- harder than it sounds! 3) Building a diverse scrapbook resumé.

My first scrapbooking purchases: The dinky little kit that started it all (see above), a trimmer, and two value packs of cardstock from Michaels -- one neutrals and one brights.

My must-have tools and supplies today: clear rulers (plural because I always lose track of them), Xyron Wishblade, free computer fonts, Therm O Web ClicknStick clear photo tabs, Zig glue pen, Fiskars Trimmer, Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Scissors, non-stick EK Success Honey Bee Scissors, and a brown inkpad.

Where I scrapbook: In the attic on a large table that my husband built from an old closet door -- it's waist-high with shelves underneath for my supplies. I've also scrapped on a long countertop table, the dining room table, the floor and my bed.

When and how I make time to scrap: I wake up early or stay up late and scrap when the baby is asleep. Sometimes I can get up to 2 hours of uninterrupted time this way.

Leah's First Layout

My process for making a page: I choose complementary paper and an appropriate color combination for my photos, cut out a title, incorporate journaling and then add embellishments. Note: there's a lot of repositioning and scooting around of page elements between those steps.

People/topics I scrapbook about the most: Everyday randomness about me, my husband and our pets. But at the moment? Baby trumps all!

3 scrapbookers I admire and why: 2000 Hall of Fame Winner Christine Peterson because her style was the first I had seen that was completely outside-the-box unique and eye-opening. Rebecca Sower because her pages are always charming, always say something, and she wrote a book in 2004 that still inspires me today. Bethany Fields because she does her own thing and I end up adoring every page she makes.