Scrapbooking & Card Making Starter Checklist

1. Gather your supplies

• An album or card blanks plus a stack of cardstock and patterned paper
• A pair of scissors or a paper trimmer for clean, straight cuts
• Acid-free, photo-safe adhesive (tape runner or glue dots)
• A few embellishments to start, such as stickers, washi tape, and a pen for journaling

2. Your first project

3. Your first month, step by step

• Week 1: Gather a small batch of favorite photos and pick up a starter kit: an album, some cardstock, a tape runner, and scissors or a trimmer. Make one single-photo page.
• Week 2: Add journaling. On your next page, write a sentence or two about who is in the photo, where it was, and why it mattered. Try a simple two-photo layout.
• Week 3: Bring in color and texture with patterned paper, a few stickers, and washi tape. Practice matting photos on cardstock for a finished look.
• Week 4: Make a handmade card for someone you love using your leftover paper and embellishments, then plan your next album theme.

4. Mistakes to avoid

• Using paper, glue, or pens that are not acid-free, which can yellow photos and make pages crumble over time
• Overcrowding a page so it feels busy; leaving some empty space makes photos stand out
• Starting with no plan, then feeling stuck. Sketch a rough layout or pick a simple template first
• Gluing down your only copy of a precious photo. Scan or print copies and keep originals safe
• Buying too many supplies at once before you know what you actually use
• Skipping the journaling, then forgetting the names and dates that make a page meaningful