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Scrapbooking is my favorite hobby! It is a fun creative way to cherish your memories forever. Since everything is digital nowadays we don’t see as many printed pictures. This is a way for you to design different pages based on different memories and feelings. For example I have a page dedicated to my Oma (Grandma) and it has a bunch of old bingo cards as the background because she is super into bingo. Little things like that really tie a page together. If you’re looking to get into scrapbooking here are 7 must haves before you dive right in.

1. The Scrapbook

This is a pretty obvious one but there are so so many different types of scrapbooks out there depending on how you want to create your pages. I personally use (https://amzn.to/42x08KZ) but this is a smaller size so I often have to cut a lot of paper and pictures to make it all fit together. If you’re looking for a similar vibe but a normal size I suggest (https://amzn.to/3VCFzdX) I know people also love to use scrapbooks with plastic sleeves so that they can easily change orders or pages as well as keep their pictures safe. Links to those kinds of scrapbooks can be found here (https://amzn.to/3AZNdWe) (https://amzn.to/3NROHcZ) (https://amzn.to/3AZO6y2)

2. Pictures

Again obvious but there is a little bit more than just ordering pictures. Figure out how you want your scrapbook to look before you start ordering all your pictures. Planning your pages starts here! If you have a specific color theme or style then you need to look for pictures that fit into those categories. Once you do that I would say it’s important to know what size you want your pictures to be . For example you may want one large photo and then 2 smaller pictures or you may want 4 medium pictures or even 8 small pictures. Remember to take this into consideration before ordering a bunch of photos. I often have to make collages of my photos because I have a smaller scrapbook that I love to load up with pictures. All I do is use the app PicCollage, select a template, enter my picture how I want them and make sure the size is 4×6. The typical printed picture is 4×6 and runs about 16-25 cents depending on where you get your photos. This way you get a bunch of mini photos without having to pay any additional fees.

3. Stickers

Stickers are the best way to elevate your scrapbook in an easy, cheap way. I absolutely love matching stickers to my scrapbook spreads. If you need to fill a big space STICKER! If you need to fill a small space, STICKER! If you ran out of tape and need to secure a picture, you guessed it, STICKER! Stickers will be your best friend especially when you’re just starting your scrapbook. I linked some of my favorite sticker packs that I personally love. (https://amzn.to/3plOSmj) (https://amzn.to/42ty9Mk) (https://amzn.to/44u9cCa) (https://amzn.to/3B0Y16n)

4. Paper cutter/scissors

I would definitely recommend getting a paper cutter because 1. it is so much faster than scissors and 2. your lines are going to be a lot straighter. This will help you line up your pictures better and create crisp edges. You still want to have scissors though for when you want to cut out more detailed things. Here is a link to the paper cutter I use (https://amzn.to/41d0jtZ)

5. Paper

Having different colors of cardstock will add so much debt to your scrapbook pages. Especially if you are just starting, simply adding a border to your pictures will spice it up. There are a lot of specific designs you could get as well, for example there are floral sets, holiday sets, neon sets, and so much more. I recommend getting a pretty basic ray of colors to start off with and then venture into bigger sets the more you scrapbook. Here are some sets to look at. (https://amzn.to/41e5A4g) (https://amzn.to/3LKttLc) (https://amzn.to/3VIpjZ6) (https://amzn.to/3nEGYUO)

6.Pens/Markers

This is a more basic necessity. You use pens and markers for writing or drawing anything in your scrapbook. If you already have a lot of stationary, that is great! Having a broad range of colors and utensils will bring you a long way. Linked below are some starter items.

Pens- (https://amzn.to/3pjjzsv) (https://amzn.to/42cNQYy) (https://amzn.to/42xDX7v)

Markers- (https://amzn.to/3M0Spzw) (https://amzn.to/3B04eQf) (https://amzn.to/3LKbpAK) (https://amzn.to/3nx4JOH)

7. Memory Items

This is a nice addition but not entirely necessary if you want to start scrapbooking. Memory items include things like ticket stubs, airplane tickets, pamphlets, maps, specific stickers, pressed pennies, that sort of thing. It is nice to have a physical item to represent the memory in addition to your pictures. It’s just a nice touch to have in your scrapbook.

8. Double Sided Tape

I can not stress this enough, do not use glue! Glue is sticky and messy plus waiting for it to dry is just annoying. Instead use double sided tape. Double sided tape is quick and easy, all you have to do is cut it to size and stick it where you want on the paper. There is no mess or waiting, you can immediately go right back to decorating your page. I get my double sided tape from Shien, it comes in a lot of different sizes and it’s only $1. I usually go through it pretty quickly so I stack up in all sizes pretty frequently. I have yet to have a problem with anything falling off or the tape not being sticky. Highly recommend!

That all I have for you today. Hope you enjoyed and were able to get a solid idea of what you need to start scrapbooking! I wish you the best of luck!

-Nikki Smith

1. Get Up Early

Rise and shine. You can’t have a productive day until you actually start your day. You need to have time in the day to get tasks done. For me personally, I try to get up at around 7-7:30 but I know this is not doable for everyone so find the time that works best for you. When you do get up however simply waking up is not the key. Waking up and watching tik tok for 2-3 hours will not lead to the outcome you’re looking for so… get that body moving. For people that just can’t seem to leave their bed, set your phone across the room at night so that when your alarm goes off you have no choice but to GET UP and turn it off. Another great thing to do right when you wake up is chug a glass of water. I always keep my water bottle next to my bed so that I can immediately drink it when I wake up. This keeps you hydrated as well as helps wake you up. My favorite ways to start a productive morning includes stretching, a quick workout, journaling, and/or reading all of these allow you to focus on one thing which will set you up for success later on. Being productive starts with how you approach the day.

2. Make a To Do List

Next we have to make a To Do List. This is a pretty straight forward concept but if you don’t know what you need to get done and how to organize it in the most optimal way you’re going to end up either frantically trying to do everything or losing motivation very quickly. You can make your to do list on your phone or a piece of paper. I prefer paper because the satisfaction of crossing something off my list just does something for me. I understand that having your list on your phone allows you to take it on the go and edit it more freely than paper does. Start your list by, in your head, figuring our the tasks that are most important to get done. For example if you have and essay due at 11:59 that day, it should probably out rank vacuuming the carpet. Once you have done this order your list by what you want to get done first. Using the same example I would put the essay assignment at the top of my list and then vacuuming the carpet/cleaning, then follow it with maybe running errands; going to the bank, getting groceries, etc. This allows you to simply follow the list top to bottom. Of course there is nothing saying you can’t go out of order, I just find it easier to focus when my day is already planned out for me and all I need to do is look at the next task on my list.

3. Keep Yourself in Check

If you’re reading this it’s probably because you want to be more productive with your time. Obviously right. You’ve already accomplished the first step. Motivation. You are motivated to do better and keeping hustling. However reading this post will only get you so far. I can give you some tips but it is ultimately up to you to implement them and get it done. Grab that To Do list, which is probably pretty lengthy and just start. You’ve already made it this far why not just keep going. Be aware that mindset is everything! Just because you woke up later than you wanted or realize that your To Do list is way longer then you initially realized, should not discourage you from still having a productive day. You are stronger than you think and if you want something it can happen. Set yourself up for success. Once you accomplish all your tasks you set out for, you’re going to feel so much better and hopefully proud because you just did that. Boom! This will allow you to keep going and continue to hustle. However take this with a grain of salt. Not everyday should be productive and intensely filled with things you need to get done. It is equally beneficial to take time off, to do absolutely nothing for the day. It is really easy to get stressed out and feel overwhelmed so make sure you’re taking time to relax and take care of yourself. In order to have productive days there has to be calm unproductive days.

Therein lies the 3 keys to having a successful day. I hope this helped you in some shape or form to get productive and keep hustling. I could spend all day writing about productive days but I think I’d rather let you get to it.

-Nikki Smith

Positively Nikki

7 Items You Need To Start Scrapbooking