What works: As long as the paper is acid-free, anything that suits your style will do.

Tip: When using paper as the entire background for photos and memorabilia, choose subtle colors. For layout stability, adhere a piece of cardstock behind it to create a strong foundation. Instead of using bright and bold patterns as your entire background use them in lesser amounts as photo mats or borders. This ensures that your photos will stand out on the layout instead of the Patterned Paper being the focal point. See Cardstock below.

Why? Cardstock is a heavyweight paper and provides a sturdy foundation for placement of your photographs, memorabilia, and embellishments . It is versatile and affordable.
Note: If you use strap hinge albums, you will use the special pages made specifically your album instead of using cardstock as you background. see Get Your Scrapbooker's Degree in Albumology by Jill Davis.

What works: Every scrapbooker will want to have a good supply of black, white, and natural cardstock as staples in their work area; they are used consistently in layouts. For all other colors, I suggest you begin scrapbooking with a wide selection of hues (colors) until you get a feel for your own personal style and color preferences.

A highly recommended paper company called Bazzill Basics offers cardstock multi-packs. These theme packs allow you to sample a variety of cardstock colors without paying a higher price for individual sheets of cardstock. Consider purchasing Preppie, Oceanside, or Garden Path multi-packs; they are scrapbooker favorites.

You might be surprised to learn that the colors you'll use most in your layouts are not necessarily the colors that grab your attention at first glace. Once your supply of a particular multi-pack color diminishes, you can restock the item with individual sheets of cardstock.

What works: Adhesives are available in double-sided tabs and tapes, liquids, and glue sticks. Look for those that are acid-free, nontoxic, and free of strong odors. Also, be sure to read product labels to ensure they're photo safe. Hermafix adhesive tabs , Hermafix Dots and Memory Book Glue Dots are favorite dry adhesives among many scrapbookers. Tombo Mono Adhesive and Yes! Glue are two favorite liquid adhesive choices. For more information on various adhesive options, see Adhesives...Keeping It All Together by Jill Davis.

What works: Precision and ease are two important factors when considering a good paper cutter. Not all paper cutters are created equal. Higher-end trimmers may be pricier but you will be happier with them over time because they are enduring, exact, and easy to use.

In addition to these qualities, Fiskars Paper Trimmers are reasonably priced and portable; making them very popular paper cutters.

Note: There are four types of paper trimmers used in scrapbooking:
1. Rotary cutter - circular disc in a sliding mechanism can cut when moved forward or backward; is sometimes self-sharpening. (Cutterpede Trimmer)
2. Straight blade cutter - single sided blade encased in a sliding mechanism; cuts in one direction. (Falcon Cutter)
3. Dual straight blade cutter - mechanism is similar to the single straight blade cutter but this blade is two-sided so the cut can be made from a forward or backward motion. (Fiskars Euro Craft Paper Trimmer)
4. Moveable Arm cutter -a long blade runs the length of the cutting arm or handle (traditional paper cutter)

What works: For scrapbook beginners, I suggest purchasing plain white and cream colored vellum; five sheets of each. There will be many other beautiful colors you will want to purchase later on, but these basic colors will allow you to experiment and learn about vellum quality.

Vellum is very versatile and can be run through your printer so that journaling or title boxes can be translucent, allowing background colors, textures and designs to show through.

Note: Finding an adhesive that works perfectly with vellum can be a struggle for even the most seasoned of veterans. Because vellum is translucent, most adhesives can be seen through the paper. Scotch Vellum Adhesive is an exception and is made especially for vellum but even it isn't perfect depending on the color of paper it is attached to. Often times, scrapbookers will creatively hide the adhesive by placing an embellishment over the glued vellum. Other alternatives include using eyelets, fibers or mini brads to secure or tie the vellum to the paper or cardstock.

What works: Two pairs of scissors have my highest recommendation for cutting nearly all materials: The Fiskars Microtip Soft Touch and the EK Success Cutter Bee. They are fine-tipped, well made, and very precise.

Note: If you are planning on cutting adhesive you may want to consider using specialty scissors; the EK Success Honey Bee model is specifically made to cut through sticky materials without the adhesive attaching itself to the blades. EK Success Color Bee Titanium scissors are great for cutting through thin metal, plastic and wire.

What works: Any razor-sharp cutting knife will do.

What works: Staedtler and Making Memories have quality, multi-purpose cutting mats and there are other high performance mats on the market as well.

What works: A nice metal, straightedge ruler is perfect for most scrapbooking tasks. In addition, you may want to consider Creative Imaginations' Centering Ruler that marks the middle of the ruler at "0" and extends 6" (or 15 cm) in each direction, enabling fast and efficient centering for your projects.

What works: Both the block eraser and pen-style erasers are highly recommended.

What works: Making Memories offers a compact rubber-like block glue eraser that will work well on your layouts.

What works: Out of the many great font CDs to choose from is the Creating Keepsakes Creative Clips and Fonts CD. There are several others on the market to add to your collection. Downloadable fonts can be purchased from Scrapbook.com. These versatile fonts are designed by scrapbookers for scrapbookers. Since they are downloadable, there's no waiting and no shipping costs-- they come straight to your computer. There are many styles to choose from and more available regularly.

What works: Because black pens cover a wide range of artistic purposes, it is better to invest in various tip sizes to easily accommodate thin to thick tasks. The EK Success ZIG Memory System pens are high quality pens. They contain pigments ink that is acid-free, archival quality, lightfast, waterproof, non-bleeding, and quick to dry. If you are planning on buying just one pen to begin with, the black ZIG Twin Tip Writer is my top recommendation. It has two tips in one pen, a fine tip (.5mm) and bullet tip (1.2mm)-- perfect for a variety of lettering styles.

If you would like a wider range of tip sizes, ZIG Memory System's Millennium 5-tip pen set is a wonderful investment. The set of black ink pens includes 005 (.20mm), 01 (.25mm), 03 (.35mm), 05 (.45mm), and 08 (.65mm). This range is sure to cover your basic scrapbooking needs.

For a variety of tip styles, try the ZIG Memory System Twin Tip four pen set which includes: scroll, brush, calligraphy, writer, fine, and chisel.

Note: Before investing in a complete color set of any particular tip style, try the pen set in black to ensure you'll like the effects the style creates on your layouts.

What works: Purchasing a basic set of colored pens or pencils with colors that coordinate with the cardstock you choose is a great place to start. If you want to try a new look, purchase chalk pencils or watercolor pencils.

What works: I recommend Omnichrom pencils.

Why? Photo corners hold your valuable photos for display without damaging, altering, or permanently affixing them to the layout, aiding in easy removal and ideal photo preservation. They are available in clear, black, gold, silver, white and colors.

Note: Other scrapbookers may disagree that photo corners are an essential tool in scrapbooking, arguing that a scrapbooker can simply apply adhesive to the back of a photo for layout display. It has been my experience that using photo corners saves a lot of time, headache, and heartache in the long run.

Think seriously about the long-term effects of adhering photos directly to your layout, especially if the photos are one-of-a-kind. If a situation ever arises where you need a scrapbooked photo separated from a layout, your options for removal are limited. You will either spend time, money and effort (or all three) scanning the layout and cropping the photo on the computer or color copying the photo on the layout so you can cut it out. You also risk damage to the photo and layout if you try to remove the photo from its glued position. If you don't mind your photos being permanently adhered to your layouts use adhesive but please keep some photo corners on hand for heirloom or irreplaceable photos.

What works: If the look of photo corners isn't appealing to you; think creatively and make them out of sight, literally. One of the easiest ways to hide your photo corners is to simply place a photo mat over them or cover them with decorative photo corners or paper strips. Your viewer will never know they're there.

What works: Crop-In-Style totes and accessories are durable and have stood the test of time. I have had my XXL for years and it has worked wonderfully. I also have some of the accessories that fit perfectly inside to store my papers and layouts safely.

I also recommend the EK Success Scutto because of its trim style and collapsible feature for easy storage( if you empty out your totes when not in use). The Cropper Hopper Back Pack is unique because you can strap it on as a backpack or it has a retractable handle and wheels for rolling. There are other good totes on the market not listed here.

Find one that suites your needs and budget and go from there.