I wanted to let you all know what a great magazine you have. I sure enjoy reading all of the articles and am constantly learning new techniques. This has to be one of the best scrapbooking sites I have visited. I also want you to know what a high caliber of members you have.
- Kiethann Hurt

I already had watched the webisode before I received the newsletter - but I absolutely loved it!! As a matter of fact, I am going to do the card and folder for a young lady that just found out she has to be home for a while due to sickness. I thought this would be a wonderful gift for her!! She can write thank you notes, or just notes to friends!!
- Kimberly Whitehead

I have to say I was disappointed to see your picture was missing from my last issue of The Stamper's Sampler magazine. Does this mean we will see more stamping on scrapbook pages at Scrapbooking.com? I hope so. I'm an avid card maker as well as a scrapbooker. Despite what the stamping purists say, you can enjoy both. I look forward to your leadership at Scrapbooking.com.
- Donna Brown

I've been a scrapbooking.com subscriber for several years and it's one that I always open and read, instead of just deleting! I like your content and that you not only offer new and trendy ideas, but also re-visit the tried and true.
- Laura Campbell

I have only recently started receiving the newsletter and really like all of the articles, contests etc. In just the short time I have been a subscriber, I have learned new techniques to implement into my layouts. Thank you very much. I was also very thrilled to see my tip on "colored staples" on the front page of the newsletter dated August 10, which, incidentally, is also my birthday. What a bonus birthday present you gave me. Thanks again.
- Kiethann Hurt

I have been scrapbooking for a very long time. We have 2 boys they are now almost 15 and 19. I have so many pictures that I like to use all of them... I have a great scrapbook room that is filled and organized with paper holders organized folders. it is just like a store work room. I have NOT done scrapbooking in a year because of not knowing where to start up again. How do I decide which ones to really use and include? Do I make separate scrapbooks for each of us? What would be a guideline as to what age should be in one book? I really need help!!
- Debi Morgan

Editor's response: It sounds like an overwhelming burden to have all those photos sitting there, waiting, making you feel guilty. But remember, this hobby should be fun. I think that it's quite impossible to scrapbook everything, unless you want every spare minute for the rest of your life to be devoted to this project. Give yourself a break and do a scrapbook/photo album project.

First, separate the photos into categories. You can do this by age, event or chronologically. Chances are the two boys appear in photos together so chronological might be your best bet. You'll definitely find your favorites as you are separating. Keep those for scrapbooking and put the others into albums. Don't be afraid to limit yourself to a few special pictures of each occasion, less is more.

Once you have your "scrapbook pile", you can better determine if there are themes or if it's going to be eclectic and random. Please, please, please save yourself a lot of time and effort by using technology to your advantage. This project is daunting enough, do not make separate pages for everyone. Simply find a photo store/kiosk with the ability to scan your pages and make color reprints. Yes, it will lose a little of the embellishment details but will save your social life.

Be sure to set goals for yourself to help manage this task. In other words, you may try to finish two pages a month or one every week, whatever works best with your schedule. Ask for help from friends and family, even the boys may enjoy making some pages for each other. I think this will make the memories even sweeter when they look through the book years from now.

Again, this is a hobby. Don't let it consume your life or make you feel bad. I think we'd all like to scrapbook every special moment but it simply isn't possible. We should be living the life that we're documenting, after all. Accept that you can only do so much, pick and choose your moments frugally and do the best you can.

I have subscribed to you newsletter for a long time now and I want to just say that I love it. I get some great tips and ideas and get to drool over the cool stuff that is available to you in the United States. We do get it eventually as well, in fact we have some incredible stores here. So I just wanted to say keep up the good work. So many inspiring pages, thank you.
-Val Thorpe, Gauteng, South Africa

I was so happy when I discovered your newsletter. With a new baby on the way to my brother's family, I've decided I would like to start a scrapbook/babybook. This would be my first huge attempt at scrapbooking and I want to get started right. The problem is that there are so many ways I could get started. What would you recommend as a starting point? Should I start by trying to build several pages and then find the album? I would like to start this and then at some point hand it off to my sister-in-law so she can continue this project as her child grows. Your suggestions would be so appreciated.
- Andrea Compton, Valley Village, CA

Editor's response: Great question! Scrapbooking can definitely be overwhelming with the array of choices on the market. A great place to start is right here with Scrapbooking.com Magazine. Each of our articles has the "level" listed at the top. You'll probably get the most use from the beginner information, but don't let that stop you from exploring the other articles. You'll learn a lot from looking at others' projects and find inspiration from their layouts.

If you want to get started without all the research, simply head for your nearest craft store. There are plenty of pre-made pages in every color and theme, made for simply inserting your favorite photos. Or you can look for scrapbooking kits, which include coordinating paper and embellishments if you're feeling like being more creative.

My personal advice to new artists is to keep it simple. The best pages I've seen utilize only one-three photographs. You want your page to tell a story so choose only embellishments which will help accomplish this. Try to keep the focus on the photographs and compliment them with paper design and embellishments.

I find it easier to start with the album itself, that can help guide your paper choices and color scheme (but you're not necessarily limited by this, each page is its own work of art and doesn't have to coordinate throughout the entire album). I also like having the album so that when I complete a page I can slip it into the protective plastic for safe storage.

Wow!!! It is so great to see such a sensational talent as Jami Petersen in the role of your new editor. I read a lot of articles related to all types of paper crafts and have followed the career of this hot upstart for a while now. The newsletter is lucky to have her. As for myself and all of my art buddies, we are signing up right now so we don't miss a thing! Thanks Scrapbooking.com.
- Cher B. Lashley, Artist

Editor's response: I just had to publish this - it was such a great letter I couldn't resist. Could you? For those of you who are wondering about my career, Cher is referring to my previous position as an editor for several of the Stampington & Company publications and my current gig as a designer on TVWeekly.com, as well as the Newsletters for Scrapbooking.com Magazine.

I live in England but my daughter lives in Pennsylvania and has since she married five years ago. I love to visit her and we always have a trip to the local shops for scrapbooking papers and embellishments as there is such a lot of choices. I feel like a child on Christmas morning every time I visit. I have loved scrapbooking since I was 7 years old and I am now 56. I have hundreds of scrapbooks and have them in proper books from the day I met my future husband (we have been married for 34 years this year) and all through my pregnancies. I have three grown children - 2 daughters and a son. I am expecting my first grandchild in November so I am hoping the scrapbooking tradition will continue into a third generation. My daughter, Louise, who lives in Pennsylvania is an avid scrapbooker and I must admit that she does a much better job than me. We all went to Florida to Disney and her scrapbook is fantastic! She also made me a fabulous Christmas book a couple of years ago complete with a DVD and it made me cry with joy. It was the first scrapbook that I had ever received, but I have done lots for family and friends. I love the Newsletters and learn a lot from them. Keep sending me them my way, I really appreciate all the information.
- Maureen Stamp , England

Each week I wait eagerly to read your newsletter. Almost every detail I know about scrapbooking I have learned thru it! I started this hobby in 2004, by accident, as I accompanied a friend to a class, and was delighted with the subject. Since then I have not stopped scrapping (and also talking about it). I really appreciate all the information you give, specially the layouts. I follow the instructions and mix and match, developing my own creations. I have never tried digital scrapbooking because I like to feel the materials, its textures and forms in my hands. Maybe it is old fashioned, but, I feel good combining and creating scenes with all those little pieces. Usually I work three hours each night, and what I love is to take a glance first in the morning on the pages prepared the night before. I can then appreciate my "masterpieces", and that is my reward!
- Petrín Diaz, Puerto Rico

Thought I would write you a little note, just to let you know how much I enjoy receiving the Scrapbooking.com Newsletter. It brings a smile to my face. Not only has it inspired me to become a better scrapbooker, but it has also gotten me through some tough times already.  I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the industry and seeing where you will take us with your enormous talent and voice. Thanks so much for being an inspiration.
- Michael Bennett, "Super Fan"

It's so good to see you here on the Scrapbooking.com magazine. Having already come to know how enthusiastic and encouraging you are I know this will be a great place to communicate our love of art and scrapbooking. I had not visited this site before and now that I have, I have already found many items of interest. I look forward to all the upcoming themes and projects, competitions and the all important weekly Newsletter. This has opened up a whole new world for me. Wishing you all the luck in the world!
- Maureen Blackman