I did scrapbooking demos at Michael's from 12 to 5. That was cool because I got to try out their sticker making machines, and their decorative stapler called the Fastenator. I got to demonstrate the Xyron which prints sayings directly onto your greeting card. I had a good turn out for the free make-it and take-it demos. Scrapbookers sure are fun creative people. The time just flew by. The other instructor was doing a demo with the Cri-cut machine, which cuts out any shape or letter you want. I'd like to learn to use that one of these days. It's very popular with the scrapbooking bunch. And a very happy woman won a $50. value scrapbooking gift basket.

If you are of a crafty bent, what could be more fun than a scrapbooking party. You could tie it into any theme from pirates to Harry Potter. Each person can make a party page for their scrapbooks. Ask everyone to bring something for the sharing bin, whether it's paper, stickers, letters, glitter, beads, or anything they have extras of that are cluttering up their drawers. Every time you do a craft project there are odds and ends left over and this is a good way to use leftover snippets of yarn, buttons, trim, glitter, ribbon, stickers, and tiny scraps of paper.

Also, ask them to bring a few photos to add to their pages. Even if they want to add the photos later, it's handy to have them as a measuring guide.

It's a good idea to have a separate table for food and drinks. One spilled drink can ruin the party.

If you are planning to keep the photos for many years to come, check your labels for acid free products. You can get acid free tape, paper, matboard, and adhesives.

If anyone has experience you can ask them to help out the newbies. It also helps to have one good scrapbooking reference book out on the table to help with ideas.

Have scrap paper around to practice on. And don't forget to bring out the rubber stamps, markers and inkpads. You might also want a heat gun for embossing and a glue gun to glue on doodads like buttons and trim.

Before spending a lot of money, ask around because some of your friends may have tools they are willing to share like extra scissors, rubber stamps or papercutters.

Don't forget you can use your computer to print out words and phrases and photos as well.

Have fun!

I want to make a Scrapbookers Booklist of must have books for scrapbooking. So if you have some favorites that you'd recommend, please add them to the comment section below. I'm about to order a few myself. I'd like your input.