I too, am considering making my hobby, a part time job. Not necessarily for the money, but for the company of other crafters who enjoy the same hobby as I do. To the best of my knowledge there is not an active club or group within 15 miles of me now, and I hate having to drive a lot futher to learn new ideas and layouts. I can't make myself just go with CM though. I find that there are just too many new items coming out almost daily, that CM just does not carry, and many people are requesting for their books. I think that CM got so used to being the "only" supplier early on, that they no longer tried to find and market new items, and so they are now paying the price for their slow marketing skills. While I do use some of their products, and enjoy them, I find MANY items cheaper, and of a MUCH larger selection, in the variety of stores that are now catching on to this craft, along with of course all the online stores now available. I would say that if you have enough of a following in your area of friends, who are not already connected with a CM consultant, then by all means go for it, but do your homework first. For example: How much will it cost you to rent/use a building for a class, if your home in not big enough for you to hold it there? How many friends do you know who would be willing to leave their regular CM consultant now, and become your customer? Who will watch your children while you are at your classes? What is your up front cost going to be and how long do you project it will take you before you recover these inital expenses? Does the building in question have heat, cooling, tables, and at least a fridge or soda machine for your classes? The more answers you find for these and other questions you ask yourself now, the more successful you will be later, and the more you will be able to judge if this should be your job or remain just your hobby. Good luck and I wish you the best. Penny

Hi! After 3&1/2 years of collecting materials and reading 'Memory Makers' magazine, I've finally succeeded in completing several pages. In fact, I've started "memory photo albums" for both sets of grandparents! They will each receive a "starter" scrapbook with six pages of photo memory pages of their grandson and a promise of additional memory photo pages to be sent every few months. Now I just need to complete the pages for our book! I had planned on starting a scrapebook when our son was born 3&1/2 years ago, but I felt so overwhelmed about "how to" that I only succeeded in making one page. What finally got me stated was a set of really great photos from a family trip to Florida with my parents and my brother's family, and the need for some really great Mother's Day gifts. So, I found this great little package of beach scrapebook making pharaphernalia and now, there's no stopping me. I've made twevele page (six for each book) in two weeks! I think what keeps me motivated is that I know that both my mom and my mom-in-law will get a real kick (not to mention both dads) out of the albums. I can just see my mom now---she's going to feel so pround showing-off her grandson's memory album to all her co-workers (all of whom are teachers and will just love the concept!). Anyway, I just found this site and think it's great. Can't wait to read all the postings! Now I have a question: What does "cm" stand for? Is it a mail-order catologue? Thanks for all the great info.

Tom, Since newspaper is SO acidic, I would get these color copied and use the copies in my scrapbook. This would also help in getting them in a better sized format, by having them enlarge the small ones and shrink the larger ones. Kinkos, (I think ) has copiers that can copy pages the size of a newspaper, if it involves a large amount of the page, and you can then have it copied on to a more managable size reprint, that will fit in your scrapbook. Check for copy places that can copy architect (sp) prints, as they are rather large. Call an architect (sp) office near you and see where they get their plans reprinted. HTH Love Penny

When I look back at my very 1st scrapbook, I get disgusted at how much I thought I had to cut the pictures. Now, I only cut off the part of the photo that no one would ever be interested in...such as a recliner that takes up the whole left side of a photo, or excess grass at the bottom of a pic. I get tons of compliments on my albums now, and people tell me I should quit nursing and just scrapbook professionally. Good luck w/your album, and congratulations. There's a ton of stuff to choose from out there, but be creative and imaginative. Don't buy stickers of flowers...create your own. Don't place stickers messily over your entire page..group them together to make a scene or corner decoration. This way, they won't take away from your pictures (which should be the focal point of your album). Hope this helps.