My wal-mart was moving into a new supercenter and had lots of things on clearance so...I got mine for 50 cents, and the paper you mentioned also for 50 cents.

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.

A few weeks ago I went to a scrapbook convention in Arlington, TX and took a class about how to use Zig Twin tip markers. Even though I hate my own handwriting (and currently use my computer for my journaling) I think I HAVE to have a big set of these pens. They have four sets, and I would love all four but each one (with 48 pens)costs $100.00! I keep looking for a good deal on one of these pen sets but none of the craft stores in my area carry them. I would even settle for a used set. Anyone out there want to part with their set?

ttodd, I wanted to share my experiences with you. My mom and her husband (only grandfather my kids knew) built each child a dollhouse. And let me tell you these were not your ordinary dollhouses. They started out as a kit, and as in real life, there were lots of upgrades. He absolutely loved woking on them. There is copper flashing, shaker roofs, gutters,etc. My mom decorated the interiors, and they were incredible. Each girl got one (different years), and then they made my son a horse barn. Everything was electrified (I highly recommend that for the lights!) Here is the only downside. They are huge. They are a pain to store when they get older. My kids are 23,21,and 19. They are not in homes of their own yet, so we are storing them, but they will take them eventually. They are on rolling platforms, so the kids could push them up against a wall, and then roll them out when they wanted to play. I have quite a love/hate relationship with the dollhouses. Of course the love far outweighs the hate. My mom passed away about 11 years ago, so it is really special to see what she did. Oh, and both of the girls had a box of Christmas decorations (including lights) to put up on the outside of the house as well as the inside. Also had a Spring collection of things too, to decorate with flowers, etc. btw, while we are getting the house ready to be sold, they have all been removed to a friend's house. I think my house looks bigger now without them in there!!!