I use a bedding of finished compost, peat moss and leaves (sometimes have some shredded newspaper mixed in) - so in part, I disagree with Bill on peat. As Bill points out though, a handful of garden soil (or sand) gives the worms grit to assist in processing materials in their gizzard. Do you remember the 80's show ALF ? (When folks had salad, he'd say "that's not food, that's what food eats!") well, that's the same for worms. Although they process decaying organic matter, their food source really comes from the protozoa and bacteria that are breaking down the materials. They need to process nearly their weight in waste per day in order to derive suffient nutrition from the lower life forms. Note: Although good for bedding, finished compost is not very good worm food since the material has finished most decompostion and most of the microbe population has died back. However, add some fresh, green material to compost with worms and you'll end up with some serious vermicompost! One last thing since your questions suggests you're new to vermicomposting - never mix feedstock into the bedding - surface or pocket feed only, covering with only an inch or two of bedding. And don't go digging around in there to check on them and mix green into the bedding - doing so can cause the bin to heat up and cook your worms!

I've taken a couple of classes and attended a lot of crops with other scrapbookers. Why not get your group together to talk about what each person wants to learn? If most of them want to learn the basic's, as I suspect, then go ahead and plan to teach them about the tools they'll need, organization tips, and making a simple page or two. You can find a lot of info on line, as well as finding several good books to help you get started. As for supplies, look online and have them sent to you. Good luck and enjoy! Sue

Oh my goodness! First of all let me explain that this hobby is ADDICTIVE!!!!! Second let me say that it's TONS OF FUN! I would suggest going to some classes if they are available in your area first, but if not go easy on the supplies at first as it will not take long before you have a house full! I would suggest getitng several photos together with a common them, ie Birthday, Boating, Vacation, etc. with at least 3 good photos per theme, then buy the stickers and paper for just those photos at first to see if indeed you like doing this. You will need at least the following supplies: Acid free paper, glue, scissors, one multi shaped template for cutting photos mats, and stickers to match the theme of the photos you are going to be doing first. You can buy single sheets of paper at Micheal's, and at most scrapbook stores. DO NOT LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONE COMPANY! There are a few suppliers who will try and tell you that their product is SAFER, BETTER ,etc, this is just not true, acid free is acid free, PERIOD! So don't get trapped into the more expensive products, this craft is expensive enough already. You will need page protectors for the size of paper you buy, which is either the larger 12 x 12 or the smaller 8.5 x 11. Either is fine it is just a personal preference which you do. Make sure you get a GOOD idea book and READ it BEFORE you cut your first photo, make sure you have double prints or at least the negatives of photos you start out with because you will get better at this craft over time and you don't want to start with Grandmas pictures! Check out many links on how to's BEFORE you start, and feel free to ask any question here you need to. Love and good luck Penny Here is a link that might be useful: scraplink

Amy, Not quite sure what you mean by this question. You don't have to pay ANYONE on this site for information on how to make or get started in scrapbooking, and if someone is suggesting you do please notify me immediately, as this is a free user site. Also this site doesn't sell supplies, and no one is supposed to use this site to sell their items to you, so you don't have to pay anyone here anything. If you want to start scrapping you have to buy your supplies yourself, at which ever store you normally shop at, or the closest scrapbook store to you, and if you are worried about the cost you can start small and get a few supplies at a time. HTH Love Penny