Scrapbook Much??

For years I have said I want to start scrapbooking, but of course I never actually did. Well since it's a brand new year and I'm out to find myself and all that. I thought I would actually start scrapbooking. My son is now one and I think it would be great for him to have a scrapbook (or a few, lets hope I can keep this up) as a memorabilia of his childhood and a me. Here are three things I have learned as I have began my quest to start scrapbooking.

1. Scrapbooking is EXPENSIVE.
Holy *#!&(insert your favorite shock value word). There are tons of things out there in the scrapbooking world that are so alluring,and if you're anything like me you will want to get it all just to start. I guess this is where I should tell you that I am a perfectionist. Okay I'm loosely a perfectionist, which means I like things to be perfect so I procrastinate until the last minute and when I know I don't have time to perfect it I actually start said project and then of course I run out of time, so I don't have to focus so much on it being perfect just getting it done. Which of course leads to me not loving the end result, but at least it's done. Anyway I told you all that because I've been researching and looking for all the great stuff I will need to have to start scrapbooking, so it will be perfect. My husband doesn't understand why I would be buying stuff if I haven't even started a page yet, but I just want to have whatever I want on hand for when I do.

2.Scrapbooking is TIME CONSUMING.
I haven't met a person yet who doesn't allocate hours to their scrapbooking. It's amazing what the people come up with, but wow the time spent. The end result is definitely worth it though. I look at some of the Layouts (that's what the pages are called), and I can honestly say I feel connected to the scrapbooker. Some layouts are so comical I laugh out (and husband thinks I crazy) and some moving to the point that I have tears in my eyes, so I understand why people spend so much time on it. I'm hoping I can find time to get into it, especially since I've researched it enough.

3.Scrapbooking is $1.6 billion dollar industry.
Yes, that's right billion dollar industry. Back in 2004 the industry topped at $2.5 billion dollars in retail sales (thanks to people like me, who are trying to buy all the cool scrapbooking stuff- this is another reason I need to find a passion to profit from). A scrapbooking.com article reports "With increased consumer media exposure and increased cooperative advertising between manufacturers and retailers, the industry has the potential to grow to $4 billion in the next 10 years." Please break me off a piece of that billion dollar pie.

These are just a few things I wanted to share about scrapbooking. I hope to start my 1st page next weekend. Wish me luck on the scrapbooking journey.