If you’re not quite ready to take the big leap into these full courses, or if you just want to brush up on some skills, try out one or all of the free classes that they’re currently offering:

Start Here, with Stacy is an introductory class that will orient you to the BPS community. Ideas for 5 layouts, a set of mini albums and a photo-album scrapbook will be presented. You’ll get an audio message, a full-color handout and a slide presentation. FREE!

Mini-Memories is for beginner and advanced scrappers. You’ll learn how to create your own mini-memories library, a set of mini-albums that are true to Stacy’s philosophy of preserving your photos and memories. Included in this FREE class are an audio message and transcript, instructions for the mini-album library, a class gallery within BPS, and more.

All About Me will show you how to create a cute “scrapbook in a tin”. With this class, you’ll get a message from Stacy, a project supply list and instructions, plus access to the class gallery, a chat room and a message board. FREE!

If you’re new to digital scrapbooking, Introduction to Digital Memory Keeping is the class for you. Lisa Cohen is the instructor for this class. You’ll get a message from her, a handout and email access to your instructor.

10 Summer Photos is Lisa Damrosch’s FREE class at BPS. You’ll improve your photography skills and learn to spot “great photo taking opportunities” in your daily life this summer.

Free classes at Big Picture Scrapbooking are available here.

I found this  THIS article on Nate Berkus’ WEBSITE about how to make a “memory book,” or what we simply call a scrapbook.

I have to say, when I read something about scrapbooking by a non-scrapbooker, I prepare myself really well before I even read it. I feel like I always need to explain what scrapbooking is. One time, I was watching a live demo on how to scrapbook and the person doing the demo was talking about things that you could use on your scrapbook like using newspaper clippings, paper trimmings, and other random craft supplies on your pages with no mention of Archival Mist, acid-free, or the like.

Yes, I was so upset about it that I asked a question. Don’t you need an archival mist for non acid free items? I also told her that you should for items like that so that they don’t yellow with age, infect your pages/photos with acid, etc.  She couldn’t say anything so we left it at that.

I’m glad that Nate Berkus got it right, as far as I can see. He talks about scanning your photos and items although he didn’t say anything about scanning them onto acid free paper or acid-free in general but it’s something that we should), and he even recommends a binder ring over a spiral bound scrapbook, which I also agree with and articulates the reasons very well.

Be sure to check out Prima Marketing’s web site Live With Prima. They’re regularly sending shows live on the web, and if you’ve missed some of them you could have a look at the archives. Use the shows for inspiration, knowledge and practice.