As I mentioned, when I did my first scrapbook, I found a Travel scrapbook kit. But of course then I found that there were a lot of things I would need to actually make a scrapbook. As I shopped for these things I just bought the minimum that I thought I would need…a glue stick, some adhesive tabs, and a small paper/photo cutter. The kit had decorative pages, and protectors, as well as embellishments. Other than that I used basic tools that I had at home…scissors, rulers, and pens. But I did go back to buy more pages, protectors and embellishements.
Later I came across this list of Scrapbooking essential supplies which may be helpful to beginners:
ALBUM
PAGE PROTECTORS
PAPER & CARDSTOCK
patterned paper
cardstock
ADHESIVES (tapes, tabs, liquids)
permanent
repositionable (temporary)
ADHESIVE REMOVER
liquid
eraser-style
PAPER TRIMMER/CUTTERSCISSORS
Large
Small, precision-tipped
CUTTING MAT & KNIFE
Craft knife (X-acto®-style)
Self-healing cutting mat
12” METAL RULER (centering feature if possible)
CLEAR RULER (with centering feature)
FONTS (on computer)
WHITE PLASTIC ERASER
PENS/PENCILS
Black set
White pen
Utility pen kit
Photo-safe pen
Colored pens/pencils
PHOTO CORNERS
STAPLER & STAPLES
PAPER PUNCH/HOLE PUNCH
DISTRESSING TOOLS
emery board
sand paper
paper distresser
STITCHING SUPPLIES
needles
thread (black, white, cream & brown)
TOTE (I kept all of my supplies in a box)
But I would suggest if you’re just starting out, to buy only what you think you absolutely have to have and go from there.
Of course, I’ve added a few things to my tools as well 
For a complete glossary of all the scrapbooking supplies click here.
