| Are you a scrapbooker who is trying to save a little | | | | titles, digital papers and embellishments onto plain 8.5 x |
| more and spend a little less these days? Being frugal | | | | 11 cardstock, cut them out and add to your page. (Tip: |
| doesn't mean you can't create great scrapbook | | | | Search online for royalty free clip art and PDF |
| pages. In fact the next time you lament the fact that | | | | scrapbook papers) |
| you don't have the latest and greatest scrapbooking | | | | 5) Punch It |
| products, try one of these ten ideas to boost both | | | | Punches are a great way to use up paper scraps and |
| your budget and your creativity. | | | | create cute embellishments. Punch out a variety of |
| 1) Alter It | | | | shapes from leftover paper scraps and store in a |
| A few basic craft supplies can go a long way to | | | | small basket or box for later use. Try layering punched |
| altering items to coordinate with the layout you are | | | | shapes to create new designs or images. |
| working on. Use paint to change the color of chipboard | | | | 6)) Rediscover It |
| or metal items. Add a little glitter to a plain | | | | Dig out all those tools you haven't used in a long |
| embellishment. Paint or doodle onto plain cardstock for | | | | time...paper crimpers, decorative scissors, embossing |
| a custom background. | | | | plates, templates and tracers etc. See if you can use |
| 2) Borrow It | | | | them in a new way to fit your current style of |
| Cancel your magazine subscriptions and borrow | | | | scrapbooking. |
| scrapbooking idea books and magazines from the | | | | 7) Repurpose It |
| library instead. And check online - most major | | | | Look around your own house for items that could be |
| magazines have a digital version or publish additional | | | | used on your scrapbook pages. Office supplies (like |
| articles on their websites. | | | | tags, clips) sewing notions (buttons, rick rack, |
| 3) Piece It | | | | embroidery floss) and kids items (book illustrations, |
| Paper piecing is an old technique that can be used in | | | | foam craft pieces, pipe cleaners) can all be re-used. If |
| new ways to create custom page enhancements. | | | | you are concerned whether an item is acid-free, spray |
| There are lots of free patterns available online or you | | | | it with a de-acidifying mist first. |
| can make your own. Choose a simple image and | | | | 8) Share it |
| draw it onto a piece of cardboard or a scrap of | | | | Purchase items in bulk - brads, buttons, paper etc. and |
| heavy cardstock. Draw additional details separately. | | | | split the product and cost with a friend. (And it's even |
| Cut out and save these to use as patterns. Trace | | | | better if you can make the purchase using a coupon.) |
| them onto scraps of paper in your stash and cut out. | | | | 9) Swap It |
| Piece the cut-outs together using scrapbooking | | | | Hold a Scrapbooking Swap with a group of friends. |
| adhesive and add the finished embellishment to your | | | | Everyone brings items they no longer use or like, and |
| page. | | | | swaps them for items they think they can use. |
| 4) Print It | | | | Leftovers can be donated to a scrapbooking charity. |
| Your computer and printer are one of your best | | | | Hold a crop afterwards to use your new supplies. |
| resources for frugal scrapbooking. Digital scrapbooking | | | | 10) Use It |
| offers the ultimate in re-usability. Once purchased, | | | | Spend time (not money) going through your own |
| digital scrapbooking papers and embellishments can be | | | | collection of papers and embellishments and put |
| re-used forever. And many digital scrapbooking | | | | together kits of solid and patterned paper and |
| programs and kits are available free online. | | | | coordinating embellishments. I store my kits into XL |
| Create digital scrapbook pages and save them to print | | | | plastic zipper storage bags and then shop my own |
| when your local photo developer has a special. Or | | | | stash when I am ready to create. |
| post and share your pages with family and friends | | | | Hopefully these tips remind you that scrapbooking |
| online and eliminate the need for printing all together. | | | | doesn't have to be expensive. Harness your own |
| Use your digital scrapbooking program (or even a | | | | creativity to come up with many more ways to keep |
| basic word processing program) to create items for | | | | costs low while enjoying the hobby you love and |
| traditional scrapbook pages. Print word art, quotes, | | | | making fantastic pages! |