| Memories are priceless, but the cost of | | | | subscribers. But keep in mind, when you |
| preserving them can be high. | | | | are shopping the sale aisle, a good |
| Here are nine tips for making the most | | | | deal is not a good deal if you |
| of your scrapbooking budget.1.Be on the | | | | never use the product. Buy only those |
| lookout for scrapbooking supplies | | | | things that you love - and |
| everywhere you go. | | | | know you'll use.7. When shopping for |
| I once made the cutest shabby chic card | | | | tools, keep quality and versatility in |
| with the corrugated cardboard | | | | mind. |
| liner in a light bulb box. Another | | | | Investing in quality tools will |
| example: you can buy 100 brass brads | | | | ultimately save you money, because you |
| for less than a dollar at the local | | | | won't need to replace them very often. |
| discount store and then customize | | | | You'll also want to look for |
| them to match your layout with acrylic | | | | trimmers and cutters that allow you to |
| paint and/or sandpaper. Or | | | | replace only the blade - and not |
| look in the clearance bin for ribbon, | | | | the entire cutting system. The |
| fiber, and fabric remnants - or | | | | Coluzzle, by Provocraft, is one of the |
| bouquets of silk flowers, which you can | | | | most |
| take apart and attach to your | | | | versatile cutting systems available. It |
| cards and layouts with brads, eyelets, | | | | takes a little practice, but |
| bottlecaps, or button. You'll | | | | once you get the hang of it, you can |
| find all kinds of treasures at office | | | | cut a huge variety of shapes and |
| supply, hardware, and dollar | | | | alphabets, as well as envelopes and |
| stores, as well as flea markets and | | | | tags - all with very inexpensive |
| garage sales.2. Keep your supplies | | | | templates.8. Save and organize your |
| organized. When your papers and | | | | scraps. It's amazing when a small scrap |
| embellishments | | | | is perfectly |
| are logically arranged and easy to | | | | suited for a card of scrapbook. And you |
| find, you'll always know what you | | | | can always use the backside of |
| have, which means you'll buy fewer | | | | white-core cardstock or patterned paper |
| duplicates. And you don't need | | | | when you need white. Or give |
| expensive racks for storing your paper. | | | | your scraps to your children. My kids |
| The large 14" Ziploc bags | | | | are constantly making friendship |
| are perfect for storing 12x12 paper. | | | | cards out of my scraps. They each have |
| You can even hang the labeled | | | | a basket on the family scraptable, |
| Ziploc bags from skirt hangers to | | | | and at the end of a project, I divvy up |
| maximize your space. A few | | | | all my scraps in the three little |
| inexpensive baskets or plastic | | | | baskets. They love the new art |
| containers can hold your adhesives, | | | | supplies, and I love to share my love of |
| pens and trimmers. And a common | | | | |
| tacklebox is great for small | | | | scrapbooking - and my time spent |
| embellishments. Or use resealable | | | | scrapbooking - with them.9. Network with |
| Ziploc bags to organize brads, | | | | other scrapbookers for more low-cost |
| eyelets and other small embellishments | | | | ideas. Arrange a |
| by type or color and store | | | | supplies swap with your scrapbooking |
| in a shoebox.3. Here's a little known | | | | friends. And read through the |
| secret. You can join a scrapbooking | | | | scrapbooking |
| direct | | | | magazines for more money-saving ideas. |
| sales company, simply to get the | | | | In the last few issues of Scrapbooks, |
| discount on your own supplies. Of | | | | Etc. |
| course, you'll need to make sure the | | | | and Memory Makers, for example, I've |
| monthly minimums are low enough | | | | read (and then used) the following |
| that you'll be able to meet them with | | | | ideas:(1) Take photos of interesting |
| your purchases alone. Here is | | | | signs and cut out the letters for fun, |
| one such company with monthly minimums | | | | eclectic |
| of just $25 wholesale per month. | | | | alphabets.And (2) make your own stamps |
| Details are here: | | | | from your favorite font or images with a |
| Use your scanner to create a unique | | | | |
| patterned paper, perfect for your | | | | computer printout and some foam |
| layout. Scan items of clothing, for | | | | board.You can subscribe to these |
| example, that match the clothing in | | | | magazines at significant discounts |
| your photographs. Print the paper and | | | | online. |
| use as part of your background or | | | | I've compiled the best deals on the |
| as a tag or other embellishment.5. Do a | | | | industry-leaders here: |
| google search for "free fonts" and "free | | | | |
| scrapbooking." You'll | | | | or see if you can check out current |
| find thousands of free templates, | | | | issues from your local library. |
| fonts, and other free resources for | | | | Scrapbooking magazines often feature |
| scrapbookers.6. Check your local paper | | | | sweepstakes, drawings, and layout |
| for 50% off coupons at large discount | | | | contests, in which you can win free |
| crafting stores. Save these coupons for | | | | supplies, as well.You can also save on |
| your larger purchases. | | | | scrapbooking idea books and techniques |
| Subscribe to Joann.com's email | | | | books by |
| newsletter at the store's website: | | | | shopping online. often has these books |
| http// This store frequently offers | | | | at an even greater |
| special | | | | discount than amazon.com, and their |
| discount codes to newsletter | | | | shipping is usually much less, too. |