Scrapbooking on a Budget

Memories are priceless, but the cost of preservingSubscribe to Joann.com's email newsletter at the
them can be high.store's website:
Here are nine tips for making the most of yourhttp// This store frequently offers special
scrapbooking budget.1.Be on the lookout fordiscount codes to newsletter subscribers. But keep in
scrapbooking supplies everywhere you go.mind, when you
I once made the cutest shabby chic card with theare shopping the sale aisle, a good deal is not a good
corrugated cardboarddeal if you
liner in a light bulb box. Another example: you can buynever use the product. Buy only those things that you
100 brass bradslove - and
for less than a dollar at the local discount store andknow you'll use.7. When shopping for tools, keep
then customizequality and versatility in mind.
them to match your layout with acrylic paint and/orInvesting in quality tools will ultimately save you money,
sandpaper. Orbecause you
look in the clearance bin for ribbon, fiber, and fabricwon't need to replace them very often. You'll also
remnants - orwant to look for
bouquets of silk flowers, which you can take aparttrimmers and cutters that allow you to replace only
and attach to yourthe blade - and not
cards and layouts with brads, eyelets, bottlecaps, orthe entire cutting system. The Coluzzle, by Provocraft,
button. You'llis one of the most
find all kinds of treasures at office supply, hardware,versatile cutting systems available. It takes a little
and dollarpractice, but
stores, as well as flea markets and garage sales.2.once you get the hang of it, you can cut a huge
Keep your supplies organized. When your papers andvariety of shapes and
embellishmentsalphabets, as well as envelopes and tags - all with
are logically arranged and easy to find, you'll alwaysvery inexpensive templates.8. Save and organize your
know what youscraps. It's amazing when a small scrap is perfectly
have, which means you'll buy fewer duplicates. Andsuited for a card of scrapbook. And you can always
you don't needuse the backside of
expensive racks for storing your paper. The large 14"white-core cardstock or patterned paper when you
Ziploc bagsneed white. Or give
are perfect for storing 12x12 paper. You can evenyour scraps to your children. My kids are constantly
hang the labeledmaking friendship
Ziploc bags from skirt hangers to maximize yourcards out of my scraps. They each have a basket
space. A fewon the family scraptable,
inexpensive baskets or plastic containers can holdand at the end of a project, I divvy up all my scraps in
your adhesives,the three little
pens and trimmers. And a common tacklebox is greatbaskets. They love the new art supplies, and I love to
for smallshare my love of
embellishments. Or use resealable Ziploc bags toscrapbooking - and my time spent scrapbooking -
organize brads,with them.9. Network with other scrapbookers for
eyelets and other small embellishments by type ormore low-cost ideas. Arrange a
color and storesupplies swap with your scrapbooking friends. And
in a shoebox.3. Here's a little known secret. You canread through the scrapbooking
join a scrapbooking directmagazines for more money-saving ideas. In the last
sales company, simply to get the discount on yourfew issues of Scrapbooks, Etc.
own supplies. Ofand Memory Makers, for example, I've read (and then
course, you'll need to make sure the monthlyused) the following ideas:(1) Take photos of interesting
minimums are low enoughsigns and cut out the letters for fun, eclectic
that you'll be able to meet them with your purchasesalphabets.And (2) make your own stamps from your
alone. Here isfavorite font or images with a
one such company with monthly minimums of justcomputer printout and some foam board.You can
$25 wholesale per month.subscribe to these magazines at significant discounts
Details are here:online.
Use your scanner to create a unique patterned paper,I've compiled the best deals on the industry-leaders
perfect for yourhere:
layout. Scan items of clothing, for example, that match
the clothing inor see if you can check out current issues from your
your photographs. Print the paper and use as part oflocal library.
your background orScrapbooking magazines often feature sweepstakes,
as a tag or other embellishment.5. Do a google searchdrawings, and layout
for "free fonts" and "free scrapbooking." You'llcontests, in which you can win free supplies, as
find thousands of free templates, fonts, and other freewell.You can also save on scrapbooking idea books
resources forand techniques books by
scrapbookers.6. Check your local paper for 50% offshopping online. often has these books at an even
coupons at large discountgreater
crafting stores. Save these coupons for your largerdiscount than amazon.com, and their shipping is usually
purchases.much less, too.