| You start to look at others' scrapbook albums, and | | | | ways, such as the kind that have fun edges on them |
| you want one of your own. You look at supplies you | | | | with other shapes on the inside of the template. This |
| can purchase, but find yourself walking away because | | | | way you can use it in different ways, such as the |
| of the expense of it all. I have been able to scrapbook | | | | shapes on a layout or on a card, and the edge can |
| for over 7 years on what I have had available to me | | | | also be used on a layout, framed page, or use it |
| at home, I don't spend a lot of money...I haven't been | | | | instead of patterned edge scissors for a card. |
| able to! Yet I get compliments on the things that I | | | | You do not need each and every color of marker that |
| create all of the time! I will teach you a few things that I | | | | is out there, trust me! If you spend $100.00 on a pack |
| have learned along the way, and a few tips that will | | | | of 48 markers, I will promise you, you will be wasting |
| help you with the expense of it all! Some you might | | | | your money, unless you plan on using each color and |
| have thought about, and some you might not have! So, | | | | style in that pack that is. I normally only use black for |
| let me start to show you ways you can save money | | | | the journaling, and maybe a color or two on my pages, |
| on this fun craft! | | | | but that $100.00 purchase I made was mostly wasted. |
| Learn to look at your weekend newspaper for 40% | | | | I could have spent $20.00 on the colors I needed |
| off coupons for your local craft store. Each week | | | | versus the $100.00 I spent and still don't use. |
| they come out plan on spending money on a larger | | | | Look at different packs of paper you can purchase, |
| ticket item that you need. Paper trimmers can be a bit | | | | the kind that have at least 40 sheets of paper in them |
| expensive, but if you use a coupon for it, you can | | | | or more. This way, you are saving money by |
| oftentimes get it for $15 or less. This little item can help | | | | purchasing the packs of paper you like and will use. |
| you in all aspects of crafting or just everyday use. This | | | | Also keep in mind just because something is in a |
| is just one example of what you can purchase; the list | | | | specific pack doesn't mean you can't use that paper in |
| can go on and on here! | | | | another area. I purchased a kitchen pack to make a |
| Also make sure to look at the ads each week to see | | | | recipe album for my daughter, and instead found green |
| what is on sale and what is not. If you can spend a bit | | | | checkered paper that looks great for another project I |
| of money, the best way to spend it is using coupons | | | | am working on. I only paid $9.99 for the pack of paper, |
| or watching sales for things. You might not need the | | | | so this was a great purchase for me. |
| cardstock or paper right now, but if you find things that | | | | Instead of purchasing brand new items, make sure you |
| will save you money, then get it. Look at the colors, | | | | look at web sites to purchase used supplies from |
| textures and patterns you use a lot of, and make sure | | | | people. Some people have just outgrown their supplies, |
| you stock up on those. Also make sure you look at | | | | and others are just not creating like they used to. Pick |
| the adhesive you use, and stock up on that too. You | | | | up things when you are on a budget, instead of |
| don't know the amount of time I have wasted on | | | | spending full price for things. |
| having to go get some type of adhesive while working | | | | Find a group of women who also create, to share |
| on a project! | | | | supplies with. This way someone can purchase a high |
| If you have rubber stamped, you can scrapbook...and if | | | | ticket item such as a die cut machine, and maybe |
| you scrapbook, you can rubber stamp! Stickers can | | | | another can purchase other expensive supplies. Learn |
| only be used once, with the color scheme of what the | | | | to scrap together, or get together once a month or so |
| sticker gives you. With stamps, you can use that same | | | | in order to allow everyone time on the different items. |
| stamp multiple ways, therefore helping in the cost. Yes, | | | | Learn to find stores that have crops in order for you |
| you have the upfront cost of the stamps and pads, | | | | to be able to use their supplies before you purchase |
| but this cost can be spent over a few months if you | | | | them. I used to spend a lot of time at my local store |
| look at places and ways you can purchase them. For | | | | just to die cut different papers. I then would take the |
| every layout or card you make the cost of the stamp | | | | paper home with me, instead of throwing away the |
| goes down...so look for ways you can save money in | | | | scraps. |
| this direction. Look for things you tend to use a lot; a | | | | My last item, is learn to recycle everyday items such |
| present stamp can be used for multiple events, so this | | | | as bottles, 6 pack containers, or cans into organizing |
| is a great way to save money. | | | | items. Bottles cleaned out make great ribbon holders |
| Refrain from purchasing each and every style of | | | | so you can see what scraps of ribbon you have left. 6 |
| scissors that are out on the market today. Instead | | | | pack containers or cans also make great organizers, |
| choose a few of your favorite styles, and find others | | | | being able to keep your basic supplies at arm's reach. |
| who have a few styles as well. This way if you are | | | | Make sure you alter them with neat paper to match |
| working on a project that might require you to use a | | | | your area or in your favorite colors so you will always |
| different style than you have, you have access to | | | | make your area neat. That same 6 pack container, |
| them. Same holds true with templates, do not buy all of | | | | filled with someone's favorite candy or bath items |
| them out there, purchase a few that you will need, and | | | | created in their favorite colors instantly becomes a |
| learn to network with others for the others! | | | | great birthday or just because gift. Coffee cans |
| Make sure you keep your scraps, so that when you | | | | decorated are cheap versions of paint cans filled with |
| are working on small things you don't need to use an | | | | a present as well! |
| entire sheet of paper for it. I use my scraps every time | | | | Not only can you save money, you can also make |
| I scrapbook or make cards instead of using an entire | | | | darling one of a kind items for you and your family. |
| sheet of cardstock for a few punched out pieces. This | | | | Scrapbooking isn't that expensive, it just depends on |
| way, each album or project I do is truly one of a kind. | | | | how you spend your money. I hope you learn new and |
| Scraps are good for paper piecing, cards, punches, | | | | exciting ways to save money on your crafting; you |
| stamping, or for small pieces of color on a layout to | | | | can always visit my blog to learn more, or to start |
| coordinate your layout or card. | | | | scrapbooking yourself! It is cheaper than therapy and |
| Look at templates you can use in a variety of different | | | | more fun too! |