Scrapbooking is often regarded as an expensive hobby. With so many different products and tools on the market, you could easily drop thousands of dollars to fund a scrapbooking addiction. But, what if you don’t have a lot of money to spend on crafts? Just because you are working on a tight budget, doesn’t mean that you have to miss out on all of the excitement that comes with making elaborate memory albums. In addition to finding scrapbook materials on sale, there are a number of every day items that can be repurposed and added to memory books, including beads, … Continue reading →

Spring is in the air… and so are record-breaking temperatures. We’re supposed to hit 75 degrees today. That’s a huge deal when you live in northern Wisconsin. Of course, with high temps comes the appearance of shorts and… garage sales. The latter can mean some serious savings for scrapbookers. Garage or yard sales can yield a litany of amazing scrapbook embellishments at rock-bottom prices. While there, look for buttons (even if they are still attached to a cheap shirt or dress), ribbon, beads or charms from old costume jewelry, lace or wrapping paper. All of these items can be added … Continue reading →

Nothing makes me happier than finding a way to make something out of nothing. As I mentioned in a previous post, my neighbor recently gifted me with a stack of plain chipboard which I have been dutifully transforming into elaborate scrapbook embellishments. Well, some of the page decorations are not that fancy, but they certainly add color and texture to my layouts and that is my ultimate goal. Moreover, enhancing the plain chipboard has saved me a ton of money. Premade chipboard stickers and other accents are not cheap. In addition, when you purchase chipboard products that are already decorated, … Continue reading →

One of the cleverest uses of scraps I’ve seen featured in a scrapbook layout was a collection of candles made from leftover pieces of ribbon placed on top of a die cut birthday cake and topped with rhinestones to mimic flames. Now, that’s creativity at its finest. I wish I could say I came up with the idea, but alas, I am not that ingenious. However, I have recreated the scrap ribbon candle in a number of my own birthday layouts. More importantly, the idea inspired me to find other ways to turn scrap material into embellishments for my page … Continue reading →

One of the easiest ways to cut down on your scrapbooking bill is to save leftover supplies. Typically, I purchase embellishments for specific layouts, so it’s rare for me to have a ton of scraps. However, the leftovers I have are meticulously sorted and placed in an accordion file. You could sort them by color or manufacturer, but I find dividing scraps by theme is the method that works best for me. If you your scrap stash is dwindling or you just want to beef up your reserves, consider looking for extras in every day places. For example, wrapping paper, … Continue reading →

I refuse to pay more than $1.99 on a package of scrapbook stickers. When I first started creating memory albums I would often pay upwards of $3.99 for a single sheet of 3D stickers. I rationalized that the whimsical adhesives supported my theme and made my layouts pop. Then, I learned how to get my hands on cheap scrapbook supplies and I’ve been a dedicated frugalista ever since. If you are a smart shopper you can save big on scrapbooking materials. Start by selecting a few favorite online scrapbook retailers and signing up for their email newsletters. Most include money-saving … Continue reading →

My local Wal-Mart has drastically reduced prices on select pre-made scrapbooks. Most of them feature autumnal colors, though there are a few which include pastel shades. The low prices make them hard for me to resist; however, judging by how many are left on the shelves I would venture to guess that other crafters don’t share the same sentiment. If you are an avid scrapper with years of experience under your belt, then you probably don’t purchase many pre-made scrapbooks. The memory albums are traditionally reserved for beginners and others who don’t have a ton of time to spend crafting … Continue reading →

There’s no faster way to ruin an exceptionally beautiful scrapbook layout than by using the wrong type of supplies. If you are just getting started with your scrapbooking adventures, don’t make the mistake of purchasing non acid-free paper. Using traditional paper may be tempting, as it is affordable and easily accessible, but it will inevitably compromise all of your hard work. To preserve your precious family pictures, so they can be viewed by future generations, you must be very careful about the type of paper you use. Regular paper degrades as it ages and creates acid that fades photos. Conversely, … Continue reading →

In a previous blog I detailed ways you can save a ton of money by printing your own scrapbook paper. If your wallet is still hemorrhaging from Black Friday buys, you’re probably looing for ways to create holiday scrapbooks without further damaging your bank account. One way you can reduce spending a lot of cash on your memory books is to flex your creative muscle and design your own scrapbook paper. In addition to printing out free patterns from various scrapbook websites, you can also scan photos and craft your own designer paper. Some photo software programs make this task … Continue reading →

I love watching room design shows on HGTV. They offer fabulous tips on how to get organized, though their budgets are typically bigger (much bigger) than what I can afford. I would love to go on a shopping trip to the Container Store ala Supermarket Sweep. I could fill my cart with specialty boxes and storage containers designed specifically for all of my scrapbook supplies, from albums to embellishments and everything in between. It’s nice to dream, but reality is a different story. As I look at my buttons, brads, eyelets and stamps sitting in old baby food jars, repurposed … Continue reading →