Budget Scrapbooking

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I don’t know about you, but I am feeling the economic crunch sometimes. It’s not really manifesting itself too negatively in my family (thank God!), but I am compelled to do my share in keeping with the times, by spending wisely and doing away with unnecessary purchases.

Scrapbooking as a hobby is quite expensive, especially if you do not watch your spending habits. A lot of us scrapbookers tend to get our hands dirty with the latest gadgets, patterned papers and what-nots. Now, what to do when you feel the urge to S-P-E-N-D-? This is where Tracey Rhodes’ budget scrapbooking idea comes in. Read on.

It’s the time of year when some of the best scrapbook products are landing in stores, and they are often irresistible. Back-to-school product is being pushed aside by Halloween papers and embellishments, and Christmas card classes are just around the corner in scrapbook stores. Is it possible to scrapbook without over-spending?

Of course it is!

Here are five ideas for scrapbooking on a budget in the upcoming holiday months.

1. Window shop to see what the newly-released product looks like and what appeals to you. Then, check your stash for product you already own that will work. Scrapbookers are often attracted to similar product time and time again. Chances are, if you bought paper and embellishments last year and have some remaining, not only will you still like it, but it’s likely similar to the newly-released product that you like, and it can be used instead of purchasing new.

2. If you really want to have some fresh, new product, try sticking to patterned paper and then using some of it to make your own embellishments instead of buying the pricier coordinating ones. Using patterned paper, you can punch scalloped shapes for accents and journal spots; cover chipboard shapes and alphabets; make die-cuts; cut strips to use for borders or instead of ribbon. The possibilities are endless.

3. Whatever products you use for your scrapbooking, use the left-overs to make cards. From Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas and other winter holidays, there are plenty of opportunities to send cards, and by using your scraps to make them, you save the additional cost of buying cards.

4. Take advantage of make and takes. Scrapbook stores often have free or $1 holiday make and take projects that can not only help get your creative juices flowing, but also garner you a useful project such as a scrapbook page, embellishment or card for free. Make and takes also give you a chance to try out products risk-free before you buy.

5. Don’t shop. One sure-fire way not to buy new scrapbooking product, especially if you already have a sufficient stash of what you need, is simply not to go looking for it. If you don’t go out of your way to see the newly-released product, you won’t miss it. Make do with what you have, plain and simple.

Via Examiner.com