Try this:
- Use your scraps! This may seem obvious, but most of us have heaps and heaps of scrap paper laying around. I only ever use bits and pieces of pattern paper on my layouts, so I have piles of little pieces hanging around everywhere. A while back I organized most of my pattern paper into colour families, and my scraps have a similar home. Instead of always buying a new sheet of "must-have" paper, go through the stuff you already have...you might find just what you need there!
- Buy in bulk. Instead of buying a box of buttons, buy only the one or two that you need from a bulk jar. Creative Imagination's Creative Cafe line has every colour and style you could ever want, and they're only 5 or 10 cents per button. Same goes with ribbon...buy a yard for only a buck or two instead of a whole roll. Now not only did you save some money, you're not stuck with a bunch of product you don't want!
- Make your own...embellishments, pattern paper, flowers, etc. Paint is cheap, and for the amount of use you get from it, so are inks, sprays, colour washes, etc. Try revamping some of your old supplies by giving them a little spritz with some Glimmer Mist. Or making your own pattern paper using ink and colour wash. All you need is some cheap cardstock...I buy 25 sheets of white 8.5 x 11 at a time, and I am never bored with it! An investment in a couple of favourite colours will last a long time. Plus, these types of techniques always make for unique and creative layouts!
- Share supplies with a friend. Instead of each of you buying that giant pack of paper, split it in half. Not only will you save money, but you might get something that you wouldn't normally pick for yourself, and it's always fun to try new things!
- On a similar note, hold a "Swap Crop" where everyone brings some supplies from their stash that they just don't want anymore. Let all the participants "shop" from the unwanted items. You get some free, new-to-you product, you get rid of some of the old stuff in your stash, and anything left at the end of the crop can go to a charity group or school that might need the supplies. Everybody wins!
- Buy a kit. Every month the talented ladies at Treasured Memories put together three kits full of amazing, coordinating product worth about $50...and then we sell them back to you for $35! Not only do you get to try some new things, everything already matches so you don't have to worry about that, and you're getting a sweet deal! There are loads of other kit clubs online nowadays. And every one of them has something different to offer, so there's a kit to suit every scrapper. I'm always the first to recommend buying local before you "outsource" your shopping, but if you live in a town with no scrapping or craft store, this might be your best bet for sticking to a scrapping budget, while sampling some of the latest and greatest products as well. But do your research first...in a lot of cases the shipping costs are what kills ya!
There are millions more ways to save some green while still enjoying the best hobby ever! This is just the tip of the iceberg.
And now, on to the fun stuff...
At the last CHA Show, Prima Marketing released a line called "E"...this is their response to the economic situation facing us all. Everything in the release is classic Prima: jewels, gems and flowers! Great colours, great design, all for a great price...only $2.25 per pack!!!
I snagged a couple of packages from the store, added some scraps from home and created this simple, beautiful and economical layout.
You will need:
- flowers & gems, rhinestones, pearls, whatever suits your fancy
- white cardstock (in whatever size you like...this technique would also look great on Kraft)
- Spray ink or Colour Wash or Glimmer Mist and a mask (I'm using a chipboard shape)
- scraps of pattern paper, tags or stickers in coordinating colours
Using a Riff Raff Designs chipboard shape and some Adirondack Colour Wash (in Pesto & Lettuce), I created a great inexpensive background. I sprayed the ink over the shape, moved the shape over and did it again and again until I had covered enough of the cardstock. I already knew where my photo was going so I didn't have to cover the whole background. I spritzed a little bit of Stream Colour Wash on top to add some blue into the background.
Here's a close up of the Prima "E" flowers and pearls. I picked the white ones because by using spray ink or Glimmer Mist you can make them whatever colour you want! You only have to buy one pack of flowers, some spray ink and you're set to go! This not only makes each project less expensive, but more unique as well.
All of the pattern paper I used were leftovers from previous projects. I cut them into irregular shapes and placed them around and under the edges of my photo to create a fancy frame. The ribbons and flowers add some texture and interest without being too busy. I might add some journaling in the Jenni Bowlin sticker at the top of the frame, but I'm going to leave off a standard "title." Wasn't I a cute kid!
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Now what would a budget-friendly post be without a GIVEAWAY! I am here to help you make the most of your scrapbooking dollar, and freebies are the best way to do that!!! Up for grabs is a wonderful Prima prize pack, with a selection of flowers and gems from their "e" line. Not only do you get packs of the white flowers and blue & brown gems that I used on my layout, I'm also including some brights, rainbow, and great fall colours...most of the ladies who shop at TM (and work there!) would agree that you can never have too much bling or flowers in your stash!!
Enter to win by leaving a comment below stating your favourite way to make your money last. Make sure your email address is either in the comment or on your Blog profile so I can get in touch with the winner. I also have a couple of "runners up" prizes, including some of the new paper and embellishments from My Mind's Eye...sorry, no flowers there!
Everyone who posts a comment is eligible to win, no matter where you live (or where you shop!!).
Contest closes next Saturday, that's September 19th. I'll probably draw at name at the end of the day, so you'll have a full week to comment. Good Luck!!
11 comments:
I like to use my money on tuesdays at TM as it is double stamps day which is great for the wallet and then I have discouvered if you are not sure which embellies will work then buy white and then you can alter it into anything that you want not worrying if it will match as you will mke it match...
I like to shop when things are on sale at my LSS & the sale area can have great finds as well. I also try to use up paper scraps when possible. And I think that clear stamps are a great investment- they are inexpensive & can be used lots!
Yup, you were definitely a cute kid! My favorite ways to save money are to always look for treasures in the sale section and to use paint a lot to change up my cardstock. I love the splashes/dots over top of your green people, Lisa!
Making my own embelishments takes a little more time but saves a ton of cash and gives me a sense of accomplishment. Different coloured paper, glitter, and ribbons can go a long way :O)
campziggy@hotmail.com
coupons, coupons, coupons! And holding off on buying stuff asap.
I make my money last by only purchasing what I know I will use. I used to just buy everything new but I soon realized that I'd end up giving most of it away because it wasn't something practical, or something my style, that I would use. I think another great idea is sharing supplies when possible. Sometimes packs of embellishments are quite large and repetitive and most of the time I only use these once, so by having a friend buying something else and sharing with you, you end up saving money and having fun with your friend at the same time!
Great ideas for saving some money and who doesn't like that? Double stamps days at TM is great as is the membership there. Saving 10% everytime as well as some great coupons for members. :)
I like to check out sale sections and use coupons whenever possible, though my money saving technique lately has been simply not to buy anything! Which is difficult, but manageable if I don't go anywhere to be tempted by all the amazing new products.
whimsical_angel@hotmail.com
I always try to go into TM with a project in mind and check what I have at home for that project...or else I end up with a lovely (don't get me wrong the stuff is amazing!) paper bag filled with things I don't need and will probably make me buy more in the end!
I like to buy the monthly kits at TM. I find since I've been doing this I'm not buying wads of paper that I don't use, because in the kit... everything matches!
I share supplies, buy on sale and with coupons and I try to use what I have (it helps when I don't make a trip to a store to shop).
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