The following is a guest post from Jessica Turner, The Mom Creative . She was one of the lovely bloggers who I was able to spend time with on the World Vision Blogging Trip to the Dominican Republic. The Mom Creative is a perfect title for Jessica as she is a superbly creative.
When people hear I scrapbook, they often say, “doesn’t it get expensive?”
My answer: “Not really” :)
Using the same principles that Briana often talks about, you can find many ways to cut corners and still create awesome layouts that chronicle your family’s stories.
5 Frugal Scrapbooking Tips
Tip #1: Shop Your Stash
Most scrapbookers have more supplies than they will ever be able to use. So shop your stash instead of going shopping every time you have a layout in mind. You probably have the perfect supplies already. It can be hard when new products are always releasing, but you can do it!
Tip #2: Alter Your Supplies
When I don’t have the “just-right” embellishment in my stash, I alter one. I have been known to use nail polish on Thickers, cover patterned chipboard with different paper and even paint on transparencies to get the look I need.
Tip #3: Create Simple Layouts
Your supplies will go further when you don’t use crazy amounts of embellishments on every layout. A simple design is timeless. Who cares if the layout isn’t in the latest edition of Creating Keepsakes? If your memory is recorded, that’s all that matters.
Tip #4: Take Advantage of Photo Deals
This may seem like a no brainer, but only develop your photos with photo deals. There is NO reason to pay more than 9 cents a photo in my opinion (and usually you can find deals for less than that). Cheap/free pictures means more cost-effective scrapbooking.
Tip #5: Use Coupons
If you do need to buy scrapbooking supplies, use coupons for stores like Michaels, Hobby Lobby and JoAnns. You should never pay full price for the basics like adhesive, albums and cardstock. {Find the latest retail coupons here.}
I hope you will think about these tips today and create a layout of a memory you have been wanting to document.
Find more deals on Scrapbooking Supplies here.
For more scrapbooking tips and photo inspiration, visit The Mom Creative.
Jessica Turner blogs at The Mom Creative about scrapbooking, photography, working motherhood, deals and more. She also writes for (in)courage, is Southwest Airlines’ official mommy blogger, and is a teacher for Big Picture Scrapbooking.
Very timely tips. I started off very frugally and with minimalistic layouts. Lately I seem to be getting carried away and buying a lot of embellishments that I don’t really need?
If your memory is recorded, that’s all that matters. This is the best piece of advice you could give. thanks I will go back to minimalistic scrapbooking.
I love these ideas. I just got into scrapbooking and your tips will definitely be helpful. Considering I do not want to spend a lot, I suspect I will be making several different alterations to pieces I have left. I love the nail polish idea! Brilliant and always around.
Great ideas, and very timely for me! I haven’t been able to scrapbook in awhile and have just gotten busy with it again! As of Saturday I finished pages of my daughter at 6 months – she will be 6 YEARS old in December! lol
However, I found that I now need to buy some more basics like book pages and mounting squares, etc.! Another tip I would suggest is checking the clearance sections at stores like Hobby Lobby – you can find awesome deals there!