Wednesday Sponsor Giveaways : Paper Relics, Shabby Chic Crafts, & Scrap Etc. Events

My frugal tip is to reuse and recycle as much of the things I use in my daily life that seem insignificant. I find a way to incorporate them into my next project. Thanks for the giveaway!!

I could go to the Scrap Etc event!!!!!!
Like others I'm going to say use the packaging!!!!

Not that original, but the scraps left over after scrapbooking allow me to exude my most creative pages. I find that working with limited supplies forces me to see things differently, and that is where the great stuff comes from, for me. It's difficult because it's so tempting to buy pkgs. and sets, but that also costs more, too!

I would have to say that I usually try to make do with whatever I have on hand first rather than running out to buy new stuff - I like a challenge :)
Thanks for the chance to win, I would not be able to attend in GA, although it would be fun.

My frugal tip is to recycle anything that has a cool design or texture or color. I love to crop a bunch of "found" stuff to make travel books. I learned that from you, Ali! Thanks for the cool giveaways!

Not sure if this would be considered a frugal tip but ... SHARE! Any time I scrapbook with friends we always put out our "stuff" for all to use. I think it's a lot cheaper to share than to buy every little thing. Thanks!
PS. I would not be able to attend the Atlanta event.

I like to make mini books. Instead of buying mini books, I use whatever chipboard I have at home to make the front and back covers & the pages inside, punch holes & then put it together with binder rings. For covers I've used chipboard that comes behind notepads, chipboard that is included when you purchase paper from online stores, manilla folders, packaging from when you buy 12x12 albums. I've even used cereal boxes! When the cereal is done, I cut up to the size I want and then cover with patterned paper or cardstock (that idea came from Heidi Swapp).
Thanks for the giveaways. I would not be able to make it to the Scrap Etc but thanks for the chance :)

I save every scrap I've got and typically use it for die cutting or just as a little pop for an embellishment. I especially like doing that with my favorite papers I just bear to throw away.
Thanks for the chance to win - I live in Atlanta, so no commute for me to go to the event...I didn't even know we were having something! :)
Christine

i guess my frugal tip is as much a technique as anything - i'm loving making my own patterned paper with stamping at the moment, particularly layering stamps in different shades of the same colour.
~anna (in australia - a bit too far away!)

My frugal scrapbooking tip is check the dollar store! There are some things in the dollar store scrapbook section that ARE NOT worth using (adhesives that don't stick and bad eyelets!) but i've found great buttons, paper flowers, brads and occasionally a good brand name rub on or sticker! I've also started making a lot of hand made embellishments.

I like to invest in things I can use over and over again and on lots of projects like stamps and diecuts. Those were the first things I bought and I used them on everything until I built up my stash. =)

Swap materials with your girlfriends that scrap so that you all get something "new" to you.

When matting photos I cut out the center of the mat to use for other things.

My frugal tip is to share supplies with a friend. My best friend and I will split a package of embellishments and even cut a patterned paper in half. Sometimes you only need a little of the pattern to make the impact.

My tip would be to share your embellishments, ec. My sister and I both scrapbook - we are able to buy a larger package of something (which usually winds up being cheaper per item) and then split them.
It also works when we do online ordering - we combine our orders and are often able to get free shipping (most places offer free shipping if you order a certain amount) or at least only pay one shipping cost.
I would be able to go to the Scrap Etc event - I live in North Carolina and could drive! Would love the opportunity for that or any of the other fabulous prizes.

My frugal tip: Use little adhesive, but good adhesive! A good adhesive will go a LOOOONG way!

My frugal tip is to be more organized. If I'm organized I can see what I have and I don't buy duplicates. I've also started buying those little plastic hangers and attaching them inside the doors of my scrapbooking table to hang things like pop dots, metal tags, rulers, etc.
Marcie

I like to use a lot of "found" items on my pages. I use potato and vegetable sacs, orange juice lids, office supplies, and a lot of non-traditional scrap items when I'm creating. It helps when you don't have a lot of cash and want something "new and different" on your pages. Thanks again for the chance to win!

My frugal tip is that I've been repurposing/reusing all kinds of packaging, but especially the packaging from scrapbooking embellishments. The chipboard backing is perfect for making homemade chipboard accents and often times the clear plastic fronts can be used to make acrylic or clear embellishments.

I keep all my scraps in a plastic rolling cart in separate drawers labeled by color. I love just taking a drawer and using the scraps to make a monochromatic layout using all the bits and pieces - punched flowers, sewing bits together to make a frame or journaling square. I love the patchwork look!

I save bits and pieces...I always check my "scraps" first, and many times find just what I need for a layout.
JP

I save every scrap of paper and before I cut up a new sheet, I go through my scrap drawer to see if I have that color paper on hand...
I also am trying to make patterned paper by stamping my cardstock, rather than buying it by-the-sheet...
and I have bought double-sided tape in "bulk" -- I cut it to size rather than buying glue dots or photo squares. It works for everything (photos, paper, ribbon, etc.) and I made sure that it's acid-free.

My frugal tip is to use what you have. I bet most of us have more stuff than we would like to admit. You don't actually NEED the latest stuff - this has been a bit of a revelation to me, although it sounds simple. If I look at the layouts I love the most (mine and others, especially yours, Ali), they are often the simple, clean ones, with just one or two well chosen embellishments.
Or - make your own embellishments! OOAK, and far more meaningful than something pulled out of a packet and just stuck on.

My scrap tip is to just take a few minutes and think about how you can recycle your paper before throwing it away. I have two boys who love to do art. So, when I think that a scrap is now waste I put it in a container for my boys to do creative things with. I love to see their amazing works of art.

My frugal tip is in order to make 2"x3" photos when you've taken a lot of photos on a trip is to make a 4x6" template in photoshop, use the guidelines to divide it in half in each direction, then bring your photos in four at a time and save each one as a .jpg. That way you can get four 2x3 photos printed for the cost of one 4x6.