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

I save all my decent size scraps to use for accents or cards. I'm pretty good about using my supplies frugally, now if I could just make my shopping habits frugal!

side note: Allie, I don't know if you read all of these comments... I've noticed that your "Wednesday Giveaways" image hasn't appeared on the Wednesday posts in quite a while, there's just an outline of it. I'm guessing it's supposed to be a title... Of course, this might just be my own computer that doesn't like it.

My frugal tip is to use your scraps.
I would soooo love to go the Scrap Etc. Workshop.
My sister-in-law lives near Atlanta so I would have a place to stay. I can drive to GA, so please pick me. I would love to take classes with these talented scrappers. I am a stay at home mom so this would be a special treat! I think it would be an incredible experience. Your give-aways rock:)
Jess S.

I live in Florida and have family in the Atlanta area... I'm sure if I won the getaway, I would find a way to get there!
A frugal scrapbooking tip: don't throw away those scraps from your layouts. After a LO is complete (or altering project) I store all of the scraps together in cropper hopper vertical paper holders with dividers... I've already spent the time putting together all of my patterned papers, cardstocks, & embellishments and maybe even some things that I tried out but just didn't quite make the page... so why take them all apart again to hopefully use again in the future? When I need to do a small altering project, card, or small layout I already have everything ready to go together.
Another tip: When I buy something at a clothing store I ask if I can have a box for it (depending on the quality of the box, I use it to store numerous craft items) or sometimes just the ribbon that they tie it with. I love ribbon on my layouts and altering projects and this is a great way to get quality ribbon for nothing!!!

Definitely shop your stash. And, when you are shopping at home and see something you know you will never use, give it to a local charity that can use it. Everyone feels good and you have more room!
I would not be able to go to Georgia :(.

I keep my old Cricut mats and use them when I need some "temporary stick" for lining things up. They work especially well for keeping things in place when embossing with the Wizard. Just use it as the bottom layer of your stack. Everything stays in place! The grid lines also make it easy to line things up neatly and they can be cut to any size. The mats also work well for "fussy cutting" by hand - just enough stick left to keep things from shifting.

I have been using what I have, making my own cards and trying to scrap some of the MANY photos I already have on hand to be frugal. Scrapping just makes me so happy that it would be hard to totally give it up!!
HOLLY

My frugal scrapping tip is to use my paper scraps, all of them. Also, I use things that may even be "dated", but in a new way.

My daughter will be attending college next fall and she has received tons of look books from universities across the country. such cool designs on the pages that i have been saving them and using them in layouts, for matting and in art journal stuff.

stacking paper circles and then punching holes to make my own buttons! esp nice with some glossy accents on top...

I can't go to Atlanta but I'd love any of the other giveaways! My frugal tip is to punch shapes from scraps and make your own embellishments or just go through the scrap box first before cutting into a big sheet.

I have a drawer in my scraproom specifically for scrap paper. I don't keep anything smaller than 2 inches square - but those are perfect for cards. My dd (10 years old) loves to get in my scrap room and make cards from the scrap drawer.
I have also made myself a promise to use what I have before I buy more. I have been doing that and have created lots of layouts and mini books.

My frugal tips are simple ones. If I am looking for a piece of cardstock I go to the scraps first. Every time, no exceptions. I always try to use those first. I also make my own custom page protectors to store my clear stamps in. I buy a box of 8 & 1/2 X 11 ones from Costco and then sew smaller compartments with my sewing machine. Then I cut a slit in the ones that are down low with my sharp little scissors. I never have to buy a custom storage system for them. I also make a big effort to look at every product that I have and say to myself how can I alter this? How can I make this into something else? Can I make that white and then color it to whatever color I want? I do this before purchasing too. Working in a scrapbook store it's tempting to buy all the newest things, but I don't have that much $, so I make sure I'll make it run a marathon before I splurge.

My frugal scrapbooking tip is after I finish a project (I make many, many mini albums over the course of a year) I package the scraps to be used to make card sets. It's fast and easy, because all the decisions are already done for you and is a great way to use up scraps.

Not really sure if this a tip but JOURNALING. I always forget and think that I will come back and I never do.....SO don't forget to JOURNAL.
THANKS~

I didn't know you could be frugal with scrapping! :) haha! My advice....have fun and enjoy it...it's a hobby!!!
Michelle
Humble, TX

Even though I would love too there is no way I could attend the event all the way from Australia. I do however love those return address labels.
My tip would be journalling, this is a fairly new thing for me as I find it difficult but when I look back at where I have done it, the picture becomes much clearer to me.
Also back up those photos and layouts. All mine are saved to a portable hard drive.
Thanks for another great chance at a give away Ali

Hi Ali. I posted about the Cricut mats and forgot to note that I could not make it to Atlanta as much as I would love to. Another tip I have, though, is to keep things in sight. I try to organize so that I can see what I have on hand. This keeps me from buying things twice and also helps to stoke my creativity. Being organized is my best tool.

I love using saucers, plates, even lampshades to cut larger circles than I'm able to using my CM cutting system. It's kind of like a scavenger hunt to find the perfect "template" for whatever I'm working on.

I find myself saving almost every bit of paper/card stock that comes my way, meaning clothing tags, junk mail titles, and you wouldn't believe the cute pages i have made from actual stuff i have picked up off the ground. It's predistressed!! the edges already look so perfect. I have even found & used smashed bottlecaps this way.

I save all my scraps no matter the size. Out of those scraps I make binder identifiers for all of the articles I save from magazines and downloads. That way I can find layouts, ideas and patterns easier and have more scrapbook time.
Have a great day.
Donnelly

I save my old paper and let my g'son make paper airplanes out of the colorful paper. He is really into doing that right now! I would be interested in going on the trip to Atlanta and I am sure my husband and g'son would be thrilled to go along with me!

Ali,
I am writing on behalf of my wonderful twin sister Kelly. She never gets to play with me in our scrappy world and I would love to win her a spot to come and play. I am currently registered but I want her to be able to join me and she can't afford it at this time.
Kathy

Use what you have!

I like to use the cardboard from empty cereal boxes and cover them with pretty scrapbook paper to make journal covers, tags or a banner/garland.