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

I'd love to get to the Scrap etc event and would fly there if I was lucky enough to win. Sometimes I'll scrap on both sides of a page to get the most out of my paper.

Wow, nice giveaways!
I've got a few frugal scrapbooking tips but there's one that's a particular favorite. When I buy some cute die cuts (& lordy, are they sometimes very pricey), I photocopy them in color onto a thicker bond. That way, I have 2-3 copies of them that I cut up with my micro scissors and use on other layouts or layer with other embellies. I've done this, too, with felt borders (just experimenting) and they actually turned out very pretty. Just have to have patience doing some cutting but it's no big deal to me. I can stretch my scrapping budget this way.

When I'm taking photos, I try to include details that might not make it into a layout as full-size pics, but rather are used as accents/embellishments (less to buy that way). Signs, decor, textures and patterns are some favorites.

My frugal tip is using paint sample strips/cards and die cutting out of them or using them for cool colorful squares on a layout. They are free! Can't beat that!

I was just wondering if I am the only one who can't see Ali's Wednesday Giveaway's graphic at the head of the post every week?

what a fantastic giveaway- i am a big fan of Hope's work- she designed my own blog card and i love it! xo

My frugal tip....make your own version of some of the embellishments or papers you love! A little paint, a little ink, is sometimes all it takes.
Love the Paper Relics giveaway, but I could also realistically attend the Scrap Etc. event, it's within driving distance for me!

Frugal tip.. don't ever look at blogs or websites... its just too hard to resist all the cuteness!

My favorite frugal tip is to use what works - use what I have, and substitute instead of coveting the latest & greatest. I know, much easier said than done. :)
And I'd LOVE to go to Scrap Etc ... :)

I could easily make Atlanta... FUN!
My tip is to look outside of my crafting supplies. I find neat little knick nacks on clothing tags, in junk mail, in free samples. I use it all. The ultimate in recycling. :)

This is kind of a boring one, but my best tip for frugal scrapbooking, as well as saving money in a lot of other places as well, is to stay organized. When you know where your things are and can find them easily, you're much less likely to spend on items that you already have, and you can also see where items that you already have would work in place of ones you would have to buy.

I strip the corrugated cardboard out of the UPS & priority mail boxes that my monthly kits arrive in! Corrugated cardboard makes super cool handmade accents for cards & layouts- you can paint it, stamp it, layer it, use it as a background- endless uses! so cool- give it a try!

my tip is to always save the back of your letter sheets, and then use them as templates, i always do this and it has saved me alot!
but i'm sure many of you already do this
Thanks Ali!
Megan P

I love to print digital papers for 'hybrid' projects. I only print what I need, so there is no waste. I can also recolor objects, so I can find something in my digital 'stash' and make it work for what I need. Frugal and green!

Hmmm... a frugal tip. My creative mind doesn't always work, so I'm never afraid to scrapift layout ideas from other people.
For digital scrapbooking, I have never actually purchased a kit. There is always something free floating around the internet, so I just use those and tweek them to fit my layouts.

Hey Ali-when I run out of a certain letter on an alpha sheet, I 'make' letters with the remaining 'parts' - it's usually really hard to tell when I've employed the 'frankenletter' techinique
Val

I save all paper scraps. To make them easily accessible I sort them by color, then further by cardstock or pattern. I have a drawer in my desk that holds 8-1/2 x 11 size hanging files so this is where my paper scraps are stored, easy to access quickly. It's' amazing how many times I go for scraps.
I would love, love, love to go to the Scrap Etc. in Atlanta. The way I see it - it would also give me a chance to scout out the scrapbook stores in the area, after I hit Archivers that is.

Like many others, I am a scrap hoarder and user. I have them sorted by color and use them on everything. I also have a mental budget. It would be more frugal to keep what I'm willing to spend as cash on hand, so I couldn't exceed it, but as it turns out, I have a great mental sense of what a purchase will be, and make myself stay in bounds. If there is no money, there is no trip to the store. Additionally, I shy away from online shopping as I am loathe to pay shipping fees.
No Atlanta :(

I keep a daisy and butterfly punch on my desk for when I have a teensy scrap I can't bear to throw out. I've collected an entire box of "free" embellies this way!

My tip is to never pay full price for anything! I always look for sales and use coupons. And for digital scrapbooking I look for freebies or try to make things myself.
I would LOVE to go to Atlanta, and I could definitely make the drive :)

My tip - I like to get creative with my computer to avoid the cost of stickers and embellishments. This only works well when I'm scrapping at home, but I enjoy trying to come up with good ideas.

I would love to go to the Scrap Etc event. It is really just a short drive away!
I save all my reasonably sized scraps for making cards and for my daughters to use in their own creations. We always head to the scrap drawers first before we cut a full sheet of paper.

Old gift cards with great colors and graphics and cereal boxes (cut, paint and ta-da...custom chipboard accents).

scrapbooking paper can be used for a lot more than scrapbooking! Try framing your favorite paper or collage of papers for a nice art piece, decoupage a piece of furniture with your favorite papers, or even use your favorite paper to make a homemade card or birthday decorations! The sky's the limit.

Frugal tip, hmmm. I like to make albums of paper bags and other items rather than buy large 12 x 12 albums, etc. It's so fun to create a book from the ground up.