Working With the Right Supplies

There’s no faster way to ruin an exceptionally beautiful scrapbook layout than by using the wrong type of supplies. If you are just getting started with your scrapbooking adventures, don’t make the mistake of purchasing non acid-free paper. Using traditional paper may be tempting, as it is affordable and easily accessible, but it will inevitably compromise all of your hard work. To preserve your precious family pictures, so they can be viewed by future generations, you must be very careful about the type of paper you use. Regular paper degrades as it ages and creates acid that fades photos. Conversely, … Continue reading

Scrapbook Overhaul

Dear Oprah, would you kindly send your organizing guru Peter Walsh to overhaul my scrapbook space? Clearly, the queen of talk didn’t receive my S.O.S. prior to ending her show because my scrapbook corner is as horrendous as ever. I don’t have enough money to be a hoarder, but I could still use Walsh’s advice nonetheless. He’s got a show on Oprah Radio where he serves up general tips on how to de-clutter your home, but when it comes to specific scrapbook storage hints and tips, Walsh insinuates that there is no “right” way to organize your supplies. Rather, as … Continue reading

Bargain Hunting at the Local Scrapbook Store

The cost of scrapbooking can get high and even out of control. With all the new gadgets and tools and papers and products, it is easy to let it get the best of you and allow your hobby to take control of not only your life but your budget too. And if you don’t have anywhere nearby that you can purchase cheap supplies and your only option is the local scrapbook store, this can put a bigger damper on your budget. Scrapbook stores can be expensive. So how do you bargain hunt at the local scrapbook store when all the … Continue reading

Tips to Remember When Spending on Scrapbook Supplies

With tax season over today, and everyone shuffling to get those last minute returns filed, I thought I would remind you of some good ways to spend your money on scrapbooking supplies. I don’t know too many scrapbooker’s who don’t purchase something for themselves with the tax money they get back. Here are a few tips to spending wisely. The Dollar Per Use Rule – Before you spend any money at all on a scrapbooking tool or supply, be sure that it is something you really think you will use. Keep in mind that there is a dollar to use … Continue reading

Scrapbooking Week in Review for April 1-6, 2008 with a Few Extras

I don’t know what it was like for you in your neck of the woods this past weekend, but our area was absolutely beautiful and was the closest resemblance to Spring that we’ve had since last year. We got some flowers planted, grass seed poured and enjoyed the outdoors as much as we could. Days like those are hard to find to scrapbook, because you want to enjoy the weather, but you can always do it at night or early in the morning. Remember to make time for it, while still enjoying the beautiful weather. Here is what has been … Continue reading

Old Scrapbooking Trends Make a Comeback

Scrapbooking has literally grown in leaps and bounds in the past ten years or more. Everyday new innovative products are released or designed with the scrapbooker exclusively in mind. However, as the industry continues to grow and change, obviously so do the different trends. So what do you do when you have spent a fortune on a particular tool or other item that seems to have run its course? First of all, you should use whatever you want to use on your layouts. Besides, who are those layouts for? You and your family are the ones that will enjoy them … Continue reading

Breaking the Rules of Scrapbooking

In an earlier article I touched on there being no rules in scrapbooking. I suppose that isn’t exactly true, because there are certainly some thing you should or shouldn’t do. However, it depends on what your reasoning is behind the creation of that layout. You might make layouts because it is an awesome outlet for your creativity. You might like the ability to express yourself through art, and maybe photography and the freedom to do what you want on your layouts leaves you feeling exuberant. Theres is nothing like the feeling of a masterpiece complete when we have finished a … Continue reading

The Reasons for Scrapbooking From a Real Life Scrapbooker

In the many years that I have been scrapbooking, I have been asked more than once, my reasons for scrapbooking. While my main reasons haven’t ever changed, my goals and layouts and what they reflect have changed. Most people scrapbook to preserve their memories. Some people scrapbook because it is a creative outlet that allows them to be artistic and utilize photographs in the process. While both of these hold true for me, there is a deeper meaning for me, and I hope that my real life scrapbooking will make you reconsider your own layouts and moments that you choose … Continue reading

Cheap Scrapbooking Supplies From The Bathroom 2

Nobody could possibly believe that it is possible to find scrapbooking supplies in the bathroom? This is the second part of a two article series on discovering frugal supplies and embellishments in the bathroom of your own house. You more than likely already have these items, and it will be fun to discover how you can use them on your scrapbook layouts. Barrettes and Bobby Pins – These are fantastic accessories to use as embellishments on your scrapbooking layouts. They can be altered, inked, embossed, painted or otherwise to make them coordinate with your layouts. They act the same way … Continue reading

Cheap Scrapbooking Supplies From The Bathroom 1

Who in the world ever thought you could find scrapbooking supplies in the bathroom? Most scrapbookers would think you were nuts to even suggest it, but its possible. My frugal nature causes me to look for fun and innovative supplies and embellishments in the strangest of places. The bathroom was never off limits. In fact, nothing is off limits for me. What can you possibly find in the bathroom? Cotton Balls and Swabs – These are the two most commonly found items in the bathroom that can be used either as applicators for inks, chalks, etc. Or you can be … Continue reading