Starting a Scrapbook, the Frugal Way

Does starting a scrapbook hobby have to be expensive? I always thought it did; that is one reason why I never took it up. (The other reason is that I knew it would become an all-consuming force in my life and I would spend way too much time on it, but that is another story!) Since then I have met Lynda Jeffs at Memories in Tyme, and she has lots of ideas for scrapbooking while spending almost nothing (she says she has been scrapbooking for the past seven years without spending any money on supplies!) If you are interested in scrapbooking, whether it is a new project for you, or you have been doing it for years (and spending way too much money on it!), you've come to the right place - Lynda is the expert!

Guest article by Lynda Jeffs
Starting a scrapbook can be expensive, especially looking at all of the supplies and things you can get. If you are just starting out, I would not suggest running out and purchasing each and every item out there. If you craft anyway, you probably have quite a few things you will need for starting a scrapbook. Basic things such as a ruler and scissors (if you do not have a paper trimmer), a black marker, and a bit of color such as ribbon or buttons to name a few!

When you are first starting out you may have a hard time finding ideas for scrapbook pages. Try finding a kit that will have everything included in it such as the kits you find from Colorblok. I purchased my kit from Wal-Mart in the craft section; this kit includes scrapbook page layout ideas for you to completely recreate. Or if you are more experienced, create your own style of layouts with the supplies you are given. With what is left over, create a few cards to put in your stash of cards!

As you scrapbook more often, you will want to look at sample scrapbook pages to get ideas for your own pages. Take a simple composition notebook to make into your design notebook, for you to put sketches for layouts, titles or quotes, or pictures you need to take. There are a number of things you can add to this notebook, to make it easier for you to create things later on. This notebook will help you to keep your own scrapbook page layout ideas that you are attracted to in one place for use later on.

Look for sales and coupons for specials, especially looking for 40% off coupons to help save you money! Start to look at the colors of cardstock and paper you use, and look for packs of paper you can purchase to save you money there. I can purchase a pack of kitchen related paper and end up using part of the paper pack on a totally different project. Some of the paper I know I will never use, I try to swap with someone else, or send to a friend or someone I know that creates as well to cheer them up!

As you learn more and more about this craft, you will find more and more supplies that you will want to get. Learn to find things you use a lot of, things relating to birthdays, or holidays, and find items you can use that will save you money. Things like stamps, or die cuts always help to save money. Start to look at your scrapbook page layout ideas that you want to recreate, for ways you can start to save money on the supplies. Purchase a roll of ribbon with a friend and split the cost and ribbon in half, especially if you only need a small bit.

Learn to have swaps with other friends who also scrapbook. Form a club, whether long distance or right in your own area, to swap layout ideas, supplies, embellishments, or whatever. If you have 10 people that are in your group, you would make 10 of the same item and send to a “hostess”. That “hostess” will swap out each of the items and send you back your package, each person paying for their own postage. This way, you get different items back to use in your own layouts! When you are first starting out, it helps to get different ideas until you start to create your own!

Keep in mind I have been able to scrapbook for over 7 years on what I have available to me, no spending money on extras for me. I learned that my own die cut machine was a complete lifesaver for me, and that my stamping supplies went a long way with my scrapbook layouts!

Everyone has a story to tell: photos, mementos and things they have saved on events and things. Scrapbooking is cheaper than therapy, or can be used along with therapy! Making family scrapbook pages helps to keep the family together, spending a night once a week or once a month on your pages. Then being able to show your friends and other family members what you have spent your time on helps in other ways too.

Learn to make a one-of-a-kind mini album for your friends and family members using the extra photos you have. This way you are saving money for gifts, and they are getting something that truly is made with them in mind. Grandparents always like getting a photo album of grandkids’ pictures for a gift, especially the hard to please grandparent… or the grandparent who has everything!

Using your scrapbook supplies to make a one of a kind card also helps to save money. Find plain card packs that have the envelope and cards in them, and make your own style of cards. You can use the same sketching technique as you do with your layouts, to design cards as well. Stamps can be used in layouts or in cards to create your embellishment or basis of the card, such as a saying stamp or a balloon stamp.

You can find more on starting a scrapbook, scrapbook page layout ideas and sample scrapbook pages at memoriesintyme.blogspot.com or on Memories in Tyme in the Learning Section! You will have other links to places you can find me for even more ideas! Starting a scrapbook should be fun, not stressful and expensive! Learn to design your own items for your own family, in a frugal way!

Lynda Jeffs, Owner and Designer
Memories in Tyme

starting a scrapbook
Starting a Scrapbook to Paper Bag Scrapbooks

Starting a Scrapbook back to Kids Activites

Home to Frugal Living Now