How to Create a Frugal Scrapbook Layout

Scrapbooking is often considered an expensive hobby, but you don't need to spend a small fortune to create beautiful layouts for your album.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. The cheapest place to purchase acid-free glue sticks is in the children’s school supply section. Just remember that rubber cement, although inexpensive, shouldn’t be used as a scrapbooking adhesive because the chemicals will damage your photos.

2. When designing a layout, make simplicity your goal. The collage look is very popular with scrapbookers, but simple scrapbooking is the most cost effective style. Simple Scrapbooks magazine is a great resource for learning how to creating stunning layouts with cardstock, patterned paper, and minimal embellishments.

3. Cardstock is almost always cheaper than patterned paper. Use cardstock as a background for your layouts with smaller amounts of patterned paper as decorative accents. Cardstock is cheapest when purchased in multi-packs, but when you’re buying by the sheet remember that lighter colors will generally cost less than darker shades because of the dyes used in the printing process.

4. Make your own patterned paper by scanning interesting bits of fabric or flat objects and printing onto white cardstock or the back side of unwanted patterned paper. Just remember that even though it might seem like a great money saving tip, it’s a violation of copyright law to scan and reuse copies of purchased patterned papers.

5. You don’t need to mat every photo on a layout; matting photos will quickly use up your supply of cardstock. For a cheaper alterative to matting, outline photos with chalk. Using a pencil, lightly trace the outline of your photo onto the paper. Use a sponge applicator to apply chalk over the traced lines in a rapid up and down motion. You can also create the illusion of photo mats by placing multiple photos close to one another.

6. Your computer can be a powerful scrapbooking tool. Free fonts and clip art make easy and effective ways to add visual interest to all of your scrapbooking projects.

[sherryeam]

on 2/19/2009 Good article. There are so many cost effective things like this. I need to do more often. I should do an album of just that to show people it isn't so expensive. Course I need to finish my current projects first.

[opalpearl3]

on 1/26/2009 excellent article. Thanks.

[DeeFamularo]

on 10/21/2008 Although glue sticks are initially less expensive than adhesive runners, it is well worth the extra money to invest in proper adhesive. Glue sticks are considered a "wet" adhesive, and over time dry to the point where most will actually release from the paper, causing your photos and other items to loosen or, worse, slide right off the page. There are excellent adhesive runners that, if used properly, will last throughout a large project (even longer than the glue sticks)and be more cost-effective in the long run. Your best bet is to go to your Local Scrapbook Store and ask them what's available. I have many people here who are on very tight budgets after Hurricane Katrina, but who are able to use proper products to ensure their albums will last throughout their lifetime because they do their research. As an LSS owner, I do the research for my customers and help any way I can. Ask

[joyful327]

on 4/13/2008 Very helpful article!!!! 5 stars!!!!!!