How to Get Cheap Scrapbook Supplies

With a little bit of creativity, you can find tons of cheap scrapbook supplies that won’t break the bank. The trick is to look beyond the scrapbooking store or craft department for alternative papers, add-ons, and embellishments – you’ll end up with not only a frugal way to preserve your memories, but also unique, one-of-a-kind scrapbook pages.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. RECYCLE WRAPPING PAPER
   Before you toss your used wrapping paper into the recycling bin, check to see if any pieces are usable for your scrapbook. Look for sections with minimal creasing to serve as the background, or smaller pieces to frame photos. If the pattern on the paper is small, try cutting thin strips to use as edge embellishments. If the pattern is larger, cut out motifs to use as decorations in place of store-bought stickers.

2. 
    

   REUSE GREETING CARDS
   Birthday cards, Christmas cards, and other greeting cards can make wonderful scrapbook enhancements. You can cut out the pictures directly, or even trace another shape over the images (for example, a Christmas tree shape cut out of a snowflake image). The words inside can also be used as a frugal alternative to purchased quotation sheets. You can even use the front or back of the card as a photo frame – just cut out a rectangle or other shape from the center and mount over your photo.

3. 
    

   COLLECT VACATION MEMENTOS
   Vacation trips are a great way to stock up on cheap scrapbook supplies! Save your tourist maps to use as backgrounds and brochures from attractions to use for embellishments. Some hotels and parks even have free postcards that you can use for a fun themed page. Ticket stubs and park passes, especially if they have your names or photos, are also great additions.

4. SALVAGE HOUSEHOLD PAPERS
   Many household paper products make wonderful scrapbooking materials. Large calendar pages are great backgrounds for birthdays and other special events, such as the first day of school, holidays, etc. The graphics in magazines and advertisements can be used to embellish the pages - because the surfaces are often fragile, however, you might need to laminate them first. Use some of the artwork your child brings home from school to frame photos or create cutouts, or even reuse the written parts as page quotes. If you’ve painted recently and still have a pile of paint color swatches, use these to punk out small shapes or create tiny frames.

5. TRADE WITH FRIENDS
   For more traditional, yet still cheap, scrapbook supplies, consider trading with a friend. Many scrappers have stashes of background papers, cardstock, and stickers that never seem to get used. Call a buddy or two, put your excess supplies together, and choose something new-to-you!

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to skimp on scissors or glue – high quality tools will help give your page a professional look.
• Use acid-free page protectors to preserve your pages.

[crimsonsky2009]

on 8/6/2009 Great info, thanks!