frugal scrapbooking tips and tricks

I decided on 8.5x11 vs 12x12 because it meant I could buy page protectors and cardstock (esp. white) at the Office Store for much less. I started out using regular binders instead of albums also but I've upgraded over the years - now I only use binders as my working albums - they hold my layouts in progress.

Take advantage of sales - especially clearance sales - BUT only if you'll actually USE the item. It's not savings if you buy it and then toss or donate it because it wasn't your style.

A good part of my stash was pre-owned - my DH loves yard sales and thrift stores so he always keeps an eye out for scrappy stuff for me. He has a pretty good eye for what I would actually use. He's picked up old style Recollections cubes (filled with paper), SU stamps, cardstock, Basic Grey...all sorts of stuff. And I've been the fortunate recepient of other crafters destashing - RAKs from here, an IRL friend has given me quite a bit of paper and embellishments over the years - she's a shopper...perhaps more than a scrapper, we picked up several new in package Cricut mats from a coworker of DH's who was moving...

I don't tend to have the newest and greatest tools either. I do have a Cricut - but it's an Expression that I bought on sale many years ago (2010 or 2011 I think). I picked up SCAL at the same time -right before it was no longer available for Cricut (due to the lawsuit). I don't have copics - I have ohuhu markers instead - and my first alcohol markers actually came from Five Below. I'm still using my QK 2x2 dies and handtool as well as my Deluxe Designs colourblocking templates and the Pages by Design templates that I got on super duper clearance. My theory is that if it still works, I'm probably still using it. That said DH did buy me a Gemini Jr a couple of years ago to replace my Epic Six that finally died and I picked up a Gemini Mini for iNSD this year.

The only classes I've ever paid for are the $5 Shimelle Use Your...classes (and I've ended up with so many free older classes from her that I've more than gotten my money's worth - and one 4x6 sketch class from Alison Davis. I don't pay for crops or VIP passes for summits etc.. (the exception is the SG iNSD crop - that's well worth the $10). There are SO many free resources online.

And yes - I've gutted paper and cardstock before

I've been doing that a lot. I've decided most of my foam is too thick.

I also will gut my favorite papers or colors I am running low on. I think it helps keep the thickness of the layout down, too. I love layering papers, but the layouts can get pretty thick and take up too much space in my albums.

I do this with punches---punch the same image several times then glue them together.  It gives the thickness of chipboard, but all I used up are some scraps and a bit of glue.

I've also punched and cut things out of the cover sheets of kits (not ones with an actual printed paper on the back, of course!).  

My frugal tip is invest in a electric die cutting machine. If I need a specific element or phrase or whatever, I can create the file and cut it out usually from freebies I find on the internet. I also use it for cutting out stamped images if I don't want to buy the coordinating dies. I guess that might be more of a time saver vs frugal tip.

This is what I have been doing for years. I cut a strip to the desired thickness and then fold 2-4 times depending on thickness needed.

I glue the folded strip together then attach to the project and card/layout.

-shop non SB specific supplies from hardware stores and office supply stores. anything marketed and packaged for scrapbooking is usually more expensive than the same thing you might find at office depot or home depot. i don't need my stuff to be pink or match.  they just have to do the job.

-use off brand items that are just as good as the brand items but way cheaper

-buy used but well made tools.  people are always destashing and their trash and is your treasure.  your trash will also be someone's treasure.  the secondary market is great.

Well, digital supplies can be used over and over again forever so I think that's pretty frugal.

Seriously, though, I spend very little on supplies over the course of a year since I am a CTM for a digital store. I spend $10/month to use Photoshop + spend between $60 - $80 2-3 times a year on Shutterfly's unlimited pages sale but otherwise, it's just $20 or $30 a handful of times a year for supplies at other stores. 90% of my layouts are made with supplies I receive for free.

I wait for sales and compare costs—ACOT vs SBC.

I have several alphabets in my die stash so I’ve stopped buying the chipboard or sticker ones.

I sometimes make embellishments from my stamps and dies.

I still mourn the passing of Tuesday Morning. A great place to get deals.

I save the cellophane packaging from purchased items to use for shaker cards and other projects with windows. I also don't buy letter or word stickers unless they are included in a collection that I'm buying. My die cutting machines have been some of my best investments.

I have a local second hand craft store and have purchased $75 items for $6. So many people in town don't know it exists.

I would echo what jediannie said about electronic cutting machines. I am still using my original Silhouette Cameo and it is going strong. If it died, I would replace it in a heartbeat. While it was an initial investment, I have more than recovered my costs by cutting titles, elements for cards and tags, and small gift packaging.

I’m another Cameo fan. I use it for print and cut a lot, as well as for cutting titles and other embellishments.

I also have a printer that will print 12.5 x18.5 inches. I can print one 12x12 paper, plus 2 6x6 papers on a single 13x19 sheet of card stock. I love being able to print what I need and have my Cameo cut out the smaller print & cut designs. The cost of digital files and printer ink is less than to buy papers, embellishments, and ephemera from the LSS or online. I save on gas and on shipping costs as well. A lot of Etsy designs are very affordable, and many are just as nice as anything I can purchase at the LSS (which is quite a distance to drive for me).

Both the Cameo and 13x19 color printer were expensive up front, but they have made it possible for me to create anything I want or need, and buying digital designs is less expensive and more convenient for me in the long run.