Crafting on a budget

When it comes to scrapbooking or card making, it can get very expensive.  If you need some ideas on how to save cost, remember this one tip; save all your scraps.  Even a small piece of paper will have a purpose one day!  Put it in a folder or a shoe box.  It might end up being corners for some of your photos, or trimming for a card.

If you are a beginner, you might want to minamize cost on your project, especially if this is going to be your first.  All you really need to start crafting is a pair of scissors, some cardstock, double sided tape, some embellishments, and maybe some ribbons...and you are set to go!  Of course, some creativity will help, too. 

 

Here are some other creative ways to save money:

• Go through the gift bags you have received from friends and family.  If there is anything cute or nice on the box, you can use it to decorate you projects.
• If you are looking for fun and colorful cardstock to fill your pages, save money by buying bristol board from a dollar store.  Most stores sells it for 50 cents per board.
• Bristol boards can also be used to make your own cards.  All you have to do is measure, cut and score!
• If you have empty tissue boxes with flowers or burtterflies on it, you can use it to decorate by cutting it out.

If after a few projects, you are certain that crafting is what you love to do, maybe invest in some tools to make the process easier.  My very first tool was a paper cutter.  It costed me about $60.00 at Staples, and it was the BEST investment I have ever made!  My edges were always very nice and neatly cut and measured out.  If you are on a budget, a paper trimmer will do the job.

Other creative ideas:

I turned a Hudson's Bay Company box into a smaller gift box for a friend.

 

Here are some simple cards I made without using any tools other than a pair of scissors and a glue gun.

Happy Crafting!