TIPS: cheap, alternative, look alike supplies?

hello! I am sure you all are on a "budget" as am I. I have been racking my brain where, what, how I can find & use alternative supplies. Ex: I saw on here someone using page protectors for "windows" to shaker boxes, tile samples from hardware stores.. I am also wondering is there any other places I'm missing aside from the usual craft stores? just wanting feedback, thanks!

Another money saver is to buy dry wall tape instead of magic mesh, then you can use a stamp pad or the wide end of a pen to color it. It is safe for your book (has been tested with a pH pen). You will pay like $5 or $6 for a large roll instead of $3 for 1 yard.

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Aleta
"Commit random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty"

If you have a "99 cent only" store, or a "dollar tree", looks for stuff there. You have to go regularly though, cuz they always get new stuff. I've found the big sheets of stickopotmus letter stickers, cute stickers with designs, sandylion stickers, those little photo mounting squares, glue sticks, those adhesive dispensers that roll out double sided tape(don't know what they're called) gelly roll pens, books with cute patterned paper & die cuts to go with them (all photo safe stuff)....you'd be amazed at what you find there. My Aunt has even found cardstock there. Just keep your eyes open. Since everything is so cheap I usually by stuff for friends also. Oh, I almost forgot try "Big Lots", my Aunt has found nice stamps there. Good quality ones too. I'm sorry I was a little long winded, but I get so excited when I find scrapping stuff for cheap. Hope this helps,

Janette

gosh that is GREAT! i'll have to check some of this out! thanks!!

thanks soooooooooo much! I havnt used the magic mesh yet.

Anyone have that crayola light projector? I baught it for my daughter with all the shapes and animals..I use that too, projecting it onto my paper. just a tip.

any other sugg??

...I got these from the creating keepsakes mag tips, wanted to share. ive been doing my research and wanted to share with you all:

I really enjoy making shaker boxes and especially like using a double thickness of foam tape for added depth. This can be rather costly. I realized I could easily make my own self adhesive foam strips, dots or squares. Using my rotary cutter and a straight edge, I cut strips of foam sheets available in the craft department of most stores. I put the strips through my Xyron, removed the protective top sheet, then put them through again. This made both sides of the foam self adhesive. A sheet of foam is very inexpensive and will give you a lot of strips or other shapes you may need for your project. It also has a little more dimension than the regular foam tape. Now I can make lots of shakers, or elevate page elements, without adding a lot of cost.

Specialty papers are often the most expensive in the store. I have found a great new way to save money on metallic papers that especially works great with cards. Use metallic paint samples! Ralph Lauren brand makes metallic paint and the samples are free at stores like Home Depot. Although the samples would not work for all sizes of scrapbooks, etc, they are perfect for cards.

Instead of purchasing those expensive cardboard storage boxes at the scrap stores, I use a pizza box. The local pizza shop gave me one for free (some of my friends had to pay .50). Take a 12X12 piece of cardstock with you to make sure it will fit in the box. I have found that most medium boxes are 12X12. I use it to keep all my scraps in. I decorated the top with a piece of 12X12 cardstock and sticker letters.

[This message has been edited by heatherb (edited 05-01-2003).]

I'm guilty of using page protectors for my shakers, they work great! I think someone already mentioned the use of fun foam rather than foam tape. This works great not only for shakers, but anywhere you would use a pop dot. Look in the stenciling area for templates, they're always cheaper, and usually there is a larger varity.

My scrap area is organized with NON sb products like expandable files, plain old 3 ring binders, and the like. Rubbermaid is my best organizing tool!

If you're looking for a fun place to look for supplies, wander around home improvement stores, office supply stores, and of course Walmart OR just look in differant areas of your craft store. You'd be amazed at what you'd find.

Great ideas above, especially using sheet rock tape instead of expensive magic mesh. Another tip: I love to use charms, but they are SO expensive. So I go to yard sales and flea markets and buy old jewelry, (especially if it is broken)like bracelets, necklaces, and earrings that have "dangles" of some sort. Many are just like charms, and sometimes I can buy dozens of "charms" for a dollar or two. The "dangles" on most jewelry will have a small hole which makes it easy to use string, twine, or wire for putting the charm on the page. Sometimes I find small flat pierced earrings that are great for charms. I just snip off the post and get a great charm substitute.

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Scrapper Sue