Scrapbookers Inner Circle

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I love shopping for new scrapbooking supplies, but times are tough and the budget is tight.  I hear these words all over the place: recession, economic downturn, layoffs, unemployment.  I don't know how "bad" it really is in reality.  All I know is my reality - which is a pay decrease for my husband who earns the majority of our income.  I am grateful that he still has his job and is not laid off, but there is a degree of uncertainty hanging around in the air.

We are both actively working hard at building our businesses so that they replace our income sooner than later.  But in the meantime, Tracy will not be shopping for supplies and tightening the belt in other areas too.

So, to make this fun, I thought I would give myself a challenge.  I've written about challenges before, but never done one like this.  Here's my challenge:

Create layouts using ONLY the supplies I already have on hand.  I will give myself a break if I need to buy adhesive, but I'm pretty stocked up on that too.  Goodness knows I have PLENTY of supplies some of which I have never used(!), so now I'm going to get creative with what I have.  I'm actually really looking forward to it!  Anyone care to join me?

Cheers!
Tracy

For most every scrapbooker, shopping is a pleasure, and a necessity.  So often, however, many of us end up using the checkout counter as a confessional for all the scrapbook stuff we’ve previously purchased, and don’t use.  And when we get home, some of us even hide our new goodies in the closet, while others never even take the latest and greatest out of the bag.

 

Why do these scenarios give scrapbooking a bad name?  Well, because scrapbooking is supposed to be all about you having stress-free fun, and it’s supposed to be about completing pages and projects for all to enjoy.  Guilt is an inspiration killer, and unused tools and forgotten product are just a crying shame.

 

So here are two tips to help you shop smarter this season, so that your purchases give you the results you want, and not just less money in your bank account.  

 

 

Anytime you set foot in a scrapbook store or go online, determine ahead of time how much money you can truly afford to spend.  Be honest with yourself.  If you know that no matter where you are that you will never leave empty handed, then either don’t go in to begin with, or give yourself a reasonable dollar amount to spend that will allow you to feel like you haven’t missed out on an opportunity.  If you are a frequent shopper, then set your dollar amount lower, so that you can spread out your fun without spending more that you can really afford. 

 

 

 

When it comes to scrapbooking, the world is your oyster and options abound.  It is so easy to shop with the idea that "I’ll take one of that, and one of that, and that, and that!" But pretty soon, we end up with a little bit of everything and no completed projects to show for it.  One of the best ways to harness your spending is to have your project with you. Lay it out on your desk as you browse online.  Go ahead…match colors, choose embellishments, or change over to a better tool!  But make sure that whatever you buy will greatly increase the likelihood that your project can be completed when you get home.

 

Scrapbooking wouldn’t be scrapbooking if there were no shopping involved.  However, there’s nothing sadder than a scrapbooker who has more than they need, and no finished projects to show off their shopping prowess.  The real joy and benefit is in the doing and in the creation of lasting memories.  So when you do shop, shop with the end in mind. And turn those goodies you so enthusiastically purchased, into useful elements for your pages and projects, that when all is said and done, truly make a difference.