P. Kelly Smith
Welcome to Freebie Friday! It seems like the economy is affecting everyone these days. My dear, sweet mom lost her job this week. A job she called home for the last six years (I know many of you can relate). While the shock of it is still settling in, she’s preparing herself for leaner days ahead.
And though her bank account won’t be as full, she’s looking forward to a little down time until that next job presents itself.
With her days now free, I suggested she take up card making (something I wish I had more time to do!). Her first response was, “Isn’t that expensive?” I replied, “You haven’t seen our July/August issue!” And it’s so true. Card making doesn’t have to be expensive. You just need some inspiration to point you in the right direction! Enter our July/August issue:
Our “Eco” issue is packed with 100+ projects geared towards saving you money and the environment. Take Alisa’s blog this week on rubbing flower petals onto cardstock. Who knew you could achieve so many brilliant colors? What a beautiful backdrop! Throw in a few miscellaneous supplies and voila! – you have a gorgeous card that cost next to nothing to create.
Alisa Bangerter's Enjoy and Thanks cards from our July/August issue.
Here’s two more eco-conscious cards from Alisa’s Paper Crafts 101 column (July/August issue). In her Enjoy card, she created her own patterned paper by rubbing leaves in a circular motion. In her Thanks card, she used a fern leaf as a mask to create a striking focal point. Make sure you ”leaf” through the magazine and look at her nine out-of-the-box technique squares. You’ll also want to check out our “5 cards, 5 occasions, 5 dollars” feature. If you need some eco-inspiration, you’ll find it here.
To aid in your quest to paper craft more economically, today I’m giving away papers from Tinkering Ink’s “Becoming Green” collection, as well as Unity Stamp Company’s “Growing in Unity” stamp set. So many of you said that your favorite things in nature are flowers and trees. Well, here’s some more!
Two lucky winners will each receive this nature-loving prize package!
Leave a comment telling me ways you’re trimming your paper crafting costs. All comments must be received by midnight on Sunday, June 14. I’ll announce the two winners on Monday’s blog.
Here’s to being green (and liking it!)
Kelly
P.S. It’s time to announce the three winners from Alisa’s Natural Color post. Here they are in no particular order:
1. noa d (June 10, 7:32 a.m.)
2. Sara (June 11, 9:38 a.m.)
3. Sara-Jane (June 10, 6:18 p.m.)
Congrats, winners! Each of you will receive a copy of our July/August issue and Kelly Panacci’s Funtastik Flowers stamp set. I’ll be e-mailing you shortly for your mailing addresses. Thanks to all who left comments!
It’s hard, bit I’m trying not to buy so much and use the older stuff I have………..so hard.
I only buy stamps i know i’ll use more than once. I save every scrap of paper too.
Although I have always used my scraps, I’m making a bigger effort to look there first and then find coordinating papers if possible. I love to look at various containers and think of ways to reuse either for the same purpose a totally new life. Also, I have cut down on purchasing stamps and although it’s very tempting to buy the gorgeous new releases; I always look at the full set and try to come up with 5 uses for each set, if I can’t I know I would never use it. I also compare similar sets from various companies and figure out which one is the most versitile for my style. Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize.
I have been trying to cut costs and use as many scraps & houselhold items, pakaging, etc on my paper crafts…loved the eco issue, it was fabulous!
Hit up the Dollar Tree y’all! And not just for the obvious crafty items either. I stumbled upon a pile of chipboard disguised as a goofy photo album once. Even, gasp, look at the bargain greeting cards for elements you may like. Old bargain books host a treasure trove of material I just go crazy over. Old, bumpy text you never see anymore, and quirky illustrations. Since I’ve just begun making cards and I’m a starving student, I don’t have a plotter/cutter or an army of stamps yet. So, I rely on my computer to plan out all sorts of fun stuff. And of course I TRY to restrain myself when at the craft store to a project I’m actually working on. So hard! Also, recycle greeting cards you receive from others as well.
Sorry to hear about your mom’s job lost Kelly. I hope that she finds a new job that she’ll love soon.
I’m so glad you asked that question!
1. ) I avoid visiting blogs that shows their new purchases weekly. Although there’s inspiration, it could make you feel down esp if you’re already cutting down on expenses.
2. ) Even if I want to set a budget, food & bills comes first so I make use of whatever I have in stash.
3. ) I recycle a lot of stuff, cereal boxes, tins, fabrics from old bed sheets etc.
4. ) I resell some of the extra supplies I have not used.
5. ) Use coupons and buy items on clearance.
6. ) I use my stamps and other recyclable materials instead of buying embellishments.
7. ) I sometimes wish that the manufacturers will release new products 2x/yr instead of 3-4x/yr. That way, the mfrs and the buyers will both be able to support the retailers. The turnover’s so quick it’s almost impossible to keep up with new supplies. I had to close my shop ‘coz I have to put the supplies I bought 2 months ago to clearance due to the new release & this made me go out of business.
I’ve a lot more to add but this would turn into a novel! LOL.
Thanks for the generosity in this time of crisis! It sure helps a lot of crafters out there!
Some ways that I recycle and use less is by having a scrap paper bin where I go to before I cut into a new sheet of cardstock.
I recycle the thinner chipboard that comes in many packing and use it in my Big Shot. I love the thickness it adds to my projects!
I’ve always saved my scraps and now (thanks to inspiration from your magazine and blogs) I’m using them on my cards. It feels great to know that I’m not wasting a single inch of my paper, that I’m saving the Earth and my money!!! Not to mention that I’m making darling cards to send to friends and family and not having to purchase them!!!
I have gone thru my craft room and realized how much stuff I have that I don’t use. I try and use recycled stuff – like packaging, ribbons, tags from other items I ahve bought. These are different than some normal scrapbooking products so they bring a little extra. I save scraps of paper, those can always be used on cards in many different ways. Nice give away, I love Unity stamps.
I have a crazy big stash so I’m trying to use up my older supplies. That doesn’t mean I don’t still buy new stuff, but I have definitely cut down on my spending!
I use what I have on hand and try to be creative by re-using things from other sources.
I re-use all the scraps I have, even the little tiny pieces. I try to first uses the scraps in my scrapbox first, before I even think of opening something new.
I try to buy stuff on sale or clearance and always use coupons. I am also revisiting my old stockpile of papers and try to cut paper more efficiently. And always save the scraps!!
I’m using up more of my stock and not purchasing as much.
The biggest savings for me is to challenge myself to make my own embellishments instead of purchasing them. Those little items can add up quickly.
I am using my stash, I have so much. I am getting very selective in what I buy. It has to be something that I need, not want.
Sorry about your mom. I am sure something else will come along.
I’m trying to reuse the packaging and use up all the paper (which I don’t even know who made) from when I bought them to scrapbook YEARS ago!
I’m definitely in a use it up mode…papers, scraps, everything.
I tend to only buy stuff I absolutely love. I tend to make at least one card from all my layout scraps if not more.
I’m cutting costs by making more cards! All the scraps that I used to just stash away to “use up sometime” are finally getting used. Cards are a perfect use for random bits of scrap paper
)
Happy Friday!! Since me and my hubby are both unemployed right now. I’ve been trying to use up my stash of papers and stuff as much as possible. I have bought some papers and paper flowers when their on sale or in the clearance section. Thanks and have a SWEET day!!
I’m saving on supplies by using up every scrap that I have left after a project is completed. What i don’t use I pass on to my girls who are just as good at cutting up paper and using tiny pieces in their books!
I am trying to use the stash paper that I all ready have. I love to save scraps so I use that to my advantage. And if I have to buy the paper, I buy the stuff that is on sale.
Like a lot of people I’m not buying anything new until I use up a certain amount of my stash. When I do feel the urge to spend, I’m trying to focus on buying things I can use time and time again, like great stamps, rather than consumable paper and embellishments.
I never ever throw away my paper scraps! I use even the tiniest little pieces. I remember hearing my Dad say measure twice, cut once as he used to do carpentry work. Well that same idea applies to papercrafting!
I’m sticking to a budget, I’m making more projects that use of scraps of patterned paper, I’m doing more of my own DIY embellishments, altering plain chipboard myself, cutting my own diecuts.
I’ve organized my scraps by color in a file box, so that I’m more likely to use them. I’m also trying REALLY hard to use the things I already have before I buy anything more!!
Wishing your mom the best in her new endeavors. Down time can be a good thing. It gives us the ability to really focus on the good.
Now, I am always cutting costs. I truly only buy things on sale or clearanced in almost every aspect of my life. It is rare for me to pay full price for anything. Also, I am trying to use every bit of my scraps. I also just found the joy of digital paper. I really feel like this is more cost effective for me. With paper being close to $80 a sheet or more I like that I can get a coordinating pack for 2.50 and sometimes less and then print just what I need. Love the Eco issue…thanks and GO GREEN:)
I hope you Mom will enjoy a little free time and wish her all the best in finding a new adventure! I am recycling all kinds of packagingand containers. I make alot cards from scraps and trying to use up what I have and give\share with other cardmaking friends supplies that I am not using.
For me mainly it is trying to use what I already have and looking to see what I can recycle and reuse.
I hate to waste paper, especially if it’s gorgeous dsp. I found a blog called SheetLoad of Cards that has a free monthly magazine with a sketch and cutting instructions for making multiple cards from a single sheet of 12×12 dsp – that’s more bang for my buck!
It’s so much fun to keep watch for stuff you can recycle for card making–postage stamps, ribbon, rick-rack, just about anything.
Congrats to the winners – thanks for the chance I would love to play with those papers and stamps
I’m using my scraps, finding different ways to use the packaging by recycling and reducing the amount of stuff in my stash by selling unused items at lss garage sales!
I’m making alot more of my embellishments-I’ll look around the house for do-dads that we throw away and think–could I use that for something. Although, this has been tough ’cause I’m really not big on collecting junk–if I can find a purpose for it right away, I’ll keep it, otherwise, in the trash it goes.
I’ve also been using my scraps more. Just put them through the cuttlebug and you have an embellishment.
Oh, and making smaller cards…this saves on envelopes, paper and stamps!
Hi I use Green all purpose cleaner for my stamps instead of having to buy stamp cleaner and instead of the scrubber i go to the paint dept and use the paint edger pads can be bought at a $1 store also they clean easy. Instead of a punch for brads i use a thumb tack for the hole and stick the tack in an eraser to keep it
Well I’m not “investing” in so much patterned paper. I still have a ton from my stash, and if I find nothing quite works, I’ll use cardstock and stamp an image that works, or I’ll chalk up or ink an existing patterned paper to get it the right shade.
I am using my stamps to create my own background papers. I am also using my punches to create my own embellishments.
Robbie
oooh those are awesome prizes!
I save pretty much every scrap of paper with the hopes of being able to reuse them, and I limit my trips to the LSS to just eliminate the temptation to spend!
I like to fussy cut from patterned papers to make my own embellies.
I have tons of patterned paper so I’m not letting myself buy more – no matter how beautiful it is!
Kelly, I’m very sorry to hear about your mother, and I hope she finds something soon. My husband has been unemployed for a while, so I know how hard it can be. I’ve always been a pretty economical paper crafter, but now I really have to restrain myself. I make one-layer cards to save paper… One positive side effect of this is that my stamping skills have improved!
If I absolutely must buy something, I comparison shop online for the best deal. But I admit that economizing on crafting supplies has been very difficult, which is a little ironic, because the reason I started making cards in the first place was because it was so much less expensive than getting store-bought cards. 
I am sticking with a few companies and only buying their new releases instead of going crazy and grabbing whatever strikes my fancy. I’m also much more frugal with what I do have. I really enjoy the kit craze as I get an assortment and don’t feel like I need to buy every part of a line.
It’s hard to overcome the “I have to have it” feelings when it comes to crafty stuff! I’m trying to use what I have already, there’s plenty there!
I love all the tips from other crafters! I am trying to resell the items that I bought ‘on impulse’, and trying to limit my purchases to those items I will soon use.
Sorry to hear about your mom, Kelly. Hope something comes along soon.
I haven’t been buying as much and I am def. more selective with what I buy. I make sure it’s good value and I’ll use it often. I’ve also started taking a box of my cards to work and leaving them on the counter. It’s amazing how many people stop by and buy a card. Every little bit helps. I then save that money for when I have a need for new supplies!
Trim my spending?!?! Well, that’s easy. I just have no money at all so I can’t spend what I don’t have.
I’ve been going to second hand stores to see if I can find anything to use like old books or cards! Anything =) Thanks for the chance to win such a great prize!!
I’ve been trying to hard to use some of the supplies I’ve been hoarding for quite some while, and buying stamps that can be used multiple times like background stamps to ‘create’ my own pp.
I have been digging down in the stacks of paper I already own but have forgotten about. I’m also digging out stamps that I have used in quite a while that are new to me again! It’s amazing what I can do with out when i need to!