Scavenger Scrapbooking: Craft or Sewing Room Treasures

Welcome back, Scrappers for Day Five of Scavenger Scrapbooking! Yesterday's challenge was hard for me -- I was stumped with finding something.  If you found treasure from the workroom, don't forget to link up your project HERE.

There is an example I can show you of a layout completed a while ago with a found item: old luggage keys. (Remember the days when we could lock our luggage with these little things??)

 Today's search is in . . . . The Craft Room!

Yes, this may seem to be too obvious a place to look for hidden treasure, but let's take a relook, shall we?  While this may seem to be an obvious choice, we may have passed over some great goodies that can be additions to our scrapbooking stash. Ready for this challenge??

Don't forget to look through your crafts and sewing boxes for:

• sewing machine or old sewing patterns
• patches, fabric remnants
• embroidery thread
• feathers, fringe
• felt, yarn
• lace, elastic, rick rack, seam bias, zippers
• leather pieces
• foam craft pieces
• measuring tapes, pins
• gift bags and tags
• silk flowers
• beads

And if you are sure you won't find anything in your own craft room, maybe you can get permission to rummage through a family member's sewing or craft box. Not too long ago, my mom got rid of an old sewing machine table that she had around forever.  I had no place for it (I wish that I had!) but what I really wanted was to get inside those drawers before she threw everything out.  The button drawer was the grand prize; I was able to get a mason jar full of beloved buttons to use for scrapbooking and all sorts of projects!  

Or if you have the budget for it, allow yourself so much to spend at a local Thrift Shop or Goodwill Store. Look for some of the items above that you could find yourself tearing apart and using.  

Make sure you share what you find!

Lastly, if you would rather have a color challenge today, here is something fun:  Go get a favorite pillow in your home and put it by your scrap area.  Use the color and/or pattern from it as the inspiration for today's project!  

Use your item and/or inspiration to make a scrapbook or craft project.  Link up any of your projects for this series to THIS MAIN PAGE at any time so that future readers can become inspired by your project!  

Scavenger Scrapbooking: Workroom Wonders

Welcome to Day Four of Scavenger Scrapbooking!  Did you complete a search of the bedroom, bathroom or beyond from yesterday?  Was it like going to "infinity and beyond?"

I have to say, I didn't think I would have much luck in my own hunt yesterday, but I did come across a couple things that didn't get thrown out in my "cleansing" right after Christmas.

Yes, that is a ponytail holder that was stretched out and unusable, plus an earring with a long, lost mate.  So what do you come up with for this?

The filigree on the hair band reminded me of this Cricut embossing folder I haven't used in eons, and the earring was the inspirations for the colors.  I will probably still use the earring beads for another card. 

Don't forget to link any of your projects for this week HERE.  

Ready for the next challenge?  Today it is the WORKROOM.  

This could be quite an opportunity for some unique finds!

If this area is considered the "Man Cave" of your home and it is an area you would rather not attempt, I understand! (We have certain "man rules" at our house too!)  Try another room such as the Mud Room, Hall Closet, inside the family vehicles, or the area of your home that is considered the "Drop Spot."

Here are some items that may spark your creativity from the workroom, garage or other area:

• wire
• old keys
• picture hangers
• paint chips, flooring or laminate samples
• garden seed packets
• washers, bolts, grommets
• hinges or other small metal accents
• nails and screws*
• paint sticks
• sand paper
• cardboard
• old measuring tape or wooden ruler
• fast food wrappers, recycling

*Use a Dremel tool to cut off the top of nails or screws in order to use them on your page.

If this becomes difficult, try this:  While looking at this area of your home may not necessarily give you inspiration, you could find a texture for a project technique, a color from the family car or your gardening items, or the set-up of a work table for a sketch idea.  Oh yes -- we can really thinking outside the box. Or the garage, per se.

Use your item and/or inspiration to make a scrapbook or craft project.  Link up any of your projects for this series to THIS MAIN PAGE at any time so that future readers can become inspired by your project!  

Scavenger Scrapbooking: Bed, Bath and Beyond

Welcome to Day Three, Scavenger Scrapbooker!  Did you complete the hunt of the kitchen yesterday?  Did you remember to link up your project HERE?

After looking through my own kitchen, I discovered this stash that probably won't be used in it's original state anytime in the near future:

Yes, I have become one of those Coffee Addicts.  Tea is lovely, but I am usually finding something to wake me up more than to relax me!  After this find, I put together this quick pocket card:

This is an origami folded pocket card started from an 8" x 8" size sheet of paper. It is simply decorated with flowers, ribbon and a "digital sentiment."  (I created my own because I wanted a specific sentiment that I didn't have a stamp for)  Something great to give the Bestie for Valentine's Day.

Here is another idea using a coffee cup warmer:

This was an over sized Thank You card I made for my son's teacher last Spring, as a fun way to give her a Starbucks gift card.

Today's challenge: the Bedroom, Bathroom and Beyond
The "Beyond" can be another room in your house such as the laundry room.  I know that you're thinking that this search could be tricky, but you'll be surprised at what you can find!  As you start your hunt today, here are some items that may trigger creativity:

• safety pins, Band-aids
• emery boards, nail polish
• shoelaces, cording from old sweat jackets
• clothing tags or price tags from new clothing
• old or broken jewelry pieces (beads, bling, hooks)
• playing cards or miscellaneous game pieces, puzzle pieces, Legos
• items from clothing to be discarded:  buttons, beads, tags, pockets, lace
• greeting cards, old magazines or puzzle books
• box from a favorite cologne or cosmetics
• ribbon or twine from a cosmetic bag or pouch
• dryer sheets, cotton balls
• candy wrappers (come'on -- I know you have a stash like I do!)

Remember to hunt in your kids' rooms too!  THAT can be an interesting thing all in itself, right?

Would you rather have a Color Challenge?  Look at one of these rooms and find a color that could be the inspiration for today's project.

Use your item and/or inspiration to make a scrapbook or craft project.  Link up any of your projects for this series to THIS MAIN PAGE at any time so that future readers can become inspired by your project!  

Scavenger Scrapbooking: Kitchen Catch-all

Welcome to Day Two of Scavenger Scrapbooking!  Did you complete the hunt in the Home Office from my previous post?  Did you remember to link up your project HERE?

After taking a  look at our home office, this is what I found yesterday:

I totally forgot about this hole punch -- it has a hole that is bigger than the ones on my Crop-a-dile and a better size for standard tags.  Score!

From these random paperclips, I found some scraps of ribbon and looped them through the top to make my own embellishments.  Here is one:

Easy to make and much cheaper than buying them premade.  From the Proverbs magnet, I made a card, using the colors as inspiration:

This card doesn't have a sentiment, so I may just enclose the magnet when I send the card!  The other scripture card in my finds was also used as color inspiration:

For this layout, I used a birthday photo and then followed Crystal Schneider's sketch that is now live at The Memory Nest blog for the Monday Challenge!  This sketch was just perfect for scrapping this photo while using some My Mind's Eye "So Sophie" Royal paper. I added a little of the light aqua in order to break up the dark colors with a nice splash of fun.  

Did you find several items in your search but don't have time to make projects with all your treasures?  That's okay! Use a basket to keep your goodies together -- it will serve as inspiration for days to come!  (And of course, you may certainly end up using several of the items on one project!)

Don't forget to link up your project(s)!  I cannot WAIT to see what you've put together!!  

Now on for today's challenge:  The Kitchen.

Let's take a fresh look and see what we can find that will become a new element on our next page.  This room can be a catch-all for so many "intriguing" things, right?  Here are some more ideas to get your hunt started today:

• coffee filters, cupcake liners, doilies
• tea bag envelopes, canned food labels
• straws, wine corks, bottle caps
• junk mail, store receipts
• take-out menus
• old cookbooks or recipe cards
• cookie cutters
• paper lunch sacks
• mesh produce bags
• paper coffee cut holders
• aluminum foil
• string, bread bag tags
• popsicles, chopsticks, toothpicks

Don't forget to check the front of your refrigerator for artwork, notes, reminders and of course, photos.

Would you rather try a different challenge?  Look at your kitchen and/or dining room as a whole.  Is there an item or color that can be your inspiration for today's project?

Use your item and/or inspiration to make a scrapbook or craft project.  Link up any of your projects for this series to THIS MAIN PAGE at any time so that future readers can become inspired by your project!  

Scavenger Scrapbooking Series: Home Office

Welcome to Day One of this fun series!  We are going on a daily Scavenger Hunt of our homes this week in order to find items of inspiration for a new scrapbook project.

For the next five days, I will give you a challenge for finding something to use differently. For instance, could you use the found item as a:

1. Unique embellishment or ephemera? 
2. Overlooked tool? 
3. Something to turn into a trendy embellishment?
4. Color inspiration for a new project?
5. Subject of it's own scrapbook page?

Today's challenge: Home Office Review. 
Sometimes we forget about the handy items we could use from this room. As you start your scavenger hunt, open up your mind as you look for something that could have a new use.  Here are some items to get you started:

• printer labels
• old mail envelopes (look for cancelled stamps)
• binder clips and paper clips
• file folders and file tabs
• CDs (new or old)
• stationery with matching envelopes
• key fobs or rings
• receipt books, rolodex or index cards
• coin, CD or other specialty envelopes
• old books, dictionary, thesaurus
• brads, rubber bands
• hole punch, date stamps
• Post-It notes or similar
• packing tags, ticket rolls
• punched hole reinforcements

Grab an item that makes you go "Aha!"

Finally, look at the entire room.  Is there an object or color that could trigger some creativity?  

Use your item and/or inspiration to make a scrapbook or craft project.  Link up any of your projects for this series to THIS MAIN PAGE at any time so that future readers can become inspired by your project!  

Happy Scrappy New Year! See What's Coming!

Happy 2014!  I hope that this year brings you many wonderful memories that will fill your scrapbooks to overflowing!

The last couple weeks, I have been busy planning what the "Living a Crafting Life" blog will include for the new year. Here is what you can expect:

• Learn how to easily incorporate Faith and more of Yourself into your scrapbooking;
• Begin card making with simple, fast and cute cards from your scrapbooking supplies;
• Be inspired by many project ideas with current and "throwback" paper designs and kits;
• Have fun with unique scrapbooking challenges and techniques;
• Find shopping links to items showcased on the blog if you want to add to your stash; 
• Enjoy FREE video tutorials, sketches and printables;
• Benefit from more fun, subscriber only freebies and prizes!

So have you subscribed here yet?  Do so today so that you don't miss the exciting announcements coming later this week! (It includes the word "FREE!")  

Use the social media links on the top of the right bar of this blog to find me on Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.  Let's stay in touch and have some scrappy fun together!

Scrapbook Process: It's Hip to be Square

Just one of  my many Instagram photos, with filter and frame.

For those of you who are in my age bracket, that Huey Lewis song is running through your brain right now, isn't it?

As we know from social media, there is one main reason why we are hip to be square:  Instagram.  I love (or maybe a little obsessed with) this social network, and as a result, I am using those cropped and filtered little square masterpieces of mine for many other things besides Instagram. They are perfect for blogging, sharing and printing.

But alas - even though I can crop my digital photo goodness to square formats, I find it difficult to send them off somewhere to get them printed in the same wonderful squareness. The main online photo companies do not print your square photos on 4" x 6" paper, but instead will try to enlarge your edited photo to fit the 4" x 6" format.  Why is that?  It seems as long as Instagram has been around now, there should be a slew of companies out there competing for our business when it comes to printing our Instagrams as we want them.

Recently I did find an app that is helping me out --it is through a free app called Printicular.  Upload your square photos and get them printed to pick up at your local Walgreens.  Photos such as the one I have in this post will be developed even with the photo frame, just as you have designed.  The store will even trim them for you so you don't have to do it at home.

There is also a company out there called Persnickety Prints which I just discovered on Instagram, but I have yet to try them.  I would love to hear from you if you have and if you are satisfied with the results!  Evidently, they will print in more than the 4" x 4" size.  Genius!  Just what scrapbookers want and need!

Please comment below on your favorite outlet for printing your square photos.  I want to try them out!

Frugal Scrapping: Supplies from the Sewing Department - Video

A couple weeks ago, I shared some finds in the Sewing Department of my local Walmart that make for great embellishments for scrapbooking. (You can read the full post HERE.)  This week I did a video, so if you'd like to see the items I purchased, you can watch it here:

Frugal Scrapbooking: Supplies from the Sewing Department

Where I live in Texas, I don't live close to a Walmart (shocking, I know!) so my opportunities to shop there are limited.  Yesterday, however, I made a special trip to a Walmart in Austin, mainly because my mom wanted to go and look for something in particular.

Many Walmart stores no longer have an actual fabric section, and some have even reduced their once nice scrapbooking aisle.  That was the case with this particular location.  Since I had time to snoop around, I shopped their aisle of sewing notions.  Here are some nice little finds that were quite affordable, totaling only $8.63:

Red Heart crochet thread (since I tend to use a lot of twine) - 125 yds for $2.25 Also available in white.
"Favorite Findings" Buttons (they have many different decorative ones!)  - $1.97
Gems - $1.47  (I think gems were located here because of the other supplies for making hair bows)
White satin Offray ribbon (18 feet) - $1.97
plus Sticky notes (from the office supply area) - $.97

If you are a scrapper who uses a lot of twine, I would recommend buying crochet thread.  Not only is it a spectacular buy (for 125 yards!) but it can come in many colors.  Wrap items on your page, use on tags, tie in your buttons -- this will be put in good use and it will last a long time!

The thought bubbles sticky notes will be fun to use for journaling, since I don't have a similar stamp.  Can't beat the price!  The office section also has bright color paperclips - traditional size and the round shaped.  I got some of these on a previous trip -- another awesome deal if you use a lot of these as embellishments on pages or cards.

I would have purchased more ribbon, but there were out of stock on many this visit.  Walmart is the only store I know of that carries very narrow grosgrain ribbon in different colors for such a low price. This time I picked up a silkier white ribbon for some of my Mother's Day cards I am finishing this weekend.  Walmart typically doesn't have loads of ribbon like a Michaels would have, but they have many different patterns that I don't usually see elsewhere.

Next time you are in Walmart, check out the sewing section for some scrapbook supplies at competitive prices!

Frugal Scrapbooking: Get into the Paper Stash!

Are you a "paper hoarder" like I am?  I have always loved paper, every since I was a young girl.  Stationery with matching envelopes, coordinating stickers, notebooks, journals . . . . it's no wonder I love scrapbooking and card making!  I admire all the many varieties of paper, and it is usually the item that I stock up and hoard more than anything else in the scrapbooking store aisles.

This summer, I actually set a paper crafting goal -- to dig out paper that I have been "hoarding" and make myself use them in projects!  (Easier said than done!) This past week, I found a DCWV 4" x 6" paper pad in my stash called "Once Upon a Time" that I had not touched.

It is girly paper, and I knew I would never use it for my boy layouts.  Since I was in a card making mood, I went through the pack and tore out all the papers that I could see on cards, then I looked through my other paper box and found solid card stock pieces that coordinated with the printed paper.  After three days, I have enough cards to give or to sell as sets!  Here is what I came up with:

The card layouts are fairly simple, but in this case, I wanted to highlight the gorgeous patterns of the paper that went from "fairy tale" to more feminine, girlfriend cards.  I am glad that I finally used this paper pack, and I'm very happy with the results!  

Frugal Scrapbooking: Embellishments by the Bulk

I love medallions -- they are fun to make and add some dimension to your cards and scrapbook layouts!  I have been making them for awhile now, but I loved the article in the new issue of Cardmaker magazine (pages 42-44) that gave some techniques and ideas for making medallions in different variations.

After reading the article, I got jazzed again to make medallions, so I decided to make some in "bulk" to use on future projects.  (That way I only had to get my glue gun out once!)  I left buttons and other embellishments off so that I can do customization when I use them later.  

There are step by step instructions in the article, but here is my way for making standard size medallions:  

• Use a 12" strip of paper, anywhere from 3/4" to 1-1/2" wide.  The wider the strip, the bigger the finished medallion.  (I find 3/4" - 1" size are great for cards, larger sizes for pages and projects)
• Score paper strip at every 1/4 inch.  For a wider set medallions, do 1/2 inch increments on 1-1/2" wide strips. 
• Try a more lightweight printed paper or card stock -- although you have to score more carefully, they do seem to work to shape better.

After scoring:

• Overlap the ends of the strip to make a ring, using super sticky double stick tape to adhere the ends.  (I know some crafters prefer hot glue, glue dots or even staples, but I find the tape works best for me at this step.)  1" wide strips are good for beginners.  
• Punch a 1" circle, laying on a gluing mat.  Add a nice dollop of hot glue.  
• Take your paper strip ring and carefully press it into shape, adhering it to the glued circle.  Hold in place until glue starts to dry, then set aside until completely dry. 
• Embellish with buttons, pins, hardware, ribbon -- ideas are endless! 

Other ideas:

• Try border punching your strip first for some nice edging, or using a striped paper for some fun circles.  
• Add as a fun embellishment to frames, banners, and wreaths.  
• Attach ribbon to a medallion to make a badge for someone to wear for a special occasion.  

Have fun and feel free to comment below on what worked for you!

Frugal Scrapbooking: Simple-to-Make Albums

This week I finished a couple mini albums that were fast and easy to make, without a mountain of materials!  While some mini albums can be quite elaborate, you can still make something nice and sweet as a special gift without all the fuss.

This Girl Scout album is a coaster album that I designed to make with a troop this week.  I got coasters (square and round) at a Michael's clearance for $.40 a pack (of six), the 12"x12" paper pack from Big Lots for $1.00 (yes, only a $1.00!) and a large packet of jeweled felt flowers for $1.40 in Hobby Lobby's clearance.  I pre-cut the papers (they were all 4" x 4" with rounded edges) and added some unused ribbons that matched from my stash.  All the girls needed to do was coordinate, paste and add the die-cuts and tags that came with the paper pack.  The whole project for a group of four girls was under $4.00.

The second mini album I finished today.  It is a new baby album that will be given as a gift.  It was made from  a $1.00 album that I got in the dollar bin at Joann's and a $1.00 paper pack that I got at Big Lots.  The paper pack was 8-1/2" x 11" and gave me enough paper for the album and 5 additional cards.  I used just a handful of  other supplies (brads, felt flowers, multicolor floss, white buttons, super thin ribbon, and a couple stickers) but the rest was created with the tags and papers from this paper pack:

And this was the finished album.  I don't think it looks like I spent under $5 for the project!

Keep in mind that you can take a unloved (or unused) paper pad and create something wonderful without a lot of extra supplies and embellishments.  And the next step?  Give your love away to someone when you are finished!  

Frugal Scrapbooking: A Unique Paper Album

This challenge was on one of my CafeMom groups, and I couldn't resist!  I haven't done much scrapping for myself in the last two months, and I had all the new Winter Joy papers by Bo Bunny that I was dying to use.

Have you seen this project before?  Can you guess what this is made from?

Toilet paper rolls!  Really!  I had seen tutorials to make gift card holders from TP rolls, but never thought about a mini album!

I used rolls from toilet paper that were mega rolls; they seem to be a bigger tube than regular rolls.  What I like about this project is that you can use this as a gift for someone at Christmas and hide a gift card in one of the pockets.  But I think I will keep this one.  I may even add another page (or two!)

Frugal Scrapbooking: Scraps, Scraps, Scraps!

As a scrapper, I love playing with paper. I am also thrifty, and I don’t want to throw away ANY paper. Like most scrappers, I have lots of small pieces that I just cannot part with.
I shared this my sorting idea with the gals at Crop-n-Chat, because it works so for me. I took me a couple hours to get this system set up, but it has save me a lot of time from searching for a certain scrap of paper or just giving in and cutting into a large piece of paper which then creates . . . . more scraps.

This is my scrap drawer in my rolling cart. I have about a dozen zippered bags with scraps sorted by color. (Blues are sorted by light, medium, dark and bright, since I use a LOT of that color!)

On the side of this drawer are 12” long scraps in different widths that I can use for borders on my 12”x12” pages.
Cost of the project – the price of one box of small Ziploc bags.

Scrapbook Process: The Key is in the Toolbox

Couldn't wait to do a layout for our new home! We had been looking and saving and debating for almost two years until the dream finally came true last August!

For this layout, I wanted to include a wonderful stamped image I received from a Crop N Chat girlfriend (see bottom right corner) and use items that I already had without buying anything except for the title images. I went through my stash and found a matching frame and then rummaged in my toolbox (not a scrapping toolbox -- the one where my hammer is!) and found an old key ring and some little luggage keys. I thought the keys made a subtle, but fun addition to the page.

So don't pass up a look in the toolbox for scrapping inspiration!