Rockin' the 6x12 layouts!!

Wanna make your scrap supplies last longer?  Make your layouts 6"x12"!!  I decided that I will use this size for everything non-daughter related, unless 12x12 feels better.

I searched on the web and found some places with great 6x12 layouts.  Check them out for inspiration!!

Halfway There Scrappin' (hasn't been updated in a long time but has some great 6x12 pages)

Two Peas In a Bucket search for 6x12 layouts

Little Sketches 6x12 page sketches

Scrapbooker Online (Great sketches and page ideas)

Also check out Kris' Tallyscrapper page!  She is the queen of 6x12! She told me it started out of necessity...to stretch her supplies out.  

Here are two pages that I did today.  I love the cake one best!!

More layouts from the Tally Cyber Crop!!

Here are more layouts from the crop.  It was so fun!

I am loving the mini pics right now!  Thanks Kris for getting me hooked on them!!

Tallyscrapper Challenges

There are a couple of great challenges that embody the spirit of Scrap Savings going on over at Tallyscrapper!  You just have to check them out, along with all the other great challenges!  This is a great way to use your stuff!!

Cyber Crop Scrap Challenge
by NikkiZ
04/09 to 04/30 (midnight PST)

Okay ladies, the cyber crop is underway!  Let the games begin!  Since it's tax time.....(and hopefully we've all gotten some $ back)....let's scrap about what we'd do with with a big old tax return....would you want to take a vacation?...pay off some bills?...buy that certain scrappy item that you've been wanting?  Tell us!

Rules are -

Must be an 8.5x11 page
Must use bright, springy colors
Picture or no picture....

But the key is to use scraps,....that's right, use all scraps and leftovers on this page (except for your 8.5x11 background that can be a scrap or not)...since we're saving that money for something special, use up what you've got as far as scrappy supplies go...

Use some ribbon/lace/pompons somewhere
And...lastly, use a $ sign somewhere on the page.

Have fun!  Can't wait to see what ya'll do!

Material Girls
by BrandyScraps (Owner of Tallyscrapper)
04/09 to 04/11 (midnight PST)

Your challenge should you choose to accept it, is to create a layout about your 'things'. Stuff you love, stuff you hate, stuff you want, stuff you need to get rid of, etc.
Rules:

• more than one picture
• no pics of people
• use at least one old scrapbooking item. Something you have had in your stash for at least 6 months...a year would be better. Be sure to tell us what that item is. 

ReScrap
by Inkster (Our very own Kris!!) 
04/09 to 04/17 (midnight PST)

Okay ladies - let's scrap and be pennywise and earth friendly!

Re use as much as possible (packaging,junkmail,scraps etc) in your layout.

The ONLY non recycled stuff can be your main background paper and your photo. 

 

Everything else has to be recycled. For letters you can cut them out, stencil or WRITE. No thickers/stickers unless they're mismatched leftover letters from old alpha sets that you would probably never use.

Get creative making junkmail/scrap paper embellies!

Hunt through your costume jewelry and junk drawers for fun stuff to use!

Get creative and HAVE FUN!

This is a great exercise in creativity AND frugality :)

 

Man up ladies! :D

 

Scrap Savings

by Tallylibrarian (ME!!)

 

Hey ladies! So, we are all going to start saving money for scrapping by giving ourselves $1 per page that we create. But we all need a piggy bank of sorts so you need to dig into your stuff and find a container to alter. It can be a small box, any kind of jar, you name it. I'm going to alter the top of a Mason jar. But this will be where your money or IOU's go. Remember to only use stuff you already have. Use up those scraps from other pages. Make something cool from them. I know you can. Kris and I will post different ideas for saving money on our blog, http://scrapsavings.blogspot.com so that you can finally use up some of your stuff.

Can't wait to see what you create!! 

 

Cropping with Kris

Kris and I got together today to crop.  This weekend is Tallyscrapper's Cyber Crop.  Lots of challenges, prizes, and a cool contest going on.  Head over to check it out!

Here are the pages that I created today.  I've made 11 pages since March 30th.  Woot, Woot!!

Here are the pages that Kris created using the April Tallyscrapper Kit:

It was a lot of fun today.  I just wish we could scrap together more often.  But life gets in the way.  Dirty dishes too.  Blah!

Altered Containers

Okay, now we are on our way to saving money!  Here is my jar.  Nice way to get started.

I used a vintage jar that my grandma gave me for this. I replaced the lid with a tomato sauce one though, so I didn't care if I goofed. It was also easier to use than the two piece canning lids.

Kris and I saw a tutorial on making flowers, so we cut them out of heavy weight pp, soaked them in starch and water for about 30 minutes, then curled or bent them to the shape we wanted. Then we used a heat gun to dry them.

I put foil on the lid to give it more of a mound, then squished the flowers on!!

Used a lot from the March Tallyscrapper kit! Loved it!!

I already have money in my jar!! Yeah!!

Please link to your container! We want to see all the wonderful creations you have made!!

There is a gallery at Tallyscrapper in the Altered Gallery for those Tallygirls out there.  If you aren't a Tallygirl yet, go sign up, it's free!

Cards for Soldiers

As I was cleaning out my scrap room, I realized I had a TON of cards that I know I will never get around to sending!!  I tried to sell them at my sale, but there were so many that didn't get purchased!  So, being a military wife, I thought I should send these to the troops in the Middle East.  There is a great website, Operation Write Home that collects the cards and sends them out. 

Is there anyone else interested in sending some cards to the troops?  I think we should collect general occasions cards and Father's Day cards.  The website needs Father's Day cards by May 15th so send them to me by May 1st.  I will do a count of the cards and send everyone a little treat in exchange for your goodwill.

If you are on board, here is what we need:

• General Occasion and Father's Day Cards
• Any Holiday cards after Father's Day
• No glitter (can get on the troops and make them visible at night)
• 4.25" x 5.5" size only
• Line dark cards with white for easier writing
• Send them to me by May 1st.

Please leave a comment on here if you plan on participating.  That way I can get an idea of how many to expect.  I will send you my address through e-mail.

I will also post a gallery on the Tallyscrapper website in the Cards area.  

Happy Cardmaking!!

Kris - recent layouts

$2 baby!

Savings Jar Expanded

It is tough being a SAHM because DH expects you to be a housewife too.  Can't I just play with Gwyn all day?  Take care of her?  And it's hard not getting a paycheck.  What motivates me to actually do the housework?  I need incentives!

So, I decided today, after realizing, AGAIN, how much I loath housework and cooking, that I am going to reward myself with money for each chore I do.  And since there are so many chores, I will only put 50 cents in for each.  That means that I need to finish the load of dishes or laundry by putting them away where they belong.  No more clean dishes or clothes everywhere.  This will also encourage me to cook at home more instead of eating out.  In fact, eating out (for dinner) will cause money to be taken away. 

This helps with the other thing I was going to save money with...Weight Loss! For each pound I lose I will put in $1.  And...when I hit 10 lbs, each pound after that gets $2, after 20 lbs. gets $4 each, etc.  More money for higher weight loss.  I was thinking of putting money in for each walk I take and everytime I use my Wii Fit.  Then the money I earn can be for anything I want, not just scrapbooking!!  Some new clothes that will fit my smaller self, mani/pedi, new hair style, etc.

What are you going to use your jar for?  Just scrap savings?  Or is there something out there that you just hate doing? 

Racking up the Savings!!

Okay, it's only one page today, but that is another dollar for my soon-to-be created jar!!  Woot Woot!!

The page is called "Sweet Baby Girl."  It is for the April LEO contest over at Tallyscrapper.  LEO stands for Layout Every Other Day.  You had to use 2 pics, 2 pp, 2 buttons or staples.

The next LEO challenge is due on Tuesday, and you have to scraplift one of the new Design Team members.  Should be fun!!



















New total:  $4.00

Welcome Tally Ladies!!

So I have posted on Tallyscrapper about our Scrap Savings plan.  Welcome to our blog ladies!  Kris and I hope that you check back often to learn some tips and tricks for using up your stash and for saving for more. Please leave us a comment so that we know you came by!

There will be a gallery set up in the Altered area of Tallyscrapper for your "piggy banks."  If you are not a member of Tally, it's free to sign up.  It's like Facebook for scrappers, a wonderful site.  If you don't load your piggy bank to Tally, just leave us a link to where it is so that we can all view your bank.

Can't wait to see them ladies!!

Let the savings begin!!

Okay, I know I don't have my jar done yet, but I did work on some pages!!  So far I have saved $3!!!  Yea!!  Not enough for adhesive, yet, but am getting there.  This will force me to use all that other adhesive that I don't prefer but can't throw away.  Necessity is the mother of invention!!

(Sorry about the blurriness of the top layout, will get a new pic up ASAP)  So, I used my Tallyscrapper Design Team kit for all three of the layouts, along with some other supplies of mine and those of Kris.  Check out the next post for how I saved money by changing the font to fit my needs.

So far that is $3 saved!!  What have you got?

The Savings Plan

Are you like me and have TONS of sb supplies in your house that you never use, or won't use in this lifetime but can't seem to part with them?  Do you continue to buy all of that adorable stuff that is out there, without using much, if any of your stash??  Well, this plan is for you.  It was born of desperation, the yucky feeling I got in the pit of my stomach as I cleaned my studio, seeing the supplies that I wanted to keep but knew I couldn't get to using. 

The plan is to put a dollar into a jar for every page that I create.  This money is for future supplies, including necessities like adhesive.  You must use your existing supplies in order to fund your future ones.  Very simple, but very challenging.  Even among my tons of supplies, I lack "perfect" items that will just make my page awesome. This is where your creativeness will be put to the test. 

What if you don't have a lot of supplies?  Well, Kris is in that boat.  My supplies fill a room, hers fill a suitcase.  My solution for her?  Me!  I love to share my supplies.  I have a lot, so no problem.  If you don't have a friend with tons and is willing to share?  Be creative, use non-scrap items, anything to finish a page so that you can save money for your next shopping trip. 

Assignment:  Alter a container to keep your money, or IOUs.  This can be a tin, jar, whatever you want.  Post a link in the comments so that we can see what you created.  With your permission, I can post them on this blog to share.

So, who is with us?? 

About Jess & Kris

Well, what can I say...My name is Jess, I am currently a SAHM of one, Gwyneth, who is the major subject of my scrapbook pages. She just turned one this month, which has gone by so fast!! I am married to a Navy Chief, Ken, for 12 years, and we have a spoiled dog, Finnigan, who is a 100 lb. Rhodesian Ridgeback.

I have been scrapping for a long time, since I was in high school, though nothing formal until 2004. That is when I got hired at Scrapbook Heaven in San Antonio, Texas. I absolutely LOVED it there, and they are an awesome store. I met so many great women who I still count among my best friends.

It was through one of those friends that I found Tallyscrapper, an online message board/gallery/shop/etc. that has so much inspiration and so many great people! I've been on there since 2007, and have served on two of their design teams. I am just finishing up now, in fact, a three month period, and have loved every minute of it.

When we moved to VA, I met Kris, my partner for this blog. I love scrapping with her, and together we came up with this idea for saving money while scrapping. We hope you enjoy our posts, and that we have useful information and ideas for you!!

Hi! My name is Kris. I live in Virginia with my hubby of ten months, Steve.

I am a graphic designer by day and a mad scrapper/ jewelry designer by night! LOL
I have been scrapping since 2008 and have been privileged to serve on several design teams since then.

I met Jess at my very first crop and she helped me figure a LOT of stuff out that night and many times since! She also introduced me to Tallyscrapper where i'm now serving on the Design Team!
We hang out and scrap a lot and really needed a way to be smarter about our scrap spending and to earn our scrap bucks!

Follow along and join us on our fun adventure:)

Welcome!!

My name is Jess and I wanted to start a blog about my new experiment on saving money with my scrapping. I have a lot of supplies that need to be used up, but I still want to stay current and get all the trendy stuff that is out there.

So, my friend Kris and I will post our tips and tricks for scrapping with what you have as well as a neat plan for saving up for new supplies. Hope you can learn something here and there, and feel free to share your tricks for saving a buck or two!

Jess