Using what you have...

There are so many options available in the scrapbooking world. It is really easy to spend a lot of money getting the latest and greatest gadgets, tools, embellishments and so on. Of course, once you acquire all of this, you might find that you build a tremendous stash. It doesn't have to be this way. You what you have--all of those punches, dies, and older die cuts can be used together to create custom embellishments for any card or layout. Investigate your kitchen--you can use foil instead of specialty foil paper. Cookie cutters, sponges, even potatoes can be used for stamping. Invade the office for staples, post it notes, paper clips, markers, file labels, sharpie pens, even rubber bands--all of these items can be used to embellish or add texture to any project. Oh, and what about your household tool cabinet? The possibilities there are endless.

In the following layout, I was completing a challenges to use opposing colors on a color wheel. When I placed my orange cardstock, it was just too plain. Off to the laundry room I went and found a cap from a detergent bottle. It worked perfectly as a stamp to add some oomph without competing with the business of the printed paper.

 

This next page was created with office supplies (with the exception of the 12x12 base). I used some crayola markers and water (relying on Creative Chemistry techniques), book paper and graph paper to create embellishments and papers. It was just fun to play and create. I like this page--it may not be polished with manufactured scrapbooking-intended stuff, but it still captures a memory and shares a story.