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Store-in-a-Basket Gifts for Scrapbookers
We scrapbookers are famous for using non-traditional items in our scrapbooks. We have used everything from paint to hinges to staples to beads and more. Since we look for new ideas in every store we enter, how about making a “Store in a Basket” for your next gift-giving opportunity for the scrapbookers in your life?
Start by choosing a store for your theme. Pick an appropriate container, which certainly doesn’t have to be a basket. Select items in your price range that fit the theme to fill the container. If necessary, add crumpled tissue to the bottom of the container to keep items from rattling around.
Here are a few ideas to get you thinking:
“Paint Store” Basket
 Decorate an empty unused paint can with a personal touch. Put some or all of these items inside:
- Color-scheme booklets - Many paint manufacturers provide free booklets with color scheme ideas. These are great for a creativity jump start.
- Color wheel - Choose a small wheel that can fit inside the paint can, or attach it to the outside.
- Foam stamps - There are many cute inexpensive foam stamps available, including, but not limited to, the stamps made by Making Memories.
- Paint strips - You can include the samples from the store or the paint strips with no words on them from PM Designs.
- Paper paint - Delta and Making Memories make paint formulated for use on paper.
- Sponge or foam brushes – Don’t forget to include a round stencil-style brush as well as standard brushes.
“Camera Store” Basket
Use either a camera bag or a photo storage box for the container. Fill either with:
- Disposable specialty cameras - Panorama and underwater cameras are fun to play with, especially if the recipient’s regular camera doesn’t offer those features.
- Film & developing coupon - If the recipient hasn’t gone digital, of course.
- Photography book - Choose a book based on the recipient’s interest and skill level.
- Photography magazine - A magazine will give seasonal photography tips, review cameras, and show great photos for inspiration.
- Photo paper – This is great for those who have gone digital and print their own pictures.
- Photo spray - Krylon makes a spray called “Preserve It!” that promises to double the life of digital photos.
- Pocket tripod - Small enough to fit in your pocket, these retail for around $4.
- Slide mounts - Plain, colored, or patterned, these make great embellishments.
“Office Supply Store” Basket
 You can find many things to fill this gift package, and not everything will come from an office supply store. Several scrapbook companies are producing products that mimic office supplies, such as Making Memories and Office Werks. Use a plastic container with drawers, a drawer organizer tray, a manilla envelope or even a Paper Keeper envelope for the ‘basket’ and add items such as these:
- Binder clips
- Brads - Many companies are making colorful brads in various shapes, but don’t ignore the original gold-head brads. They are cheaper, and you can add color with embossing powder.
- Composition book journal - Embellish the cover to create a personalized scrapbook creativity notebook, a place to gather quotes, layout sketches, color swatches, and so forth.
- Date stamp
- Hole punch – A single hole punch is a handy scrapbooking tool.
- Mini file folders - Office Werks and Rusty Pickle carry these. I’ve even found cute blue or red gingham mini folders at a local teacher-supply store.
- Paper clips - These now come in a variety of shapes and colors.
- Label maker - The electronic ones are nicer, but the old-fashioned squeeze-handled ones make the cool labels everyone is using.
- Paper – You can find patterned papers that look like corkboard, notebook paper, or a chalkboard that would fit this theme nicely.
- Ruler
- Staples - These also come in different colors. Throw in a mini-stapler as well.
- Tags – Add some of the round metal-rimmed tags and the rectangular tags.
“Hardware Store” Basket
Buy a container normally used for storing nails and screws, but don’t feel like you have to fill every drawer. Just like with the office supply gift, there are many companies creating “hardware” for scrapbooks. Choose from those, and add some of these other options as well.
- Cardboard Stencils - These can be used to paint numbers or letters on layouts, or you can use the stencils themselves.
- Hammer – This can be used for setting eyelets.
- Hinges
- Laminate chips - If the store sells countertops, they may display free laminate chips, which come in many different colors and are shaped like tags.
- Mesh – Pick up some drywall tape (or Magic Mesh), or screening used for screen windows.
- Molding – Making Memories carries molding strips that add a perfect touch to a border or photo frame.
- Sandpaper - To get the distressed look, add some regular sandpaper or the more convenient Scrappers Block or Lasting Impressions Scuffers.
- Soda can pop tabs - These aren’t actually sold in hardware stores, but they are made of metal. They make great ribbon buckles, and you can add color with embossing powders.
- Tile - Many companies are making tile-look stickers, flat tiles for mosaics, and the like.
- Washers
“Fabric Store” Basket
 Fabric is the latest scrapbooking fad. Chances are you probably have leftover fabric in your home. If not, ask at the fabric store for remnants or quilters “fat quarters.” A wicker basket would be a nice container for this gift.
- Buttons
- Embroidery floss
- Fabric - Include some uncut remnants so the recipient can make photo mats or tags.
- Fabric stiffener - After you apply this to fabric, it will be stiff enough to use with die cut machines or regular punches. It will work well for photo mats and tags as well. There are several brands available, including Aleene’s, Stiffy, and ScrapbookFabric.com.
- Fabric strips - Tear or cut strips of fabric to 12” long, so they can be trimmed to fit any scrapbook page. The width can be anywhere from ˝” to 3”.
- Fibers
- Straight Pins – The pins with colored ends make a great fastener on a page.
- Ribbon - You can buy ribbon by the yard at the fabric store, or purchase whole spools.
- Rickrack
- Zipper
These are just ideas to get you started. If those aren’t enough, let me suggest a few more: Art Store, Jewelry Store, and Stationery Store. You can have fun making these and give a creative gift to a scrapbooker who might otherwise be hard to shop for!
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