Scrapping on a Budget - Pages for $3 or less

With all the amazing products available for scrappers today, it seems more difficult to scrapbook on a budget, much less a set budget per layout! I challenged four scrappers to join me in creating a layout and anything else they wanted to share for $3 or less that used at least three different items.

Here are their creations and a breakdown of what each spent.

Designer: Linda Beeson (LBPost)
Layout: T-Ball
Supply List:

• cardstock - $.80
• patterned paper -(4 for $1.00) - $.50
• thread - a few cents since I had the spool
• scrap of chipboard from packaging - $.00
• scraps of leftover white and black cardstock - $.25
• items from stash: alphabet punches, black pen, stamp pad, plates (used as circle templates) - $.00

Total Price: $1.55

Designer: Kelly Grundhauser
Layout: My Love
Supply List:

• Fancy Pants die cut tags - $1.50
• My Love red heart and postage stamp - already owned
• Fancy Pants floral paper - $.65
• antique white felt (photo mat) - $.05
• chocolate brown felt embossed - $.20
• brown ribbon - Free (from a Christmas gift)
• white pen (this layout could easily be done without it)

Total Price: $2.40

Kelly still has left over antique white and brown felt and almost an entire sheet of diecuts for future projects.

Close-up of details:

Other ideas to consider---

• extra buttons from new clothes
• tags and trims from clothing purchases
• bits of packaging

Designer: Kayla Richards (Blue Crew Member)
Layout: Mi Amigo
Supply List:

• Wild Asparagus Paper - $1.00
• random buttons - $0.20
• Heidi Swapp Large Crimson Floral - $0.22
• brown kraft tag - $0.20
• clothing tag - free
• American Crafts Ribbon (2 inches) - less than $0.10
• Die Cuts With a View Cardstock - $0.20
• other supplies used: Sharpie pens, stamping ink - $.00

Total Price: $1.92

Designer: Melanie Douthit
Layout: One Silly Girl
Supply List:

• Cardstock: Prism Papers 2 sheets - $.40 each
• We R Memory Keepers Paper 2 sheets - $.50 (Hobby Lobby 1/2 price sale on paper)
• Doodlebug Alphabet Stickers - $1.00 (1/2 price sticker sale at Hobby Lobby)
• other supplies from stash: Adhesive, chalk ink, thread and sewing machine - $.00

Total Price: $2.30

Melanie also used her scraps to make an adorable card--all this from the original supplies.

And here's a few I made:

Designer: Julia Sandvoss (Blue Crew Member)
Layout: New Grad
Supply List:

• white cardstock - $.20
• Bo Bunny papers - $1.95
• alphabet stickers - $.50 (clearance at Target)
• Supplies from stash: inks, pen, hand-cut lettering and stars - $.0

Total Price: $2.65

Layout: Puppy Love

Supply List:

• Brown Cardstock - $.40
• KI Memories paper - $.65
• Doodlebug sticker sheet - $1.50 (sale)
• buttons - $.25
• Supplies already owned: inks, pens, Cricut borrowed from a friend - $.0

Total Price: $2.80

Layout: Love

Supply List:

• Bo Bunny papers - $.65
• black cardstock - $.20
• white cardstock - $.20
• tag from Target - $.50
• small length of ribbon - $.25
• Supplies from stash: friend's Cricut, inks, pen, scrap of red cardstock - $.00

Total Price: $1.80

Some final tips to get you moving in the right direction: Save your scraps, save ribbons off packages, tags off clothes, save! Think out of the box when using alphabet stickers. When you're out of a letter, look and see how you can cut other letters to make what you need. Watch for great sales at your local stores. Remember that there are lots of great supplies not necessarily in the scrapbook aisle, such as felt, gift tags, buttons, flowers and more! Also consider purchasing a diecut system. While initially an expensive item, the endless uses for alphabets (which seemed to raise the budget), diecut shapes and more can in the long run reduce your layout price. And the best tip for scrapping on a budget, less truly can be more.