Thrift Store Scrapping

Do you love to shop in thrift stores? I can't think of a better way to spend the day than heading to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or a local resale shop. I love a bargain, and not only can I find neat items for my home, but also materials I can use in my scrapbooks.

On a recent visit I was surprised to find discarded scrapbooking embellishments and even card-making supplies. I found a box of invitation-sized envelopes that were perfect for my handmade cards, but my mission on this visit was to steer clear of any items made specifically for scrapbooks.

I first started out in menswear, where I was able to find some ties that would work perfectly on a page about my daughter and her escort for Winter Carnival. I simply took the tie and cut off the end that I wanted to use in the layout. If you are concerned about the acid content in an item, spray it with some de-acidification spray, such as Archival Mist, or arrange the item away from photos.

The second department I visited was the Housewares department. I love this department and it has yielded many great finds in the past.

On a visit to Salvation Army I found an older metal file box that I store my 8.5" x 11" paper in. It even has a handle on the top for portability. On this visit though, I found a cool set of bamboo placemats, which I knew would be perfect for some mission pictures from Japan.

To make the page:

1. Begin with 1 sheet of 8.5" x 11" black cardstock (in landscape format).
2. Cut a mat from red cardstock, approximately 5 ½" by 6".
3. Adhere a photo to the mat, and the mat to the black cardstock.
4. Add a rub-on on the corner of the photo and mat.
5. Cut the bamboo mat apart, resulting in a piece 6" x 3 ¾". Adhere to the black cardstock with Glue Dots.
6. Add mulberry flowers and leaves to the top of the bamboo mat. I chose the pink and red to simulate the cherry blossom trees that Japan is known for.
7. Cut apart two bamboo slats, and use those to frame the title area. Adhere with glue dots.
8. For the title I cut out the word "Japan" using Cricut George font.
9. Add handwritten journaling and it's done.

I hope this article will help you take a second look at resale items at your local store. I'm sure you will find a treasure trove waiting for you.