When you think of scrapbooking supplies, you probably picture all the papers and embellishments you would normally find in a craft store. But have you ever thought about what kind of supplies you might find outside the four walls of the craft store? If you are at all like me, your home is probably full of treasures just waiting to be added to your pages. Using found objects for scrapbooking can be an exciting way to give your pages a fresh new look and your wallet a break!

 

The only caution I have here is that you want to make sure that your found objects will not affect your photos. If in doubt, spray the object with a deacidifying spray like Archival Mist or at least make sure the object isn’t touching photos.

 

Here are some ideas to get you started. Look around your home – you’ll be surprised what you can find!

Sewing basket: buttons, ribbons, lace, fabric scraps, thread, twine, zippers/zipper pulls, ric-rac, beads, embroidery floss, yarn

Sewing Machine: to add decorative stitches, use to attache elements together when you are out of glue

Office supplies: tags, clips, brads, paper clips, staples, envelopes, transparencies, label maker, index cards, file folder tabs

Old greeting cards: cut out images to use as tags or embellishments. Great for almost any occasion—kids, birthdays, holidays etc.

Postcards: can be used in place of photos as images, document a favorite travel spot, create a collection, show where you have been, where you want to go

Cardboard: save and cut out into shapes as desired and cover with paper for inexpensive chipboard embellishments, cut into large tag shapes, punch a hole and use a jump ring to bind together to make chipboard tag books

Toilet/paper towel rolls: make circle stamps or use to wind leftover ribbon around

Solid colored paper scraps: make your own patterned paper by repeatedly stamping a design, punch or cut out small decorative shapes, tear edges and layer on scrapbook page to creat mosaic background

Get digi with it: use your computer and the internet to get and print almost everything…digital papers and designs, border, clip art, fonts. (In fact, explore other digital options to go paper and embellishment free!)

Kids craft supplies: water based paints, craft foam pieces (cut out shapes and add to page as a three dimensional embellishment, or make a stamps out of a foam shape) chalk, pencil or wax crayons, stamps and stamp pads, stickers, pipe cleaners

Hardware items: Sand paper, an awl or nails to punch holes, paint strips, metal accents like hinges and washers, drywall mesh tape, wire

Kitchen: cookie cutters as templates for shapes

Bathroom: make up applicators or cotton balls/swabs to apply chalks or paints

Game and puzzle pieces

Old dictionary/quote books: cut out definitions/quotes and add to page as embellishment

Old childrens books: collect these for charming, vintage images

 

Keep an eye out around your home because the possibilities are endless!

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