Cheap and Lazy Embellishments

Embellishments can be very expensive in the UK and as I am on a tight budget, and would rather spend the money I do have on paper, I am using up embellishment items I already have or making my own things using items/ diecut machines etc which I invested in some time ago.

I tend to make my own embellishments in batches so they are there ready to go as I need them when scrapbooking. I think that I can do this as I tend to use “standard” items which are not specific to the latest fashion in embellishments or specific patterned paper.

I think before investing time in creating your own embellishments you need to know:

1. What your “go to” embellishments are.
2. What effects you always use/like (e.g. embossed, distressed, glitter effect).
3. What colours you will use the

This does mean I spend some of my scrapbooking time preparing these embellishments but when I do sit down I can actually create and my work flow is not interrupted. Currently I have been working out from Finding Your Way exactly what my answers are to these questions before I prepare any more embellishments.

I buy chipboard items such as swirls, borders, shape chipboard pieces but don’t actually use them on my layouts. Instead I use them as a template, drawing around and then cutting out on whatever cardstock or patterned paper I want to use. I may stick these down flat on my layout as it was the shape rather than the dimension I wanted or use foam pads to give it additional dimensions. (I know not something all those scrapbooking manufactures want to hear!)

I have learnt that I prefer to use black lettering and the preferred size of font. I have therefore invested in a pack of 12x12 black cardstock and am currently cutting out different style alphabets using my Cricut machine. This means that I have been able to cut out more of those letters you always run out of when you buy stickers/thickers and it works out a lot cheaper.

To make my own chipboard letter I have also bought a sheet of black mount board to cut out the Lollipop alphabet using my Sizzix machine.

All of this is time consuming and does mean I spend some of my scrapbooking time preparing these embellishments but when I do actually sit down to create they are there and my work flow is not interrupted. I suppose I consider it a bit like organising my scrapbooking room and supplies so that the most used things are close to hand.