Thursday Tip #18

Go to your local scrapbook store to use their punches, tools, etc. This way you can get more information and get some hands-on experience to see what tools you really need.

Thursday Tip #17

Check out the dollar stores and mass market stores (like Walmart) for inexpensive supplies.

Most pens are now archival quality so you don't need to buy a special pen.

Use every day items to help you get organized, such as baskets, flower pots, containers, binders, small buckets, etc.

You can find lots of goodies at flea markets and garage sales.

Thursday Tip #16

When developing 35mm film, get duplicates. Duplicates is cheaper than getting reprints later.

Thursday Tip #15

The best way to journal right onto your background paper is to write it lightly in pencil first. This way if you make any mistakes you can fix them before committing to pen. Use a writing pen to trace over your pencil markings, when the ink is completely dry, erase the pencil marks with a white eraser.

Thursday Tip #14

A good way to use your Glue Dots without touching them, is to press the item you are adhering to the Glue Dot. You can also carefully use your craft knife to lift the glue dot and place it where you need it. If you need a smaller piece, use your craft knife to cut the Glue Dot in half -- just be careful of the blade.

Thursday Tip #13

Do you have problems tearing the paper when you dry emboss? Don't push down too hard on the stylus while dry embossing and try rubbing the area you want to emboss with wax paper first. The wax paper helps to "lubricate" the cardstock so that the stylus will flow easily over it and therefore avoid tearing.

Thursday Tip #12

Do you ever find that once you have placed your lumpy pages in your scrapbook, (no matter how hard you try to keep your embellishments from pressing into the other pages) the pages often get damaged? For a quick, cheap, and easy way to keep your scrapbook pages unharmed, pick up a sheet of foam paper. Available at all major crafting stores.

Cut approximately 8-16 strips (1/2 inch-1 inch) lengthwise out of an 8x10 sheet of foam paper. Punch holes in the strips and then place them in between every 5 or so pages of your scrapbook (replacing those flimsy cardboard strips that come with your page refills). This will create an extra space between all your pages and will eliminate damage due to lumpy embellishments.

Foam paper will cost you just pennies for a sheet and, will save you so much by keeping your treasured layouts dent and damage free!

Thursday Tip #11

When you journal, are you at a loss for words? Do you sometimes repeat the same words over and over again? Keeping a small Thesaurus handy near your workspace is a great way to make your writing more eloquent - just look up the word you want to use, find its synonym and soon your journaling will flow like poetry.

Thursday Tip #10

Give stickers a rustic look by pulling out your sandpaper and sanding the stickers slightly.

Thursday Tip #9

Has attaching wire to your pages been a problem? A few ways you can attach wired art to your pages are: (1) by sewing your wire down with clear thread, (2) by placing very tiny holes beneath your wired art and create a little "staple" with another small piece of wire--place "staple" over your wire and thread into the small hole beneath spreading the legs of the "staple" on the back apart, and (3) by using photo mounting tape to adhere the wire on the back side of your project. Whichever way you choose, you're sure to get "wired"!

Thursday Tip #8

Use a Jar to Get Inspired

Make a list of techniques, both tried & true and new to you. Cut them into individual strips and place them in a jar. When you need inspiration, pull 2 or 3 techniques out of the jar & use them on a layout or card project.

Write a list of your supplies and tools. Again, cut them into individual strips and place them in a jar. Some items to include in this list, would be patterned paper, eyelets, brads, ribbons, die cuts, beads, and so on. It's also supposed to help use up your stash if you tend to hoard your supplies.

Thursday Tip #7

Unstick the Sticky

Have you ever had the problem of sticky adhesive from tapes, photo squares and stickers "gum" up your scissors, tweezers, craft knives and punches? Undo it with UN-DU! UN-DU safely removes the sticky residue that can be left behind from these products. Just apply a few drops and wipe away with a soft cloth. Before you know it your tools will be as good as new!

Thursday Tip #6

Inspire to Be Creative

No matter what size your work space is or where it is, put something in that inspires you to be creative. A family picture, a favorite knick-knack, a radio, whatever will get you motivated and feeling creative. Small or large, it doesn't matter, just let it be an inspiration to YOU.

Thursday Tip #5

Chalks for Hand-Tinting

Have you ever tried to hand-tint your inkjet computer prints only to find that the finish rubs away with the inks? A great way to hand tint Sepia or Black and White photos printed from an inkjet printer is to print your photos on Matte Photo Paper and then color them with decorating chalks. You'll have a beautiful hand tinted photo in no time!

Thursday Tip #4

Keep some of the candy wrappers from Easter, Halloween, or birthdays. You can scan them and print them onto cardstock or acid free paper. These can make the perfect embellishment to go along with your Easter Egg Hunt photos or Trick or Treating photos, or birthday celebration photos.

Thursday Tip #3

A great way to use up border sticker strips is to cut them apart and make frames for your photos.

Thursday Tip #2

Sharpen Your Pencils

Find all your colored pencils and the pencil sharpener and sharpen up those pencil points. This will save you time later when you want to use them.

No sharpener that you like in the house? Put it on your shopping list immediately.

Thursday Tip

Journaling is an important element on any scrapbook page, but there's no right or wrong way to tell your story. There is only YOUR way! You can tell your story any way you like.