How Can I Make My Own Scrapbook

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Creating Your Own Scrap Kits

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Article Courtesy Scrapjazz.com: by Tiffany Roberts

During this recession, many of us are looking for extra ways to save money.  Oftentimes the first luxury items to be cut from the budget are hobbies and crafts so  I wanted to find a way to use the supplies I already have in fun and creative ways.

I love the idea of a monthly scrapbook kit that comes to my door, but I just can afford the additional expense.  Also I tend to find myself with lots of leftovers that I just can't find a use for because the kits tend to be quite large and I don't like having several of my layouts looking the same.

I decided that instead of purchasing a monthly kit from someone else I would try my hand at creating my own kits with supplies I already have.  Maybe I'll even be able to swap kits with friends so we can all have something new to play with!

If you want to create your own scrapbook kits, I suggest starting off with a large zip-top bag, clean/unused pizza-style box, or a large plastic storage container.   I love these slim, stackable flip top containers from Art Bin.  For a more reasonably [K1] priced option look at these page planner containers from Cropper Hopper.  You get three of them for only $5.99!

Once you have a way to keep your supplies organized and labeled you're all ready to start packaging your own scrap kits.

I use this general formula:

• 6 sheets of 12" x 12" cardstock (2 each of 3 colors)
• 4 to 6 sheets of coordinating patterned papers
• 1 set of alphabet stickers, chipboard letters, or rub-on letters
• journaling cards, journal-box stamped images, printed quote, etc.
• 3-D elements that coordinate with the themes/colors/patterns of the papers
  • buttons
  • ribbons
  • bling
  • chipboard shapes

This recipe varies depending on the papers and embellishments I have in my supply closet at any given time.  However, these are the basics that I start with, and I can add other fun items as I find them. Sometimes I put in a stamp set, or some acrylic paint - whatever inspires me.

I tend to shy away from very specific themed kits like "Halloween" or "baby girl" themes.  You have to put together your kit in the same way that you assemble a scrapbook layout.  I tend to scrap with a color combination in mind and develop my layouts in layers.  This is how I put together my kits too. I start with patterned papers or combinations of solid colors that inspire me.  Then the fun really starts.  I get to dig through all my supplies and mix and match until I find a grouping of supplies that really talk to each other and inspire me.

Sometimes I have to stop what I'm doing and just start to play.   I've found supplies I forgot I had, or I've discovered a new color combination that really gets me excited to do a layout. That's the best thing about creating these kits!  Once you start looking at all your supplies in a new light you start to see new and fun ways to use things.

Here are a few of the kits I've put together.  I usually have half a dozen or more of these in my storage closet at any given time. In my clear stackable storage boxes I can easily see what I want.  When I come across photos that I want to work with I can go to my premade kits and see if there is anything inspiring before I start to dig through the rest of my supplies.

Red/Brown/Cream

• 6 sheets Bazzill Cardstock
• 4 sheets patterned paper by Flair Designs
• journal pages by Making Memories
• Calendar Cards by Jenni Bowlin
• Grungeboard by Tim Holtz
• Mini Alphabet by Making Memories
• metal frame by Making Memories
• plastic page tab by Heidi Swapp
• Red Scroll Felt Trim by Queen and Co.
• acrylic drops by Cloud9 Designs

Pink/Brown/Aqua

• 6 sheets Bazzill Cardstock
• 2 sheets patterned paper by My Mind's Eye
• 1 die cut sheet patterned paper by Making Memories
• metal page tabs by Making Memories
• metal book plates by Scrap Essentials
• Jumbo Shimmer Brads by Making Memories
• Flower Patch Felt Trim by Making Memories
• Ghost Letters by Heidi Swapp
• Fuzzy Rub-Ons by Heidi Swapp
• journaling stamp by My Mind's Eye

Black/Lime/Teal

• 6 sheets Bazzill Cardstock
• 2 sheets patterned paper by American Crafts
• 1 sheet patterned paper by Die Cuts With a View
• metal bottle caps
• ribbon
• Felt Alphabet Stickers by Making Memories
• rub-on alphabet by Making Memories
• Grungeboard by Tim Holtz
• Journal Blocks by Heidi Swapp
• Jumbo Staples by EK Success Fastenater
• plastic heart from holiday garland

It really is so much fun to dig through all my supplies, mixing and matching, editing and adding, until I have an assortment of things that I love.  Just knowing they are there, all together, waiting for a creative spark, gets me excited to grab a stack of photos and get to work!

Creating a custom scrap kit is also a great gift!  Supplies don't need to be brand new or expensive.  Each of the kits I showcased above came from supplies I already had in my bins and boxes.   Put together a few kits, and place them in a pretty tote like this one from Crop in Style for a wonderful personalized gift.

I hope you'll take a look at your supplies and try making up a few scrap kits of your own to use and to trade with friends, because I think you'll enjoy assembling them almost as much as you do using them!

Shop all kits at Scrapbook.com

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Related To

How Can I Make My Own Scrapbook

Source: https://www.scrapbook.com/articles/creating-your-own-scrap-kits

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