“stretching” Transitive verb to make limited supplies or resources go further than usual, planned, or expected

If you are a scrapbooker and you haven’t yet felt the reality of increasing prices on products and supplies then you are extremely lucky. For the average scrapper something as simple as a hike in the price of her favourite brand name may be the cause of simply not making the purchase. And to say it is only in our world of creativity is not true – the pinch is everywhere and it is very real!
So what’s a girl to do? Well – stretch your supplies in ways you never would have dreamed.

 

On the beach layout

This week’s project is a double page layout. My focal point is an enlarged photo that stretches across the two pages and takes up a lot of space so to say. I wanted to really focus on the photo for obvious reasons (it tells a story and I love it). So all I needed was a couple of embellishments and a few plain cardstocks, bits and pieces and I have a completed layout.
I used a packet of clear BasicGrey embellishments to add colour and pattern to my layout. These packets of embellishments are normally packed to the brim with loads of little elements that matches a specific theme. You can use a few elements on a layout and still have plenty left for cards and other projects.

So by simply taking a single product and using specific elements from it I can complete an entire project – I am still placing the focus on my photos but visually I am supporting my photos with a few strategically placed elements.

I love how the beach themed elements pack offers me the ability to create a few projects without finishing my stash in one sitting.
Here are a few other ideas on how to stretch your stash creatively

Cut them up

To make my flowers stretch even further onto a couple of projects, I simply cut them up. I create a cluster of flowers and before adhering them I gage which ones I can hide behind other elements – those flowers can then simply be cut down a bit which enables me to create an entirely new cluster of elements on another project. Hiding elements behind each other can hide a multitude of sins.

 

Use the packaging

Use the beautiful packaging to create elements on your layout. My favourite is how you can easily turn the backing of stickers/elements into a photo matt and for layering. The packaging is normally printed in the same colours as the embellishments and will work perfectly with your colour scheme.

Die-cut something

Packaging is perfect for die-cutting. Use the backing or packaging to die-cut flowers, swirls and shapes to use on your layouts and cards. Sometimes you find elements inside a packet that you simply know you will never use – I have die-cut smaller shapes out of larger tags – this changes the design totally but also turns an ugly pattern into something that is smaller and lot more acceptable. Think creatively with all those less than perfect elements.

 

Inking and stamping

Make your supplies go further by altering and changing the look totally to work with another theme or colour scheme. Stamp and emboss images onto existing embellishments like tags and pre-cut elements, mist them with Mister Huey inks to change the colour or simply trim away undesirable parts and ink away the less favourable parts.

I hope you have enjoyed my tips on stretching your craft supplies! Please feel free to share your frugal crafting tips with us.

 

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Products Used

• AC Cardstock (12×12 Textured) – Charcoal [AC NEUTRALS 71077]
• AC Cardstock (12×12 Smooth) – White [AC NEUTRALS 71793]
• Brilliance Dew Drop Ink Pad – Lightning Black [TBD-95]
• BasicGrey – Soleil Die-cut shapes [SOL 3935]
• Kaisercraft – Clear Texture Stamp – Bubble Wrap [KCCS753]
• Simple Stories – 24/Seven Double Sided Paper – Today [SS 3106]
• Tombow Mono Multi Glue [TB 62191]

Post by The Wholesaler’s Designer Jowilna Nolte.

We are very proud to introduce you to our first designer, Jowilna Nolte. Jowilna is a true creative and she will be sharing some of her passion and creativity with you.

Read more about Jowilna here.