Free Scrapbooking Materials

[yrina]

I am starting to make cards and scrapbooks for my kids. I want to try first a small one before indulging to bigger project. I want to know where I can look for free scrap booking materials and also where I can buy them after wards.

[sparkysdad]

I am starting to make cards and scrapbooks for my kids. I want to try first a small one before indulging to bigger project. I want to know where I can look for free scrap booking materials and also where I can buy them after wards.

There was a thread on here recently about some online sites that have downloadable papers and motifs, some of which are free to use (try using the forum search facility and look for scrapbooking).

Scrapbooking to me is all about creating a keepsake, or using the best of your photos to make a nice display rather than having all your old pics shoved in a box, or left on your computer; so the things you "need" are things you already have - for example cinema or theatre tickets, old invitations, bits of ribbon, a button from your babys clothes and so on.. these are all "free"!!

Any old scraps of wrapping paper, wallpaper, pictures from old books and stuff like that is all useable in one way or another if you are scrapbooking on a real budget, or just want to try your hand at it before investing in any expensive embellishments, accessories and tools.. but do be warned!!!

Most of this kind of stuff is not Acid or Lignin free!! - if you want to keep your finished work for a long time, you need to make sure you only use Acid/Lignin free products, or buy a special spray that makes it Acid/Lignin free.

If you dont, your papers and photos etc can fade, discolour, or go yellow/brown. It probably wont happen in a year, but after a couple of years it could all start to deteriorate..

My other suggestion to a newbie or anyone else would be not to use your precious old photos.. use your computer to scan and reprint (or take the pic to a photo shop and buy another copy!) then if accidents happen - and they do with the best will in the world, you always have the original!

Hope that helps

[Seahorse]

A site called craftycomputerpapers has some downloadble images for free.
Or for a few pence you could og to antique fairs and buy old postcards and use a photocopy of the written side to add to the look.