If there’s one problem that many serious scrappers run into, it’s scrapbooking paper storage. It seems like any place you store your cardstock or what system you have tried, you end up with paper that is torn, wrinkled or bent, or that is not in a convenient location. What to do?

There are some simple scrapbooking tips to solve the problem of scrapbooking paper storage. You may have noticed that many scrapbook supply stores sell storage systems that are designed specifically for scrapbook paper. You may have been hesitant about purchasing such an option, but remember that your scrapbook projects start with your paper. Purchasing a simple system can be considered an investment in your projects. There are many options available when it comes to these scrapbooking paper storage systems so you can probably find something that’s within your price range.

Of course there are other options that you could use as a scrapbooking paper storage system. As an example, you may want to browse an office supply catalog or visit your local supply store. These usually have towers that are meant to keep a person’s desk organized when it comes to their paperwork. Some are wide enough to hold scrapbooking paper but of course you want to be sure you’re getting the right size. They also offer storage boxes made for magazines, but that also work for storing scrapbooking paper. Try thinking “outside the box” and consider using things for purposes other then what they were made for. If you can use a product for your desk and it works for you, then of course you should use it for your own scrapbooking paper storage?

Consider using things you already have around your home for your scrapbooking paper storage. For example, do you have old photograph albums or some large books you aren’t using anymore? You can keep paper in between the pages. (Finally, a use for those old encyclopedias in the attic!) You might just want to put a sheet of plastic wrap from your kitchen between your scrapbook paper and the book’s pages so that no ink transfers. And of course whatever you use for scrapbooking paper organization, it’s important to keep it up and away from the kids, pets, and anyone else that might be using your desk and not take care of your papers the way you do.

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Scrapbookers have their own holiday.The first Saturday in May is National Scrapbooking Day.As the scrapbooking hobby has become more popular so has this celebration of all things scrapbooking.Don’t forget to make the day special.  How can you celebrate? Consider these ideas and tips that will make National Scrapbooking Day memorable this year.

1. Call your local scrapbook store and ask what special activities they have planned.  Many local stores have sales, but quite a few offer make-and-take projects, special workshops, or crop time just for National Scrapbooking Day.

2. Learn a new scrapbooking technique.You can do this yourself.  Pick up a scrapbook magazine and try a new skill. It can be something that is easy or more complex. Now make a page layout using that technique.

3. Shop for a new scrapbook tool.  We all have one of the latest tools on our scrapbooking wishlists.  Indulge yourself this May with one on your list. Bring it home with you and give it a try on a new scrapbook project.

4. Gather your friends for a scrapbooking crop party.  Throw a National Scrapbooking Day party with your fellow scrapbookers. Just add some refreshments and lots of workspace for scrapbooking and you’re ready to enjoy your favorite activity with your friends.

5. Browse your local bookstore for a new scrapbook magazine or book.Have fun discovering what the newest ideas in scrapbooking are. Books and magazines are a great way to keep up to date on your design skills.

6. Shop for new supplies online. Online scrapbooking stores usually have great National Scrapbooking Day sales that often run the whole weekend.The best deals are usually on Saturday, but many stores will run their sales on Sunday too.Visit your favorite internet stores first, because many offer the best sales during night owl specials or early bird hours.  Be sure you know what time zone they are in so you don’t miss out.

7. Share your hobby with a friend.Do you have a friend who wants to learn how to document her memories and make a scrapbook? National Scrapbooking Day is a great time to show her how. Bring her to your local store for a special event or invite her to your home to scrapbook.

8. Attend an online crop. Check scrapbooking message boards for online crops.  Many offer virtual crops. You and other scrapbookers make page layouts at the same time and chat online with each other.Many crops will have contests to see which scrapbooker got the most layouts done. Some will have contests, and some may have a gallery where you can upload your designs.

9. Snap some photos. If going to a scrapbook event isn’t possible, consider taking some pictures of your loved ones. Upload them to your favorite online printer and start to plan your next album.

10. Organize your scrapbooking space. You just might find some supplies you forgot all about.  A little organization can help you get more pages done the next time you sit down to create a page layout.

11. Go on a scrapbooking retreat or plan to attend a scrapbooking convention.Your local area may have scrapbooking events and expos. The weekend of National Scrapbooking Day might be a great time to organize a getaway with your girlfriends.

12. Read “A Page Out of Life” by Kathleen Reid.This novel is about a local scrapbooking club and the very different women who come to the club.While scrapbooking together, they discover secrets that are hidden in their photographs. National Scrapbooking Day is a perfect time to read this book.

Enjoy this year’s National Scrapbooking Day! No matter how you decide to spend the day, remember to enjoy your hobby with family and friends.

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One great aspect of scrapbooking as a hobby is that it’s so very affordable.  The paper and pages, as well as the embellishments and decorations, are all typically only a few dollars each if even that.Many scrapbookers still want to find cheap scrapbooking supplies, because collecting and buying scrapbooking supplies can be addictive!Items for each layout may be affordable, but when making many pages for many albums, you might begin to feel the crunch in your budget.So how do you go about finding cheap scrapbooking supplies?  Here are a few scrapbooking ideas for finding cheap supplies.

Don’t forget about shopping at discount stores or dollar stores.  You can usually find stickers, pipe cleaners, ribbon, and embellishments like this at dollar stores and they make for some great discount scrapbooking supplies.  You might even find craft supplies at stores like this and these too can work in scrapbooks.

You can also find a lot of choices for cheap scrapbooking supplies online at places like eBay and Craigslist.  Many scrappers who have leftover supplies will bundle them together and sell them so you may need to pick and choose but you can find a lot of scraps that work well for you.

In the spring, don’t forget to check out garage sales as well.Many people will advertise their yard sales on Craiglist and even show photos of what they are selling, so you can look at these first to see if they are selling cheap scrapbooking supplies.

Many people already have things around their house that they can use for scrapbooking.Look around your house for ideas for scrapbooking embellishments, like colored paperclips, ribbon, yarn, sewing scraps, buttons, fancy stamps, old road maps, and greeting cards.If you use some creativity as you clean your house for items and scraps you would just throw away, you may just find that your own home is a great place for finding cheap scrapbooking supplies!Try this before you throw anything away – can you salvage pieves from an old board game to use as an accent on a page or can you use the stamp on a piece of mail for a travel page?

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