5 Tips for Cost Effective Digital Scrapbooking

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Mar 30, 2011 | View Comments

When I started digi scrapping, I was sure that I was going to save boatloads of money not buying ridiculously expensive scrapbooking papers, and all the tools I needed to put together a decent scrapbook page. Funny thing is, shopping for digi is a lot easier than running to Michaels to pick up a few things. I can shop whenever I want. It’s not a big deal to pick up one thing that I need right away. I can shop multiple times in one day. It’s so easy, in fact, that I usually find myself painfully unaware of how much money I am actually spending on digi supplies.

I won’t scare you and offer you numbers, but I can tell you, I scared myself. Digi was costing me WAY more than paper scrapbooking ever did! Changes needed to happen, and they needed to happen quick (mainly before the wife found out HOW MUCH money was being spent!). These are five tips for cost effective digital scrapbooking that I try to abide by.  Try.

• Buy basics – I often shop for stuff that I know I can use over and over again without it looking the same each time. I feel that if you have a good set of basic materials, you are able to flesh it out with some more fancy stuff as you go.
• Shop sales and New Release days – It sounds simple, but it was hard for me to stick to. I often would be in the middle of a layout and find myself shopping for the “perfect” alpha to go with what I was using. Now, I try to stick to the days that the products are on sale, unless it’s a digimergency.
• Subscribe to newsletters and “Like” Facebook Pages – These two forms of communication are the best way to stay on top of deals from your favorite designers. Some designers even offer exclusive discounts to newsletter subscribers or Facebook Fans. You can sign up for my newsletter HERE or “Like” my Facebook Page HERE.
• Buy kits you can stretch – when I am shopping for kits, I often look at the papers and elements to see if I can use the kit beyond it’s intended theme. For example, when I picked up Kristin Cronin-Barrow’s Hippity Hop, I knew that I would be able to use the kit beyond Easter layouts.  In fact, here’s a non-Easter layout I did with the kit:

• Set a budget….and stick to it – This is where I most often fall down, but it’s one of the most important tips I can give you.  You have to set a budget from the beginning and stick to it.  Maybe it’s monthly, or weekly, or yearly – it doesn’t really matter.  What matters is that you are staying within your pre-determined limits.

What are your tricks for saving money when digital scrapbooking?  What cost effective digital scrapbooking tips can you share with me?  I need all the help I can get!

Why I Left Big Community Forums for Facebook and Twitter

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Mar 28, 2011 | View Comments

Is this you?  You sit down at the computer, ready to start getting stuff done, but instead you spend 30-40 minutes checking in at and participating in community forums.  For a long time this was me, I would spend the first half hour of my “online time” checking in at a number of forums, and going through and participating actively in those forums.  As I’ve worked to better manage my time, I realized that I was squandering a good portion of time away in these community forums.  It had to stop.  I made the decision to leave the “big” community forums, and focus my efforts to a few store forums and Facebook and Twitter.  What I was surprised to learn is that my decision would closely mirror a growing trend in the digi industry.  The rise of Social Media has started to overtake the idea of community forums, and soon we’ll all find that more and more of our friends aren’t in the forums any longer…they’re out in the social media world.  Here are a few things to consider about the future of community forums.

Store forums are still key. I still frequent two store forums, one at the store where I sell, and one that I’ve been a part of since I started digi three years ago.  Store forums are still ripe with activity and participation, and remaining part of them will keep you in touch with the people you most want to talk to.  Store forums are a more close knit group, which usually means that people stick around for a long time.  If you know all of your friends are going to be at the mall, then you go to the mall when you want to hang out with them.

Social Media is where it’s at – for a number of reasons. Whether you are on Facebook and Twitter or not, you can’t deny the fact that they are quickly becoming an integral part of the digi community.  With Twitter and Facebook, it’s easier to connect with more people…people who you may have not found in a community forum.  Plus, Twitter and Facebook move at lightening speed sometimes.  Some argue that that’s the drawback of these social media outlets, but as someone who is always looking to save a few minutes, I can tell you I appreciate this more than anything.  Add in the ability to keep up with latest news and announcements on sites like Facebook and Twitter, and you’ve sold me.

Not everyone is ready to move – yet. While more and more people become active in social media each day, Facebook and Twitter still scare people.  Some people find them to be confusing and difficult to navigate, and for some people, it’s not the right fit.  As time goes on, people will start to understand more about Social Media, and will embrace the ease and usability of those sites, but right now…the transition is still in process.

How does Social Media affect your time in the digi community?  Where are you spending your time?

Hopping Through The Forest….

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Mar 18, 2011 | View Comments

and bopping them on the head!!  Little Bunny Foo Foo is here!  I know that Easter is still some time away, but I had this kit sitting in my brain, and I had to put it together!

And, as always, my CT rocked out some great inspiration for you this week.

20% off this weekend!!!  Check it out!!

Who’s Ready For Spring?

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Mar 11, 2011 | View Comments

I know I am…like in a big way.  That’s what inspired my kit this week, the awesome spring weather and fun.  Soft and sweet, and a little different for me, I hope you like Spread Your Wings.

My CT totally rocked this kit this week, like they ALWAYS do!

As always, 20% off this weekend!!  Check it out!

Sing it With Me…Blame it On The Rain, Yeah Yeah…

Posted by Aaron aka Sir Scrapalot on Mar 4, 2011 | View Comments

Well, maybe not SING, so much as lip sync to a pre-recorded track of someone else singing the song.  Oh Milli Vanilli…what a horrible way to be remembered!  Milli Vanilli was my first concert, though, so I knew that I had to use the title of one of their most popular songs to name this awesome collab I have with Jen C this week!!  Check out Blame it On the Rain!

My awesome CT Ladies were so pumped to work with a collab this week, check out the incredible layouts they came up with!

Blame it On The Rain is available now, and it’s 20% for this weekend only!!! Make sure you stop by and check it out!