This works best for the larger letters and shapes....but I have NEVER used an original piece of chipboard if the letter/image is larger than say 2 inches tall/wide or so.....I save ALL the chipboard type boards from packaging and also buy chipboard in packaged sheets. At Hobby Lobby you can get a package of ten sheets of 8.5x11 inch chipboard in raw or white for like $3.59. With the sets of shapes or letters I turn them upside down and trace the shape with a pencil (this will be the backside of your shape/letter), then I cut the letters/shapes out with a good sharp pair of scissors, I like the Cutter Bee Titanium scissors or any small micro tip scissor. It is no problem to cut out the middle of letters like a, o, e, b, etc. If the middle is small then I use a craft knife. This not only saves a TON of money as I never use the original set of chipboard, but also allows you to customize the colors and patterns without paying extra money to get them that way. I fell in love with Stampin Up!'s line of On Board chipboard simon lower letters and they are like $13 for the set, but I have used it over and over and over by using them basically as templates. Also last Christmas I made sets of personalized monogram notecards for all the adults I had to give gifts and I used the appropriate letter, only traced them onto cardstock, then ran them through a crimper and tied ribbon and fibers around each letter before mounting them onto the background stamped cards. They were a HUGE hit. A neighbor of mine who isn't a scrapbooker or crafter at all made thank you cards by borrowing my letter "t" and making similar cards. So you can even swap chipboard shapes and letters utilizing this method. I just write my initials on the back of the original chipboard piece. This is a bit difficult to do on smaller letters/shapes, but still doable if you use small really sharp scissors.

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My two fave ways to use lots of chipboard...
*divide purchased chipboard shapes/letters into multiple layers. I can usually get at least 2 out of an image (and I don't try to get more than 2 if it's a complicated letter or shape - some of the curves or details can be tricky.)
*I buy big sheets of raw chipboard at a local art supply store. Really, really inexpensive - the last sheet I got was about 2 1/2 x4 feet for $2.25. Great for basic shapes, making covers for albums or journals, making your own picture mats. You can also print fun dingbat fonts in large sizes and use as a template w/the chipboard.

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I stretch my supplies by getting things at NON-scrapbooking stores. For instance:

1. The dollar stores here sells LOTS of scrapbooking stuff for just a dollar. Matching paper stes, stamps, stickers, albums, embellishments - LOTS-O-Stuff!

2. I buy A LOT at office supply stores. I bought overhead projector film to use as clear overlays. The things we used when we were kids to hold pages of our projects together can still be bought at office supply stores. Paper clips, glue sticks, packs of colored paper - all from office supply stores. I bought typing paper to use as a sheer, light weight paper. Any paper that isn't acid free can be easily de-acidified.

3. I buy sewing boxes, sewing kits - even cabinet sewing machines - at auctions for just a couple dollars - just to get the buttons, lace, ribbon, thread - WHATEVER! - sewing notions. I yank notions off clothes before they end up in the rag bag or garbage. Whatever I don't think I can use, I send to a thrift store.

4. I go through all the junk mail I get and cut out any pictures that I like, and could use for projects. For instance, I made a gardening journal this year of all the things I planted in my yard. I would cut flower pictures out of the catalogs that came in the mail, and used them in the journal. I made a lot of Christmas gift tags this year by cutting out pictures of Christmas cards that could be ordered through catalogs.

5. I use Glad Press and Seal to make small pockets and pouches to hold things in - I made some wedding albums this year, and included sealed pouches of flowers or flower petals from the reception (after air drying them).

That's all I can think of this second. I will be wrapping some of what I made for gifts, and I'll be doing a quick look through before wrapping. If I spy anything else I have done, I'll be sure to share!

Nancy

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