Hot Tip Tuesday

Sourcing Supplies

We all have our favourite cardmaking and papercraft supply stores, but don't forget to look beyond your current sources every once in a while. You'd be surprised at what you can find in unexpected places, and you'd be surprised by what you can actually use on your cards and projects that aren't specifically created for crafting.

Hardware stores, op shops, garages sales and even the local grocery store can be Aladdin's Caves of wonderous treasures. Sometimes it's about letting your imagination take you from sandpaper to a textured base for your seaside themed stamps, a jar of old buttons to snowman eyes or Rudolph's shiny nose, children's markers to awesome paint spattered backgrounds.

And don't forget to upcycle! Cardboard boxes and packaging can be covered with patterned paper or paint and used for book covers. Pieces of plastic packaging are perfect for crafts requiring acetate sheets. Ribbons, fancy wrappings and coverings from boxes of chocolate, perfume and other luxury items make wonderful embellishments for cards.