| We're talking about scrapbook paper again, and | | | | others, who would welcome donations. Check locally |
| looking at another idea for what to do with all those | | | | or on the internet for how to contact them. |
| paper scraps and unloved scrapbook papers in your | | | | What can go into the charity box? |
| stash. Today's suggestion: give away the papers you | | | | You won't feel so bad about parting with your lovely |
| don't like. | | | | scrapbooking stash knowing they are going to a |
| There's nothing new in that, but we can be selfish | | | | good cause. Be generous - make sure it's not all your |
| about it and give them to friends whom we know | | | | 1/16 inch shavings you put in the box, lol! |
| will return the favor soon. Or we can be unselfish and | | | | Always keep a box handy so it's easy to drop bits in. |
| give them to those who would love them but cannot | | | | Remember, don't look at them again or you'll start |
| afford them, or to those who make cards for | | | | pulling things out again; once it goes in the box it |
| charity. | | | | stays in the box! When the box is full, give it away. |
| Being the hoarder I am, I've been erring on the | | | | Drop in any spare papers, rub-ons, stickers or other |
| selfish side for too long. However, a tip I saw | | | | embellishments as and when you come across them |
| recently may be the answer I'm looking for. The tip | | | | or can afford to buy a little extra to include. Even left |
| was to keep a box close to your work table and to | | | | over letter stickers and rub-ons can be used because |
| drop any good size scraps of scrapbooking paper into | | | | somebody will have a friend whose name begins with |
| it, plus any papers you no longer like. The crucial part | | | | Z or some of the other less-used letter. |
| of this tip that will make all the difference is... do not | | | | It's very easy to be swayed by bling and the latest |
| look at what you've put in the box - once it's in the | | | | fashion in the scrapbook store, only to decide a few |
| box it stays in the box! | | | | days later that something is not to your taste after |
| On many a clear-out day that's where I've fallen | | | | all. No problem! Drop them into your charity box. |
| down; I always had a last look at the things I was | | | | Got loads of papers you loved once upon a time and |
| throwing out. And, you've guessed, half the stuff | | | | now wonder why? Drop them into your charity box. |
| was put back on the shelves. So, I need to repeat | | | | Don't forget to add a few ribbon pieces, as well as |
| to myself: once it's in the box, it stays in the box. | | | | out-of-date or out-of-fashion papers. Or how about |
| Now say it again after me... lol! | | | | that roll of ribbon that is not quite the shade you |
| Why not start a great scrapbook paper charity | | | | thought it was? Drop them in. |
| giveaway? | | | | When giving to a home or hospice add a few extras |
| Many paper crafters already contribute greetings | | | | like some adhesive, punched-out shapes, perhaps |
| cards to charities, but why not multiply our fund | | | | some stamped images, coloring pencils, a few things |
| raising efforts especially as many charities have seen | | | | that sparkle and add bling, a spare pair of scissors (or |
| their donations plummet this year. | | | | two), some cardstock cut and scored into blank |
| A few fund raising suggestions are: | | | | cards, and envelopes. Make sure there is enough to |
| - charge an extra entry fee at your crop: $1 (US, | | | | make at least a few cards. |
| CAN, AUD, SGD), 1 rand, £1, 1 euro, 1 real - | | | | Who may like to receive your box? |
| whatever your currency is, and give it to a local | | | | - retirement homes |
| charity | | | | - children's homes |
| - you could include a donation of paper craft material | | | | - cards for troops |
| with it | | | | - children's charities |
| - organize some scrap parties and ask participants to | | | | - medical/cancer charities |
| contribute to the charity scrap box | | | | - women's refuges |
| - organize a charity card making class with the | | | | - a local hospital or hospice may be able to use them |
| scraps, sell the cards locally and send the money to a | | | | as part of therapy programs |
| charity | | | | - even local schools may welcome your excess |
| - pool your Christmas scrapbook papers and organize | | | | scrapbook products as severe financial cuts bite into |
| a Christmas card making class; charge a participant | | | | budgets |
| fee to go to the charity, and donate some of the | | | | If you make cards for a charity, know someone who |
| cards to raise more funds | | | | does, or a charity who'd like to receive a box like |
| - have a sponsored scrapping session: how many | | | | this, please put contact details in the comments |
| layouts can you make in one hour, or how many | | | | below so others can help, too. Please seek the |
| cards can you or a group of you make in a given | | | | recipient's permission, before you add private |
| time | | | | information. This is an international opportunity - if |
| - gather donations of scrapbook tools, scrapbook | | | | you found our website then others from your |
| papers, scrapbook kits - new and well-loved - from | | | | country will too, so include contact information for |
| your scrap buddies, local stores, manufacturers, and | | | | your own country. |
| auction them, donating the money raised to the | | | | Just one final thing: do check your chosen charity is |
| charity | | | | happy to receive donations of materials or if they |
| If you have more ideas please add them to the | | | | prefer you to raise funds rather than donate the |
| comments then others can benefit from them too. | | | | material. We do not wish to inundate them with |
| Keep a box for donations at your crop and when it's | | | | things they cannot use nor to give them more work |
| full donate it to someone who makes cards for | | | | than necessary. |
| charity. | | | | So, turn you scrapbook paper into charity $$$, and |
| There are many people who make cards for | | | | have fun doing it. |
| hospitals, hospices, troops, and just as a blessing to | | | | |