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Save your Scrapping Dollars and Scrap with Scraps!
Using your left over scraps could mean the difference between saving that cherished new piece of paper that will make a great 12x12 background and using something you already have.
Most of us have small bits of paper that are engulfing our scrapping area, those bits we just can’t part with but are still in the scrap-box years later!
This year why not make one of your resolutions to be to use all these scraps, not only will it save you some scrapping dollars but your pages will be taken to a new dimension.
First of all organization is key to find your scraps, this is a big step in the direction of actually using them, so here are a few ideas on how to organize and store them.
You can sort the scraps by color. Most office supply stores have cheap accordion type files you could use. If you like to go to crops this is a great grab and go system as you can just take the entire folder with you however space is limited in the file so using individual files or large zip lock bags can also work and is better for larger quantities of scraps.
Another way to arrange your scraps is by plain card stock and patterned paper; your local Pizza store will often just give you a large pizza box for free!
Size is another option as the larger pieces could be used for 6x6 and 8x8 albums, brag books and cards. Medium sizes are great for mats, borders and tags. The smaller pieces are ideal for photo corners, punches, die cuts and paper piecing.
Once you have your scraps in some kind of order start with taking out your unfinished layouts; the ones that just need that little bit extra before you put them in their permanent scrapbook sleeve. Use the scraps for tags, mats, borders and use your die cutting tools and punches to make the most of the small pieces. A great way to adhere these really small pieces of paper is with the Xyron 150 “X” small sticker maker. Watch as your pages come alive as you add in these extras
Don’t forget that when you cut out a die cut or punch sometimes the ‘negative’ is as good as the ‘positive’ you use! One of my favorite ways is to use the negative is a die cut letter. By die cutting the letter and then making the piece you would normally throw away into a circle or a square leaving the negative of the letter in the middle you have made 2 letters for one cut. I keep these for future pages and cards by storing them in the slots of the 2x2 pocket pages!
You could also start to make your own greeting cards. If you have stickers, die cuts, punches, tags or embellishments left over after completing a layout; why not make a handmade greeting card. Since you’ve already coordinated the products, making a card should be easy and is always appreciated!
Don’t think all your scraps will complement each other and look good. Find a neutral desk or floor space where you can spread them all out together, take out ones you don’t think fit and play around with the different patterns and colors – you’ll be amazed at what you see.
Turn your scraps into handmade paper. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how easy it is to make paper and it is such a great way to add a personal touch to your scrapbooking and card making projects. A Google/Yahoo search on ‘paper making’ is a good place to start.
What about adhering your scraps down to your album page to make a crazy quilt background. Use your pens to make fun 'stitches.'
Have you tried everything and still can’t use those scraps up. Well what about swapping with some fellow crafters. Grab a few scrapping friends and have a ‘swap meet’; swapping and trading scraps and coming up with ideas.
It really is a sin to throw away any paper away so if all these ideas still fail to entice you to use those scraps but you still have them mounting up why not donate to a local school or youth center, children of all ages love to play with paper.
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