Using scraps when you create

Scraps for creating

     I lived in Colorado for 7.5 years back in the early 90's...then I moved back home in 1997 to Utah where I discovered what an actual "scrapbook" was.  I was able to take 2 classes after a while, and figured that my stamping supplies would be able to be used on my scrapbook layouts too!   As for keeping each and every piece, it will depend on you - some stuff are great for different things, but normally, I will throw away the smaller scraps.  Now, if you have a die cut machine, and you have scraps left over from that - try to punch a few punch pieces out and place them aside...that way you don't have to keep the whole piece.  

Bookmark made from scraps

     If you check out this article that I have on Ezine Articles, you can get even more reasons to save your scraps!!!  For me, this is how I have things organized.  I separate the scraps by color, in an accordion style purse (best way I can describe it), it has about 10-15 sections for a file folder to go in, I separate them by color so when I am working on things, I can use a scrap instead of a full sheet of paper.  Not only does this save money - but helps you down the line by giving you enough paper to make various items from paper scraps...  So, lets go over some things you can do with scraps of paper:  

Project that had scraps leftover

• Make card bases from larger pieces of scrap paper
• Make bookmarks
• Use with your punches to create embellishments
• Make tags
• Use with paper piecing's 

     Lets say you are running low on a specific color of cardstock or patterned paper.  Where your photo will go - you can cut that part out because you are not going to see it from the top!  That way, if you are working on something or the paper is not something you have found again, cut out parts of the paper so you can use it on other projects too!  

     If you look at the mini album - Things I Cherish - I used embossed paper for the back of the album, and had left over scraps.  The above bookmark was made from the scraps from this project.  I used the pink for the back of the bookmark...and though you can't see the back of the album, the striped paper from the bookmark is the back of that.  I then used 3 heart punches in the same embossed paper.  

     The times are really hard right now - it's not like you can go out and buy a bunch of supplies all the time, when you purchase things, look at what you can do to save money.  Using your scraps will save you money - and truly give your items a more personalized touch than to look like what everyone else does!  I will be having more about scraps this week - right now I am working on cards, so I will be sharing a lot of cards this week!!  Oh and a few more bookmarks too!!!  I have a ton of scraps from the fun projects I have made recently, so check back for some fun little projects made out of scraps!! 

Lynda Jeffs

Memories in Tyme