If you’re anything like me, you can’t bear to throw away even the tiniest scrap of pretty paper. Those little bits and pieces from past projects pile up fast! But guess what? They’re gold for card-making. I had some leftover pieces from the Lily Pond 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper, so today I’m sharing creative (and super easy) ways to turn those scraps into beautiful handmade cards. Let’s get scrappy!
The Strip Technique
One of my go-to methods is the strip technique! Simply cut your scraps into strips of varying widths and arrange them side by side to create a colorful, textured background. You can layer them horizontally, vertically, or even at an angle for a cool effect. Top it off with a sentiment, and you’ve got a card ready to brighten someone’s day!
Punch It Up
Got a few small scraps that don’t seem useful? Grab your punches or dies! Whether it’s circles, hearts, butterflies, or flowers, punched-out shapes and die-cuts can add so much charm to your cards. Here I used the Perennial Postage Dies from Stampin’ Up! to cut out some squares from scraps of patterned paper, then adhered them to a card front for a fun puzzle-effect.
Embellish It
For my final example, I combined the strip technique with a die-cut element for extra dimension. Don’t forget to add fun embellishments! I used a length of woven ribbon and a die-cut heart to give the card more interest—and a touch of fancy flair!
So before you toss those scraps, give them a second chance! You’ll be amazed at the beautiful designs you can create.
Happy crafting! ✂️✨