Every paper artist has that pile, whether it is neatly organized and out of sight or in a messy stack on a tabletop. You know the one - the pile of leftover paper scraps from a recent project (or two or ten). If you are a good scrapper, you feel like you have committed a murder every time you toss any of them into the trash. I am here to help save you from going to scrapper prison, with a few ideas on ways to use up those pretty scraps!
- Make a collaged border.
- Make matching cards.
- Donate to a local preschool or daycare.
- Make gift tags.
- Mix and match squares for a fun background.
- Make die-cut shapes.
- Create a whimsical mosaic.
- Make a paper piecing.
- Make a mini album.
- Host a scrap party - have a few friends over and exchange scraps.
- Give them to your kid
- Cover a chipboard shape or monogram.
- Decorate a gift box or bag.
- Embellish wooden letters.
- Layer circles of different sizes to make posies. Add a button or brad to the center.
- Embellish a pillar candle with a paper ring.
- Make napkin rings.
- Make Christmas ornaments.
- Make Christmas garland chain.
- Punch out little shapes (such as hearts or flowers).
- Cut into thin strips to weave.
- Cover wooden clothespins.
- Frame small photos and put them on the fridge or bulletin board.
- Make magnets.
- Create butterfly art on canvas.
- Adhere to the bottom of clear glass bubbles for magnets or pushpins.
- Make labels for stuff (like in your pantry or scrapbook room).
- Throw them out (*gasp*).
- Make title letters (mix and match patterns for fun).
- Decorate a large binder clip to use as a photo or note holder.
- Mat a photo.
- Make a bookmark.
- Cover a small notepad.
- Gather a cellophane bag full of patterned scraps give them to a scrapbook friend.
- Silhouette the design in patterned paper.
- Line the bottom of little gift boxes.
- Create photo corners.
- Cover a Scrabble tile with scraps and glossy accents to make a pendant.
- Fold scraps to make tabs.
- Layer strips behind a photo or journaling.
- Punch circles to make a scalloped edge.
- Staple strips around the edge of the paper.
- Glue onto large paper clamps and embellish to make quick picture holders.
- Cover index cards to make a booklet.
- Accent a pre-made embellishment.
- Accent a stamped image.
- Appliqué a simple design.
- Cover blocks of wood for home décor projects.
- Decoupage an inexpensive wooden tray.
- Use inside a small photo frame with index photos (or simply frame pretty patterned paper).
