Ideas for Using Paper Scraps

If you have been stamping or scrapbooking for any time at all, you are bound to have a box, folder or drawer full of paper scraps that you just couldn’t make yourself throw away. Well, get out your stash and try some of these great ideas.

Weaving
This is a great way to use all those long, thin strips of paper to make a beautiful woven border. Simply glue three or four strips down one side of your page, place a few more across the bottom, loosely weaving the strips together in the corner of the page.

Paper Knots
Use your scrap pieces of paper like you would ribbon. Paper can be tied in a knot, turned into a bow or laced to make pretty page accents or borders. Of course, paper isn’t as flexible and forgiving as ribbon so it must be handled gently as you form a knot or a bow. Push or pull lightly to form a knot, then flatten it. It is easier to tie longer strips of paper.

Paper Piecing
Instead of using new piece of cardstock to make your paper piece, go through your scraps and you are sure to find one or two pieces that will work on at least part of it.

Mosaics
Save all those tiny squares and rectangle because they are perfect for mosaic pieces. The possibilities are as endless as the colors of your scraps. Combine different colors and patterns for a crazy-quilt effect, or use varying shades of the same color for a subtle, monochromatic look. Don’t worry if your scraps aren’t all the same size because on the charms of mosaic is their uneven lines and variety of sizes and shapes.

Bargello
Find a variety of paper strips, all the same length. The widths can vary from 1/4"- wide to 1"-wide, depending on how large you want the completed piece to be.
Arrange the strips on a solid piece of paper; you can either line the strips to touch each other or leave a bit of space between them for accent. Trim the mat paper and you will have a beautiful design!

Punches
Unless you are punching a very large shape are making lots of smaller ones, sort through your paper scraps first. There just might be a piece in your stash that will be perfect for the punch.

Whether you are making cards, borders, letter squares or punches, look to your paper scraps first. You just might find the perfect piece of paper for your project and it won’t cost you anything!

How to Create a Crafting Space

If you don’t have room for a designated or spot or the time to claim one, plan ahead and tote what you need with you. Whether making handmade cards or scrapbook pages,you can get a lot accomplished while waiting in the carpool line or for your kids to get out of after school practice. Just keep the necessities of your latest crafting project with you and work on it while you wait. Plan ahead of time and tote pre-planned pages. Stash photos, coordinating papers and embellishments in sheet protectors in a three-ring binder. Keep tools like scissors, glue and punches in a small plastic case.

Crafters with little storage space should consider Iris carts, the rolling organizers with drawers. Simply roll the cart into a closet after you are finished. Rolling carts come in a variety of sizes. Some are sized to fit just underneath a standard height table and have containers that keep your supplies organized and easy to find.

If you have limited space, you might consider converti ng a closet into a scrap station. Use existing shelves to hold paper supplies and a piece of wood laid across a few large 4 -drawer carts to make a desk.

Take advantage of your dining room table or add another small table to have room to spread out during your projects. If you seldom use your dining room it may be the perfect solution.

Even if you're one of the lucky crafters who has an extra room to devote to your hobby, you might still have to share the space with other family members. For instance, if you have young children you might want to devote a space for them to play or craft with you. Create different zones in the room to keep it organized and to make sure you can keep track of your projects. For instance, divide the room into a 'crafting zone', a 'computer zone', and a 'homework zone'. It gives each activity its own importance, and helps to keep all supplies in the right area.

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