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!