Using up scraps – # 1

As scrapper we all have our little boxes, or a  big box in my case of scraps. paper, ribbon, odd buttons and other bits and pieces that I am loathe to toss out as I always feel I am going to NEED them to add that final touch to something…

One of my plan for the year – note I am not using the R word – it’s my plan for the year,  is to use up the scrap I accumulate,

In more creative ways..

In silly ways if I want to..

To toss them out, jut because I am done with the project…

To give them away if they can benefit someone else.

or anything else that I can’t think of now..

One of the first thing I did was start on a journey to top up my die cut box… as I love patch work die cuts and what better way to use up the scraps than to make patch work A4 sheet and then get crafting..

Start off with any scrap – don’t overthink the colours.. just cut in stripes if possible.. Tear if you are in the mood..

The rough edges with give you the die cut some dimensionality..

Paste these onto a any size paper you have lying around. These are great to use on those paper you never know what to do with. They match nothing and just seem to hang around your paper pile for ages.

The size paper is only limited by the space you have to store the finished project.

Once you have the entire sheet covered – run a layer of distressing ink over the top of the whole thing. I prefer to keep my colour as close as possible to the paper colours I am using.

This is to cover as much of the white edges as possible that will certainly be showing and the ink tend to pull the entire thing together..

So be mindful of the colour used…

Do as much or as little of these sheet as you want to … I tend to do just lots of A4 sheet and store them as is..

I also find the whole process of cutting, tearing pasting quite relaxing.. so can be used as a  good jumpstart process to get your creative juices flowing.

Today I need some shapes and am using one sheet .. cut into four and pop into the big shot with my die of choice and I am set to go.

Despite the fact I use scrap to so this  -I still am reluctant to waste anything, so the negatives ends up going into my art journal or can be used as stencils depending on the shape you have cut..

Make a plan for this first month and get crafting – using up those scraps..