The most neglected part of our scrapbook supplies is probably our scrap pile. Scraps can be used in so many ways to create truly wonderful things. You don’t have to let those extra stickers, excess paper or cardstock go to waste.

First, you may need to get your scrap pieces organized if they are not already so. I recently went through my bags and stacks of stray paper and threw out tiny pieces. Then, I sorted the paper by color. There was also a pile for specialty paper (numbered paper, vellum or any paper that did not fall into a definite color group). I then placed all these scraps into individual page protectors so I could still see them. Lisa wrote a wonderful article about ways to organize your scraps as well:
http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/artman/publish/article_13.shtml

Make serendipity squares out of your excess patterned paper. Amber wrote a wonderful article on how to make this fun project. http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/artman/publish/article_920.shtml
There is another article about how to piece patterned paper into a serendipity square.
http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/artman/publish/article_318.shtml

Make a patchwork design on your layout using pieces of patterned paper. Julie cut patterned paper into blocks (a square punch could also be used) and made a patchwork design along the top and bottom of her layout. The result is a whimsical, eye-catching pattern. Here is the link to see her layout using this idea.
http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/25628/sort/2/cat/500/page/2

Julie made another layout using scraps and created the look of a quilt. She used patches of patterned paper for this family layout. She glued on the pieces then sewed on the layout to get the look she wanted. It is a wonderful layout. http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/12809/sort/2/cat/500/page/22

Make homemade paper out of your scraps. There is a wonderful article here on how to make your own unique paper. http://www.pagesoftheheart.net/artman/publish/article_314.shtml

Peggy encourages you to take those scraps and make fabulous cards. This is one of the best ways to use up those scrap pieces of paper, extra stickers and sticker letters. The possibilities are endless here.
Design Team member, Holly Blackwell created this funky, graphic birthday card entirely with left over pieces of Arctic Frog paper.

Holly's Birthday Card made using scraps

Holly believes the "stack of gift cards" is a great gift idea for using scraps. Just start with 6 to 8 blank cards (either purchased or you can make from cardstock). Choose one simple card design, like the one used here. Repeat the design on each card but change the papers depending on what scraps you have available. Then place a letter sticker on each one -- great way to use up those random leftover sticker letters. Sheloves this idea because it's a great, personal gift that helps you get rid of scraps, and therefore is very inexpensive!

Holly's Stack of Cards

Many of you may be converted to card makers as I am now that I realize how many scraps I can use in the process of making lovely cards. The first card I ever made was for a sick friend. I used KI Memories cardstock and patterned paper along with a scrap piece of ribbon. The flower was actually from a pin embellishment that I couldn’t figure out what to do with. I removed the flower from the pin and used it on the card.

Charity's first card made using scraps

Paper isn’t the only extra item you may have lying around. How many of us have sticker letters where we have used up all the vowels or popular letters of the set and the rest are sitting gathering dust! Pull out those letter stickers and begin using them. Create fun titles by using mis-matched letter stickers. Use letters on cards as monograms. Take letter stickers that don't really match any more and place on a dark part of a photo. Peel off the letters and you should peel part of the ink from the picture. This leaves a unique looking letter or word on the photo. Use the negative sticker shape off your sticker sheet by cutting around the shape, place on the page. You will have the shape of a letter that patterned paper will show through. This is great if you have run out of a certain letter.

Making unique bookmarks is a great way to use up scraps, says Michelle. Create paper piecings out of your extra paper. Kim suggest that you take squares of your favorite paper scraps and decoupage them onto a canvas board in a grid. This makes for some very interesting art. Make name tags for gifts with extra paper and sticker letters. Use your extras for children’s craft projects. Allow your children to create their own small scrapbook with excess supplies.

Christine suggests using scrap paper to try a new technique with. This way you can learn something new without ruining an entire sheet of new paper. Another idea design team member Cristine shared is to have a swap party at your next scrapbook crop. Have everyone bring their organized scraps and swap with each other. One man’s trash, another man’s treasure! Last, as Holly says “If you truly do NOT want them, donate them to a school, church, children's hospital, etc.”.

Sometimes it’s fun to use up some of our old supplies. Many times you don’t remember what you have when scraps are thrown into a pile! So, whether you just need to clean up your scrap area or are purging supplies to make room for new things don’t forget to use those scraps! One more idea was provided by Holly. "The Promotion" is a 12x12 layout created almost entirely from scraps with the exception of the 12"x12" red cardstock used as the background. I chose various patterned and solid colored scraps of green paper to create the journaling block and photo mat (which is papers pieced together to create a larger mat). I went through all of my stickers and accents and picked out random leftovers that fit my theme. Some were work related but others were originally intended for birthday layouts but worked on this page (such as "celebrate" and "hooray").

Promotion Layout by Holly