Heritage Album

What to do with my scrap scrapbook paper?

I was trimming some of my 12x12 paper to fit into an 8x8 scrapbook but now I have all these pieces of perfectly good strips that I don't know what to do with. They're 4x12 and 4x8 pieces of various patterned paper. I don't want to throw them out because that'd be a waste.

Public Comments

1. Use them for frames for smaller photos.
2. Trim them into squares and make orgami out of them.
3. You could make gift tags out of them. I have made gift tags out of scrap scrapbook paper and everyone asks where I got them.
4. There have been suggestions for using them yourself in different fashions. Add to the earlier ones: Make a point of making a smaller scrapbook too, maybe with pages 4" x 6" or smaller. If you don't want to do this yourself, make a "kit" as a gift for someone who has shown interest in scrapbooking. Put them in a plastic bag and weigh it. Offer to trade scraps with other scrapbookers. Inquire at local Senior Center or similar if such would be desired for use in there. If you know it wouldn't be wasted, perhaps you'd just give it away (might even claim a "donation" tax deduction). Use for covering or lining for special purpose boxes. The craft is called "cartonnage".
5. You can make matchbooks out of them. Or use to mat photos. In the future, if you don't use one whole sheet for a 12X12 page, use a strip of coordinating paper on the side or top. http://scrapbooking.about.com/library/weekly/aa110905a.htm
6. Scraps have tons of uses. I keep mine in an accordion-style file folder, organized by color. That way when I need a photo mat or a tag, I can find the right color paper to make it from. You can use scraps for accents on any size page, and if you have a die-cutter they're great for that. My scrapbooking philosophy is "no scrap left behind." You can always use them for something!
7. We use them for corner pieces, smaller frames or just for highlights around other things on a page. Remember you don't have to use them on only one thing. Put them in a baggie large enough that they can lay flat and use them when you might need a color accent for another scrapbook. Can always cut just the size you need.
8. I make cards out of my scraps. It is a great quick and easy way to use up scraps. I am never without a birthday, wedding, baby shower card. I even have blank ones that I can turn into whatever I need at the last minute. Handmade cards in a decorative tin make great gifts too. I haven't had to go spend $4 for a card in years. For scraps that are too small for cards I turn into gift tags. And some scraps I use to cut out letters with a die cutter.