WFMW- Using paper scraps!

I love to make my own cards! I save our family TONS of money every year making my own cards for all occasions. With two more showers coming up soon, I figured I could use some more thank you type cards.

Instead of cutting up a new piece of paper, I went to my scrap box. I keep all my little scraps from scrapbooking. I put the smallest ones in ziploc baggies somewhat by color. Bigger scraps go in bigger baggies. In the bigger bags I have cardstock scraps, patterned paper scraps, Christmas paper scraps, and a big bag for plain white card stock scraps.

I challenge myself to make entire cards out of scraps. Right now I am even in the process of making an entire mini album out of scraps! Why waste your stash?

One of my favorite ways to use scraps is to cut out a shape from a “less desirable” patterned paper or cardstock scrap. Then, I pick a fun patterned scrap to set my color palette for the card and match other little scraps to that main pattern. I cut the ugly piece into a shape– a star, heart, flower– and then cut strips of scraps to paste on top of the ugly guy.

Here is how I started with one of my cards:

The ugly orange plaid heart was the base. I used a cut up thank you card I received -(free cute paper people!) as the main pattern. I dug through my scrap baggies to find coordinating scraps. I used a pre-folded piece of white card stock for the card.

Next, I just start cutting strips and gluing! Here’s what it looks like from the back:

Then I start cutting around the shape.

With this card, I used a bit of the solid red and yellow scraps behind the heart to help make the card pop a bit more. I used a nail file to rough up the edges a bit.

Here is the finished product with two of my other scrap-only cards I made!

The flower card has a button in the middle. I think that one is my favorite! To make the flower, I cut out a pedal shape and repeat it five times.

Lots of fun and a super way to frugal-ify your paper crafting! I barely used any of my scraps and I have three great cards!

Works for me! For me WFMW ideas, click HERE!