Using up scraps

I use scraps on pretty much every layout. I use them for borders, mats, pinches, layering pieces etc. It sounds like we store our scraps the same way and it works for me. Every once in a while, I used to sort them by color but it would last about two layouts before becoming a jumbled mess again. Plus with most patterned papers being two sided - it's sort of futile to sort that way anyway.

I should go back to making cards so I can pare down my scrap stash.

I save my "scraps" in a drawer, one for solid cardstock and one for prints. I try to use them FIRST when I just need a little piece, but the pile keeps growing. I do use them on cards.

Yes, for all sorts of little projects and doodads. I file scraps by color in 8x11 folders in front of my full-sized cardstock in a 12x12 paper container. PP scraps go back with my upright filed PP. I find myself using cardstock scraps more than PP scraps, so my current filing system is working for me. So far the piles are manageable. Once I'm packing the scraps in, I may have to rethink my approach!

I like using scraps!
I keep mine divided like this:
-strips
-white cardstock and other neutrals
-large pieces of patterned paper (roughly 4x4 or larger)
-small pieces of patterned paper (anything smaller than a sort of 3x4 like shape)

I love using them for layering, creative borders, and punching.

This layout was made entirely of scraps:

I forgot that I have QK tab dies.  I need to pull them out and use them on layouts.  Thanks for the reminder.


I store my cardstock scraps by color in ziplock bags hanging on skirt hangers in the closet in my scraproom.  My patterned paper is stored in a paper holder and I pick from it all the time. I always hunt through the scraps when I do a page.  I'm not sure why I do this because I have enough paper to use several whole pieces on each layout for the rest of my life! LOL

I keep my patterned paper scraps & cardstock scraps separate, but that's all the sorting I do. Each go into a 2 gallon zippy bag.

I definitely dig into my scraps for layouts.

And one of my favorite things to do when I'm in a scrappy mood but can't quite do a layout is to grab my journaling spot stamps, and stamp onto scraps, then cut them out and put them into my journaling spot bowl. I reach for J-spots for almost every layout, and with a ton of color variety in the bowl, I'm able to find what I need for almost any layout.

I have a box of scraps and throw them all in there, but not small pieces.  Has to be big enough for a journal box or to mat a photo.

I am trying to make an effort to use them. I loved when I had a large basket that I could throw them in, but I don't have the room for that now. So I use 1 of the recollection cube drawers and separate by colors: neutrals, blue/green, pink/red, yellow/orange/purple. But with this system anything larger than 6" will go back into the original spot.

Two stackable PB letter trays sit on the shelf of my project table. Cardstock scraps accumulate in the upper tray, while patterned scraps occupy the lower tray. Since I began scrapping over a decade ago, I always peruse scraps first & have found them a source of inspiration for color & pattern combinations! 

I always check my scraps no matter what project I am working on. I keep all my scraps in two different places, large scraps in 12x12 envelopes and smaller scraps in a display folder sorted by colour groups and then pattern types. It is the system that I have been using since I started scrapbooking and it just seems to work for me. When the small scraps get a bit out of hand I use them on card backgrounds.

I have a scrap basket that I pull from when I am working on a layout. I find that I haven't been using my scraps nearly as often lately. Most of the pieces don't match the colors that I am currently using on my pages.

Smaller scraps sadly sit in a pile on my desk. They don't accumulate too quickly. I will go through and find pieces that work together well and make cards out of them. They are also my go to for punching, stamping, and banners.

I love my system for scrap cardstock storage! I bought three of the three drawer, 12x12 Sterilite drawer units and have them stacked right under my desk. I use one drawer per color except purple and pink are together, silver is thrown in with white and gold is thrown in with yellow. I do use them for projects when I know I don't need a full sheet of something, and once I get everything else organized and have time to sit down and actually work on some of my own projects I'll use them up faster.

One thing that helps with doing it this way is to trim off any weird shapes or ragged edges so the piece that's left is a rectangle or square. It makes it so much less likely to get tangled up in the drawer and so much easier to use a scrap with my electronic cutter if it has straight sides.

I recently added a fourth set of drawers under my desk and that's where I'll dump any leftover sticker pieces or the oddball embellishments that are left from something else, and I'll make an attempt to go through those drawers first for smaller projects (like cards) so they can get used up and not lost in the shuffle.

I have those drawers also, but mine are deeper ones that I use for scraps. I don't sort by color I sort by size. I also have the 12x12 shallow drawers that I use for other scrap dtuff. I have all my drawers stscked in my closet.

I have a basket in my Expedit with all scraps. They're stored in sheet protectors and separated by color. I use them quite often; especially solid colored cardstock. Themed pattern paper is in folders next to full size 12x12 sheets.

I'm okay with how they are stored.  Once the basket starts getting full, I throw out really small scraps. I should start using ziploc bags instead. It's sometimes hard to look through sheet protectors.

Very nice! TFS!