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Creativity Prompt – How To Use Those Paper Scraps

April 3rd, 2009 by Avital

How To Use Those Paper Scraps If you are anything like me then you probably have a ton of paper scraps. The scrapbooking industry keeps on wowing us with delicious patterned papers and I feel bad about throwing away any tiny little cut out… Not to mention the environmental repercussions of tossing all that paper (read: severed trees) away.

I have found a great “marriage” between my current stash of paper scrap and patterned paper which is still on my wish list. I have derived inspiration from the wonderful new collections from Sassafras Lass and recreated my own patterned paper design, while using only paper scraps.

Sassafras Lass I was particularly inspired by the “Dream Big” patterned paper from the “Anthem” collection.

So if you are interested in recreating this layout while using all your little paper scraps – stay tuned and keep on reading:

Supply –

How To –


[Go to YouTube to watch the video in HD and feel free to rate, comment and subscribe]

Step By Step Instructions –

  1. Take a piece of scrap paper (I used recycled newsprint paper) and cut it to the size of your desired design. Mine is 8″ by 8″.
  2. Cut a circle from your scrap piece of paper. It doesn’t have to be centered. Just position it whenever you’d like your focal picture to be.
  3. With a pen and a ruler start drawing your design.
  4. After you are pleased with your design, list all your individual shapes by number, this will make your life much easier later on.
  5. Cut each individual shape with your scissors. Don’t worry about the curvy part, as your focal picture would lay over it.
  6. Now it’s time to get all your paper scraps. Use as many or as little textures, colors and patterns as you like.
  7. Adhere each individual shape to the back of your paper scrap. Make sure the number faces down (just apply your adhesive to the number itself, to avoid “mishaps“). Don’t forget to rewrite the number again at the back…
  8. Using those numbers, reassemble your design and adhere all the individual shapes onto your background cardstock.
  9. Adhere your focal picture with foam adhesive. The photo doesn’t have to be circular. I just think it adds some extra flair. (You can crop your photo with a photo editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements, or you can use any circle cutting system you feel comfortable with).
  10. Add your title and call it good (Well, except for some journaling).

Share –

If you have any question, suggestion or remark – don’t hesitate to contact me – either leave a comment here, use the contact form or start a new thread on the Creativity Prompt Flickr Group!!!

I would also be very happy to see your own paper-scraps creations, so don’t be shy and share 🙂

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13 Comments to “Creativity Prompt – How To Use Those Paper Scraps”

  1. Great idea of using little scraps which I always feel so ashamed to throw away…And the picture is fabulous.

    • Avital says:

      Thank you. This picture was taken on the day of our wedding (4.6.2007) at Adi, Israel.

  2. BrendaLea says:

    That’s a great page and a wonderful way to use up some of those scraps. Thanks for always having wonderful inspiration!

  3. Arlene says:

    Wonderful way to use scraps… love your design and thank you for sharing. A wonderful photo to be the focus of this wonderful layout.

  4. jaemom says:

    Avital, this page is really lovely, great way to use up scraps, and you did it perfectly with this photo. Well done!

  5. Deborah says:

    Avital, I always enjoy your projects and comments at the Hero Arts Flickr group, and I enjoyed your video, as well! (I’m a big fan of using paper scraps whenever possible!)[http://www.flickr.com/photos/gigi_001/3424260393/]

    Deborah aka: Deborah (Gigi 001)

  6. rihani says:

    Lovely layout!! 🙂 Great idea to use up those scraps too!!

  7. […] Scrapy Layout… […]

  8. Angie says:

    Great idea!!!!