MORE SCRAPS TO USE

When using Designer Series Paper for projects, how often do you find yourself left with little strips here and there left over after trimming the DSP to the size you plan on using? Lots of times, right?

Respectable hoarder that I am, I save every single scrap of DSP I have ever had. 

The other day, I noticed just how overloaded my strip scrap stash (very alliterative, eh?) was becoming. I decided to do something about it. I sifted through the varying strips and gathered five that I thought worked well together. The five I used for my card happened to come from the same paper pack, so, of course, they were going to work well together! Duh. 

Following is the card I ended up creating using 

my leftover strips of DSP from previous projects:

Since the strips were of varying widths, I used them as such. I cut a piece of scrap cardstock that measured 5" wide and 4" high, but I was perfectly aware that I wouldn't be using the entire height. No matter what it turned out to be. I wanted to live on the edge!

After carefully adhering the strips butted together onto the scrap base, the portion that was used up by the strips only measured 2 3/4". I simply chopped off the unused portion of 1 1/4" (4" - 2 3/4" = 1 1/4"). I glued this piece to a 4" x 5 1/4" piece of black cardstock, then onto my card base that was a 4 1/4" x 11" piece of Whisper White cardstock folded in half.

I was left with about 1 1/8" of the black still showing at the bottom. So, I set to filling up that black space somewhat with a sentiment and layered ribbon. 

I added three coordinating sequins to the strip portion to finish it off. This is a nice flat card, perfect for mailing. And the sentiment can be used for so many occasions!

Even though choosing my scrap strips to use for this particular card was very simple -- basically a true no brainer! -- because they all coordinated with each other in the first place, I did put together another scrap strip strip for a fall-themed card. None of these strips were meant to be used together, but the common denominator in this one is the color and look of the papers, which worked well when I wanted to depict the feel of the coming autumn season. 

I am saving the autumn-flavored sample for my September Stamp-In Workshop for my girls to create a scrap strip card of their own. I will be handing them my stash of strips, and it will be up to them to coordinate five or so strips of their own choosing. I can't wait to see what they come up with!

So, my advice still stands: DON'T THROW ANYTHING AWAY! Especially the yummy Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper. Put those leftover strips to use in a funky unique card!

Scrappy

Smiles.