What do you do with your scraps?

[redrooster]

After making cards and such....what do you do with your scraps? Do you only keep them if they're a certain size? Do you keep them in baggies by color? Do you really use them or find yourself going for another large piece lol.

[new scrapper]

I put them in the recycling bin when they are 1 x 1 inch or less. I have a die cut machine so I make embellishments. I also will piece scraps together to make a collage of sorts on my cards. When they start to pile up, I have to admit I will toss them out. I can't just let the scraps overwhelm my life.

[3boysstampin']

I have a file cabinet next to my stamping table that has all of my scraps by color in alpha order. Having them separated by color really allows me to use them--before I had this system, I did reach for the regular piece because it took too long to find a scrap.

[stampwithdiane]

Hi, my name is Diane and I'm a scrap-a-holic. I never throw any of my scraps away, but I have a storage system where I actually do reach for scraps every time I design a new project. The only time I reach for full sheets is when I don't have a scrap of the right size or when I'm cutting materials for class/workshop projects or for swaps. Here is a post where I explained my scrap storage syystem: http://stampwithdiane.blogspot.com/2...my-scraps

[tay0479]

At one time I saved everything. Then I found that I just don't use the really small ones. So now I only save it if its 2 x 2 or bigger. But if your really thrifty you could make your one paper using the really small ones.

[Laurie FW]

I have what my kids call "Mom's book of colors" It is a very large 3 ring binder filled with page protectors. The scraps go into the page protectors according to the CS color and I can flip through my book to see what colors I need. I had them all organized according to color families, but my 13 year old just reorganized them her way! Sheesh! I do use the scraps often, but I don't save real small scraps.

I had to start another book for all the in-colors, last year and this years'. I will put the neutrals in there, too.

I can't take credit for this idea, but I got it from someone else on SCS! Thank you, whoever it was, great idea!

[dacpam]

I also have a file by color right next to my chair where I can reach them quickly and easily. I also have on the other side two wastebaskets. One is for recycle paper and the other for garbage. When my scraps get too small, just recycle them. All others get slipped into my file. Here is a photo of my file cart thing. The scraps are housed in the bottom part.

Pam's craft room by dacpam at Splitcoaststampers

Hope this helps!

[jpmayo]

I throw the majority of them away. I just know that I wont use them so why bother?
However I do keep a manilla floder in the back of each color in my file cabinet to put them in they just dont usually make it there.

[Erin K]

Here's what I do:

My SU cardstock scraps I save, I put them with the full sheets of that color then when I need real red (which I'm totally out of! :shock I pull any scraps I have and see if they arebig enough to do what I need. Sometimes I try to make myself use them.

If I have a pack of the SU DP that is all coordinated I'll keep scraps with the full sheets for the same reason.

Other patern paper I only keep scraps if I LOVE it. I have a different vertial holder for those. I keep them in these categories
general
Valentines day (not sure if I'll always have a Valentines day, or just because I love pink and it's the season for it)
Christmas
Halloween (I make a LOT of Halloween cards)
then I have a spot for white/cream/black scraps. I always go there when I start my card and need my stamping piece. *if I'm stamping on white of course*


If it's a teensy scrap I just toss it.

If it's bigger but not something I'll use again or I got ink on it or something else strange I put it in a box that my almost 3yr old uses when he makes cards. He LOVES to go through his box and he doesn't care that they are scraps.

I clean my keeper pile out every few months and fill up Stephen's box.

[Big Sky LadyBug]

I used to keep all my scraps in a plastic ice cream tub, but that never really was cohesive for me to use them.
I now have them in plastic bags by color, and in a nice big basket. I grab the basket sit it by me, and grab the color I need.
I took all the really small pieces of cardstock, and punch them into tags, circles, and the like and put them back into the bag.

I find this works out a great way for me.

With my pp, I put them according to size.


~Marie

[jeanstamping2]

Super Small Scraps I throw away. But the rest I file aways according to size and then used them from time to time.

At one time I forced myself to used them up. ..And I told myself I couldn't purchase anymore Cardstock or Design paper until it was almost used up.

Well it worked.

[StampinMama1204]

Ok, I'm not sure this is gonna make much sense but here I go. I keep all my SU paper in binders according to color family. I bought multi page protectors for all the full sheets and flap top protectors for all the scraps. I put the scraps page right in front of the full sheets. That way when I am working on something I can just pick the size piece I need. If there are no scraps the size I need then I grab a full sheet. I keep a paper tray on my table for all the scraps that need to go back into the binders. I seem to not have as much paper waste as I used to since I have started this. I used to always grab a full sheet because it was easier, but now the scraps are right there. More money for stamps hehe..

Sarah

[mungojerry]

All strips go into my recycling bag, along with little squares and rectangles. If I know I'm going to do something unusual with a long, thick strip, I'll keep those (ex. something 1 1/2 x 6 or similar). If I think I can make a layer, I'll keep it. I tried doing a card with strips once and it was just a big pain for me. I don't feel guily or wasteful as long as it goes for recycling.

[Carissa Crops]

Thanks for the great ideas...mine are just thrown in to bins according to color families...

I go through paper so quickly that the scraps are always being used!

[Carissa Crops]

Scraps are great for card candy ;)

[stampwithdiane]

A great way to use SU scraps is to make card stock sample rings.

They're also good to make punched pieces. Even a 3/4" strip of card stock can yield a lot of small oval or word window punched pieces, which you can use as decorative accents on a card.

[sbs81]

Oh my gosh I was just going to come on here and ask this question... I have so many scraps... You guys have great Ideas... so far today going through my scraps I have a photo box with solid and one with print smaller scraps and then a pile of each large scraps.. I still have 2 full drawers to go through.. I think I am going to allow myself so much space for scraps and toss the rest.. It does seem like such a waste.. But it also seems like a waste to cut into a fresh piece when you have so many scraps... Yikes!

[ladyfergie]

you can also donate you scraps to a local school or preschool, they love the paper!!

I actually just did a shoebox project for 40 and used almost all scraps for the card front ~ I guess I had a lot LOL

[CMUGrad]

I have all my SU paper organized in hanging file folders, by color. The hanging file folders are the ones with the little pockets in them and that's were my scraps go. Here's the exception, if the scrap is large enough to use the word window punch, I punch it out and keep all word window punched scraps in a ziploc bag, this is very handy for embellishments.

[kiddielitter]

I keep all of my cardstock scraps (that aren't too tiny) in craft keepers by color (ROYGBIV) and store them vertically on a shelf within arm's reach of my scramp table. When I'm working on a project, I just pull the keeper with the color I want, then when I'm finished leftover scraps go right back in the envelope and back on the shelf. Since I switched to this method, I'm much more organized and efficient - not to mention tidier!

HTH!
Marcy

[mitch1]

I use all the scraps for my cuttlebug die cuts and punches. You only need a 1inch square for most die cuts, and it saves using bigger sheets of paper. Sometimes, if I'm making a gift card, a scraps is just the right size for all the layers etc. I also tend to reach for the scrap drawer 1st as I am frugal and hate wasting good cardstock/paper when I can get away with a smaller piece. I often start with a scrap and think about what I can do with that. Just did a lovely card recently with a 1in square, embossed with a small cuttlebug embossing folder and layered that on the front of the card. Looks great.

[cramgal]

I have all of my cardstock sorted by color. I then in the slot underneath keep a baggie with the scraps. I use scraps all the time for cards, projects for kids, etc. I got this idea from my Mom. Before I just put them in a drawer. That did not work.

[Nancy1970]

I keep anything I feel is usable .... and I've started putting them in hanging files behind my chair. I put two colours in each file folder and have them in a folder crate within reach. Each folder has the name of the two colours of cardstock as well as small punched circles of each colour so I can find the colour by name or by look.

I go there before I head to my shelves for a full-sized sheet.

[SamanthaMaree]

I keep all of my paper in hanging file folders and I just throw the scraps back in with the whole pieces of paper. When I go to get a piece of paper I look through the scraps and see what I can use.

It works for me but I don't have a ton of paper or scraps yet so maybe I'll end up changing it when I get more!

[larleigh1964]

Mine are stored in 12 x 12 zip lock bags in colour groups. I don't have a great stash of SU cardstock...yet...all Bazzill, so the bigger bits go back in with full size card and the smaller ones in the bags. Trouble is, I have to make myself do this after each card or frenzy otherwise it all sits and then I just gather it together and put it in the cupboard.

[mrsjllove]

I save all my scraps...mostly because I'm poor right now and I don't have the funds to purchase more. I also just got a baggie full of "scraps" from another paper fiend as a surprise. I love fantastic surprises like that! :mrgreen:

I keep them in a gallon size zippy bag with the full sheets in their file folder. That way if I have a piece that will fit what I want, I can use it before I cut into another big sheet.

And I'm not too proud to say that I have ravaged a card that didn't turn out the way I planned for its paper, too. hehe A girl's gotta do what she can, right? :-D

[Marshaspeck50]

I have a 12 x 12 rolling file. I have a folder with the full sheets sorted by color. Then right behind the full sheets I put the scraps in a separate folder.

[baxtif]

I keep all of my SU! paper in some really neat accordian style carriers, that happen to have 24 slots in them. I put the full size sheets of cardstock in one, then the scraps for that same color in the slot behind it. Then, I have a label on the outside of each of my carriers that tells me what color family it is, so I can just open it up and see what I have.

Now, I will admit that during the week while I am stamping, I put my scraps into a basket, then sort through the basket on the weekend to file them away. If they are smaller than 2 x 2, I usually toss them. Sometimes my DD will come "help" me because she knows she can get some cute colors of paper to glue onto construction paper for herself. This child has a keen eye already at the age of 4, and I think she is going to make an awesome stamper when she gets a little older...lol!

[ClaudiafromGermany]

i use them with my punches - to store the punch outs i use the boxes my stampin up background stamps come in

[turtlescrapper]

I keep all of mine and I store them in a Creative Memories file mate according to color. The file mate is awesome because it is an accordian so it gives you lots of room to dig all the way to the bottom of your particular color group to find just the right piece of paper. It is perfect!!! Every time I go to a crop everyone comments on what a great idea it is. It is neat & tidy yet holds all my scraps in one spot.

Check out my swaps!

[Mrs.Q]

I save them, although I sometimes wonder why because I don't always use them. I just can't stand to see all that pretty paper go to waste! I did just make a card though out of a bunch of 1/2 inch scraps off the edges of my papers. Turned out pretty cute!

[mackbrad]

I have all my scraps in ziplocs labels and grouped together by similar shades (all the reds together etc..) they are in a file cabinet by my stamp desk. When I create a project I pull out the scrap bags of the colors I am going to use and use what I can from there first.

[MyPrecious]

I keep them in file folders in a small plastic file container. Each folder has 4 colors, sorted by color family. I keep all sizes - you never know when you can use a scrap for mounting. My stampin Idol (AKA MY BFF Nichole Heady only keeps 1/4 piece of CS to declutter - but she is a genius).

[khux]

I keep everything! If it's too small to use with my sizzix (less that 1" x 1") I give it to my kids to use.

My scraps are just tossed in a big dawer right now but I like the idea of the binder with page protectors to hold them much better. I think I'll give that a try.

[zipperc98]

Ok, I have 8 1/2 x 11 sized velcro crafter keepers envelopes, the see through kind in lots of colors. I have one labeled for each of my SU! color families, and I keep the scraps there! If I think I can use a piece to stamp on or punch out, i keep it! I can tell which colors I use the most based on which ones are the fullest! It works for me! Its a handy system.

[RJP111]

I have a basket that I throw most of my scraps into. But I do have a shoe sized plastic bin that I keep my In Color scraps in - I use envelopes with the color noted on the outside.

[stampinmomnh]

I'm a little ocd when it comes to scraps. I usually save if larger that 2"x2" piece. I have a file box that I keep them organized by color. Then when I am working on a project I will use what I can. If the bins starts getting full I do a project that will use them up such as Card candy, tags, backing for greetings, etc. I just used up a bunch on my sons valetine's. There is a lot of ways.

[dj_pinkey]

All my scrap ends up getting used! I have a friend who's into making her own decorative paper. So I'll sort scraps I feel are too small for any other use into bags by color family, and when I've got a fairly good amount, I pass them on.:mrgreen:

[Kar]

If I can't run them through with my nestabilities they are to small and go!!

[c-mouse]

Mine go into colored file folders cut to fit a plastic tote with snap-on lid and handles...Files arranged in ROY G BIV and Neutrals White/Black/Brown order.
The tote goes to all crops with me and when I am working on cards it is open and ready to jump into for pieces....
I also maintain another tote for card stock cut to standard sizes and scored but not folded....No folders here but color families are filed together.
Helps when I need to create a card FAST!!!!!!

Scraps smaller than 3 x3 are punched into everything that fits or that I think I might be using....Ovals, designer, key, round tab, ect ( those then are filed by shape in empty plastic rectangular baby food "jars")

So nothing smaller than 3 x 3 goes into the file in the first place.

Periodically, I take punches, file and a movie and sit on the couch and punch my little heart out while watching the movie. Helps clean out the file and keep it manageable........ Those items are filed in the baby food things.

Helps keep the clutter down.:rolleyes: