How many of us have scraps of paper that we keep to ‘use someday?’ With your Pazzles Inspiration, you can use your scraps up easily, saving money in the process. I have been saving scraps for a very long time. I used to have boxes of scraps, but since I started using them with my Creative Cutter, I have really culled them down and made them more manageable.
Using up your scraps is simple with the Inspiration Studio Software. The placement of the image on the screen coincides with the placement on your mat. This wonderful video on line guides will help you place your paper precisely on the page. For those of you that have the Pro 2010 Software, you have the added benefit of a virtual mat. To turn your virtual mat on, go to Settings > Page, and then just below the size select turn on virtual mat. [Note: If you don’t see the button, then you need to run the update for your Pro 2010 Software.]
By using up your scraps you are also saving your mat from wearing out so quickly. By not putting a full piece of paper on the mat to cut out one small thing, you are not using up the adhesive as quickly. You can also move scraps to different parts of the mat so that you are using your mat ‘evenly’ and not doing all of your cutting in just one spot.
One more tip is to take the time to organize your scraps so that you will use them. It really does save you money and time.
Do you have any special ways that you use your paper scraps? Share your paper scraps money-saving tips with us in the comments and let’s all have fun cutting costs while creating wonderful projects.
My tip is to cut up the rest of the paper as you use paper to scrapbook with. I used to save everything and had special files to hold even the smallest of scraps…especially glitter paper because it was so expensive. Now, I have such a collection of paper that I am trying to use it all before I die or it all rots…LOL.
So, when I am using most of a piece of paper on the mat, where the negative spaces are, I cut out leaves, flowers, birds, butterflies….things that I use a lot. Then when I lift the excess paper off of the mat, I literally have a skinny skeleton. I file the shapes by either color or item or both…depending on my future plans for the item.
I like to do this because usually I am using papers that coordinate with one another…and then the die cuts from the excess will coordinate as well. I use them on the scrapbook pages that I happen to be working on, on cards, projects, and at times I donate them to a teacher friend for her classroom centers. The kids love them. So, that is my tip.
If I am not using most of the page up, then I do like you are doing here, Klo. Love your lessons. You are the best. 🙂
Great idea Victoria!
I have volunteered GASC for many years now and have always been amazed at what some people leave behind. A virtual sacriledge for an avid scrap saver like me! Still, their loss was my gain and having learned how to use those scraps with my Pazzles, I am once again vindicated for having saved scraps all these years. I say once again because every one wants to come to my house to crop because I have such a great scrap stash they can use!
I love my scraps and sometimes even use the outline cuts from projects. I’m more creative with my scraps than I am with the full sheets. I tend to break my scraps down into 4×6, 3×4 pieces when possible for Project Life type use and so I have a better idea of what I have to use when I go to use them with the Pazzles. Larger leftovers I just keep as they are and smaller ones are used to cut the little things by hand. Those scraps sure go a long way when making PL cards, titles, or embellishments.
I tend to break up my scrap papers and throw away the skinny pieces and skeleton parts. They just get tangled in my paper drawer. Having nothing to snag or tangle makes is much nicer to search for the perfect size scrap.
I will admit that I still save any long straight pieces that are at least 1/2″ thick. Those are great for borders and weaving.
Chris, you should do what I do with skinny strips! I have a long drawer divider that I keep them all in. They aren’t super organized, but they are separate from all the rest of my organized scraps. Anything long and skinny goes in the strip bin. Whenever I need a border, cut or not cut, BAM! Comes in handy! Especially sometimes when I substitute paper strips for ribbon because I don’t have the right color ribbon, but I surely have a coordinating strip of paper!
I have a hanging shoe holder that I use to hold all my scraps, different colours in each compartment, within arms reach when I am at my craft desk, looking forward to using up some of them!
I also cut the rest of the paper at the time I am using it; but what I cut those pieces for is a “go to” drawer of cut outs arranged also by color. I have a pink drawer, red drawer, etc. throughout the rest of the rainbow and neutrals. Inside those drawers are embellishments for projects. Which means putting together a last minute card for a birthday or a scrapbook page a ‘snap’. I even cut out Thank you’s ahead of time and keep them easily accessible for a quick card.
I’m way ahead of you Amanda. LOL! I have a separate bin for my strips too. 🙂
I just realized I read your comment wrong — I thought you were throwing them away! Blonde moment! Glad I shared my tip anyway, though. 🙂
Hi Jennifer
Thanks for the great idea, looking forward to sorting all my colors out. It will make scraping or card making much easier.