#1 – Contain your scraps

What do you do with your paper scraps after you have finished a project?  Do you throw them away?  Do you toss them in the nearest shopping bag for later?  Do you have a special basket you put them in with every good intention on using them later?  I have a girlfriend, (who shall remain nameless), that has a drawer of scraps in her craft area.  Yes, a whole drawer.  I know another crafter, (who shall also remain nameless), that has a special box of scraps buried deep in the back of her closet, because she is too overwhelmed by her scraps, but doesn’t want to throw them away. The container you use depends on how many scraps you keep and how you intend on using them, really.

#2 – Organize your scraps

I, personally, use Cropper Hopper transparent, heavy-duty plastic files, page makers, and paper holders to organize my scraps by coordinated kit products, because I can see at a glance what is contained, and I prefer buying kits.  All of Cropper Hopper’s products are acid, pvc, and lignin free, so they are paper and photograph safe.  Stacy Jillian, of Simple Scrapbooks, Big Picture Classes, and My Heritage fame, organizes hers by color, (she organizes everything by color!).  I have thought about using a tabletop spinning carousel to hang small bags of like scraps, but I value the desktop space I do have too much.

#3 – Use your scraps right away

Many of my closest friends know, if I am making a card, I make ten of them.  My normal routine is to make a few scrapbook pages, and then to make cards with the leftover scraps, embellishments, and ribbon from my kit.  I have found through the years that it is much easier to decide on a card design and just cut enough for ten.  What do I do with all of those cards?  I keep some of the cards for myself to give co-workers, friends and family, neighbors, customers, and other special people in my life.  I sell some of them at vendor events, craft fairs, and crops.  I gift packs of cards to team members, friends and acquaintances, hostesses, and to donate to various organizations.

#4 – Cut your scraps immediately

Do not pass Go.  Do not collect $200.  Immediately cut those scraps into squares and rectangles, or use your go to punches that you seem to use over and over, and punch out shapes.  Now, very important, throw away those little bits of paper!  Right now!  Throw them away.  Unless you plan on making mosaic shaped embellishments, get rid of those little odd pieces and triangle shaped trash.

For 6 more incredible tips, go to the free eGuide, 6+ Stash-Busting Paper Craft Projects, by Ronda Palazzari, Jin Yong, Amy Rysavy, Kristen Magee & Victoria Hudgins by clicking here.  6+ Stash-Busting Paper Craft Projects is a (free!) PDF eGuide, written exclusively for Craftsy, featuring 24 pages of beautiful photo tutorials, along with expert tips and tricks from renowned scrapbookers and card makers. Download it instantly for free now, (you can print it easily if you’d like), and enjoy it forever in the comfort of your own home, or even on the go.

In 6+ Stash-Busting Paper Craft Projects, you will learn from envelop embellishments to color blocked cards, over six unique ways to transform leftover paper scraps into Pinterest-worthy projects. Included are:

• How to use scraps to make a stunning scrapbook layout
• 3 ways for using leftover paper to make cards
• DIY scrap paper embellishments
• Creating lined envelopes using paper scraps
• Color blocked thank you card (FREE template included!)
• Organizational hacks for your paper crafts stash

Though having a bunch of paper scraps can be overwhelming and stifle your creative process, I hope you have some new ideas and tips to help you reclaim your craft space and conquer that mountain of scraps!  And if you have some of your own tips and tricks, I’d love to share them in the comments!