If you love to craft, chances are you accumulate a lot of paper scraps. If you’re like me and hate to see these go to waste, there are lots of ways to utilize them in other craft projects. In this post, you’ll learn about craft ideas to utilize your leftover paper scraps.
From cardmaking and scrapbooking to setting the table for your next event, there are plenty of ways to make good use of paper scraps.
Craft ideas to utilize your leftover paper scraps
1. Greeting cards
Making greeting cards is both a way I accumulate paper scraps and a way I utilize them in my crafts. This can be a good way to do something with strips of paper you have leftover. You can mix colors and patterns within a theme like the Spring color scheme on the card in the photo above.
2. Confetti
A really simple but effective way to re-use paper scraps is to turn them into confetti! Using a paper shredder or paper cutter you can cut the paper scraps into strips. Then, cut those strips into smaller pieces.
3. Christmas ornaments
Another simple and easy way to transform paper scraps is to create a Christmas ornament. Again, using a paper shredder or paper cutter you can cut festive colored paper into small strips. Then, fill a clear glass ornament with the strips until you get the desired look. This is a great holiday craft to do with your kids as well.
4. Paper mosaic
Another way to utilize your paper scraps is to create a paper mosaic. A couple of years ago for my first wedding anniversary gift to my husband, I made a paper mosaic out of the leftover paper items from our wedding such as the invitations, save the dates, programs, menus, etc. It was a perfect fit for the paper anniversary!
5. Paper collage art
Similar to a paper mosaic, you can also make paper collage art out of leftover paper scraps. It can be fun to layer different colors, patterns, and shapes to create a picture.
6. Bookmarks
Another simple way to use paper scraps is to create a bookmark. Bookmarks are easy to make and you can make them as intricate or simple as you want them to be.
7. Labels
Creating labels is another great way to use up paper scraps you have laying around. Organize your craft supplies and label it up!
8. Scrapbook
Scrapbooking is a great craft to use up paper scraps because it often involves layering different patterns, creating frames for photos, etc. where you can use a lot of smaller pieces up.
9. Place cards
Lastly, paper scraps can also be used to make place cards! For example, take a rectangular scrap of paper, swoosh some paint across it, and then write the person’s name in permanent marker. Now you have a super easy way to elevate the place settings at your next event.
How to store paper scraps
If you craft often, paper scraps might accumulate over time. One of my favorite ways to organize paper scraps is by color. Taking a set of drawers or containers, assign a color or color family to each one like “blue and green”.
Then, when you are working on a craft project like a card or a scrapbook it’s super easy to find a piece that might come in handy for the specific design you’re working on. For example, if I was working on a Mother’s Day card with lots of pinks and purples I can go into the pink paper drawer and see what I have to add to the card.
Don’t want to hold on to paper scraps?
If you’d rather not hold on to your paper scraps or have too many than you know what to do with, you always have the option to recycle them or you can also look into donating them to local schools, daycare centers, community centers, etc. in your area.