Even though as a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator I get 25% discount on all my orders, I still hate to waste my craft materials. But like most crafters the problem is storing materials and then, more importantly, being able to find what I need. For the past 7 years or so I’ve used the same system for managing my card trimmings so it’s been well tested. I save scraps of all shapes and sizes and yet everything still fits into an 8-1/2″ x 10″ biscuit tin that sits on my desk.

The key to maintaining my scraps at a manageable level is to actually use them. So it’s always the first place I look when I’m creating a project. Each colour of Stampin’ Up! card has its own named plastic file pocket and anything less than a full sheet is stored in there. As I’m designing I’ll pull out the whole pocket and check there for pieces I can use. It’s only when there’s nothing large enough in the pocket that I reach for a new full sheet of card. Then after cutting what I need, the rest of the full sheet goes into the pocket and the cycle continues. Today’s project was very satisfying as it used up lots of my smaller scraps to die cut the leaves and berries.

CHRISTMAS TRIMMINGS

My project all started when I decided to use some of the dies in the Christmas Trimmings set to create a pretty wreath. From my scrap card collection I pulled out the Real Red and Garden Green Card pockets and set to work.

From the Garden Green scraps I cut a stack of holly leaves using the two different holly leaf dies. Each die cuts two separate leaves, and the dies are slightly different so it was actually quite quick to do.

Then from a narrow strip of Real Red Card I cut out the berries using a die that cuts 6 berries at a time.

Finally I decided I’d wanted to add a darker green to the mix and found some scraps of Evening Evergreen Card. From these I cut a small leafy branch using another die from the Christmas Trimmings set. Now I was ready to create a wreath.

From the Tidings of Christmas 6″ x 6″ Designer Series Paper (DSP) stack I chose a subtle design in Very Vanilla on a Sahara Sand background. After cutting a 3-3/4″ x 3-3/4″ piece of the DSP I cut a 3-7/8″ x 3-7/8″ piece of Real Red Card. Then using Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) I mounted the DSP onto the card. This would be the base for the wreath.

All I had to do was use liquid glue to arrange the various leaves in a rough circle. Then on top I added the tiny berries. I admit this was a little fiddly, but made much easier with the help of the putty attachment on my Take Your Pick tool.

NOEL

Once the wreath was assembled it was time to work on the rest of the project.

I began by using my Paper Trimmer to cut and score some Thick Very Vanilla Card. Then I folded it along the scored line and sharpened the crease with a Bone Folder to create a card base.

With that done, I turned to the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set for a sentiment. In the end I chose the simple, but pretty “Noel” and an Evening Evergreen ink pad. Next I rested my wreath layer on the front of the card base so I could see the space I had to work with. Then I stamped the sentiment below the panel.

Finally I tied a bow from some Real Red 3/8″ Sheer Ribbon and added it to the wreath with a Mini Glue Dot. Then I attached the completed layer to the card front with Stampin’ Dimensionals.

All I needed now was to add a little coordination to the inside of the card and the envelope. For that I went back to the Tidings of Christmas DSP and the pattern I’d used behind the wreath.

First I cut a 3/4″ x 5-1/4″ strip and glued it down the right-hand edge of a 4″ x 5-1/4″ layer of Very Vanilla Card. Then from my scraps I chose a 1/8″ strip of Real Red Card and added that along the left edge of the DSP. After trimming off the excess I glued the assembled layer inside the card base.

Finally I cut a 2-1/4″ x 6″ piece of the DSP and glued it to the flap of a Very Vanilla Medium Envelope. Then with Paper Snips I trimmed off the excess using the edge of the flap as a guide. With that my scrappy wreath project was finished.

It’s always very satisfying when I use up scraps but even more so when I can create a pretty project at the same time. What do you think?

I created a quick video back in 2017 showing my card scrap tin and a few other tips for storing left over pieces. Nothing’s changed, except the Large Number Dies and Bella & Friends Stamp Set also shown have now retired.

PRODUCT LIST

BUNDLE BONUS – I bought the Tidings & Trimmings Stamp Set in a bundle with the coordinating Christmas Trimmings Dies. Placing my order using the single “bundle” item number meant I saved 10% off the cost of buying the same two items separately. I’ve included a link to the bundle in case you want to explore this option.