Create card elements made from die cut paper scraps

Do you have designer series paper left over from card making sessions and you don't know what to do with it? Well- I can help! Today, I'm sharing some ideas on how to use up those patterned paper and cardstock scraps. I find myself swimming in scraps of beautiful papers and favorite color cardstocks. You can't throw it away- right?! 

When my scrap pile starts to overflow, I use small dies in various shapes and spend some time just die cutting my larger pieces of scraps. Some of my favorite dies to use are the smallest stitched circle and smallest banner from Stylish Shapes dies by Stampin' Up!® and the smallest stitched flag from Nested Essentials dies by Stampin' Up!®. I use these die sets quite a bit. You can use the next size up for your shapes as well depending on the size of your scraps. I keep my die cuts sorted by shape if I have a bunch of different patterned papers and I also keep cardstock die cuts sorted by color. Then when the ideas pop into my head, I can go grab my pieces and jump in. Let's jump in and see what I have created. 

Here are the first two cards I created. My sweet little robot valentine card uses the smallest stitched circle from the Stylish Shapes dies. I die cut them from Secret Sea two tone cardstock (light and dark) and a red polka dot patterned paper (retired from an older Christmas designer series paper pack- sorry the name escapes me). My robots are stamped in Secret Sea classic ink and colored with Stampin' Blends markers in Cloud Cover and Cherry Cobbler. The circles are adhered on the back of my stamped Basic White layer. You can line them up straight or make them overlap and vary.  The robots are from Nuts & Bolts (retired) and I love them so. 

My second card I made on my Snow Day Facebook live. I used the new stamp set- Sweet Bugs. Aren't they adorable?! For the die cut element, I used Secret Sea two tone cardstock (light and dark) and a patterned paper from Timeless Plaid. This could be a valentine's day card or a just because, pick me up card. The papers were cut with the smallest stitched flag die from Nested Essentials dies. I stamped the images in Secret Sea classic ink and colored with Stampin' Blends markers in Cloud Cover, Moody Mauve (retired but matched the patterned paper best), Mossy Meadow and light Secret Sea. I love using non-traditional color combos for valentines. I have all boys and I like to make cards that fit the recipients and what they like instead of the commercialized red, pink and white.  What are your favorite colors to use for valentines- do you stick to traditional colors or use non-traditional colors?

Circle die cut element from smallest stitched circle die from Stylish Shapes dies

Flag banner die cut element from smallest stitched flag die from Nested Essentials dies

I decided to create another Sweet Bugs card with the stitched flag die. Instead of a straight line, I did the flags layered wonky. What do you think? I also switched out the pattern for a plaid from Timeless Plaid designer series paper. 

There are so many possibilities with scraps and dies. I tend to do circle and flag/banner elements. Check out some more cards below. Products used are listed under each card.

Take to the Sky designer series paper (Smoky Slate plaid, retired), thick Basic White cardstock, Secret Sea two tone cardstock, Adventurous Sky stamp set (retired), Secret Sea and Smoky Slate classic inks, Cloud Cover Stampin' Blends markers, Stylish Shapes dies 

thick Basic White cardstock, Secret Sea two tone cardstock, Red Polka dot designer series paper (retired Sweetest Christmas paper pack), Sweet Bugs stamp set, Reason to Celebrate stamp set, Stampin' Blends markers in Cloud Cover, Cherry Cobbler, light Gray Granite and light Secret Sea, Secret Sea and Cherry Cobbler classic inks

Secret Sea and Basic White cardstocks, Secret Sea and Cloud Cover two tone cardstocks, Outdoor Adventure stamp set, Secret Sea and Cloud Cover classic inks, Stylish Shapes dies, sponge dauber to create two tone ink effect

Beautiful Gallery designer series paper, Prayers & Promises stamp set, Secret Sea two tone cardstock, Basic Beige cardstock, Stylish Shapes dies, Secret Sea classic ink 

I love using different dies to create elements for my cards. This is a great way to use up scraps of patterned paper. What are your favorite dies to use? 

You can watch the replay of the Sweet Bugs card from my Coffee and a Card Facebook live. 

Thank you for stopping by and checking out my cards. I hope I've inspired you to cut up those scraps and make cute elements for your cards. 

You can find the current products I've used in my online store. Happy Creating!

~ Beth