Got scraps? Oh, my friend, we all do!
I'm going to share some tips, some grief, a tale of a helpful friend, and how I manage scraps in such an easy way. I can't wait to dive in and share this with you.
Scraps of card stock can overrun our craft spaces in no time at all. You make one project and instantly we have scraps.
I will never forget being at a Stampin' Up! convention with like 5,000 people and the co-founder Shelli, said during a presentation that if it was less than a quarter sheet of card stock, it went in the trash.
The collective gasp that 5,000 stampers can make is unlike anything you've ever heard before. At lunch that day, it was all anyone could talk about.
Story Time with Meg
During this time, I had “a system”. I put that in quotes so that hopefully you can hear the laughter in that as you read it.
I had a bag for each color family. Back then, Stampin' Up! referred to them as families rather than collections. But same thing. These bags became a box for each family. And then when I needed something, I had to practically dump the box to find the one color scrap I knew was in there.
I felt like I had to use these scraps, as quality card stock isn't cheap. So I felt like I needed to be ultra frugal with them – and don't get me wrong – I still do!
But I spent all this time digging for scraps. It was overwhelming. I had a toddler, was trying to really start this crafting business, and I was spending all my time looking for an Only Orange scrap I knew was in there rather than {GASP} cut into a new sheet.
About that time, this lovely lady named Carol, came into my world. She was such a helper to me and I cherish her to this day. She helped me prepare for garage sales, stamp classes, even helped me pack up our house when we had 7 days to move out of a 2300 square foot home.
But during this time, she offered me a gift that brought me to tears. She offered to sort my scraps. What an angel! She took the boxes home with her and sorted them into baggies and labeled each bag with a Sharpie.
This was such a gift!!!
Then we moved and I had to rapidly unpack what I could to continue doing classes and get my business going again after living in a hotel for a month. Good times, let me tell you!
In the hotel, I had about 3-4 sheets of each color of card stock and the rest was in storage. So I had to have scraps, but it was a hotel room, with a 3 year old, and Matt worked nights at the time. Seriously, good times, right?
Then we got the keys to our new house, started unpacking, and had to leave town for a funeral for a friend of ours. My mom was there, and she stayed at the house while we were gone and she finished unpacking my kitchen, Emily's room, bathrooms – a lot!
So when we got home, I was able to dive into setting up my craft room in rapid fashion. From the hotel, the box of scraps was started and just like before, the box started growing.
I know I could have reached out to Carol again, but I was embarrassed, overwhelmed, and didn't have the time to do it. So the box got filled, one box became two, then one for each color family again and I was right back where I started.
I sat down to go through the scraps and sort them myself, and I started crying. I'm not a crier, so this was a big deal. Matt came over to help and within minutes, he turned from loving husband into a black-and-white male.
It's amazing how they can truly see things in such a black and white manner.
He said this was a waste of time. And I kept telling him it wasn't, this stuff cost real money, and we were in a new house, and needing to do work on this house. (We bought too quickly because our first one sold quickly – ugh – and we were ready to be out of the hotel!)
He said that I should throw them out.
Uhhh….
Throw them out? In what world?!?!?!
Then he asked me a question that would change everything. He asked how much it would cost to replace the card stock in the boxes. I said I had no idea but there was so much of it.
We sat down and pulled out many of these little, itty tiny scraps of card stock and laid them out to about the size of 8-1/2″ x 11″, so the normal size of a piece of card stock. Scraps like that take up so much more room than a single sheet of card stock. It was so eye opening for me.
We took a random guess that if I ordered 2 assorted packages of each color collection, I would have more card stock than I did in scraps – because your scraps aren't laid out all nice and need and flat. They are in a container stacked on top of each other and on funky angles.
He said to just order the card stock and be done. For under $70, this problem was solved (for now) and I didn't have to spend all day with a toddler running around, crying and sorting card stock. I could do what I needed to do and it was just done.
With tears streaming down my face, and no idea where I was going to find an extra $70, I walked the boxes out to the recycle bin, and put them in there, boxes and all.
And you know what? I lived.
I felt a huge weight lifted off of me. I was just free from all the guilt, all the time, all the everything. AND I didn't even need to order the assorted packages of card stock because I had more card stock already.
While to non-stampers, this may seem silly or dumb. But if you are reading this far, you may know exactly what I am talking about.
I went back to my baggie system. And you know what, some of those baggies are the same ones in Carol's handwriting. I know my Early Espresso bag is still in her handwriting as Chocolate Chip. The bag was still good and I was too lazy to re-write it, lol!
So that's where the frugal comes in. A baggie for each color – and you are set! I even created labels and shared them with you in this blog post so you can label your baggies if you want to.
Now I did this with Stampin' Up! colors, but this works with company! Keep your scraps with the original color ALL THE TIME!
I did need some new baggies recently, and let me tell you – I was so excited when I got to the store and there was a coupon for the quart baggies! I felt like a million bucks.
I love to save money where I can. And I like to spend money on quality. So if I can save on baggies, I can spend on the craft supplies that will last and give me great results.
Story Time Over, Here's What's Next:
If your scraps feel overwhelming, here's my advice.
Take a deep breath, grab your scraps, and head to the recycling bin. Don't go through them, don't sort them, just grab them and go.
It may hurt, it may sting, but it's temporary. We were living on next to nothing when I did this, so I understand completely that this may feel painful.
Go the store and buy quart size baggies. Get the regular squeeze closure, not the slider thing – those cost a lot more and you won't close these bags anyway. I have card stock strips that hang out of the baggie, and have for over a dozen years. The baggies are never closed.
Get enough for all your colors. This is a great deal if you need a lot and are just starting out.
I shared this in Stamping Family the other day on a Zoom, and the look on one member's face was just pure shock – it was priceless! That was on Tuesday, then Wednesday, another member messaged me that she did it!
This is what she said…
“I keep looking at my 2 scrap drawers thinking its going to take forever to sort these scraps. These 2 drawers can be used for more stamp sets.
I got up extra early today and threw ALL my scraps away. I recycled them. I'm thrilled. Just wanted you to know.”
So I know that this doesn't work for just me!!!
Once you have this set up, it's easy to maintain. When you are working on your cards, put those scraps right into their bags when you are done and you are just done.
Next Level
You will know that you have truly embraced this system when you go to pull out your bag of Real Red, or whatever color, and that bag is full of these weird and small little scraps that have been in there for a while. They aren't being used as the bigger pieces have been whittled down to bits of nothingness.
Take that baggie, hold it over your recycle bin, and empty it out.
Keep the baggie and start again.
That baggie of useless nothing is probably the equivalent of 1-2 sheets of card stock TOTAL.
So let it go and all will be good. I promise!
What You Get In Return
After I posted about Managing Your Patterned Paper, Jen left me a comment. You can see it there for yourself, but here's the part I want to highlight and make sure you see…
“With so much patterned paper I feel overwhelmed when I want to make a card that I usually turn around and walk out of the craft room.”
That's heartbreaking to read! Just heartbreaking because I know Jen, I know she wants to create, and I know exactly how she feels. Been there, done that!
What you gain is freedom and this giant weight off your shoulders. You gain back time in your craft space!
And wouldn't that feel wonderful?
Close your eyes and think on that for a bit. Picture your craft room without that icky feeling.
Feedback Time
Now it's time for you to comment. The good thing about a blog is that I can share info with you. The great thing about Stamping Family is that we have conversations about it. I have no idea though if these ideas help you in anyway if you don't let me know.
It took me over an hour to type this up after I had my notes written on what I wanted to share. So probably about two hours for this post to come to life.
If it helps you or you have a question, please take 1-2 minutes and leave me a comment.
We've gone over patterned paper, now card stock scraps, next up is stamps! XOXO, Meg
Thank you! I understand the overwhelming scrap issue, and it feels good to let go. I too love baggie organization. I use them with DSP also.
Fantastic!!
I keep my card stock in hanging file folders. The folders each have a clear outer “half-pocket”..This is where I store the scraps for that particular color. Some hanging file folders have an inner small pocket, or I guess you could just store scraps in the main folder with the full pieces. When I go into the folder for a particular color to get card stock, I see right then and there if I have a piece large enough to suit what I need. Has worked well for 20+ years.
Fantastic!
My scraps are going to the bin TODAY! I’ve been a SU customer for about 20 years and a hobby demo for 5 years (this time!). I only buy SU cardstock so I have tons of scraps. Now , each scrap is in the file with same colored card but I find myself wasting time by looking through them. I don’t get that much time in the craft room and I need to use that time productively! If it’s less then a quarter sheet, from now on is going to the bin straight away. Thanks!
Fantastic Crystal! Enjoy every second of your crafting time!
I snag my demonstrators scraps! She uses metallic or other special paper that is wonderful for accents! I love little punches and punch bits out, then I scrap her scraps! I am organizing my stuff and this series is timed perfectly! I have been collecting more than crafting, so I don’t have many scraps so 🤷 my two projects today are patterned paper and make scrap baggies for colors going back to 2002!
That’s a LOT of colors going back that far! But I hope you switch this to where you craft more than you collect!
I too use the scrap paper bag system but I went to Walmart and found a sale on the heavier plastic school zipper bags and the zippers are in colors. I labeled each one with the SU colors and a larger label that has the color family. Saves so much time and when I finish a card in goes the scrap and nothing smaller than 2-3” scraps
Look at you!! That’s fantastic!
I DO NOT keep baggies for my scraps. I quit that long ago. I cut my card stock in half, either direction. Using one half for a card, I put the other half in the folder that holds that color of card stock. I now have card stock for 2 card fronts or can cut it for a smaller piece. I keep nothing smaller than a 1/4 sheet of card stock. Anything smaller goes in the trash. I do not have to search for the color as all my scraps are in the file folder with their full sheet color. Simple.
Awesome!
Hi Meg. I currently have my card stock in Baggies but not by color but by shade. So all the reds in one baggie, all the blues in another, and so on. I love your idea so much more because if I want a particular shade I have to rummage around and compare and go insane to find the right shade of green or pink. You know what I mean.
So, I am going to recycle my card stock and start over. And you KNOW how long I have been crafting and much cardstock scraps I likely have! 😳 I already started paring down the patterned paper so cardstock will be next!
Thank you so very much for taking time to share about scraps. We all have them and are in the same boat. Our time is worth more than it cost to replace one piece of paper. Thank you for helping me see why some scraps need recycled
Awesome! I am so happy this helps!
LOL…I have so many scraps sorted by main colors and in plastic containers leftover from Costco breakfast rolls. They have been gathering dust (and taking up space!!) for over 4 years…they are going out with the recycle THIS WEEK!!! Your blog was BRILLIANT, really putting things into perspective. Thank you!!
YAY!!! Love hearing this!!!
Hi Meg, I love all your tips so far….keep them coming! I too organize my scraps but in the clear page protectors & I label each with color name. I leave each one on top of the coordinating color full sheets on my paper rack. Hope that makes sense! It took a long time to throw out those tiny pieces I collected, you know the ones that you can use for a 1/2 “ circle punch! 🙈 But I finally chucked ‘em and feel more organized. Rule: do t keep anything bing smaller than 3” square! This makes my craft room feel clean and more inviting. Hence more crafting!!! 😃
Awesome, I love it!!! Yay for more crafting!
Love!! love!! love!! your ideas!! Just really hard to do the first time. I keep my scraps with the full sheets of the same color. When paper doesn’t fit in the spot for that color of paper, the scraps are gone and I don’t feel bad. I’m still having a hard time with the pattern paper. I’ve ordered the crimper and paper shredder and will make the curly strips. It’s going to take a lot of courage to decide what to do with the unused paper. Thanks for taking the time to help us that want to create rather than be frustrated when we walk into our craft room!!!!
Yay Jeannette! I LOVE reading this from you. Girl, I am on a mission to help you! I hope I never forget your facial expressions when we first talked about this! You’ve got this, I know you do!
Thank you for your time in always helping us stampers! I keep my scraps in the folder with the solid card stock. When I get the paper share from you, I go through each one and put them in with the correct solid card stock. If I don’t have that color, it is passed on to others that can maybe use it. But I have never kept tiny pieces. They would always get messed up when I first started stamping, so to end the frustration out they would go.
Thanks again for your great tips. I feel good about always throwing out my pieces now!
I love your ideas. I have started to clear my paper. I have always kept my scraps with the paper but they take up room in the file drawers. Going to recycle anything smaller than 1/4 sheet. . It will feel good to start fresh. Basic white is my biggest bag. Going to be ruthless with it. Need to learn what to do with the boxes of paper.
Yay Dianne!! I am so excited for you! Be ruthless, you’ve got this! For the boxes of paper, there is another post all about patterned paper that people are loving!
Hi Meg, I’m loving these posts. Thank you so much for doing this. I missed our last zoom because I am seriously cleaning out my craft supplies and I was on a roll and was afraid to stop. I have taken several huge boxes to Salvation Army and gifted some things. I’m in my final stretch and should be through by tomorrow. It has been a lot of exhausting work, but I’m already feeling more creative! The fact that I have painters coming soon to paint the inside of our house was a great motivator. I store my scraps in another file folder in front of the folder with the whole pieces of paper. I cut all the messy edges off so they won’t get all scrunched up and make it hard to slide scraps into folder. I’ve also started making a card base or two in each color and sticking it in the folder with the whole pieces. I cut down most of my patterned paper and store it in 4 1/2”x 6 1/2” plastic boxes that are 1” thick. Hope this helps someone.
JoAnn, I am so proud of you. And I hope everyone reads the part where you said that you are already feeling more creative! I LOVE that for you!!!
I have 3 boxes of scraps and after reading this, I think I will go through them and only keep larfee sized pieces & toss the rest. Thanks for the info!
Yay!!! Perfect!
I have more scraps then I could ever use. No more! Out they go! It’s just to hard to manage.
These are all good ideas but I donate these scraps as there are many programs for children that really appreciate these donations as we know, their budgets are limited. Please consider donating.
We will be talking about gifting, don’t worry!
I was lucky enough to learn early that scraps add up fast if not used. When I decided to purchase all the colors of cardstock that SU offered at the time, I knew I needed a new system. I purchased one inch classic jackets from office supply store and a plastic file box to put them in. The jackets look like file folders only they are a pocket. Each one holds a full package of 8 1/2 x 11 cardstock AND the little scraps of the same color. Jackets are stored in the plastic file box in A-Z order. When I need a certain color (be it a full sheet or just a scrap) I pull that jacket and make my card. Any scraps go back into the front of the jacket ready to be used at a later date. Sorting as I make the cards saves me so much time and no box of scraps to dig through. This system works well if you have a file cabnet also. Instead of the box, place your jackets in the file drawer and you’re set to go.
Love it!
Thank you for this. I purchased some “work order pockets” from Office Depot or Amazon. They are 8.5×11 and perfect for scraps. I keep one with each pack of full card stock so they are always together. I do not keep anything smaller than 1/2” in either direction. I also have a shoe box size container for my white scraps and continually get my small pieces from there for sentiments, etc. I always look in my scrap pocket before cutting a quarter sheet down, this really helps, Now, I need to work on my DSP!
You’ve got this Martha!
Hi Meg!! OMG the idea of weeding out the endless itty-bitty scraps is such a liberating feeling. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I will share a quick story. Last September we were hit with a flood that took out our entire downstairs. We watched as everything got consumed by 8 feet of water. I later observed all (and I mean ALL) my stamping and crafting years just go out in wheel barrels. There was a silver lining though, because I promised myself as I built back something that resembles a craft area that I would not get overrun with needless supplies and those stacks and stacks of paper. I invested in these nifty clear Avery work order pockets. These hold an entire packet of 8.5×11 cs with just enough room for some scraps that ‘just happen’. LOL A family of colors in these clear packets are stored upright in those nifty slanted magazine holders. Can we say organized?!!! (tongue in cheek) So far I have kept my promise. Scraps go with their associated pocket. With your suggestions and encouragement to keep these ever needed scaps in control, I feel confident that I just may not get overrun in the future (wink, wink). I’ll let you know how it goes. 🙂
Silver linings are such a gift!!! And let me know for sure!
Dear Meg,
I really appreciate the hard work you put into the paper color labels. Thank you for sharing them with us!!
I am planning to make labels for some of my older papers/colors, too. I was thinking about using the same font but then I decided using a different font would remind me that those colors are no longer available.
Thank you for teaching us to be kind to ourselves as we try to show kindness to those we care for by sending greeting cards to them. You are a true inspiration!!
You are awesome Crystal! I love your idea of using a different font!!!
I have a modified baggie system for scraps. I have a job ticket folder (it’s a thing on Amazon) and each is labeled with the color and any meaningful scrap goes in that by color. I still have a scrap drawer but it’s colors I no long own. It’s going in recycling. I keep a drawer for “sparkle paper” gold foil, glitter etc. and the drawer next to my stamping station has only white scraps and they are all sizes & I practice stamp on them or die cut little things. I keep a coffee cup for all my 1/2 inch scraps and I stamp strip sentiments on them. They are very useful. In the garage I have patterned paper in 2×12 inch strips, colorized. I haven’t touched them in YEARs! They will go into recycling when I see them again. I feel lighter already. Thanks for all the tips, stories & advice.
I am celebrating with you Cindy!! Way to go!!!
Sometimes I have leftover flowers, leaves, etc so I put each in a separate small plastic bag in a drawer. I have a box on wheels from Stamp & Storage with file folders that I keep colors in but have to search for a color I am looking for and a size I can use. Your suggestions make more sense so I will be going through these scraps and tossing them.
It will feel so good when you do!
Just read your post on scraps … ironically, for the past 3 days I’ve sorted them … usually in a filing cabinet … larger ones going to craft camp next weekend & the rest, along with random pieces of DSP to the pre school my grandson used to go to. I’ve been doing this for a couple of years now. They appreciate them all.
Love it!! Keep going with this!
Thank you … Day 4 underway! Have a great day.
Meg, I love the baggie organisation idea and I have been using it for a while, but I also had a photo box of scraps that I hadn’t got around to putting in the bags. Today I dumped the whole lot in the recycle bin.
It was like a weight had been lifted as I never felt I could throw them away.