Using Up!

I hope people don't get bored - more of the same!  I have challenged myself this weekend (amongst the gardening and cooking etc) to try and use up bits and bobs. 

I have delved into my scraps bag for this first purple card.  I had a tiny scrap of that circle paper left that has been staring at me for years, so that was the start for this card.  I was really pleased to use that ribbon too - I have generally found it quite hard to use because it is so geometric in nature, and generally that is not my style.

The second card is very simple and uses up more of that Crafty Individuals "People and Places" pad. I have some clear flower epoxy stickers from when I very first started crafting, so over 6 years ago - there are 6 more to be used, so I think more suitable for vintage type cards.  I usually always put a message on, but left this one clear. 

This started when the blue mulberry paper fell out of the blue scraps bag and onto the floor.  I have a roll of this butterfly ribbon to use up so it was a natural embellishment to add.  I then found this lovely scrap of Autumn Leaves orange shaped patterned paper and took it from there.  The brown in the ribbon is assisted by the very thin trim of Bazzill cut with my postage edge shaped scissors, and the brown velvet textured wool threaded through the button. 

That blue mulberry paper was again utilised here in this paper flower.  All the other patterned paper was that freebie stuff from a magazine  -great for cards!  Another file folder up on the left.

Some you win and some you don't - I really am not fond of the card up on the left – but I am keen to get rid of some of the stuff laying about. It really is too busy – but hey ho! Some one might like it. Whereas the card on the right is a bit stark – but it uses up that last fan and bit of green border sticker.  A wee scrap of Basic Grey paper in grey, green and maroon colour tones complemented the Oriental theme to me.

The flower on the top right is one of the Prima Artful Collage flowers – a pearl middle, surrounded by a half inch circle punched in black, nicely finishes that flower off. 

Above on the left is a piece of patterned vellum which has been sitting in my scraps bag for at least 5 years. I do still love it, but time to get used.

That Basic Grey shaped journaling stamp is one which looks fabulous on every card I use it on – a sliver of ribbon, and a couple of brads – and that’s all it needs.

The card on the right is a scrap of 7 gypsies on the left and Basic Grey on the right – again, pleased to use that ribbon – the colour combo is quite a difficult one, but it looks great here, I think. A simple flower, some stamping, a Karen Foster industrial brad – and it’s done!

I am also really pleased, as that is all my oddments of envelopes now used up - every card base in my stash now has a matching envelope, which is very time saving in itself. That really does bring me a great sense of achievement and has been a very long time in the making.