Four Fantastic Uses for Scrap Paper and Junk Mail

Turn ordinary scraps of paper into extraordinary masterpieces in just minutes without spending a penny.

Recycle your scrap paper and junk mail to create embellishments for decorative home accents, handmade cards or even wall decor. You will need a few additional supplies to complete the projects below like scissors, glue, markers, crayons, paints and glitter.

Paper Piecing

Cut various pieces of scrap paper in to different parts of animals, people, flowers or trees. Glue the pieces together in the right order and then color them with paint, markers or crayons. Add dimension to the designs with extra craft supplies like scrap fabric, google eyes or yarn and ribbon scraps.

Card Making

Use scraps of paper to create your own landscapes or scenes. Cut different pieces of scrap paper in to trees, buildings, people, cars or even clowns. Color the paper shapes with paints, markers, crayons. You could also leave them blank to show the colors or designs already on the paper. Use your shapes to decorate the front of a blank card.

Decoupage

Go green and redecorate your home with scrap paper and junk mail. Mix a batch of 1 part white glue and 1 part water to create smooth, liquid glue. Dip scraps of paper in to the glue to soften and then paste them on to old toothbrush holders, soap dishes, vases or even cabinet doors. Smooth the pieces out with your fingers to remove any air bubbles and allow the glue to dry overnight. Cover the decoration with clear gloss acrylic paint to protect your design.

Mosaics

Cut pieces of junk mail or scrap paper in to miniature squares or rectangles. Paint the paper with various colors. Sprinkle glitter on the painted shapes while they are still wet to add more decoration. Pour a few drops of diamond glaze in to a paper cup. Dip the pieces of paper in to the diamond glaze and then set them on a piece of wax paper to dry. Glue the miniature "tiles" in any pattern or design on to a full sheet of colored card stock. Frame your handmade mosaic to decorate any room in your home.