Using Leftover Scrapbooking Embellishments in Card Making

Card making is a great way to use up other scrap embellishments that you don't want to throw away. One of the best things about card making is that it doesn't necessarily have to match. A card can just be fun and playful, using up leftovers of various items. Also, since card making is on a smaller scale than many other scrapbooking projects, you don't need as many materials and can use up a small amount that is leftover from a scrapbooking layout. In my article titled, "Using Your Scrapbooking Paper Scraps in Card Making" I discussed ways to use leftover bits of patterned paper and cardstock to make cards. This article will give you ideas for using other types of scraps and leftover embellishments to make fun and easy greeting cards.

Ribbon. One type of scrapbooking embellishment that quickly accumulates pieces "too small" to use on a layout is ribbon. But since cards are on a smaller scale than a scrapbooking layout, small pieces of ribbon work very well. Tie random bits of ribbon around a chipboard monogram "T" and attach to a card for a quick Thank You card. Spell out the rest of the greeting using leftover rubons. You could also do this with an "H" for Happy Birthday, or with a monogram of the recipient's initial.

Adhere ribbon strips across the front of a card. Use multiple strips in similar or coordinating colors to mimic patterned paper strips. Or use one strip matching your patterned paper across the bottom of your card.

Alphabets. Putting a greeting on a card is a great way to use up leftover alphabets. Use letters of different fonts but the same color. We all have lots of black letters, so why not try a black and white or black and red theme and use up those miscellaneous black letters. Or, cover the front of your card with patterned paper and use letters in the same colors as the pattern. The size, font and case becomes irrelevant when making a fun and colorful card like this.

Buttons and Brads. When you are down to just a few of a certain type of button in your scrapbooking embellishment stash, mix them all up and make a collage of buttons in a heart shape for an "I love you" card. You could also use the buttons to make a monogram on a card. This would also work with a collection of leftover brads.

Use matching embellishments of all types leftover from a completed layout. You've already picked out and matched the embellishments, so just stick them on a card. You can also use patterned paper and cardstock scraps from your layout. Put a quick and simple card together when cleaning up from making the layout and you don't have to worry about storing those scraps.