Do you ever cut into a piece of 12x12 to make an embellishment, or just need that particular colour for something small or maybe you dont ever cut into a 12x12 piece because it would 'ruin' a big piece of paper. I used to be the latter... and now have a habit of cutting into 12x12 for anything!... - then what to do with the remainder?

I've got some simple paper saving ideas that I use all the time - weeeeell nearly everytime I scrap!

When I saw this 12x12 MME Miss Caroline- All Dolled Up- Decorate Paper I wasnt so taken with it at first, then I thought that the flowers were fabulous and would make great cut-outs (a cheap way to make embellies) and did so with the hexagon Room Challenge LO found HERE
TIP: Remember: if you are afraid to cut into a paper because of waste - think of it more as a $1.20 sheet of embellishment!


But it can get better than that...

Here's the LO I made using the uncut half:


Now I can hear some of you groan.... 'I dont do 12x6' ..... but you can mount it on another 12x12 for example and it gives another layering effect and you have the size you like for your album



Here's another thing I do...
This is the yellow gingham (reverse side) base background paper which becomes the border. (I tend to have borders for nearly all my LO's - not sure why - just do )
I cut out the middle so I've got leftover paper (it also takes thickness and weight out of your LO too)

AND even better if its a double sided paper and perhaps you might only have one piece and want to use the other side in your LO - this will give you some (I havent done that for this LO - but I do this very often) Now I have a bit of yellow gingham (I'm a sucker for gingham...just love it - collect it!! ) for something else later.




Here's another tip saver...
the doily is also cut - to save waste - and I'll use the rest of it for another time!

I so this with my crochet doilies too - they go further that way.
ANything that I stick under something that is not seen, and could be used further... I cut and put away for later!


Brown 'Happy' tag
Butterfly and buds layered stickers
Ive used little blue headed pins as antenae for the butterfly
Title 'You are my Favourite Person' sticker
Scallop sticker under the photo
Miss Caroline Twine
Big pink button

Let me know your opinions too! Would love to hear how you feel about cutting into paper and LO sizes etc!!!

Beautiful Layout Mandy - I did this just last night - I scrapped a layout which I will share under another post, but there was just a little bit of trim from around the page that I weaved into a small 4 x 4 sheet and I will use on a card - it is amazing how far you can make your scraps go

Great ideas Mandy - and beautiful layouts too!