Using Cardstock Scraps from Die Cuts

If you're a paper crafter, you probably have cardstock scraps! Today's papercrafting tip is a great idea for using cardstock scraps from die cuts in a creative way.

Most of the time I die cut a shape and throw away the “innards”. But one day I thought…could I use them? This technique doesn’t work for all dies, but if it is a relatively recognizable shape, this might be an idea for you!

Speaking of die cutting cardstock - we love Bazzill Card Shoppe for die cuts. It's smooth, thick cardstock that doesn't warp when diecut.

SHOP BAZZILL CARD SHOPPE

how to use die cut negatives on a handmade card

All I had to do was cut the leaf die in 3 shades of teal. I laid the outline down and used that as a “stencil” to glue the innards. Be very careful not to get any glue on the outline part so you can then lift the outline once dry.

using your die cut scraps to. make handmade cards

You also can use a heavy item like an acrylic block to keep the stencil in place while you glue down your pieces.

This is my favorite color combo of all time! If you cut all three leaves, you have enough to make 3 cards!

Here's another version, this time in brown.

For this next card, I used both the outline and the innards on the same card.

For the background of this card, I stamped Bazzill Card Shoppe in Buttermints with a woodgrain background stamp in very light ink.

sunflower die cut scraps made into a handmade card

And one more final idea! I took a sunflower die from Simon Says Stamp and layered the negatives on a black rectangle.

Supplies:

Bazzill Card Shoppe in Robin's Egg, Candy Necklace, and Jawbreaker (teals) Buttermints, Peanut Cluster and Candy Bar (browns)
Bazzill Fours in Ruby Slipper
Matte Gold Foil Board
Leaf Die from MyMomenta

-Kate

Here's another cool die cut card idea!

Card Making · Design Team Member Kate Deignan · Die Cutting · Scraps · 24 comments ·Oct 06, 2022

24 comments

Paulette S Sep 15, 2024

What a clever tip. It almost looks like stencil paste.
Lyn May 20, 2024

This is a great utilization of offcuts and negative pieces – very creative, and I love your colour schemes – well done!
Betty Arnold Mar 21, 2024

What great ideas !
Susan Jan 29, 2024

Kate, Great use of die cuts; plus you get a new card layout design; puzzle pattern. To Christine, supplies are expensive and there’s no shame in trying to get the most out of your paper. I’m one of those who try to plan each cut and get as much as I can. I have 2 accordion file envelopes, 1 small and 1 large and save my useable scraps too by color and 1 section for prints. Enjoy your crafting!!!
Dottie Jan 01, 2024

I have been saving my scraps from open cuts and do the same thing, it helps save paper especially on gold, copper and other foil paper. I never told anyone because I thought they would think I’m cheap. I’m not just frugal and have to make everything stretch. I also use some of the edge trimmings to frame some cards.