Getting Multiple Uses out of Your Stash

If you are anything like me, you often sit in your craft space, stare at all the stuff that you have and think, "There has got to be more that I can get out of all of this."  For most of us, crafting is a luxury and is done on a budget.  And if you are anything like me, when I make purchases, I want to make sure that I get the most out of the things that I have.  Today, I thought I would share with you some tips and techniques to make your supplies do double duty.

Stamps

I love my stamps, for lots of reasons, but three in particular.  Stamps can be used as a focal point, as part of a journaling card, or for custom-made embellishments.  Here are some ideas in order to get the most of your stamp stash.

• Using a border stamp and a main image, create journaling cards with a border and image.  These are all the rage right now, and is probably a trend to stay (the journaling cards, that is), but rather than spending lots of money on cardstock with flat images, why not use the cardstock and stamps you already have?
• Some images can be used to create paper-pieced images. Stamp the image several times on different patterned or plain cardstock paper.  Cut out the various pieces of the image and then reassemble.
• Use them to create your own patterned paper. I know some of you are already familiar with this technique; get out your stamps and try it again.

Punches

I love punches equally as much as I love stamps. (I love all craft supplies equally, to be honest.)  Punches are very versatile, but there are few shapes that are extra versatile - circles and squares.  Both of these shapes are the foundation to interesting backgrounds, focal points, and embellishment bases.

• Layer several circle punch-outs together and then punch two holes in the center to create a button. You have your own chipboard buttons with a pattern custom-matched to your project.
• Dimensional images are popular right now.  Stamp an image out using a stamp, and then punch it out using a shape of your choice.  Adhere dimensional adhesive to the back and then adhere to another cut-out of the same shape in a larger size and using a complementing color cardstock or patterned paper. 
• Square punches (or star) can also be used to create perfect pennant banner ends to your banners.
• Both squares and circles can also be used as journal spots, and the foundations to paper piecings.  Check out the Scrapjazz.com Gallery, and search the net using the term "punch art."

Die Cuts

Die cuts are one of my favorites because of their versatility, just like punches.  The nice thing about some of the dies in the industry is that they are hollow in the center, which brings me to my first suggestion.

• Use your die cuts to ink a border for a journaling card.
• Create frames using the same die shape in different sizes.
• Use your die cuts to create dimensional embellishments in different shapes not offered in punches, using the method mentioned in the punches section.

Other Uses for Other Products

• Take the leftover negatives (the portion you usually throw away after you're done with the product) from stickers and use them as a mask in an art journal, mixed media page, or on another layout - this would make an excellent foundation for a shabby chic layout.
• Save your leftover negatives from chipboard punchouts and reuse as positive space as a journaling spot, a photo frame, or decorative element.
• Try trimming off petals from mulberry flowers to create a butterfly.  If it's a five-petal flower, you will only need to snip off one petal; if it is more, you will want to snip away as many petals as needed in order to get two on each side.

Hopefully this has given you an idea of how to get the most of your scrapbook supplies. The most important rule when considering how to get the most out of your supplies is considering what inspires you, what trends are popular now, and how your supplies overlap with those trends.