Turn Your Paper Scraps Into Beautiful Handmade Tags
Do you have a basket (or several!) filled with paper scraps that are just too pretty to throw away? Instead of letting those little pieces pile up, why not turn them into something beautiful and useful?
In my latest YouTube Short, I’m sharing a quick and easy way to create layered tags using scraps from your stash. These little tags come together in just a few minutes and are a wonderful way to give leftover papers a new purpose.
The best part? No two tags will ever be exactly alike.
Start With What You Have
For the tag in my video, I used a vintage book page as the base because I love the texture and character it adds. But don’t feel like you need to hunt down old books to recreate the look. You can easily substitute the book page with: patterned paper; cardstock; mixed media paper; handmade or coffee-dyed paper or packaging. The base is simply the foundation. Once you begin layering scraps on top, each tag develops its own personality.
Small Scraps Make the Best Layers
This is the perfect project for those oddly shaped pieces that seem too small for cards or scrapbook layouts. Try layering together: patterned paper scraps; book text; music paper; die cuts; stamped images; labels; tickets; fabric or lace; ribbon; twine and buttons
Don’t overthink matching everything perfectly. Some of the most interesting tags come from combining papers and embellishments you wouldn’t normally put together. Layering creates depth and makes even the smallest scraps shine.
Perfect for So Many Projects
One of the reasons I love making tags is that they never go to waste. I like to keep a small collection on hand to use as: junk journal tuck spots; journal inserts; gift tags; scrapbook embellishments; bookmarks or as happy mail extras. They’re also wonderful to have ready when you need a quick finishing touch on a project.
Every Tag Tells a Different Story
By simply changing a few elements, you can easily change the finished look. One tag might have a vintage feel with book pages and muted colours, while another becomes bright and playful using patterned paper and bold embellishments. That’s the beauty of working from your stash—you can let your supplies inspire you instead of following a strict recipe. There’s no right or wrong combination.
A Great Way to Shop Your Stash
Projects like this remind me that we don’t always need new supplies to create something beautiful. Take a few minutes to dig through your scraps, forgotten embellishments, and leftover die cuts. You might be surprised at how many beautiful combinations you can create from your scraps alone. Sometimes the smallest pieces become the most treasured projects.
If you haven’t watched the short yet, be sure to check it out for a quick look at how these tags come together. Then grab your scraps and see how many unique tags you can create. I’d love to see what you make!
Until next time,
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