Strips and Scraps may break your back…but only if you have too many of them! Let’s help lighten that load! If you are like me, you use a lot of paper, and have a lot of scraps leftover. But the cool thing about that is that it is very popular right now to use small pieces or strips of paper on your layouts! I’ve seen lots of grids made of different papers, lots of small shapes and lots of layered strips. You can also use small pieces of paper in techniques like paper-piecing and quilling. So don’t throw those leftovers out…you can put them to good use!

On my “Mine!” layout, I created a frame with four cut pieces of borders. I also layered strips and borders to the right of my photos. On Karen’s fabulous “Always Making Faces” layout she created a whole layout with a bunch of small pieces. I just love the way it turned out! And check out Cindy’s creative layout called “Your Smile is My Joy”, she layered strips going in both directions…I love it!

Mine! by Pamela Young

Supplies: Paper, Chipboard, Die Cuts, Stickers: My Little Shoebox, Specialty Paint: Scribbles, Pen: Sharpie, Floss: DMC, Adhesive: Helmar.

Design Notes: I used Liquid Scrap Dots from Helmar to lift up my cream frame of borders.

Journaling: Oh no! It’s started. Eryn has definitely said “mine!” We were at the reunion and Eryn claimed a balloon as “hers”.

Always Making Faces by Karen Grunberg

Supplies: Paper: The Girls’ Paperie, Pink Paislee, Basic , Tim Holtz, A Million Memories, Felt: American Crafts, Heidi Swapp, Other: flower, button. Tools: Punches: Martha Stewart Crafts, EK Success, Fiskars.

Design Notes: This layout was fully inspired by Jen Jockish.

Journaling: The journaling is about how my older son always makes funny faces when I try to take photos of him now.

Your Smile is My Joy by Cindy Schneider

Digital Supplies: Page Kit: Anything is Possible by Lauren Grier, Layered Template: Cindy's Layered Templates - Set #53 by Cindy Schneider, Alphabet: Don't Leave Home Without It Alpha by Lauren Grier, Alphabet: 4 My Boys Stamped Alpha by Shawna Clingerman, Alphabet: Bringing Krafty Black Alpha by Shawna Clingerman, Stitched Stars (recolored): Rambunctious by Julie Billingsley, Font: DJB How Cute Am I by Darcy Baldwin (All Sweet Shoppe Designs), Software: Adobe Photoshop CS2.

Design Notes: I love the look of bright colors on a kraft background, and I thought it would compliment the photos with the bright orange clothing, and the doodled style of the layout really well. I also used the scribbles and paint splatters in the background to add a little more fun and energy to the layout.

Journaling: These are some photos of you on the swing in the backyard enjoying the warmer weather. It gives me such great joy to see you happy and having fun....you have the best smile!!