Stretching My Stash

OK - I'll confess.  I love just having my scrap supplies and I always want to add to my stash.  Worse, I don't like to use my favorites and tend to think I have to go hoping for the perfect touches for each layout.  But my funds are limited, so I am trying to push myself to use the supplies I already have.  I used some of my favorite stash stretching tricks on this layout.

It was for a challenge at My Scraps and More.  Your layout had to be inspired by this paper.  I loved this paper but didn't have any in my stash.  My first thought was to go find some, but I resisted.  Instead I pulled inspiration from the pattern (the chevron paper has similar lines) and the color.  But the color was still a problem.  I don't use or buy purple supplies very often.  But I sat in my scrap room, surrounded by supplies and found some things I thought I could make work.  Here are some tricks I used to stretch my stash and make it work.

•  When using a 12 inch border element, consider cutting it into 2 pieces.  This creates a repeating element that can help pull your layout together.

• Remember - stamp pads aren't just for stamping.  I rummbed the edges of the base paper with a purple stamp pad to add dimenision and, even better, used it to add color to the cute Amy Tangerine card that said "LOVE" but was in all the wrong colors.  By rubbing the stamp pad over it, I added additional dimension and made it work on my layout.

• Mix your bling - it adds interest and that package of favorites will last longer.  Here I mixed Martha Stewart, Creative Memories and Cosmo Cricket. (Those black Martha Stewart pearls are one of my new favorites.)

• Keep mistable thickers around.  Now I don't use or buy many of the spray inks, but you can color them other ways.  I rubbed these with the same purple stamp pad I used to edge the paper and color that Amy Tan embellishment.  It was easy, mess free and I had purple letters with almost no work and without a shopping trip.

I'd love to hear some of your favorites stash stretching tips.  Hope you have a fantastic Friday.