There’s something deeply satisfying about opening my giant folder of paper scraps and realizing you have just the right color/pattern combos for a new project. My folder is overwhelmingly full, so any scrap projects that I can do help me to create more space in my craft room. Also it’s free, which my budget appreciates.

When my mom asked me to help her make Thank You cards for Administrative Professionals Day, we pulled colors that nodded to her workplace branding: purples, soft lavender, a punchy yellow (for gold), a little metallic shimmer because every admin deserves some sparkle, imo. The structure of the card itself is fairly simple. I used a mix of vertical and angled strips of patterned DSP layered side-by-side, a Waffle Flower A2 Lacy Layers die for the stitched frame, and a Simon Says Stamp “thank you” die-cut in soft lavender floating on top. No two cards match, so every recipient gets a one-of-a-kind gift.

I love scrap-based cardmaking. For me, the “use what you have” constraint forces creativity in a way that a fresh sheet of cardstock or endlessly scrolling through Pinterest for ideas doesn’t, and there’s something so lovely about a stack of cards where every single one is a little different.

Admin professionals: you are the foundation of every functional organization, even when your work feels invisible or unappreciated. I see you! Thanks to my mom for the cardmaking date!