Herringbone Happiness

Using Up Those DSP Scraps

My craft table turned into a little treasure hunt today, and the prize was a pile of Designer Series Paper that deserved its moment to shine. With several patterns now sitting on the Last Chance list, I decided it was time to stop admiring them and start using them. No more saving for someday… today was the day.

One of the unexpected joys of doing what I do is watching supplies continue their life beyond my craft room. While I work hard to use up what I can, I also love passing along extras to a sweet mom I know who has three school-age daughters. Hearing how those girls use the papers for school projects, creative afternoons, and even sharing with friends brings me right back to when my own boys would head into my stamping space and confidently create whatever they needed. That kind of creative freedom is such a gift, and it makes letting go of extra supplies feel really good.

I do want to take a moment to give credit where credit is due. This design was inspired by a beautiful card created by fellow Stampin’ Up! demonstrator Jacque Williams. I always love seeing how other creators use their supplies, and this layout immediately caught my eye. It’s such a fun reminder that inspiration is everywhere in this creative community, and I’m so grateful we get to share ideas with one another.

For this card, I gathered strips of the Nests of Winter Designer Series Paper, each about three-quarters of an inch wide, and didn’t worry one bit about the lengths. That’s part of what makes this design so freeing. The strips were adhered onto a Basic White panel in a relaxed, modified herringbone pattern, mixing prints and directions to create lots of visual interest. Once everything was in place, I trimmed the edges and added a Basic Black mat to frame the design and give it a bold, finished look.

From there, everything came together quickly and easily. The Basic Black card base paired with a clean Basic White layer creates the perfect backdrop, allowing the patterned panel to really stand out. Adding Dimensionals gives that extra lift that always makes a difference. The sentiment from Prayers & Promises is both meaningful and elegant, and placing it on a simple die cut keeps the overall design balanced. A soft bow made from Gray Granite Variegated Trim, topped with a bit of black baker’s twine, adds just the right touch of texture, and a few pearls bring in a subtle bit of shine.

Inside the card, I carried the same idea through with a few angled strips of DSP along the bottom corner, echoing the look from the front without overwhelming the space. It’s a small detail, but it ties everything together so beautifully.

What I love most about this card is how quickly it all came together once the pieces were ready. In just about five minutes, those leftover scraps turned into something polished and heartfelt. It’s such a great reminder that our supplies don’t need to be hoarded or saved—they’re meant to be used, enjoyed, and shared.

I’m entering this card into the Double Trouble Paper Crafting #213 1-2-3 Challenge (1 pack of DSP papers, 2 Iridescent Pearls, and 3 Crumb Cake Pearls) and the Paper Funday #86 April Challenge,