Today's post features Basic Grey's Urban Prairie 6x6 paper pads, and tips on how to use sheets in these pads that don't necessarily 'speak' to you...
I'm using Sugar Plum card bases, folded to 4-3/4" square. We're making four birthday cards to have on hand - lots of birthdays in November - if yours is one ... HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 
Using two purtty sheets of 6x6 Urban Prairie paper I cut each down horizontally to just under 4-3/4" in height, then cut each in half vertically at 3". This created four pieces of decorative paper for each of the four card fronts. Adhered each then tied a length of celery grosgrain ribbon (May Arts).
The ladybugs from Kim Hughes' Cute Curls set were stamped onto white cardstock, then punched out with a scallop punch (EK Success via SU). Colored with Copic markers adding bits of grass. A large clear dome sticker was placed over each ladybug, centering on the scallop. Adhere each dome-covered scallop to a 2" Licorice cardstock circle punch (Marvy).
Sentiment on fronts and insides are from Mona Lisa's Birthday Centers. Here's a pic of the card interiors - try layering some of your paper scraps into birthday cake layers!
For the envelopes, here's where you can use up more of those paper scraps, and any of those 6x6 papers that you don't forsee using on a card front: Use them up for envelope linings! Depending on the style of envelope flap and location of the envelope adhesive, you can just cut strips, like I did here.
You can also use up the 6x6 decorative papers by cutting them down and using them as inserts inside your cards, as a protective layer between the card front and the inside of the envelope. The United States Postal Service mechanical sorters often can rip an envelope that house a card with a dimensional embellishment, so that extra layer inside can truly protect your card. Also, you can write 'hand cancel' on the outside of the envelope and hope your post office complies with your wishes.
supplies: all from Ellen Hutson unless otherwise noted.
