Once you have an idea for the design / theme, start cutting / ripping pieces of paper from junk mail, scraps, magazines, etc. Arrange everything loosely where you want it to go, on a larger background.

OR as another option... Approach the collage in a completely different way, and cut out scrap pieces of paper before you come up with a design. Play around and experiment, moving pieces around until something sticks in your mind. That's the best part of collage. There are no rules!

This is optional, but if you plan to color / paint the scrap pieces, to bring some continuity to the subject, or just to pull in colors you want to see, this is the time.

Use a glue stick to attach all the pieces to the background. And that's it - ready to frame and hang. I like to use glue sticks for collage because they don't cause wrinkles or buckling in the paper, like glue bottles can sometimes do.