Use it or use it later

I can't even count how many projects I have completed that never ended up getting used. One thing I've been doing a lot lately is re-using design elements in new projects—ok, this really only works well with Illustrations, I think. But, let me explain: Our company was going to have a post-election happy hour and I illustrated this bar themed invite for it:

But then it got cancelled so we never got to use it. A few days ago however, one of our other clients wanted to send out an email with a notepad of information to encourage members of their organization to bring notepads to the upcoming convention. I illustrated the notepad, pulled the pins from another illustration project I did and was done, BUT it needed that extra little something—so the beer ring from the coaster design became the coffee/tea ring on the notepad. I also recycled the wood table top background concept for some added dimension.

Small additions, yet it made me feel like maybe all my time wasn't wasted when I designed the invite in the first place. So maybe the saying should go "Use it or use it later".