Tagged: scrap paper

Tiny Scraps Artist Trading Card

I recently joined a Facebook group called Random Remains REVIVED. It was set up by the very talented artist Cat Hand. This group is all about giving leftover crafting scraps new life. Believe me when I say I have lots of scraps to revive.

My first project is an ATC (Artist Trading Card) using tiny scraps and some leftover die cuts that were laying on my desk.

Here is the process I used for making my ATC.

I use this old Walmart card as a template for cutting the corners on hand-made tags. Just line it up on one edge and cut the paper.

Flip the card over and line it up with the other edge and cut the paper. Now you have a tag with two even corners. However, this post is not actually about making tags, it’s about using up the scraps from making the tags.

Here is a pile of corners cut from making tags.

I cut a piece of cardboard 2 1/2″ x 3 1/2″ which is the standard size for an ATC. I painted it black with acrylic paint.

I randomly glued on the tiny corner scraps. The result reminds me of stained glass.

I then added some stylized die cut flowers and the word inspire. I chose “inspire” because I am inspired to use my scraps thanks to Random Remains REVIVED. 

If  you would like to join the Facebook group, the link is:

http://www.facebook.com/groups/363673540842507/

I hope this little ATC has inspired you to use some of your scraps no matter how small they may be. As you can see, small scraps can make a bit impact!

Advertisement

Cute Scrap Embellishments

As mentioned in my last post, I am trying to use up my paper scraps from crafting instead of letting them go to waste. I promised two more projects that will help you bust your scrap box, basket or suitcase!  The first project I’m going to share is Christmas embellishments.

The inspiration for making these scrap embellishments came from this video:

First, I cut some scraps into interesting shapes, both by hand and with dies.

embelly

Then I made some ornament shapes just using a round die and gluing a topper on each.

embelly1

Next I just played and played with all my little goodies and came up with these cute embellishments.

embelly2

Here are some close-ups:

embelly5

 

embelly4

embelly3

Please note that you are not going to get rid of lots of scrap paper, as these embellies are so small, but you will use up the smaller pieces. The bonus is that you will have a stash of Christmas embellishments for cards, tags and other projects for 2017 already done!

This was a super fun and relaxing project. After Christmas I plan on making loads more and for once, getting ahead of the Christmas rush!

Christmas Scraps

All paper crafters face mountains of paper scraps at one time or another. And most crafters, myself included, have trouble throwing any of them away. My basket of paper scraps has grown totally out of control so I spent several hours on YouTube watching what other crafters do with their paper scraps. I’ll show you two projects I found and tried.

cdesk

First, I made a load of Christmas tags using pieces of scrap paper and simple embellishments. I didn’t want to get too fancy here because I know these tags will just end up in the trash after the gifts are opened.

cdesk1

Then I made a pile of strips from my paper scraps. The strips are all different widths and lengths. 

cdesk2

I glued the strips to a piece of cardstock cut to the size of a card front. I varied the layout of the strips for interest.

cdesk3

I trimmed the strips even with the cardstock piece and then adhered it to a plain card. I made some simple embellishments and attached them also. 

I hope you like these two simple projects for using up scrap papers. These are both Christmas themed because I have been crafting with Christmas papers, however, you can use any scraps you have and make these projects all year round.

Stay tuned as I have two more scrap projects using Christmas papers coming soon!

 

 

STUFFED!

A little over a year ago on May 27th, I posted a blog about smash books. I even showed one I made  myself. Smash books and junk  journals are what I call, ” Scrapbooking for the rest of us”. I haven’t gotten into proper scrapbooking yet, although I’ve seen some awesome mixed-media type layouts. Most of my photos are still lingering on my computer’s memory.The ones I have actually printed out are lingering away in photo boxes. “One day,” I tell myself. “One day!”

But what about the ticket stubs, playbills, receipts, candy wrappers, maps, postcards and other ephemera you want to hold onto?  All of life’s little papers hold memories that deserve to be remembered. That is what junk journals and smash books are for. And the best part of junk journals is that there is absolutely no talent required to fill one. You can tape, glue or staple your papers in. No particular order is required. Then you can add doodles, stickers, sentiments or nothing. It’s entirely up to you.

I have filled up the junk journal I made a year ago and there is absolutely no empty spaces for anything else. IT IS STUFFED. So here are some random pictures from my stuffed junk journal.

 

In my next blog post I will show pictures of the awesome new junk journal that I got from my friend Camilla in a swap. And if you’d like to make a junk journal for yourself, see my post from May 27, 2013. If you’re not inclined to make  your own journal, but still want one to fill, please visit my Etsy shop at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MossyCottage?ref=si_shop where I have many to choose from. Once you start “smashing” things into a journal you’ll see why it’s become so popular!