Susan R. Opel
While Kelly is off gallivanting in the mountains of Idaho with the ladies of the Smith family, I volunteered to fill in for her so she could truly be on vacation. So hello, blog readers!
Remember that blog post on July 27 from Go-to Gal Betsy Veldman where she talked about what she had done with her patterned paper scraps? Wowsers, did that concept change my world! And based on how the concept was pinned and repinned (on Pinterest) and tweeted and retweeted (on Twitter), I was not the only one!
I’m not gonna lie, I’ve got a serious addiction to patterned paper, and with that comes one unhealthy assortment of unloved scraps. Since that blog post, I’ve made a total of 39 card bases using my scraps. I thought I was doing well, but my friend Nicole Maki ‘fessed up to having finished 67 card bases. I better get MOVIN’!
I’ve decided that these scrap cards will make perfect gifts for Christmas, but I already sent a set to my sister-in-law for her birthday. The set below is one that is in progress. I played with angles and had a ball just matching up fun papers. The sentiments will be attached at a later time.
And with the help of my Martha Stewart Scoring Board – I LOVE THAT THING! – I scored lines on the back side of the card front at angles in one inch increments and then used my 7/8” square punch on even smaller scrap pieces. More time intensive, yes, but a fun effect.
Here’s a little tutorial of how you can tame the stash and make some fun cards as stocking stuffers (or you can be greedy and keep them for yourself)!
First, cut a bunch of card bases. If you have 8 1/2” x 11” cardstock, you can trim 10 sheets in half, and have 20 4 1/4” x 5 1/2” card bases.
Next, trim a bunch of scrap strips to 3/4”. I did this while watching a Charlie’s Angels marathon one Saturday. Because I like to work in terms of color, I then sorted my strips into color families and bound them with a rubber band.
Then, I chose a black with white dot strip to give my card set continuity, and off I went coming up with possibilities for all five of my cards.
Once I had a bunch of options, I grabbed one of my card bases and started to lay all of the strips in order to see how they would look. There’s a little section left on the right hand side, so I just put a tiny strip of shimmery white at the end of each card. I was too lazy to figure out the math on that one.
Cover the card base with adhesive and adhere the strips side by side. Grab your scissors and trim the excess once everything is all glued down.
Up next – sentiments! I have a little trick where I create a page full of computer generated sentiments (created in Microsoft Word). They work perfectly with my 2” circle punch. Add a colorful scalloped circle behind the sentiment (you can use cardstock scraps for this), and your sentiment is ready to go. You could definitely stamp the sentiments if you wanted to.
Finally, I added a black ribbon on each and tied it in a bow, and then I adhered the sentiments with foam tape for a little bit of dimension. Note, too, that the black with white dot strips were all placed in the number two position on each card for cohesiveness.
I almost don’t want to give these cards away, but I’m going to! Leave a comment telling me which of the above tips or ideas you found most helpful. I’ll pick one winner to take home my card set pictured above plus 48 sheets of Close To My Heart cardstock (for card bases), the Sizzix Accessory Tool Kit (I use mine all of the time – a $29.99 value), the Fiskars X-Large Lever Circle Punch, and two sheets of my custom thanks sentiments ready to be punched! All comments must be received by midnight (MDT) on Sunday, Sept. 4.
Addicted to patterned paper scraps,
Susan
I love the idea of being able to up-cycle your used scraps of paper. Sometimes it’s difficult getting creative with the leftovers and instead of pulping them or tossing them, this gives you incentive to keep your scraps for future projects!
I can’t wait to give this a try with my scraps!
I just needed to take the time to let you know what a life-saver you are! I am making one of those “52 reasons why I love you” things with a deck of cards & Boy oh boy I’m so glad I found this post. I am a beginner @ scrapbooking, (& Left-handed! This is NO good lol).. but have always loved scrapbooking & crafts, and always find myself admiring the work of others like now. As much as I would just love to be the smooth & crafty, I am not, but I just Have to make this a full-time hobby one day. My ‘crafty eyes’ tell me so c(= So anyways, I bought a scallop stamper I got from Michaels. I also bought a couple packages of cardstock, ever-so-lovely patterned paper, a deck of cards, markers, embellishments, etc.. to pull it all together. Then I ran into my problems. The scallop stamper does not work, I have realized it was not a good choice of a stamper. So, I decided I was going to use those darn crafting scissors to make me some cute (52) matching cut outs. This is near IMPOSSIBLE for a lefty. Oh my this has been a disaster. Then, I realize I am going to have to hand write on all of them at this rate, because I simply don’t know how all those brilliant scrapbookers do, what YOU did above. (Computer generated sentiments) You are a GENIUS. I opened my Microsoft word and starting playing with it, & am just giggling with excitement! & THEN, not only did you open my eyes to that wonderful thing, you completely solved my problem with the whole cutting & stamping! I didn’t know if this post was a year old to 5 years old, all I knew is I had to thank you! lol So even though this was totally a thing about scraps, you’ve still even gave me that little added bonus to keep in mind, because I know for a fact I will be a paper-hoarder as well! This is at the top of my book-marks. I am so very happy about this post, & Just want to say thanks so much! You’ve helped me get on the scrap-booking wagon! & also saved me soooo much time! Thank you for providing the links where you got these!! I’ll now have it finished by sweetheart’s birthday! Big thanks & Big hugs!! =)
-Carissa
What I love the most is all the options that you gave me of the ideas of what I can use the scraps for. The thank you cards are a clever idea for Christmas everyone is looking for thank you cards after the holidays. Thank you for the wonderful ideas.
Love your idea, I am just getting started in scrapbooking and card making. This would be a great gift for someone going off to school or even as an extra gift for a bride to be.. Cant wait to get started. Thanks!
What a fun giveaway! Those cards are beautiful and a great way to use those scraps up! Thanks for the idea!
Great idea to use up your scraps. I am definitely going to try this. The cards look great! The chance to win the giveaway is pretty cool as well. Thanks for the chance to win.
I love all of the awesome ideas you posted on using scraps! I save all of my scraps and sadly have thrown away so much paper. Not anymore with all the super cute stuff you can make with them! Thank you for the awesome giveaway!
Goodness, your project was one great tip after another. I really like how you made your own sentiment circles on the computer. I really will use all of your project tips. Thanks a ton.
Great ideas! I really love the one about scoring your card into 1″ squares and using up the smallest scraps! This is definitely a problem for me since I can’t bear to throw away even the tiniestpiece of paper!! Thanks for the chance to win this great giveaway! It is perfect for those of us who hoard our papers!
This are some really awesome ideas, I want to go to my scraps right now and create some cards like this ones and Wow! that giveaway is awesome…wish that I could type a music symbol at the end of that awesome because I am singing it.
These ideas are just awesome– sometimes all I need is a little inspiration to get going and you just gave me a giant boost!
What a great post. My favorite tip is the sentiments. I sometimes forget to use a shortcut like this when mass producing.
I need to do that with my sentiments. Thanks for the tip.
I love both the tips on using the scraps (they are starting to pile up again) and the sentiments tip. Both are fabulous ideas and perfect for the holidays coming up.
I absolutely love the diagonal squares layout – be still my little graphical heart!
I love the idea of putting all the scraps into color co-ordinated strips! Perfect to do while watching my fave tv program. I am going to do this today to make up a bunch of cards to sell at craft fairs! What a fabulous idea! Thanks!
I love the whole idea of using my scraps for such wonderful cards! The tip I liked best was about using something like the black polka dot paper to give the cards a cohesive look. I can’t wait to try it!
Oh my, I love the squares on the diagonal! And I love the idea of fiddling with strips of paper while I am watching tv! That way, my hubby doesn’t feel neglected at all.
Okay, I have held out for that Martha Steward scoring tool and now I MUST HAVE IT! I always have tons of punched squares left over that I can’t seem to throw away. What a fab idea to match them up in a pattern and then score the card in a diagonal grid. Genius! (Loved the other “quilted” looks too……however, you wanted my MOST favorite and the squares won just by a hair!)
Wow! Love the tip of printing a sheet of sentiments and them punching them out! Great ideas!!!!
I am totally inspired by this and have already started making up a schwack of cards..just wondering if there was a tutorial for printing out the sentiments in Microsoft Word…
the circular sentiments that is!
Love these cards! Very inspiring, TFS
what an excellent way to use up your scraps…..and boy do I have a TON of scraps!! im going to go do this RIGHT NOW!!!
I am working on creating some of the cards you made. I am wondering if you are willing to share your template of the sentimates made with Word?
Sometimes it’s the simple things and this one hit me like a brick. I’ve made card sets before using some of the beautiful paper collections out there (I am a paper junkie too!) and I would say they turned out nice. But when I saw your card collection with the black & white polka dot paper for continuity, a light bulb went off in my head. That’s what I’m missing. It’s so simple but so necessary. Even though I use these collection and they all coordinate, they just missed something and that is it!! Just using one of the prints on every card. So simple I’m almost embarassed to say I didn’t know this. Learning something every day in this craft world. I’m soooo excited to start a project. Your cards are so fun and creative. Thanks for the tip!
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I have weaved the long strips into an entire 12×12 background for a scrapbook page. Thank you for sharing. Great ideas..