Christmas Cards from Scraps

Are you one of those crafters that cannot bear to part with even one small leftover scrap of paper, or a scrap piece of ribbon "that I might work into another project"?  If so, I'm glad I'm not alone!  Ha!  The holidays are a great time to make use of those scraps and create beautiful holiday cards.  Cards make a perfect canvas for trying out new techniques without worry of ruining an entire two-page scrapbook layout.  An added bonus is not having to spend extra money on holiday cards this year.  We're also sure those who receive your cards will love having a handcrafted creation made just for them!  Here are a few we came up with using scrap papers and notions:

Ideas to note:  Use holly leaves from old Christmas decor and buttons as berries.  Since it's a card, you don't have to worry about archival safety.  You can also cut out scenes from paper (like the sledding dogs), attach it to scrap chipboard then mount on pop dots for a unique card embellishment.

Ideas to note:  Who says Christmas cards have to use Christmas paper?  You may recognize the script paper as one from 7 Gypsies from a few years ago.  Another technique is to use your cool border punches to create a visual design element (like the red strip above) on your card.

Ideas to Note:  If your paper is a printed image on a white paper (such as the Santa), color it in with chalks or ink.  This also works well with papers printed to look like newpaper ads.  Tying thin twine scraps through buttons gives your projects a vintage feel.

Ideas to Note:  Cover chipboard shapes with paper to create cute embellishments like this snowman.  And don't forget to raid your button and ribbon stash to find the perfect "clothes" for him to wear!  (You may recognize these scrap papers as the Cosmo Cricket Christmas line from a couple of years ago.  Still so pretty!)

Quick and Easy Scrapbooking

Next time you want to scrapbook but are feeling short on time, try a quick and easy layout like this one. It features two sheets of black dotted cardstock, one sheet of red dotted cardstock and some letter stickers. Not only is this layout quick to make, it also uses minimal supplies and is easy on your pocketbook! If your quote takes more letter stickers than you have on hand, attend one of our crops and use our die cut machine to cut your own title.

Rolling, rolling, rolling...

Here's a new technique we've seen and just had to give it a try. Remember those paper beads we used to make as kids? Well who says they can't look great on a scrapbook page or card! On this layout, we used the beautiful vintage papers from Graphic 45. (Who says you can't use beautiful papers like these for a pet page?!!)

To make the rolled paper strips below the leftmost photo, cut small rectangles in various sizes. Roll them into a tube shape and use adhesive to keep them from unrolling. This is a great way to use your scraps to make an inexpensive yet very interesting page or card accents. Here's a closer look:

Hope you'll decide to give it a try!

Scrap-n-$ave---Use your Leftovers

If you're like us, once you finish a project with papers you love, you just can't bear to part with the leftover scraps. Or maybe you've purchased a package of flowers or other embellishments, used a couple, then end up with many unused ones sitting on your shelf. One money saving tip is to "use your stash." Recently we created a mini book using Graphic 45 and Teresa Collins papers. With the leftovers and a few others scraps that were laying around, we created this vintage layout:

Not only did we use up our scraps, but incorporated some new techniques too. Here are just a few ideas for you to try (see photos below):

1. For the two red flaps on the left of the photo---Use a 5 x 12 inch stip of double sided paper. Cut a 3 inch slit starting about halfway down right side. Fold back the two flaps. Put a pop dot under each flap so it doesn't fold down flat.
2. Tuck goodies under the flaps! We used some flowers and some leftover tags from our mini-book project.
3. Scraps with pictures or other designs that can be cut out make great embellishments, such as the clock with wings in the photo below. We cut this out of a leftover scrap, inked it to make it match the other papers better, added a jewel center (again 20 or so in a package!), then put it on pop dots to make it stand out.
4. Flower centers--using your leftovers is a great way to get creative with flower centers. Here we used a Tim Holtz gear and an extra tag. For one of the flower centers above, we used four mini brads.
5. Newsprint flowers-- Punch or hand cut flowers from patterned paper. Curl the petals of each flower up by rolling them around a pencil. Ink the edges. Use some of your button stash for the flower center. Put a pre-made paper flower underneath (the Kaisercraft ones come 25 or 50 to a package, so this is a great way to use your extras!)
6. Photo frame--The photo frame to the right of the photo started out as a white die cut that never seemed to make it onto any projects. We cut the frame into an "L" shape. After inking it to match the rest of the layout, a journaling stamp was used to randomly stamp lines on it. With pop dots underneath, it really frames the photo. And it's barely recognizable from the original!
7. Stitch your scraps--The script paper scrap at the top of the layout is attached to the page with adhesive. But to make it look more "intentional", create stitches with thread, fibers or twine. It's an easy way to add dimension and visual interest. Try using your leftovers. You might be surprised at the amazing layout you create!
   

Scrap and $ave

We've got more ideas for stretching your papercrafting dollars. And this one is FREE!!

Artist Trading Cards

Did you know here at Bloomin Scrapbooks, we have a FREE Artist Trading Card swap once each month? It's a great chance to get together with fellow scrapbookers and card makers to create and trade these one-of-kind handmade cards. Each month we have a theme and it's always so much fun to see how everyone makes the theme their own. ATCs are a great way to try new techniques without fear of "messing up" an entire layout; it's also a great way to gather ideas and learn new techniques from others. Because they are the size of a playing card, they are easily created using your leftover scraps and can literally cost nothing to make! Upcoming dates and themes are:

May 5, 6-8 p.m. "Your Choice" (i.e. use your own theme!)

June 2, 6-8 p.m. "Masculine/men"

Here are some examples from past swaps here at Bloomin' Scrapbooks:

Cassidy Young:

Lori Clendening:

Leslie Miller:

Sharon Follendorf:

Debbie Ridlen:
Linda Connolly:

Scrap and $ave

We're starting a new feature here on our blog, "Scrap and Save". With uncertain economic times, we are all more concerned with spending our money wisely, including our scrappin' dollars. Each week we'll give you ideas to stretch your creativity as well as your crafting budget. If you've got ideas to share with fellow scrapbookers and stampers, please email us or post a comment below.

Saving Idea #1--Come to a Crop

An easy way to stretch your scrapping budget is to attend scheduled crops here at the store or bring a friend and come crop in our workroom during non-class times. Not only will you enjoy the fellowship of other crafters, but you'll have access to all our fun tools. Think of the savings in cutting your own custom title from our die cut machine vs. purchasing pre-cut letter stickers. Not only is it economical, but will also coordinate perfectly with your pages! Or try some of our workroom rubber stamps on a special card project. We also have a large collection of punches available for your use. Use our Revolution machine to cut a die cut shape from scrap cardstock, then customize it with stamps, inking or even glitter. Maybe you've been saving for a special scrapbook tool... if it's available in our workroom, it's also a great opportunity to try before you buy! Be sure to check this quarter's newletter for our crop schedule.

Saving Idea #2--Use your Scraps

Many of us save our leftover scrap papers but if you're like me, sometimes I forget they're there! Next time you're scrapbooking or cardmaking, challenge yourself to use your scraps in a creative way on your project. The layout below uses scraps to create a flower embellishment as well as a coordinating photo mat. And using your scraps also frees up room in your scrapbooking space for when you do decide to purchase new items!