Category: Paper Scrap Ideas

Spooky Halloween Embellishments

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I found a pile of Halloween paper scraps in my stash the other day so I decided to tackle them once and for all.  I’d been saving even the teensiest tiny pieces and, rather than throw them into the paper recycling bin, I thought I’d make some ‘Spooky’ embellishments 🙂

These are so easy to make, and a little addictive too if I’m being honest!  (look out for my Christmas version coming soon hahaha!!.  You don’t need a die cutting machine or paper punches for my version, but go ahead and use those if you prefer a perfect circle.

Anyway, back to the project in hand!! Grab yourself the following items:

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  • Paper scraps ( I also used vintage paper scraps)
  • Buttons
  • Needle and thread (or glue gun if preferred)
  • Scissors
  • Trims (not essential)
  • Letter stickers (not essential)
  • Any other bits & bobs you think will add to your overall design
  • Sewing machine (optional)

First thing to do is create some squares and rectangles by neatening up your scraps.  They do not need to be perfect, just a rough squarish shape will be just fine.  The biggest piece I cut was approx 2.75 inch squared, the smallest was about 1 inch squared.  Just work with what you have…..there is no right or wrong when creating these, everything and anything goes!! (my kinda crafting 🙂 )

Cut up your trim into smaller pieces if you’re using them.

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Now cut out your circles.  I do this by snipping about 1/8 inch into the square and then rotate the paper close to the edge as I cut.  Your circle won’t be perfect but then handmade is always better when it’s perfectly imperfect!!   Cut out a few rectangles / banners too.

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All that’s left to do now is to decide on how you want to layer your embellishments and sew sew sew!! (or glue if you’re using that instead).  I played about with the shapes until I got the colour / pattern combo that worked best for me.  I  then machine sewed a few and used a needle and thread for others.    This is all about having fun…unleash your inner witch and create spellbinding embellishments!!

 

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Use your new Spooky embellishments to adorn tags, scrapbook pages, planner pockets, cards……whatever and wherever takes your fancy!!

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Pretty Paper Envelopes

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Pretty Notecards

I don’t know what it is about making envelopes, but I’ll find any excuse to get the paper, scissors and glue out to create them.  However, this time I thought I’d make them using a different method……by sewing machine!!

I have an old book that I’ll be using as a journal later so I removed the pages from it.  As you can imagine, this  left me with a big bundle of paper!   Of course, these just cried out ENVELOPES to me!!!

They are really easy to make and can be whipped up (or in this case, sewn up!) in a jiffy.

 Here’s how I went about making mine 🙂

Step 1

Get yourself an old book (charity shops are a great place to find them cheaply, mine was only £0.50!!) and carefully remove the pages.   Trim up and neaten the edges.  I trimmed mine to approx 5″ x 9″

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Step 2

Next, fold the bottom of the page upwards stopping at approx 1.5″ from the top.  Crease along the bottom.

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Step 3

Turn your envelope over so that the FRONT  (the side that doesn’t show the folded part) is facing upwards.  At approx 1.5″ from the top right hand side, start sewing,  back stitching slightly to secure the first few stitches.  Continue sewing all the way around and stop 1.5″ from the top p.  Back stitch again.

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That’s you!! You’ve made your very own paper envelope 🙂

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I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and please do feel free to share it with others 🙂

Until next time,

Fiona x

Blooming Lovely – Paper Scrap Flowers

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PicMonkey Image.jpgAren’t these so sweet!  Who wouldn’t delight in receiving one as a Thank You or ‘Just Because’ card? They are fun and so easy to make (perhaps a little addictive I might add) and kids would enjoy making them too.

For me, the beauty of these flowers is that they are perfectly imperfect, with their wonky sizes and shapes, they are pretty much everything I love about handmade!!

You will need:

Paper scraps – any colours, textures you want

Scissors

Glue – I use Tombow

Optional

6 x 4 pieces of card (blank on one side) if you plan to use them for cards.  You could also use them on tags!

Got everything? Great! Then let’s get started:

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STEP 1 – Creating the leaves

Top Tip: use various colours & patterns for each pair of leaves, it gives you a fun & funky look!

  • Look out green papers from your scrap pile, these will become your leaves.
  • Cut them into approx 1.5″ x 2″ pieces (or smaller/bigger/fatter/thinner depending on the look you want to achieve)
  • Starting from one of the bottom corners, cut upwards in a gentle curve to the opposite corner at the top. Turn and repeat.
  • Set aside for later

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STEP 2 – Creating the flowers

This is where the fun really begins!!  You can be as creative as you like here and add as many layers as you want.

Top Tip: cut out as many flowers as you need BEFORE gluing, it’s much quicker than making one flower at a time.

  • Start off by cutting your smallest circle first. Mine are usually approx 1″ in diameter but anything goes here.  No need for it to be a perfect circle.
  • Now sit that on top of the paper you want to use as the next layer. Using it as a guide, carefully trim around leaving a border.  Again, you can do what you like here, fat border or skinny border, it doesn’t matter.
  • Repeat this until you have achieved the layering or size of flower you want. My flowers usually work out at a finished size of approx 2.5″
  • Keep making the flowers like this until you have as many as you want to make.
  • When you are ready to glue the layers together, start by adding a tiny amount of glue to the TOP of the bottom layer, add the next layer and repeat until all layers have been added.

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STEP 3 – Adding the leaves to your pretty flowers

Top Tip: Use a pencil to mark a guide whereabouts  the leaves will be hidden under the flower. Glue BELOW this line just to make sure no glue spills over to the front of the flower.

  • Start by selecting 2 leaves – I like to use 2 different styles but anything goes.
  • BEFORE you glue anything, position where you would like the leaves to be.  I like to overlap mine as shown in the photo.
  • Once you are happy with the look, carefully turn everything over, face down.
  • Lift up your leaves and apply a small amount of glue to base of the flower to where the first leaf will be attached.
  • Attach first leaf, add a spot more glue to the back of it, and attach the second one.

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STEP 4 – Adding your pretty flowers to cards

If you are using them for cards, then simply fold over your 6 x 4 pieces of card and attach your flower with glue.

Well done!! Give yourself a pat on the back, you have just created unique & individual pretty paper flowers.  Now go and show them off!

Until next time

Fiona x