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ScrapHappy March

Today I’m joining Kate at Tall Tales from Chiconia for her monthly scrap-happy blog post. The idea is to make something pretty using leftover scraps. Several bloggers post once a month showcasing a project using scraps of material leftover from quilting or other projects. I’ve been welcomed to post using paper scraps.

I’ve wanted to create cards using scraps for a while now. I think it’s fun and challenging creating with items you have on hand.

This first card incorporates some of my smallest paper scraps from a line by Graphic 45. Each square is approximately one inch (three centimeters), laid out in a three by four grid. I allowed space between the squares so I could score even lines for a bit of texture. I might try using my sewing machine on future cards as well.

ScrapHappy Quilting card detail
ScrapHappy quilting squares
Quilting card

My next card combines a variety of scraps from two paper lines. The colors worked well together. I fashioned it after some of the strip quilting I’ve seen in a variety of blogs. Call me crazy, but assembling these strips had great appeal. I’ll definitely do this again.

Strip quilting-styled card
Strip quilts with heart, also made from a scrap of paper
ScrapHappy strip quilt card closeup

You may have seen the following card in my Valentine’s Day card post. I’m including it here, since it also uses scraps.

I used the lining from an envelope I received last year. It was too pretty to throw away, so I kept it knowing I could put it to use.

The floral paper came from the lining of an envelope
Even scrappy-er. What’s left of the envelope liner
Sizzix Flip-it card die

I made this last card using a sheet of scrapbooking paper left over from a project a year or two ago. I used one of my new dies to punch the word “thanks” out of the blue portion of the paper, then used adhesive dots to make it three-dimensional.

ScrapHappy card closeup
ScrapHappy card
Thank you card using single sheet of leftover paper

Have you made something entirely out of scraps lately? Please share your link in the comments section, below.

From Kate’s blog:

“ScrapHappy is open to anyone using up scraps of anything – no new materials. It can be a quilt block, pincushion, bag or hat, socks or a sculpture. Anything made of scraps is eligible. If your scrap collection is out of control and you’d like to turn them into something beautiful instead of leaving them to collect dust in the cupboard, why not join us on the 15th of each month? You can email Kate at the address on her  Contact Me page. You can also contact Gun via her blog to join. We welcome new members. You don’t have to worry about making a long-term commitment or even join in every month, just let either of us know a day or so in advance if you’re new and you’ll have something to show, so we can add your link. Regular contributors will receive an email reminder three days before the event.”

51 thoughts on “ScrapHappy March”

  1. I am so happy two more of my friends have connected in such a great way. Kate is the best! And so are you so it seems fitting. I love what you have done with scrap paper! You make such wonderful cards and I’ve kept them all. They are even on my dresser. I have them sprinkled all over. 🙂 I love what Kate does with scraps and even more the rest of what she does. Next trip for you, Australia. You two will love each other.

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    • Marlene, Kate is a wizard in her sewing room. She turns out such beautiful and skilled projects. Thank you for your kind words regarding my cards. I hope you get some time to make cards this year, though I know you have many sewing projects to catch up on first. Having lots of creativity going all at once is a good problem to have. 🙂 xo Hugs

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  4. Love your log cabin Valentines card, it really appeals to me as a quilter! But my favourite of all of them is the Thank you card – such a great idea to bring out the message like that. GREAT use of scraps for your first visit with us 🙂

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  5. Welcome Home, Alys! Your creativity is flourishing, my friend. 🙂 I love your Quilt card made from inchies! The colors are a lovely, fresh, breath of Springtime. Each card is wonderful and such a great way to use scraps of pretty paper. I can tell you had great fun creating them all, Alys! ♡

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    • Hello Dawn. Thank you for your warm welcome and for your generous enthusiasm. I made these cards over a month ago before traveling, so it was fun to revisit them today when I wrote the post. I see a post from you in my bloglovin reader, and hope to catch up with you tomorrow. xo

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  6. I just love these beautiful cards are made from scraps! LOL! No waste here! 🙂 The recipients of a handmade card will surely appreciate the time and creativity.

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    • Thank you, Debra. I really had fun with these cards. When time permits, I hope to make more. I also enjoy using old calendars in creative ways. Isn’t it funny what tickles our fancy? Are you a crafter as well?

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      • I’m not as much a crafter these days as I once was. I have transferred much of the time it takes to gardening and I have been a serious bread baker for the last couple of years. I used to knit and quilt and I still seem to collect crafting materials always more hopeful I’ll find the time and then I just don’t. What I have learned, and you know it, too, is you really don’t “find” the time, you have to make it. I live on hope! LOL!

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        • Debra, that is so true. It can be challenging when you have many loves. We can’t do it all, but we can sure have fun trying. I’ve been teaching myself basic crochet, getting back into a bit of sewing, making cards and of course gardening. Throw in some travel, three cats, one teenager, a husband….well, you know the drill. I’m not complaining though. Life is rich and wonderful.

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  7. Hello scrappy Alys 😀 Your cards are clever and gorgeous. I love that envelope paper! Of course I’ll never look at an envelope quite the same again, ha! I haven’t really made too many cards lately. But I guess I use ‘left-overs’ more than scraps. What I do is: go buy more than I need of the latest lovely collection I can’t resist, then make a few pages, then try and use to extra stuff to fashion a card or gift back or something like that. So it’s kind of recycling, all be it lame, LOL! You’re a star and your cards are delish! LUL xo K

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  8. I was momentarily EXTREMELY impressed that you had arrived home and set to with your scraps to create these cards – then I read the comments 😀 Whew!! I was feeling rather inadequate there for a few moments 🙂 I love what you have done here and I applaud Kate’s initiative to encourage the using of scraps. I keep all my scraps colour coded in little drawers and many of my cards, mixed media work and so on will have scraps of something included – but I rarely create anything from go to whoa entirely with scrap pieces. I love the simplicity of the first card – and I think using your sewing machine would add great texture to such a layout – or you could just use a pen and do faux stitching for a softer effect. Plain or fancy stitching (blanket. chain etc) can all be done with a pen. And I love the strips – such a lot of fun and guaranteed to be a wow when done. Very cool!! This is fun! xo

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    • Pauline, I’m glad you’ve been disabused of the idea that I made these cards since returning home. I’m still patting myself on the back for getting caught up on the laundry. 😉 I knew the post would fall soon after returning home, so I had photos ready to go. I am looking forward to making more cards though as time permits. It is a fun initiative using scraps to create something new. Like you, I keep my scraps sorted by color, but in a clear, heavy-duty page protector. About six months ago I bought two carts from the Container Store and reorganized all my paper craft supplies. I sorted through my paper then, too, making this card project a breeze. I like the idea of faux stitching, but I don’t know if I have the artistic ability to do that as you do. I need to practice.

      I really enjoyed sitting in your craft/art room. Does Siddy sit in that easy chair when you are deep into your craft?

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      • I finished the laundry and tidying up yesterday and I’ve been home longer than you! Yes Siddy sometimes sits in that chair and does some waiting. Mostly though Orlando nips in first and hogs all the space so Siddy lies on the floor by the door looking hard done by …… I’ll email some pics of cards I made a couple of months back using scraps and faux stitching – its easy really.

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        • 🙂

          I should have guessed that Orlando would grab the best seat in the room. That’s a cat for you. Poor Siddy, feeling so put out. I guess sharing is out of the question?

          I’m looking forward to seeing your faux-stitched cards. xo

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          • I sent the photos. I’m wondering if there might be a little sharing allowed now there is this new warmth on the part of O towards his nuisance friend…. We’ll see! I was really touched when I noticed that Siddy gave up his preferred spot in the bed, which is up by my pillow, so that O could hang onto my hair or peer into my face while I slept during those fraught first nights home. They really do understand more than we give them credit for!

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            • Pauline, that is so dear. I love the communication one can witness between animals when you’re tuned in as you are. It’s precious. How sweet for Siddy to let his roomie have that space. He’s so gracious.

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  9. These are beautiful Alys and, like Kate, my favourite is the strip one as it looks so quilt-like 😉
    I am only an occasional participant in Scraphappy – the 15th of the month seems to come round faster and faster – I meant to include some beeswax wraps I made with leftover fabric this month but I’ve missed the deadline (again).

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    • Thank you, Lynn. I’m really having fun making cards. I enjoy hand-writing notes and letters so this is the perfect place to express some of my creativity. Here’s a thought: you can draft the start of a post now by titling it and uploading the photos. I’ve done that on occasion when I wanted to keep track of an idea, but didn’t have the time for a full-blown post. Then when the date rolls around, you’ll already have something started. I love seeing all that you create.

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    • Thank you, Kerry. I’ve made a few more like that since making this first one. I’m having fun playing with the strips in different configurations. You’ve got your hands full too, I see with weaving, hand-quilting and your handkerchief project. They’re all beautiful and so creative.

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  11. Very pretty – I have zero artistic ability. My sister and my daughter are both very talented, I just got left out. But I do admire your work and love to look at creativity! Are you home? Rested? Looks like you had a great trip.

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    • Hi Karen. Thank you for your kind words. Yes, we’re home since Sunday, and getting rested but not quite there. I’m grateful for the role of caffeine in my life. LOL Traveling with Laurie has been such a blast. She’s great company, as of course you know. I wish we lived in the same state.

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  14. These are beautiful Alys. I am really hopeful I will get my craft room finished this summer and then maybe you can come see Julia and I in the fall to “play” with us. She should be in her new place by then as well. SO plenty of organizing to be done. 🙂 I would love for you to share some of these beautiful techniques and ideas with me. I save lots of little things but I am sure I throw away a lot of what might be used because I don’t have any idea’s on what to do with it. BUT I can be taught. Julia recently sent me a lovely letter she made from a calendar page. I adore those. Take care and keep up the good work. I do hope spring is coming although it’s very cold here in VA. I loved all the posts and photos from your recent trip. Looks like it was an amazing trip.

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    • Hi Amy! Thanks for your newsy comment. I would love to come for a visit in the fall. I’m looking forward to seeing your craft space as well as Julia’s new home. We can have fun making cards, too. New Zealand is an amazing place, and spending time with people I love and have fun with was priceless.

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