I’m joining Kate of Tall Tales from Chiconia for another monthly scrap-happy blog post. The challenge is to use scraps from other projects to make something useful, beautiful or both. Several bloggers post once a month showcasing a project made entirely from scraps.
I’m sharing a couple of scrappy cards this month using a style I learned in a card-making class earlier this year. It’s called a z fold card because of the shape it makes when opened. The cards we made in class were too fussy for my taste, but I really liked the lines. Half the fun of learning something new, is coming home and making it in your own style.
The first card went to Anne who blogs at Anne Lawson Art. Anne is an amazing artist with a special love of feathers. She sells her work in her Etsy shop. If you aren’t already following Anne, go have a look around. Her work will take your breath away.
I started with a general idea, but Anne’s card evolved over time. Out of a pack of assorted paper I found a single page of white feathers on a gray background. Kismet! I had to set that one aside for Anne. Then I found a couple of feather ephemera in a box of scraps. I couldn’t believe my luck. I had a small scrap of paper with “friend” written in a variety of languages, and finally I had all I needed for Anne’s card.
Feathers and friendships: A z-card for Anne
That said, you crafty types know that it’s not done till it’s done. The open card needed a little extra something. Knowing Anne’s love of nature, I decided to add a cut out of a nature scene from a book I brought home from Germany nearly thirty years ago. They published Holden’s Nature Notes posthumously in a book called The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady. I loved the art and had hoped to brush up on my German at the time by reading the beautiful entries. All these years later, one of Holden’s pages made it in to Anne’s card.
Assorted scraps often make the best cards
A small strip of Washi tape and a bit of sparkle and the card was ready for the post.
The opened card forms a box
Thumbing through Edith Holden’s book inspired a second card. Her illustrations are gorgeous. I also love the old, parchment-colored paper. Time to take it off the shelf and give some of the pages a second life.
Edith Holden’s beautiful art
I used the same z-fold card format for my friend’s birthday card. Paper scraps formed the bottom of the card, while punched pages from my Holden book decorate the facade and the interior. I kept this design simple, letting the illustrations speak for themselves.
A birthday card for a friend
Opened z-card
One of Edith Holden’s calendar pages
Edith Holden illustrations
Are you joining this month’s scrap-happy blog hop? Please post your link or comment below.
Thanks for inspiring us, Kate.
From Kate’s blog:
“ScrapHappy is open to anyone using up scraps of anything – no new materials. 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. New members are welcome. No long-term commitment required. Regular contributors will receive an email reminder three days before the event.”
Gardening Nirvana 
Alys, I love the scrap happy posts, and this one is no exception. The cards are gorgeous. And thanks for reminding me of Edith Holden’s beautiful work.
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Thank you, Amanda! I love these monthly scrap posts, too.
Edith Holden’s nature journal is exquisite. I hope to make more cards using some of these beautiful pages that have been otherwise languishing on my book shelf.
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That sounds wonderful.
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🙂
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These cards are gorgeous Alys; hard to believe they were made from scraps. Ironically, you’ve used two of my favourite things to make these: bird’z’ and feathers – lol. I’d really have to put my thinking cap on to come up with anything as nice as these using scraps!
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Hi Sara! Thank you so much. There is something about using what you have that makes this sort of thing both fun and challenging. You should see my desk when I’m done with all the bits that get tried and discarded. I really enjoyed putting these together, and since I’m fond of both card recipients, that plays a nice part of the design as well.
I’m happy to hear that you’re a fan of birds and feathers. Bird-z too! 😉
YOU are one of the most clever and creative people I know, so I have no doubt you would have no trouble. Maybe you can join in next month with a scrappy post. Think about it, Sara.
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My craft studio looks like a storm hit it too! You’d be shocked to see a picture of it now – lol. Does the scrap challenge happen every month? If so, if not next month, I’ll definitely join in at some point 🙂
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It’s the way of the creative soul, Sara. No one’s space stays tidy for long. 🙂
Kate sounds out an email reminder each month, a few days before the 15th. She’ll link to your blog with her post on the 15th, but since she’s in Australia, it posts many hours ahead of our time zones. I hope you’ll join us!
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No one would believe these were made from scraps. I love them. I also love the Tagebuch photo. Love her drawings. it’s all new to me. Love learning about new things.
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Marlene, I loved learning more about Edith Holden as well. I think I appreciate this book way more now then I did in the eighties. Life is all about layers. I actually thought of you quite a bit when I was thumbing my way through the pages, practicing my language skills in my head. Do you read and write as well as speak. I’m sure you’ve told me, but in the moment it’s all a bit fuzzy. 😉
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I can read a good bit of more basic words. Writing is not my forte’ as I have no German Grammar skills and speaking is the same due to grammar. My sentence structure is that of a third grader or less. ;(
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…and thank you for your kind words!
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What fun! I’ve never done that fold, I don’t think. It makes a beautiful card, and I really love that you did it with scraps!
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Thank you! Are you a card-maker? I linked to a card-making tutorial towards the top of my post. It’s really just a matter of getting the right measurements for the fold.
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My card is still sitting on the bench, because it is too beautiful to put away! It is so well made that it took me quite a while to realise that you had made it, and I can see all the love and care that you put into it. I never knew that the nest was one of Holden’s art works, although I should have, because I love her gentle, accurate illustrations.
Thank you dear Alys, for the lovely gift of friendship. xxx (and for your very kind words above!)
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Hello Anne, I’m not sure how I missed this comment over a month ago. I’m so glad you liked the card. It was fun making it for you, especially as all the scraps came together for the whole. Your work inspires me and your friendship warms my heart. xo
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Beautiful scraps become beautiful cards. Lovely ideas.
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Thank you, nanacathy2!
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Alys, these are absolutely beautiful. I’ve never seen the Z-fold cards before but what a great way to display lovely papers and re-used pages from vintage books.
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Thank you, Lynn! I’ve really enjoyed the process of pulling scraps together to make an interesting whole. I’ve been so busy this summer, but look forward to a good catch up on your blog. xo
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Just fabulous! Anne must have been thrilled when she opened her envelope, as you’ve chosen exactly the sort of thing that would appeal to her. You have a real talent for repurposing your scraps, and ScrapHappy is richer for it!
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Thank you, Kate! You inspire us all.
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Beautiful work Alys! I love how you have hunted out all these disparate pieces and put them together with skill and love! I’ve never made such a card shape, perhaps you could pop back and teach me?
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Hello, hello. As you know, I had fun making a z-fold card for you as well. I love the variations on this style and the fact that it stands up so nicely, too. I can’t wait to see your take on the card as well.
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I shall return to card making next week and I’m looking forward to having a try thanks to your thoughtful enclosure of the recipe in my own lovely card 🙂
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Wonderful!
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I don’t know if I’d ever be able to make myself cut up pages of a book lol, but love the card.
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Claire, I hear you. I was raised loving books and respecting books and I even have a Little Free Library at the curb, also filled with books. This particularly volume, though, is in German, so it doesn’t have an audience here, or if it does, a limited one. I’m happy to put the beautiful pages back out into the world in the form of cards sent with love. Thanks for stopping by!
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Wow! These cards are “keepers,” as my mother would say–the thought and careful consideration that goes into every detail blows my mind!
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Thank you, Kerry! My mom used that expression, too and I find it creeps into conversations time and again. I even joke when my husband does something especially nice; I’ll say “he’s a keeper!”
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I’m always very tentative about cutting up books, but what fabulous use you have made of an otherwise ignored tome. The results are beautiful and I think I could have guessed who the feather card was for even if you hadn’t said!
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I complete understand anyone tentatively cutting up a book. It’s not something I do lightly either. But this particular volume is in German, so it doesn’t have an audience here, or if it does, a limited one. I’m happy to put the beautiful pages back out into the world in the form of cards sent with love. And yes, our beloved Anne.
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Those cards are very special and personal. What a lovely idea. You crafty types awe me.
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You always make me smile! Thank you.
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Wowsah, as we would say in Maine. Utterly beautiful.
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Wowsah! Thanks for making my day, Laurie.
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😉
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MORE WOW!! I do hate that CA is so far away from VA as I could learn so much from you. These are beautiful. Keep up the detailed love you put in each card. It means so much. Lovely.
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Thank you, Amy! I hope you are staying dry and managing your day to day. I know you’ve had a lot going on this summer. It would be fun to set up a craft day or three if we lived closer. Sigh.
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Your cards are amazing!!
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Oh my gosh! Thank you, Connie!
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You are INCREDIBLE! Your creativity and eye for beauty never cease to amaze me, Alys. Your gorgeous cards really are greater than the sum of their (repurposed) parts. xx
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Oh my goodness, here you are again making me feel like a million bucks. Thank you, HB. One day one of my cards will arrive in your mailbox. But first, I must know your favorite color.
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You DESERVE to feel like a million bucks, dear Alys! And anyway, I’m only repaying your kind favor. 🙂 As for favorite color … hmmm … green, I guess? Or blue. It depends on the hue! But I can assure you that no matter the color, I will *love* anything you make. xoxo
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I love green and blue, too, with purple trailing third. Oh my wheels are turning now.
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❤️
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Lovely work, Alys.
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Thank you, Helen! I really enjoyed making them.
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😊
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My mother had a copy of this book and it was one that I kept. The artwork is wonderful and your use of it in cards made it even more special. Lovely work, as always, Alys!
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Mary Elizabeth, I’m amazed at how many people not only know this book, but have a special place for it in their heart. It spoke to me all those years ago in that German book store. I’m inspired to find another copy in English so I can appreciate her words along with the art. xo
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OMgosh ! You’re so, so creative! Gorgeous cards Alys. The paper you used with the book pages is perfect too. Anyone (meaning me, LOL) can easily make something pretty from a plethora of co-ordinated products they sell now, but repurposing scraps in such a beautiful way I think is much trickier. The artwork in Edith Holden’s book is really delightful. I love how they’re coloured. Reminds me of another artist, Marjolein Bastin. You’ve probably seen her on everything from cards to dishes to linens etc. Would it be something to have that kind of talent? I think you could even repurpose the book page you cut from by placing photo’s of your garden in the cut-outs and mounting the page onto cardstock for a photo frame. It’s to pretty to toss ! xo K
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This is high praise coming from you, Boomdee. Thank you, thank you!
I love Marjolein Bastin. I used to buy her cards all the time from our local Hallmark store. She’s an amazing talent and I love her style and subject matter, usually flowers, nature, birds and art.
I love your tip on reusing the cut out as a frame. What a great idea! You’re amazing. xo
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mwaaaa, amazing or just loaded with project idea’s I seldom get to? You ! YOUR amazing xoxox
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Amazing! And I had no idea there is a German translation of Edith Holden’s book which I have had and treasured since I was a teenager! Well done for putting such lovely images together for cards Alys. 🙂
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Cathy, you’re the second person to mention owning a copy of this book. I must find another version in English so I can fully appreciate her words. Her art, however, transcends. What a talent.
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