ScrapHappy For Kate

Kate, our longtime host and co-creator of the bloggers’ ScrapHappy project, needs to step back because of painful and debilitating hand issues. She put out an ask to our community of scrappy friends, and Kjerstin graciously offered to host ScrapHappy going forward.

Meanwhile, Kate is finishing another community-based project, a gorgeous ovarian cancer quilt with blocks created from around the world. She’s using her left hand, working slowly, yet determined to finish on time for the auction. You can see the quilt at the link.

This post is dedicated to Kate with affection and appreciation.

My contributions this month include five cards: three made with purple scraps using Natalie Brown’s masterboard technique, and two created with an advertising mailer rescued from a trip to the tip, so to speak.

Mixed-media styled cards aren’t for everyone, but I enjoyed the process and would like to do more.

I tore scraps of purple paper with various prints and glued them onto a larger sheet. From there, you build layers for texture and interest. I stamped with black ink, applied purple Distress Oxide ink over the white edges of the torn paper, and added some leftover rub-on decals. I sealed everything by brushing on a layer of Matte Medium (I used Liquitex).

After the new medium is dry, you can cut it into shapes. I cut the purple panel into:

Three leaves for an autumn card,

Autumn-themed card using paper scraps
Autumn-themed card using paper scraps

A tag for a card sent to a friend from Santa Fe, and;

Mixed media card using scraps and a decal from Santa Fe
Mixed media card using scraps and a decal from Santa Fe

As a panel for a Halloween card.

Halloween card using mixed media panel
Halloween card using mixed media panel

The only thing that isn’t a scrap is the Santa Fe decal. Mary Ann hails from there, and she provided travel tips for our recent visit to New Mexico. I brought home the decal with plans to eventually make a card.

I made the last two cards using an envelope from a Tommy Bahama mailer and the last few pages from a sample book a friend passed on. I probably should have stopped at one card, but I challenged myself to use the majority of the paper, which meant a lot of piecing.

Both cards are matted with pages from the sample book. I love the iridescent one and wish I had more.

Two handmade greeting cards featuring floral designs, each with a different color palette and outline styles, placed on a backdrop of green foliage.
Two up-cycled cards

I used embossing ink and white embossing powder on this first card,

A floral card featuring a white outlined drawing of flowers over a colorful background of various vibrant flowers.

and cut strips and a frame from the remaining envelope.

I used the last of the iridescent paper to make enough strips for a finished card. This one is stamped and embossed in black.

A handmade greeting card featuring a floral design outlined in black, layered over colorful diagonal stripes on a textured background, set against a backdrop of succulent plants.

Fellow makers, please consider joining us for this monthly, no-commitment challenge to create from scraps.

Thank you, Kjerstin, for picking up ScrapHappy going forward.

Kjerstin, EvaSue, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan
Moira, SandraChrisAlys,
ClaireJeanDawnGwen,
Sunny,  Sue LVera, Kate,
Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti,
VivKarrin,  Alissa, Tierney,
HannahMaggie and Wizzy

ScrapHappy April: Just One Card

Kate at Tall Tales from Chiconi brings together a group of bloggers to share creative uses of scraps. These might be paper, cloth, metal, or an as-yet-unidentified material in search of upcycling. 

scraps of red and green paper

I’ve managed one card this month using a tried-and-true pattern known as a tri-fold card. Sharon and I learned how to make this card many years ago at a Saturday crafting retreat. It works well with scraps, with the challenge of using disparate colors and textures to create a whole.

This month’s card uses an assortment of paper scraps and a rub-on decal from a paper pack. I experimented with a scrap of vellum for the focal point, and I’m pleased with the way it turned out. 

I’ve got more cards in the works…for next time.

Happy scrappy, everyone.

Here’s a list of makers with links to their blogs:

KateEvaSue, Lynda,
Birthe, Turid, Tracy, Jan
Moira, SandraChrisAlys,
ClaireJeanDawnGwen,
Sunny, Kjerstin, Sue LVera, 
Ann, Dawn 2, Carol, Preeti,
VivKarrin,  Alissa,
Hannah and Maggie