Scrapbook paper idea – Stash Buster

If you are any type of crafter who enjoys sewing and/or paper crafts, chances are pretty good you have a great collection of scraps. Follow along with me as I show you how to create some great projects using these scraps.

This technique is sort of like creating a mosaic, minus the messy grout. First, choose some coordinating colors of patterned paper and use a pair of scissors to cut them in random shapes. I chose to cut mine into shapes with straight edges.

I chose a black, white and cream color combo to create the bird napkin rings shown above. After you have plenty of cut pieces, glue them to the surface of a piece of cardstock with a paper adhesive such as Zip Dry Paper Glue by Beacon Adhesives.

Completely cover the surface of an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet, overlapping pieces as needed.

For the fabric sheet, I chose cotton fabric, burlap, a netting type of fabric for added interest and printed canvas.

Here is the final result. Instead of wet adhesive, I fused my uncut fabric to Lite Steam a Seam with an iron and then cut the pieces into “tiles.” I used the iron to fuse the fabric pieces to the cardstock sheet after peeling off the paper backing.

Now that you have your paper and/or fabric mosaic sheet completed, use a sewing machine and contrasting thread to free form random lines on the surface of the sheets with a straight stitch.

Ok- so these are interesting but what can we do with them, right? I used a Sizzix Big Shot Machine to die cut my favorite bird shape from the sewn paper mosaic sheet.

For the wing, I used a recycled cardboard box to trace a simple teardrop shape. I cut it out and peeled the top layer away to reveal corrugated cardboard. Ink the wing and add a pretty embellishment and voila!

These Karen Foster sparkle brads were purchased from Scrapbook.com. To adding some extra durability to the bird shapes, die cut a bird from the recycled cardboard box and glue the pieces together with the paper adhesive. Then, use Collage Pauge to coat the sewn surface.

I love to create napkin rings, they are a pet project of mine. I used a recycled cardboard roll to create a ring and mounted the bird to the ring with Aleenes Tacky Glue. If you want extra durability for the cardboard ring, consider adding some fabric tape to the outer ring. These can also be purchased from my etsy shop.

What did I do with the sewn fabric mosaic? I used it to adorn the front of a journal cover, to capture all my inspirational thoughts and ideas when the moment strikes.

Since I have plenty of paper and fabric scraps laying around, I am looking to introduce you to a new technique once or twice a month. What do you do with your paper and fabric scraps? I would love to hear your ideas!

Live Life Creatively,