Scrappy Background

Paper offcuts are unavoidable for me when I'm paper crafting, but thankfully there are loads a great ideas on the web for using up your scraps without it looking like you're using up your scraps! A few of the card makers who join in our big November challenge also keep me inspired with amazing designs using their paper offcuts.

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Coordinating Products

Having coordinating products helps to take the guess work out of matching up your images and papers. Here, I've used the Blue Wren patterned paper and cut sheets to make a pretty birthday card.

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Digital Sale Items

Over the next few months I'll be adding lots of the old, retired sets into the digital sale section of my store for people who missed them the first time around, or for those trying to use up odd amounts of store credit. Everything will be under $10.00AU, with some items as low as 50c. Check back regularly to see the new additions.

DIGITAL STORE PERMANENTLY CLOSING
PLEASE REMEMBER TO USE YOUR STORE CREDIT BY THE 30th OF JUNE

Silhouettes

Silhouette images are a great way to show off a background while still having an item of interest as your focal point. For my background, I used 1" squares of patterned paper adhered to silver cardstock that had been cut with a deckled-edge punch. The little birds were mounted on foam tape and secured over the top. 

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Tutorial - Reverse Fold Slimline Cards

One simple cut can transform a basic tri-fold into a fabulous Reverse Fold Slimline card!

1. Place a 101/2" x 81/4" piece of cardstock horizontally on your score board and score at 31/2" and 7". Fold along the score lines to make a concertina.

2. Measure and make a pencil mark 41/4" down the left-hand edge of the cardstock. Cut from the pencil mark to the top of the second score line to form the card base.

3. Trim four pieces of patterned paper to 31/4" x 8". You can use four of the same colour, or mix them up for some fun contrast.

4. Three of the patterned paper pieces will need to be trimmed on an angle. The simplest way to do this is to place the off cut from the card base (step 2) on your trimmer or guillotine to act as a guide.

5. Place two of your papers face to face.

6. Lay the long side of the paper against the off cut so that it's on an angle. Manoeuvre the patterned paper so that the corner is at the edge of the blade or cut line, then cut.

7. Repeat the process with ONE of the other pieces of patterned paper. It should be placed face down on your trimmer of guillotine so that it is in the correct orientation for your card.

8. Place the paper over the card base and use a pencil to mark any excess. Trim the excess with a craft knife, trimmer or guillotine.

9. Secure three pieces to the inside of the card, and the fourth piece to the centre panel on the reverse side.

10. Create a belly band by folding a 1" x 81/4" piece of cardstock around your card and securing the ends with glue. Remember not to pull it too tight or you'll have trouble sliding it on and off the card. Decorate with some coordinating patterned paper.

11. Decorate the card and belly band as desired.

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Uploads Complete

Time To Shop!

All of the old digital stamps have now been uploaded into the SALE section of the store.

Everything is marked at half price or less, so there are plenty of bargains to be had!

Please remember to use up your store credit before the end of June 2025.

Blue Wren Glitter Card

I found some fabulous glitter card in my stash that's the perfect match for the little blue wren. I used it, along with a piece of embossed white card, to frame the little bird. The sentiment was heat embossed onto a piece of vellum and carefully adhered to the glitter card.

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Pinking Shears

At the beginning of the year, during a mini clean-out, my pinking shears made the journey from my sewing basket to my papercraft tool bucket. I could never get them to cut fabric properly, but they really do a great job on cardstock! It made me curious about the products other people use across different crafts... do you have a favourite?

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Tutorial - Patterned Paper Background

Patterned paper is one of the most popular items used to decorate backgrounds. It's versatile, accessible and comes in a huge variety of colours, patterns and designs. Today I want to show you a simple way to combine different papers to create fun backgrounds.

1. Start with two, three, or four pieces of patterned paper. I want to end up with 4" squares, so my papers measure 4" high by 41/2" wide. (The extra 1/2" will be trimmed away later).

2. Run a thin line of glue down each side of one piece of paper, then lay the other over the top to secure them together. If you are using multiple papers, continue this process until all pieces are joined together.

3. Use a large pair of scissors or a kraft knife to cut the paper into strips. You can make them any shape you like.

4. Break the strips apart and rearrange them so the colours alternate. Since you've cut them exactly the same, the strips will fit together like a jigsaw puzzle.

5. Glue or tape them onto a piece of base paper and trim to size. If desired, you can add some ink to the edges of all the pieces before reassembling. You might also like to run your complete piece through an embossing folder for a little more texture. Now they're ready to use on your cards!

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