Paper scraps and offcuts are almost inevitable when you're a paper crafter, but they don't have to end up in the bin. Today I want to share a simple idea that uses all the long strips of paper that I always seem to end up with when crafting. I've shared a similar idea before, but this time I'm taking it a couple of steps further for an interesting effect.
1. First, secure the long strips side-by-side on an angle. I've attached mine to a scrap piece of printer paper that I cut to about an A6 size (the size of a card front). I then trimmed it to 10cm x 14cm.
2. Cut the paper into 2cm strips, then cut each strip into 2cm squares.
3. Secure each square to your card, alternating the direction of the angle. For example, on the first square the paper strips are angled upward from left to right. On the second square, the strips are angled downward from left to right. Continue alternating until you have completed an entire row.
4. Start the second row with the strips facing the opposite way to the one above, then continue alternating in the same manner until your entire card front is covered. You'll end up with a background that looks a little like parquetry.
I created a second background (below, right) by cutting 2cm strips, rotating the 2nd and 4th by 180 degrees, and layering them side by side, which also gave me a pretty effect. All that's left to do now is decorate!
Products:
