ScrapHappy July: Paper Scraps

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I really love this scrap happy thing! I don’t always join in, in fact this is only the second time I’ve made it – but I often finish things as a result of seeing what comes by………..

Two days ago, in search of something else, I emptied a pile of papers from my scrap drawer and searching through the leftover-unfinished-discarded pieces

I unearthed these – all patched up and ready to go

paper patchwork

I remembered finding these left over papers – years old – and thinking them terribly unattractive had been about to consign them to the bin when I decided to challenge myself and make ’em into something useful. I’d cut and layered and patched and doodled and still not really liked them very much. Then I’d had a wee flash from ye olde lightbulb and whipped out some black card and white lacy washi tape and voila! You can tart dress anything up with a bit of lace can’t you? But then they had been consigned back into the drawer again, covered over with succeeding layers of half finished items, discarded left overs and assorted bits and bobs…….

Feeling rather pleased with this find and knowing ScrapHappy was due, I decided to finish off these poor neglected scraps. Barely half an hour later, three notecards and one greeting card completed

Perfect for a patchworker or quilter or seamstress or anybody really. And I was so pleased when I put together that sentiment on the greeting card – it’s a universal metaphor isn’t it?

Join in with Kate and all the other ScrapHappy artisans here or just go look, admire and be inspired.

Thanks for coming by today, I’m so happy that you did!

69 thoughts on “ScrapHappy July: Paper Scraps”

  1. Those are unique and beautiful. That’s what I need, a drawer for my not-quite-right things that I can come back to later and find a way to make just right! Thanks for sharing.

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    • You make it sound like such a good idea 🙂 I really just keep them because it feels wrong somehow to toss away pieces I’ve worked on – do you know what I mean? I went through that drawer after making these cards though and had to admit defeat on a few pieces that had been stored away for a considerable time – but also I’ve taken out a couple more scraps worth putting a bit more time into…….. Thanks for coming by 🙂

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  4. Been a while since I have seen scrappy cards. These look amazing, Pauline. So lovely to see you turning the paper scraps into something a new, and the cards look very upbeat. Maybe you will make more soon 🙂

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  5. I don’t know why I should be amazed at what you come up with, Pauline, because you always come through, and as someone who also hates waste I’m right with you here! Patterns and colour do it for me everytime :>) Good going!

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  6. Scrappy cards are my favorite! These are fun, Pauline. I’m so glad you unearthed them and made them “whole” and ready for sending. Scrap happy is fun, and like you, I enjoy reading, even if I don’t have something to offer. xo

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  11. These are beauties! I am such a fan of scraps. In fact, my memoir-that-may-never-be-finished is titled “Scrap” and I want to write a scrap poem for the book. Everything about scraps fascinates me. Thank you for the link–I just went and followed and will enjoy later!

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    • I just learned something new about you Luanne – this all sounds very intriguing. I think ‘Scraps’ is an excellent name for a memoir – when we look back at our lives that’s so often what we see, scraps of memories, events, feelings, responses and those scraps all woven together lead us to – us 🙂 We are all our own unique scrapbook……..

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      • I love scrapbooks and all the new types of crafts that are scrapbookey. And then my dad is the prominent character in my memoir besides myself, and he was “scrappy” hahaha.

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  12. It is wonderful to see what can be done with “scraps” in the hands of an artist. The cards are pretty and enticing. They don’t look anything like scrap pieces.

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  17. You can (tart) dress anything up with a bit of lace can’t you? That made me laugh! 😉 You have a wicked sense of humor. The scraps turned into treasures. I love the sentiment too.

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  21. Never throw anything away – isn’t that the best advice! You never know what gems they may become. The notecards and greeting card (especially the greeting card with the saying) are gorgeous, Pauline.
    I sent one of your ‘never too old’ cards to the writers at the inaugural Carrot Ranch Writers’ Refuge in Vermont. It is clearly visible in a photograph Charli posted on Facebook. I mentioned you in a comment on it so, if you go to Facebook, hopefully, you might be able to see it. They are gorgeous cards and meant to be shared but I was really reluctant to send any away. I couldn’t think of anyone nicer to share them with though. 🙂 Thank you.

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    • Oh that is so nice to hear Norah! I shall have to go to Facebook and see if I can find it. Sometimes I get sent there by Greenpeace or AVAAZ to post something important, but tend not to stay too long. I miss all kinds of nice stuff, but I would probably have missed it anyway due to their strange algorithm. I am working on a new shop page – a long and slow job – and will be offering more of those cards eventually. This latest lot are one off originals though 🙂

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  22. I guess we all have those scraps. Mine are story ideas, dodgy bits of poetry and the occasional half baked character description. Never thought of adding lace though. Maybe I need to try that… do you think it counts?

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  23. How great, that these finally came together so well and can be put to use! They really turned out to be so appealing–it just took time for the inspiration to come. Time and a ScrapHappy nudge! I need to work harder to live up to this monthly challenge. God knows I have scraps . . .

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    • I was thinking exactly the same thing Kerry. I’ve been having another, deeper level cleanout in my craft room and unearthing so many boxes of carefully stored items going back to the beginning of my crafting days…. I ought to be able to produce something every month for the next 100 years 🙂

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  26. How great to be able to finish off an abandoned project… it feels doubly scrappy! It always a nice feeling to come back to something you weren’t satisfied with and see a way forward. Finishing touches can make such a difference.

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    • I’m having a clear out and tidy up in my play room and finding soooo many abandoned/forgotten projects, I may never have to start another one! But clearly this one needed a long time to percolate 🙂 How’s your tooth?

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  27. Hello hello ! Back to my ‘un-usual’ routine (LOL) of late night snooping at WordPress. Just had two wonderful weeks of holidays with Alys (we had so much fun) and came by to see what lovely things you’ve been doing.
    You’re so good to re-visit a half-hatched project. Bravo Pauline. If I don’t finish something quickly, it never see’s completion. I’ve actually just purged such things from my craft room because it was over-flowing. I do save scraps of my favourite collections though, to use on projects later. I like the patchwork idea a lot 😀 The colours are gorgeous and I fancy the doodling too. Hope all is well in Dunedin. Hugs to you all there, you, Siddy, O and Aunty D xoxox K

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    • I am doing the same thing Kelly – everything is getting pulled out and sorted. I have stuff I haven’t used in six years and therefore it won’t get used and the things we crafters save because they ‘might be useful one day’ simply means that after a few years we (I) have hit hoarder status! My aim is to half the amount of supplies. Currently I’d need to live to be a hundred and twenty-seven to use up all my supplies – given I could still hold a pair of scissors and a glue gun safely! (It’s already getting a bit tricky!) I’m glad to hear you had a great holiday. Of course I’ve missed all the news not being on social media but I can imagine the fun you had. All is just okay here – it is cold and dark most of the time and might be wet tomorrow as well. It’s a good time to be having a big clean out!

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  28. Isn’t it funny how you can put something aside, then look at it anew and see something else? A few weeks ago, I made a sewing machine cover out of curtains I’d sewn back in the 1980’s. I’d used them as picnic cloths and assorted other things and who knows what I’ll do with the scraps that are left. I do like these cards–they made me think of Kerry, of course!

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      • Hmmm…Nothing so nice as what the scrap happy people do, but I did repurpose some old knitted dishcloths into blankets for sweating summer glasses with cold beverages in. I used to use sock tops, but don’t have any I’d cut up at the moment! Used the machine for that most recently and have another project ready, but it may take a while to get to–back to work tomorrow!

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  29. Oh, good work! It’s like putting the binding on a quilt; a crisp and beautiful edge finishes things up and just completes the job. You’ve got to love a bit of black and lace…

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  30. Pauline, you are so clever and creative! I love these and you’re right. The lace makes all the difference. I also like the black doodles and the tiny border of black background. What a wonderful way to use up your bits and pieces.

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    • Thanks Carol. I’m constantly being reminded – and never quite remember – that colours and or patterns I don’t like can actually be made into something quite attractive if you just keep going …….. Scraps are good for that lesson 🙂

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