Makes you feel good to be frugal
Remember my alternative projects for the June Paper Pumpkin Kit? One of those alternatives was made using strips of the various patterned and coloured paper that came in the kit. After making that card, I thought I’d create a third project, using the left-over paper-strip piece.
It so happens that every once in a while I create a project using left-overs or scraps. Whenever this is the case, I feel so good about myself, as though I conquered some big bad evil in the world! LOL! It feels like I should get to wear a little crown for the rest of the day!
Sadly, that’s probably a strong indicator that this is a rare occurrence and, in fact, leads me to realize that I should seek out more opportunities to be thrifty.
Making the card
This Paper Pumpkin alternative project has multiple strips of paper adhered to a piece of Window Sheet (acetate). The stripey acetate was run through the Cut & Emboss Machine with one of the Layered Circle Dies to cut out the centre. I made my first card using the circle piece. You can see the information on that card by clicking HERE.
The sentiment from the Expressions in Color kit is stamped on Basic White cardstock. I used my Stamparatus so I could stamp the sentiment more than once.
Why do I want to stamp it more than once, you ask? Well, my crafty friends, there are a couple reasons: First, if it doesn’t stamp evenly, I can easily re-ink my stamp and go for it again. Second, I can clean my stamp with my Simply Shammy and use Versamark ink to stamp it again in the same spot, so I can use Clear Embossing Powder. This gives me a beautiful, glossy, coloured sentiment!
Using your Stamparatus also allows you to do a second layer of embossing powder to get an even better finish. After heat-setting your powder, place your paper back into position in the Stamparatus and ink it a second time with Versamark ink. Stamp again over your previous image (in exactly the same place, because of this amazing stamp position tool!). At this point, you’re ready to add your Clear Embossing Powder again and heat-set it for a super glossy finish! No pitting or vacant areas. Just amazing!
The rest of the design is pretty simple.
I layered the leaf patterned vellum from the kit over a Smoky Slate card base, following that with the Basic White stamped and spattered piece. The stripey acetate is adhered with Stampin’ Dimensionals to give it that cool floating paper-strips look.
Tucked in the lower right section of the circle, is a die-cut element (also from the June Paper Pumpkin kit) adorned with a delicate bow. This is a segment of Fresh Freesia Open Weave Ribbon that had been cut in half along its length before tying it into a double bow and adhering to the card with a Glue Dot.
Two adhesive-backed sequins give the final touch to this project.
How do you manage your paper scraps?
I don’t always use left-over pieces from cards that I’ve made. However, I do recycle the smaller scraps and I cut larger scraps to sizes so that I can use them more readily. Often, the remains of a card could be used with more intention, rather than being tossed aside and ending up in the recycle bin because of lack of imagination. Perhaps I could challenge myself to make a card with the scraps from the previous project every time? Then I could wear my do-good crown almost everyday! LOL!
(I guess I need to make myself a crown!)
If you have any good tips or tricks for managing your paper scraps and left-over card bits, please share your wisdom! I’m sure I’m not the only person who struggles with being frugal.
