My Annual Scrappy Background Fest...

 

My annual Scrappy Background Fest! Part of me was saying, just skip it this year, it's been too hectic. But once I sat down and separated all the pieces in my little box that lives by my Genesis cutter, I couldn't stop! I made ten... :)

 

THEN, I transformed these nine into cards. My stash is growing again... YAY!!

A week or so later, I added another three...

Last year's post can be seen HERE with my process... 

My old stand-by... Scrappy Backgrounds

I made about a dozen Scrappy Backgrounds over the weekend while the Ernman was watching football. THEN, on Monday and Tuesday, I turned these seven into cards. Now, my mission (should I choose to accept it) is to get these postal... well, all except that "pumpkin" one. That'll have to wait until fall. ;)

So, let me share my process. I start with this plastic canvas box the Ernman made me (shown in upper left) which sits just above my Genesis cutter. I put all strips from projects or pretty paper that I find interesting. Once that box is full, I organize the strips in front of me in rainbow order, than neutrals to the right and multi colors right in the front...

As I decide which color I want to make, ie: red, blue, black, orange, I incorporate strips of the same background paper INTO the piece. Working on typing paper, I cover the typing paper with adhesive so every strip I lay down has adhesive it will sit on. I start with one color in the top left corner going kitty-corner, about and inch or so down from the top. From there, going perpendicular, all pieces will butt up against it. Going back to the kitty-corner strip, I fill in until all typing paper is covered. I leave NO open space between pieces...

 

The two pieces on the right show what the piece looks like after the edges that hang over have been trimmed off. At this point, I dry emboss the piece which firmly cements those strips to the typing paper. In my opinion, this is what brings this Scrappy Background to a whole new level. Then it's mounted on a 3.75" by 5" colored cardstock matching what's in the piece. The two on the left show that piece mounted on a 4.25" by 5.5" (A2) cardstock. Six of the seven in the first photo were put directly on a white card base...

Before I put this one on the white card base, I added the orange twine, the pumpkin ephemera and bling. Many times, Scrappy Backgrounds just blow my mind. That's what happened with this creation. Many times, I leave the finished piece as is until I decide what kind of card I may need. A lot become "Hello", "Happy Birthday" or even "Merry Christmas". I've been making Scrappy Backgrounds for YEARS so if you search "Scrappy Background" for this blog, you'll find many. I hope you have as much fun with this as I do. Thank you for your interest...

Finished Christmas Cards Prior to Year End...

These dozen I completed between Christmas and New Year's. They are like others I did during the year but they weren't completely finished in time to send. The ATC's in the front are still in need of a sentiment but... not today. It was delightful to have the time to finish these this week, so I did. :)

From the October 2021 Paper Pumpkin kit, and previous post. I had enough envelopes to make five more...

Finished Scrappy Backgrounds that are a quick and easy card. Add twine, bling and sentiment and bada boom! More Christmas cards...

This one, the background was completed from a video I watched of Nina-Marie Trapani's a couple months ago. The struggle here was die-cutting this Concord and 9th mistletoe three times and stacking them. Ou vey!

And a napkin card completed...

Off and running tomorrow with my annual challenge to make a minimum of five Christmas cards each month... who's with me? And, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Scrappy Backgrounds...

On Monday, I asked in Seongsook's Stampers, what's your favorite color? My thought was to make Scrappy Backgrounds in the colors that were mentioned, then get them postal to those who answered. I started with the "brick, or deep red" color, then teal, then yellow. When I start a Scrappy session, I take all the scraps that I keep in the white elongated box that the Ernman made me that you can see behind the iron and lay them out in rainbow order, then get to work...

Blue was an incredibly popular answer so, I'll focus on that next. Meanwhile, back at my desk, these will go postal... :)

Oldie Moldie Challenge...

 In one of my cardmaking groups, this past weekend, we had a challenge to use things in our stash that hadn't been used in a long while. Here's my entries...

 This one, I had had these Gina Marie Designs dies for well over a year... my bad! I used my Distress Oxides on the background and the pieces I used to die-cut the moon, clouds, sun and stars...

 This one too, is a Gina Marie Designs set...

 Then I decided to tackle a 6" x 6" pad I've had for many moons AND a stamp sentiment I have always loved. I made three of these...

As I was working on these Scrappy Backgrounds, I realized I could polish off the pad. Oh what fun that was!!! So, one weekend, ten cards... YAY!! 

I really loved the Gina Marie set with the moon, sun, stars and clouds. Which is YOUR favorite? 

It just came together, by itself...

I colored this image last January (see post HERE) but could never figure out what to do with it.  I made the Scrappy Background just as long ago, this one with squares and rectangles and again, didn't know what to do with it.  About a month ago, I die-cut around the image and distressed it, STILL not knowing what to do with it.  So it and the Scrappy Background have been floating around my desk for quite awhile.  YESTERDAY, they met up with each other and a lightbulb went on in my mind.  HOLY COW!  They belong together!  I love how this came out...

Paying it Forward...

 

I'm trying out a new group on Facebook called "Card Swaps for Card Addicts" that matches you to a partner once a month and you swap that months "themed" card.  Before I was matched up with my partner however, I received a "Pay it Forward" card from a women in the group.   The idea is that once I receive the card from her, I post it, people like and comment and I pick two "winners" to continue the game.  These are the two cards I made to send to my two winners.  I was very pleased with them as they're using up the flowers I make from
the Mixed Media monoprints that I enjoy doing...

I was so pleased with the "Pay it Forward" idea that I introduced it to Seongsook's Stampers.  This is SOOOOO fun that I can only hope I will be picked again to play the "Pay it Forward" game.  What a fun, fun, concept... :)



Scrappy Backgrounds...

Last night I had a special request for one of my Scrappy Backgrounds.  I whipped it out pretty darn quick and got it in the mail...

 

This morning (5am btw), I see all the scraps still on my craft table and they were just screaming to get used.  I forgot how much I LOVE doing these.  In three hours, I had these all made, cut, layered and put on card bases.  All but the sentiments... they were a struggle.

 

You see, I have a little box of already stamped sentiments and I was DETERMINED to use only from that box.  Now, that wouldn't really be a problem if these cards were going to Operation Write Home.  There are plenty of missing you, thinking of you, thank you and happy birthday.  However, I want to use these personally and there just aren't alot of people to whom I wish to say I'm missing you, thinking of you, thank you or happy birthday.

From morning to night...

The first thing I wanted to do this morning was get rid of some red paper.  So I found this card on Pinterest to CASE.  I made six.  The bad thing is, I only used up three pieces of red out of thirty I'd like to get gone... :(

Next, I wanted to take a few of these sentiments from a  lovely RAK I received from Sherry and turn them into cards...

 

I headed straight for my previously made Scrappy Backgrounds.  Wow!  Eight quick cards... :)  It's pretty evident though, that it's time for another "Scrappy" session.  I only have five left...

 

 

And this has to be my favorite from the bunch.  Probably because it is so bright and happy.  I'm sending it to a very delightful young lady (a friend of Zack's) up in Marblehead.  I bet it makes her day...

 

And finally, this evening, I did eight of these.  I picked six papers from my scrap pile, cut into strips and used the same on all of them.  Then I just did some old fashioned over and under and over and under stuff.  Pretty fun...

 

So ends this day of crafting.  If I'm counting right, that makes twenty-two.  That makes one very happy crafter here and a future FULL box to Operation Write Home... :)

 

Making it gone...

When I struggled thru this paper in the post of early June (see HERE), my mentor, Barb, recommended I use the rest to make Scrappy Backgrounds.  So, I made seven.  I actually followed the tutorial and cut the papers 1/2" wide.  I've never done that before.  I've always made my Scrappy backgrounds with miscellaneous widths that have been leftover.  The paper goes wicked fast when you cut it all at 1/2"... :)

 

The other four on the left are following the Scrap Wrangler's "Using Scraps" tutorial (see HERE).  This makes the paper disappear really fast too...

So, it's official... I am DONE with this paper!  There are some leftovers but they are going to the Yard Sale box... period!

 

 In my goal to make between 50 - 100 cards in the month of June using ONLY what I have in my studio, I have now reached 71...





It's Bloghop time!!

Happy Memorial Day!
Join me as we honor those who have fought for our freedoms...

All of my cards in this post will be used as fronts for "Any Hero" notes that I have to forward to OWH during this month of Military Appreciation.  This first set of cards is using paper from a 12" x 12" pad called "Americana" that I acquired at a Yard Sale for a mere $2.  Talk about score!  All the sheets were still in it and in perfect condition...

This second set of cards are ones I CASEd many moons ago, when Zack ran his campaign to have every student at Marblehead High School write an "Any Hero" note.  I loved it so much, I've made it many, many times since then.  I don't know where the digi is from so if anyone can fill me in, I'd be grateful...
Update:  Click HERE for the link to the digi, thank you Elsie B.

And of course, what's a Blog Hop without the trusty old Scrappy Background and Starburst.  This last set of cards used only scraps from my "Any Hero" box.  That includes previously stamped images, stickers and digis.  Once again, if you know where the "Star Spangled happiness... " digi is from, please enlighten me... :)

SO, why so many "Any Hero" fronts?  One of Zack's final assignments in his Communications class at Embry-Riddle this past semester was to give a Persuasive Argument.  Zack choose to persuade his audience on why they should write a note of encouragement to a deployed hero.  Three quarters of his class obliged.  Sandy, if you're reading this, you would have beamed.  Zack showed me the link of the "argument" and I could not be prouder!  It overwhelms me to know my passion is his passion...

Have a safe and Happy Memorial Day!  Enjoy your time... and remember our heroes, past and present.  To get back to the beginning of the Blog Hop, click HERE


Christmas Challenge

I was so excited when I made these seven semi-Scrappy Backgrounds out in Ohio at the beginning of the month.  When I got back to Jersey, I made the two cards.  I don't like them and I'm not sure why.  That's why I stopped working on them.  NOW, it's almost the end of the month and I don't have my five done... :(  Any thoughts you can share would be greatly appreciated...

Clean and Simple...

So, what do you think of this? You'll laugh when I tell you what the patterned paper is. Are you ready? Scrappy Backgrounds!! Yes, I am obsessed!! But before you go thinking I did each of those pieces seperately, let me assure you... I did not! Everytime I make a Scrappy Background, I make it on an A2 size piece of copy paper. Since I rarely ever use that entire size on a finished card, I cut down as needed. These are those pieces that were cut down. I thought they were way too lovely to toss. I thought one day I'd figure out what to do with them and here you have it.  Pretty darn simple...



Sleepover and Any Hero notes...

 Last weekend we had all five neighbor kids over for a sleepover to give the parents a night out to celebrate a birthday.  Three girls and two boys.  Add them to Ernie's two and can you say "chaos!". 

Actually, I think it went rather smoothly...

 

Besides making cookies and watching movies, we made Any Hero cards in my studio.  With the exception of two, everyone made it in there at one point or another during the overnight.  Haley, the oldest of the five (age 12), almost never left (future cardmaker maybe? Hmmm...).  The rule was, for every card you make, you must write a note to a hero thanking them for their service. 
It was a very successful rule!

 

They used Scrappy Backgrounds and partial fronts that I hadn't turned into anything yet (upper right hand corner).  I showed them HOW to make Scrappy Backgrounds (front four).  And we tried our hand at using Dylusions Ink Spray (the middle bunch)...

 

  

The final result is that I have 18 Any Hero notes to include in my next shipment to

Operation Write Home... YAY!!

 



Do these ever end?

 

I've CASEd this card from one I saw on Pinterest using one of the 50 Scrappy Backgrounds I made last January.  My goal today was to whittle that pile down by more than half.  I lost the battle to a migraine but I'll finish it up tomorrow, for sure!  The days of the week are a leftover from my Project Life goodies.  I thought the colors of the days matched perfectly with the colors I had chosen for this Scrappy Background... almost as if I'd made it intentionally for this.  How's THAT for perfect?!!  And Ronni, if you're reading this, each day is mounted on some of the scraps you sent me... you see, the gift that keeps on giving!  :)

 



Another Version of Scrappy Background...

 

This is another version of the Scrappy Background.  I just love doing this!  Not only does it use up so many scraps, it's very relaxing to me.  I'd guess it's like doing a puzzle for others.  As you can see, there are many different sizes of scraps.  It's a challenge to find a piece that will work in each spot.  Just like looking for the ONE piece that elludes you.  On these pieces, not only did I use up my scraps; I challenged myself to use up pre-stamped sentiments.  How'd I do?

 



Using up those Scrappy backgrounds...



Last January, the only "crafty" thing I could do while visiting Ernie during the renovation was make Scrappy Backgrounds. I made over fifty. I loved picking what colors to use and I picked all kinds of color combos, including some with Christmas and Winter colors...



 

 

FINALLY, an opportunity to use them!

 

I turned two into Christmas cards which will be shown in a future post and then two like this.  The sentiment is one I stamped while visiting Sherry last week.  She has such cool sentiments that I've never seen.  And the snowflakes are from some she sent me last year.  It doesn't show up clearly in this picture but, the Scrappy background (cut 4.875"x 3.625") is mounted on navy blue then white.  I think it looks stunning in person...

 

A few more for Donna...

 

A few more to send to South Carolina with my sister-in-law.  See previous post...

 



The Inevitable Scrappy Background

 

During those months that I visited South Bound Brook during the renovation, I spent many a weekend making Scrappy Backgrounds since there was very little else that could be done.  Fortunately for me, it is a task that I thoroughly enjoy.  I now have a pile of about fifty.  My

sister-in-law Donna is visiting for a huge family event this weekend and she asked if I could make her a couple cards to give to a friend in her church who would send them to shut-ins.  I gave her my pile of Scrappy Backgrounds and told her to pick some that appealed to her.  I then turned them into cards.  That was pretty fun!  I tried the Triple Time technigue with the one on the right, interesting effect I thought.  I like how rounding the corners and punching a border on the one on the left made for such a different look.  My brain is churning trying to come up with another group for her to take back before she leaves next Wednesday...



Mom's birthday...

 

This is a selection of cards that I made and put together for my Mom's 79th birthday... which is today!  You may recognize these from previous posts.  ALL are using up scraps.  I don't really know if she sends many cards but she should be able to use these up in the coming year.  I've sent her two birthday, two thinking of you and two no sentiment...

 

My mom is a quilter and I thought these all had a quilted feel to them.