Articles : Tutorials - Paper Crafting

Scrapbooking: Not Just Albums

While scrapbooking is certainly a fun and enjoyable way to preserve your precious memories, there are plenty of other paper crafting projects that you may wish to explore as well. 

Handmade Greeting Cards

Handmade greeting cards are a great way to use up leftover scrapbook paper and embellishments. In fact, many experienced scrapbookers get in the habit of making one or two cards after each cropping session. When you already have coordinating supplies picked out, you should be able to design a card in 15 to 20 minutes. Of course, if you have some extra time, you can use your card making project as an opportunity to experiment with stamping, embossing, or other techniques that may be unfamiliar to you.

For a personal touch, try incorporating duplicates of your favorite photos into your greeting card designs. For example, you could use a cute photo of your daughter eating cake on a birthday card or make thank you cards showing how you used a particular gift. Attractive landscape photos or artistic shots of everyday objects from around your home can also be incorporated into more general greeting card designs.

Unique Gift Wrap

Pretty gift wrap has the power to make even a small present seem like something special. However, this can easily become a major expense for someone on a tight budget. Save money and add a unique touch to your presents by using your scrapbook supplies to personalize plain wrapping paper and gift bags.

Photo Home Décor

Preserving your favorite photos in your scrapbook albums is wonderful, but there are some pictures that deserve to be prominently displayed in your home. Fortunately, you can put your scrapbooking skills to work by designing fun home décor projects that incorporate your special photos. All you need is a jar of Mod Podge, a foam paintbrush, and supplies from your scrapbook stash.

The sky’s the limit when it comes to decorating your home with scrapbook-inspired projects. Simple picture frames purchased from your local dollar store will look like trendy accent pieces when decoupaged with scraps of your favorite patterned papers. You can decorate large chipboard letters to spell your name or make a stack of wooden building blocks that look like a grown-up version of your favorite children’s toy.

Altered Art Projects

In addition to being good for the environment, recycling also provides a wonderful opportunity to expand your design skills. Here are a few examples of how you can use your scrapbook supplies to transform unwanted items into stylish pieces for your home:

• Jazz up an old mirror or bulletin board by adding a quote with rub on letters.
• Cover a plain composition book with patterned scrapbook paper to use as a journal for your future layout ideas.
• Turn an old CD into a fun door hanger or Christmas tree ornament by covering it with your favorite patterned paper and adding stickers or rub on letters.
• Decoupage a sturdy cardboard shoebox to use as an inexpensive storage container.

Published on 02/19/2008.