What to do with the ugly paper??
We all have it, shoved somewhere at the back of your stash... that secret thing no one wants to talk about. THE UGLY PAPER. There. I said it. Ugly paper. As much as paper crafters hate to admit it, ugly papers do exist. Now, that said, I realize that one person's not pretty is another's jaw-dropping I love it.
We buy paper because it's pretty. Because we love it. Because something inside of us tells us we must have it... but, what do you do when you just don't love it? Hopefully, with most double sided papers, you like at least one side. But, sometimes, that just doesn't happen. So, here are some easy ideas for the papers you don't love. By the way- the papers used for this blog post are current Stampin' Up! papers, and not something I necessarily find ugly... I just needed something to create with :)
If you see something you love, and need to have, please check out my online shop here.
Dies/punches
We have them. We love them. Did you know you can also cut shapes out of patterned paper? My go-to is usually solid cardstock, but, you can use your not so loved patterned paper to give a little interest to your die cut shapes. I used the Ornate Garden designer paper, Well Written dies for the birthday, and Playful Alphabet dies for this quick and easy card. Plus, but thinking about the die placement on the patterned paper, you can get two cards for the work of one!
Sacrifice it to try a new project
Ideas are everywhere, and, if you're like me, when you either come up with an original idea, or are trying something for the first time, you don't want to wreck your favourite paper. And sometimes, using copy paper just doesn't work, because it's not thick enough to hold multiple folds, whereas Stampin' Up! designer paper will work wonderfully. Then, once you know that your idea will work, move onto the pretty stuff!
Paper Piecing
The first time I saw a card with paper piecing used, I was sold. It's such an easy way to add a little bit of colour and pattern to your card. Select your stamp, and paper. For this card, I chose the Dressed to Impress stamp set, and stamped it on Whisper White card stock. Once your image is stamped on the cardstock, restamp it onto the patterned paper. Make sure the ink is dry, then fussy cut it with a pair of sharp scissors. Adhere the fussy cut piece on your cardstock, and you're done.
Alter it
No pictures of this one, but you can rub ink over it to give it an aged, vintage look, or ink around the edges with a darker colour. Distress the edges with scissors, tear it... whatever makes your heart happy.
Layer it
Who doesn't love the look of layers? It creates depth and interest, and sometimes, you just need a tiny peek of paper to add a little interest to a card. On the back of every pack of Stampin' Up! designer paper is a list of coordinating colours. One of the coordinating colours for Ornate Garden is Old Olive, and I paired it with Early Espresso layers, and because it's neutral, and goes with nearly everything. A simple sentiment (this one from Tasteful Touches).
Donate it!
Schools, daycares, senior centres, community living associations are all places you can donate craft supplies to, and the people using the programs will be forever grateful for it.
We buy paper because it's pretty. Because we love it. Because something inside of us tells us we must have it... but, what do you do when you just don't love it? Hopefully, with most double sided papers, you like at least one side. But, sometimes, that just doesn't happen. So, here are some easy ideas for the papers you don't love. By the way- the papers used for this blog post are current Stampin' Up! papers, and not something I necessarily find ugly... I just needed something to create with :)
If you see something you love, and need to have, please check out my online shop here.
Dies/punchesWe have them. We love them. Did you know you can also cut shapes out of patterned paper? My go-to is usually solid cardstock, but, you can use your not so loved patterned paper to give a little interest to your die cut shapes. I used the Ornate Garden designer paper, Well Written dies for the birthday, and Playful Alphabet dies for this quick and easy card. Plus, but thinking about the die placement on the patterned paper, you can get two cards for the work of one!
Sacrifice it to try a new project
Ideas are everywhere, and, if you're like me, when you either come up with an original idea, or are trying something for the first time, you don't want to wreck your favourite paper. And sometimes, using copy paper just doesn't work, because it's not thick enough to hold multiple folds, whereas Stampin' Up! designer paper will work wonderfully. Then, once you know that your idea will work, move onto the pretty stuff!
Paper Piecing The first time I saw a card with paper piecing used, I was sold. It's such an easy way to add a little bit of colour and pattern to your card. Select your stamp, and paper. For this card, I chose the Dressed to Impress stamp set, and stamped it on Whisper White card stock. Once your image is stamped on the cardstock, restamp it onto the patterned paper. Make sure the ink is dry, then fussy cut it with a pair of sharp scissors. Adhere the fussy cut piece on your cardstock, and you're done.
Alter it
No pictures of this one, but you can rub ink over it to give it an aged, vintage look, or ink around the edges with a darker colour. Distress the edges with scissors, tear it... whatever makes your heart happy.
Layer itWho doesn't love the look of layers? It creates depth and interest, and sometimes, you just need a tiny peek of paper to add a little interest to a card. On the back of every pack of Stampin' Up! designer paper is a list of coordinating colours. One of the coordinating colours for Ornate Garden is Old Olive, and I paired it with Early Espresso layers, and because it's neutral, and goes with nearly everything. A simple sentiment (this one from Tasteful Touches).
A little dab will do ya!
I love big sentiments on cards, and sometimes, that's all you need. But, sometimes you need just a bit more to pull it together. Occasionally, a pattern might be a little much for a whole card, but a little hit of colour, pattern or texture is all you need. I absolutely love the pattern on this paper, and it's not so much using the ugly papers, but trying to eek out every possible inch from the pretty stuff. So Sentimental has bigger sentiment stamps, perfect for quick and easy cards. Donate it!
Schools, daycares, senior centres, community living associations are all places you can donate craft supplies to, and the people using the programs will be forever grateful for it.
Happy creating!
Andrea
Andrea
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