Scrap Box Part 1: ATCs and a Calendar by Judi Kauffman for The Queen’s Ink

There’s an old joke about a woman who keeps pieces of string in two jars, one has pieces that will be useful but the other holds pieces that are too small to use. My scrap box falls into the ‘too small to use’ category. It’s where I whisk interesting bits and pieces of stenciled and stamped cardstock and Shimmer Sheetz, along with wonderful pieces of embossed and handmade paper – AKA ‘stuff I just can’t throw out’…

I like looking through it now and then. The scraps remind me of past projects and it’s rare that I can close the box without getting an idea for a collage or card or some other project. I’m proud to say I only allow myself a very small hinged plastic box for this stash so it never gets out of hand (6” x 6” x 3” – holds a lot but not too much!).

I also save some larger pieces, too, especially sturdy cardboard mailing envelopes I can re-use. Put the two together – tiny scraps and a big envelope, mix in some feathers and staples and washi tape and the results became today’s project: Scrap Box ATCs and a Calendar.

Layer One – Cut the cardboard envelope into 2.5” x 3.5” pieces. Glue and/or staple on additional pieces from the labels and other portions of the envelope.

Layer Two – Glue and/or staple on pieces from YOUR scrap box! Move things around for a while, don’t glue anything in place till you’re happy with the layout. Tip: Leave your work table for an hour or two or a day or more. Come back with fresh eyes.

Layer Three - Add twine, feathers or other embellishments as the final layer.

For the calendar: Choose two decorated ATCs and one that has only the first layer completed. Arrange them in a row, vertically. Punch a hole, centered, at the top of the first one. Add a calendar page or pad to the second (plainest) ATC. Connect the three with pieces of washi tape. Hang from twine, doubled and knotted as shown.

For all other ATCs: Display on a small easel, swap with friends, tuck the ATCs away in an album, add to a card front.

More ideas:

Instead of making ATC-size collages, work larger. Or smaller!

Paint the first layer before adding the scrap box elements.

At any point in the project add in stenciling, stamping, paint, found objects.

Use brads instead of staples. (Use an awl to pierce holes for the brads.)

Layer envelope and scrap box elements into an art journal.

Alter the sides of a box, the covers of a sketch pad, a photo mat or frame.

Supplies:

• Stenciled Shimmer Sheetz scraps stamped in StazOn inks with Stampstracts ‘surround’ and ‘spiralstract’ (RubberMoon)
• Good stuff from the scrap box
• Cardboard envelope (book mailer, etc.)
• Glue stick
• Stapler
• Feathers
• Twine
• Washi tape
• Quarter-inch punch