Using scrapbook paper for art
June 22, 2015
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I've joked a few times over the years that I'm a scrapbooker who doesn't scrapbook. I could spend hours walking through those aisles at the craft store, but I've scrapbooked exactly two pages in my life -- about 15 years ago.
Is this even allowed? I feel like a fraud -- do people like me annoy scrapbookers everywhere? I can't help it. I must have all the pretty paper and doodads and stickers.
I have found many good uses for the scrapbook paper in decorating though. Holidays especially -- that could be a whole other post.
I shared our "new" living room last week and one of my favorite parts is how the gallery of frames works so much better now:
Our old large couch used to sit under them and I was trying to fill that huge wall with something relatively easy and inexpensive. (The frames were half off at Michael's.)
I have had them up for three years now and at Christmas I put my Fa la la's inside:
Buhbye ginormous couch!
But, a little secret, the fa la's ususally stay in there till about March every year and after that they've stayed empty. For three years! I've had every intention of filling them with free printables but I've never taken the time to sit down and find what I want.
So a few months ago I was hosting a party and yet again, those frames were empty. Literally hours before everyone arrived I grabbed this scrapbook stack and started tearing out the papers in colors I liked:
I've had this pack for at least five years and I think I got it from Hobby Lobby? I found it here online -- I can't believe it's still being sold! This little book of paper has given me tons of projects! I've used it to mat photos, make art and now to fill these frames.
I just picked out colors that I liked in the space -- the papers are pretty tones and the textured paper adds a little something too:
Someday I'd still like to find prints to use in these, but for now at least they have something in them -- that's huge for me people. :)
If you've been around for awhile you may remember I used these same papers for my Ballard Designs knock off years ago:
The possibilities are truly endless with pretty scrapbook paper. The other day I "matted" a print from Yellow Bungalow Shop (no longer available) on paper that looks like wood:
I LOVE making labels with scrapbook paper too:
You can see how I made these basket labels for the basement here:
Those are still holding up great two years later!
Obviously I use scrapbook paper a lot -- now if I could just find a good use for all the stickers that I want to buy. I feel like a ten-year-old who wants to fill her sticker book when I walk through those aisles. Remember sticker books??
Anyway, it's certainly a cheap way to add some texture and color to your spaces. Love it. Are you a non-scrapbooker that is obsessed with this section of the store as well? Have you done anything fun with it? Please share if so!
Hahaha - your title certainly sucked me in today. I have so many stickers, albums and paper. I recently donated most of my punches and my Cricut machine I have never used. But, I actually do scrapbook. It's just that I can't pass up a bargain and have wayyyyy too many supplies.
ReplyDeleteSay your favorite hobby is gardening; collect a bunch of gardening stickers and use them to spell out you initials. I'm sure Pinterest could suggest some other ideas.
ReplyDeleteI'm a scrapbook paper fan who doesn't scrapbook, too! I even made a little business out of it and it delights me every day!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/237420119/personalized-wooden-wall-letters-nursery?ref=shop_home_active_3
I have quite the paper and sticker collection and I don't scrapbook either. I use my pretty paper for frames and labels as well. I use my stickers in my Erin Condren planner and I love it! I guess that could be considered a form of scrapbooking...?
ReplyDeleteI love this idea! I have been wanting to do a wall of our extended family using black and white photos. Now you have given me the idea of using vintage look scrapbook pages for the background mount. Thank you for the motivation to get started!
ReplyDeleteLove the pages in your frames. Perfect for your room.
ReplyDeleteAll day Friday I kept thinking it was Saturday because my hubby works a 4/10 schedule during the summer and I'm not used to having him home on Fridays yet. I'm so confused! :-) I like your projects, good ideas!
ReplyDeleteI use scrapbooking paper for all sorts of things but like you, I am not a scrapbooker.
ReplyDeleteI'm a scrapbooker!! Oh,wait... It's been a while. I guess more of an EX scrapbooker! Lol These days, I use my papers and stickers for memory photo albums. I'm a candid photographer - one of those people who lurks at a friend's wedding snapping away in the background - and I gather a collection of my favourite photos and put them together for a post-wedding gift. After this post, I may have to broaden my uses - those frames look fantastic! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a scrap book-er either! You shared so many other creative ways to use the paper though. I really love the wood-like paper behind the bike print.
ReplyDeleteDon't feel too bad. I have every bit and bob to scrapbook with and never scrapbook. *sigh* I love all the aspects of scrapbooking, too. Even went to classes years ago. Did about 10-pages and never touched it again.
ReplyDeleteLove the label idea. :)
I love picking papers/stickers/embellishments and matching all the colors but that's about as far as I've gotten over the years. I have a friend who cuts out nice magazine pictures and puts them in frames. Each frame holds a fall, winter, spring & summer picture to makes it even easier to change out. Perhaps this something you could do also!
ReplyDeleteI am SO glad I'm not the only one with this problem. I've finally started using some of the supplies that I've hoarded, I mean gathered over the years in my Erin Condren Life Planner that I use for school and life in general :)
ReplyDeletexoxo, SS
The Southern Stylista
I used to scrapbook, but haven't for years now. I still have all the papers and supplies - they are great for general crafting! And I also have some framed scrapbook paper hanging, in three frames above our bed.
ReplyDeleteI can certainly relate -- (and judging from all the comments, you've hit a nerve -- BIG-TIME)! I DO scrapbook now - (just started trying to arrange a vast collection into that format -- slow going, tho') - BUT for many years just amassed pretty papers, stickers, embellishments "just because" -- (sometimes felt a bit vaguely guilty about not using them as intended -- glad to find out I'm not the only one)! Thanx to your creative ideas (esp the bike print) I plan on branching out -- (I'm relatively new here but LOVE your blog -- keep up the good work)!
ReplyDeleteI'm totally a scrapbooker who doesn't scrapbook. I have to say my goodbyes to my craft room to make room for baby number 3 (who has time for crafts anymore anyway?) and I uncovered so much paper, so many stickers, etc. I guess I better get to matting some pictures or give it to my older kids to chop into recycleable piles of rainy day art.
ReplyDelete