Tuesday Tutorial: scraps & layers

Hi everyone! It's Becky here today with a little tutorial about using scraps for your layers on projects. I've heard lots of talk on scrapbook message boards about whether or not to save scraps. I have always saved my salvagable scraps. If I like a pattern paper a lot, I will likely save the smallest of scraps. Years ago, before I had my own punches, I would go to my local scrapbook store with a huge bag of scraps, and sit and chat with other scrapbookers, while I punched out shapes. It was so gratifying! 

So I thought it would be fun to share with you how I put together a really layered up page using my scraps. The only full sheet of cardstock/paper is the white background. Here are the scraps and tools I used:

I had some of my essentials for scrapbooking in place too, like my iced coffee and ipad : )

The two plastic containers (top right) are how I store my products. I like to store things according to collections. So the two containers on the table have two of my all time favorite October Afternoon collections-Farmhouse and Midway. They work beautifully together. I think all of the OA collections work well together. 

I went through each of the two containers and simply pulled out all the little bits and pieces. That's what is on the table in the paper pile.

I pulled out a few pieces from the farmhouse flower sack pack and a couple of label stickers to tuck between layers.

The way that I like to layer is building from the photo. So for this 5x6.5" photo, I layered a few papers under and then added a few pieces to the front. The arrow was simply cut from the Midway arrow paper and attached. I like to have one larger scrap of paper behind the photo anchoring it. In this case it's the gray gingham.

I've added a few more pieces to the back of the photo base.

I've added a few more layers and at this point, I'm adding skinny strips of scraps that I want to just peek out from under the larger pieces. I like to rough up the edges for texture and depth. 

I wanted to show the backside of the layered up base. As you can see, I've used scraps of papers that have been through my Silhouette Cameo and that I might have just tossed if not for layering. 

Here's the finished layout. I tucked little pieces in here and there until I felt like it was balanced and then I machine stitched the base before attaching it to the background. 

Here's a detail shot:

I want to share a couple of super simple tips that I have figured out about layering and creating this type of layout. 

• If you are going to be using standard page protectors with your layouts in albums, trim your background page to about 1/4-1/2 inch smaller than the standard size. So if you are a 12x12 scrapbooker, trim your layout down to 11.5"x11.5. This will allow a little extra space for the depth. 
• When you stitch on a layout, try to use the stitching to adhere pieces, rather than adhesive. If you use adhesive, it will build up on your needle and cause big problems! A little adhesive in a spot that you won't be stitching on, just to hold it together is fine, just be lighthanded with it. The stitching is a great way to hold the layers together. 
• Use a few different shapes and edgings so that it's not just a stack of papers. Tucking the circle shapes and scallop edge pieces adds interest and breaks up the straight lines. 

I hope that this inspires you to get more bang for your buck by using up your scraps to layer! We would love to see what you create, so please share your layouts and projects with us in the October Afternoon Flickr Gallery. 

Comments

[maria f.]

Just discovered the blog and already a very valuable piece of information. Thanks for sharing how you start with the image and layer from there. I think this is "translatable" to cardmaking. I too save all scraps - it's a bit overwhelming but maybe I just have to DO something with them. I store them by color but it probably helps to store by collection cuz that way they always work well together...

[kim b]

I love this. It gives it some much appeal!!!

[Marcia Deignan]

Great post! Love to layer and this article has wonderful tips. Thanks!

[mg]

loved seeing how you layered!! i never get it right but seeing this i think ive got it! thank you!

[Court's Crafts]

Love it! thank you!

[Dunia]

Great tutorial! Love the tips!