A few years ago, my mum gave me a book by Traci Bautista, in it she gives lots of advice about using collage and other forms of mixed media. Lots. The part that stuck with me the most was the, to me, revolutionary idea of using scrap paper and paper towels to clean your brush between colours.
So, that's what I do. I now have a great stockpile of scrap paper covered in strokes of bizarre colour combinations and swirly marks.
The only awkward part of having these scraps of paper everywhere is that I don't do anything with them, other than stare at them longingly, enjoying the funny marks.
A while ago, I decided that now was the time to do something with them, so I started using them as backgrounds in scrapbooks and incorporating them onto cards.
The best part of using these scrap pieces of paper to make greetings cards comes from how they don't look 'scrappy' at all. Ultimately, you're saving money by not buying those scrapbooking papers and creating your own lovely pieces of stock paper.
In short:
- When you're painting, clean your brushes on pieces of cardstock and paper between colours
- Cut the remaining pieces into squares
- Attach them to folded card
- Hand letter / scrawl your handwriting across the front
- Use a metallic sharpie marker for creating a scalloped edge
Simple!
