Paper Crafts

***WARNING - Gabi, if you don't want to know what I made for our swap, then read no more.***

The two swaps that I'm currently participating in, a Cookie Swap and Post Card Swap, have really stretched my imagination.  I thought they'd be easy, but I was wrong.  As much as I like to look at pretty papers, I have a hard time coming up with ideas on how to use them.

My first challenge was the cookie swap.  The idea was to come up with some sort of decorated recipe cards and recipe card container.  I'm real original, I went with a recipe card holder.  I decided to decoupage my holder, which was a lot of fun.  An important lesson to note is that mod podge doesn't come off of the kitchen counter easily, so be careful where you use that stuff.  After I decoupaged my holder I was a bit lost, so I went on my first trip to a scrapbook store.  Oh. my. god.  Those papers were so pretty.  I was in a paper buying frenzy, but I really didn't know what I wanted to do with the paper.  After much hemming and hawing I came up with my design for my cards, then decoupaged my holder some more to match my cards.  Yes, it looks like a kindergarten did it. 

I do not scrap book and I have no clue how to do that kind of stuff.  I visited a few scrap book blogs for inspiration, any boy, there are some talented people out there.  How they achieve such beautiful results with all those layers of papers and mixed media I'll never know.  Seeing all that kind of made me want to pitch mine, but then I'd have to make something else.  Gabi, I hope you like what I've made.  I also made some goodies in the media I'm most comfortable with (fabric), but I'm saving that for a surprise.  You'll have to wait until your package arrives!

Yes, I know I could have made some sort of recipe card/holder thingy using fabric, but I didn't want to.  I wanted a challenge.  And I got it.

The next project involving paper that I've been working on is a Christmas post card swap.  This was fun.  After the cookie swap, this was a breeze.  I don't know why, but I found this much easier.  I ended up making two versions of these postcards. 

Simple, but cute.   Both of these swaps made me realize that I like simple things.  And there's nothing wrong with that.

Now my next challenge is getting these things to the post office!

Comments

[Beth]

I'm lovin' the recipe card holder and cards. Way too cute and it does not look like a kindergartener did it! If that was the case, you would not of had any modge podge left.. you would have tried to eat it.

and I love simple things too : )

[Karyn]

Beautiful!!! I love everything. I prefer fabric as well, but I get all excited when I see the beautiful scrapbook papers, it can be very over-whelming!

[stacy]

sheesh. All these new banners, really make me think I need to spiff up my blog a bit! I've had the same banner for well over a year now!

And, that's some talented kindergartener. Both projects are simply fantastic. Great job.

[Patricia]

Everything looks great! I especially like the postcards.

[Sharon]

I love the recipe box and the recipe cards!

[Stephanie]

OK, the recipe card holder and cards came out very beautiful. I am sure that your friend will love it. Like the new header too!

[Cathy]

Oh do quit beating yourself up and being southern modest! Your recipe holder and cards are fantastic, and I'm jealous of Gabi. Your cards are cute too, simple things are often the best.

[Jessica]

beautiful goodies!

[lera]

the postcards are adorable. and i think you did a great job on your recipe box. i am definitely not skilled in the way of paper crafting! (we are TOO similar!)

[Sarah]

Wow, love the postcards! Mine are still a WIP, with the deadline looming... Yikes!!

[Betsy]

The Post Office is always a challenge...your recipe box is darling. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[Betsy]

The Post Office is always a challenge...your recipe box is darling. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[Gaylen]

I love it all. I'm with you on fabric being an easier medium for me to work in. Love your etsy shop items too. Great Job.

g

[MéLisa]

I think that you did a great job on your box & cards. You are just being silly.

[deb]

They both look great Beki. I love the colors on the recipe box and cards.

[Gina]

I think you did a great job, seriously. I love the recipe holder and cards! Your swap partner will be most please. Good Luck on the hard part...getting it to the USPS.

[catrina]

Fantastic Beki, all of it's so beautiful :)

[laeroport]

Those are great! And I love the "stretching" that often comes with swaps, but I couldn't handle that this close to the holidays. So kudos to you!

[carolyn]

I'm sure Gabi will love it.

[capello]

i totally love it all! i can't believe you claim you don't know what to do with papers. you are crazy.

[rohankitter]

I think it looks great. Wish I would have thought of something like a decoupaged recipe box. What I made is cute (I hope) but pretty unoriginal. I'll bet it was fun to make!

[norththreads]

These are sooooo great!! Nicely done!!

[erin]

love the postcards!

[LLA]

Wow! You are way too hard on yourself; I think that both the box and the cards are STUNNING! (and not kindergartenish at all!)

Your swap partner will be so,so pleased!

[Stephanie]

I LOVE the box and cards...you did an excellent job!!! I did a version of this one year for my eldest daughter (the box and cards were not homemade...and did not look nearly as nce as yours!!) she LOVED it!! Love your new pics at the top of your blog, too! Don't know how ... or if I can do that on mine!!

[elizabeth k]

Your post cards are so cute. I love all the scrapbook papers available and want to do some kind of paper quilt with them.

[elizabeth]

wow! girl, you've been busy. everything is wonderful. don't ya hate when you sign up for a swap thinking it will be a piece of cake and then you sit and struggle a lil bit with it?