Scraps to Art Challenge -- Week Three

 Scraps to Art Challenge is a fun way of using those bits and pieces of scrap paper you have laying around to create works of art.

Master Board -- Use a scrap piece of thin cardboard, card stock, a cereal box (just about anything that is thin and stiff) and start gluing those bits and pieces of paper down you have laying around your art studio. Viola' you have a one-of-a-kind piece of art you can use to make tags, pockets, tucks, bookmarks, belly bands, etc. 

Collage -- Basically the same thing as a Master Board.  Think of Master Boards with a twist -- you need to use five out of six (or all six) prompts provided to create the collage. 

Each week, on Saturday, Pelican Crafts of Long Beach will post a new set of prompts for you to use to create a collage. Collages can be any size you want -- use your creativity to come up with a first-of-a-kind piece of art.  Collages can be left as is or used to create tags, pockets, bookmarks, etc. to use in your scrapbook or junk journal.  

January 17, 2026 prompts:  

something in a foreign language                    an ocean creature                a farm animal

foreign text                                                     ribbon or lace

BONUS PROMPT:  striped pattern

Where do you obtain these items?  You can hand draw an image, cut an image out of a book or magazine, print an image off the internet, or use "junk" that is laying around your home.  The ideas are endless -- let your imagination run wild and see what you can create.

CHALLENGE:  After creating your collage, create a tag or pocket. OR, use a tag or pocket and create a collage with the above items on the tag or pocket.  Add a comment below with a link to a picture of your finished artwork by the Friday following the prompt post (i.e., by January 16th for this week's post) and be entered into a drawing to receive a surprise. 

SAMPLE:  

Way to Go, Diana!

UPDATE: Life got in the way

 Hello everyone, as the title says LIFE GOT IN THE WAY, lol.

Too many doctor appointments and not enough time in the day hit me hard the first part of January.  I missed posting the Fun Fold on the second Friday (January 9th) and the Swap on the second Saturday (January 10th).

Sooooo, I will post them this week in case you want to play along.  If not, check in with us in February and I will have new ones posted.

Keep smiling, keep crafting and let your imagination soar.

Scraps to Art Challenge - Week Two

 Scraps to Art Challenge is a fun way of using those bits and pieces of scrap paper you have laying around to create works of art.

Master Board -- Use a scrap piece of thin cardboard, card stock, a cereal box (just about anything that is thin and stiff) and start gluing those bits and pieces of paper down you have laying around your art studio. Viola' you have a one-of-a-kind piece of art you can use to make tags, pockets, tucks, bookmarks, belly bands, etc. 

Collage -- Basically the same thing as a Master Board.  Think of Master Boards with a twist -- you need to use five out of six (or all six) prompts provided to create the collage. 

Each week, on Saturday, Pelican Crafts of Long Beach will post a new set of prompts for you to use to create a collage. Collages can be any size you want -- use your creativity to come up with a first-of-a-kind piece of art.  Collages can be left as is or used to create tags, pockets, bookmarks, etc. to use in your scrapbook or junk journal.  

January 10, 2026 prompts:  

tea dyed paper scrap                        something that flies                    a photograph

a vacation destination                      party item

BONUS PROMPT:  something from your home state (where you were born)

Where do you obtain these items?  You can hand draw an image, cut an image out of a book or magazine, print an image off the internet, or use "junk" that is laying around your home.  The ideas are endless -- let your imagination run wild and see what you can create.

CHALLENGE:  After creating your collage, create a tag or pocket. OR, use a tag or pocket and create a collage with the above items on the tag or pocket.  Add a comment below with a link to a picture of your finished artwork by the Friday following the prompt post (i.e., by February 27th for this week's post) and be entered into a drawing to receive a surprise. 

SAMPLE:  Can you tell my vacay destination is Gulfport? (right above the bird's head)

Wowzers, Diana, great collage!  Love the Indiana fussy cut.

Technique Wednesday - CLUSTERS

 Welcome to our FIRST Technique Wednesday.  

Today's Technique is How to Create a Cluster!

Creating Clusters is fun and easy todo AND it cleans up a lot of your scraps.  So let's get started -- gather a bunch of scraps (pieces of left over card stock, printed scrapbook paper, book pages, cheesecloth, ribbon, lace, buttons, bulb pins, charms, Tim Holtz paper dolls, flowers, leaves, you name it) and let the fun begin.

Start off by creating a base.  A base can be a circle, an oval, a square, a tag, whatever YOU want the base to be. 

When I first made clusters, I started using the cardboard off a pack of 12"x12" scrapbook paper, dividing it into 1", 2", 3" or larger squares (the size of the squares determines how many clusters you would get from a 12"x12" piece of light cardboard).  This is a great way to mass-produce clusters, if that is what you need to do.  Otherwise, grab a few bases and let your creativity run wild!

I was at the Veterans Administration (yep, I am a vet) and I picked up this 4-1/2" x 5-1/2" flyer thinking it would work great as a base (well bases, I tore it into fourths).

  

Now that we have a base, let's start layering pretty stuff on it.  I tore a piece of printed scrapbook paper and glued it down. Keep layering paper, fussy cuts, alphabets, words, etc. until you get the look you like. Many people like to sponge the edges of each layer, that is totally up to you.

 

Viola', you have a finished cluster!

Have fun creating your clusters! We would love to see your designs, be sure to email us a picture at pelicancraftslongbeach@gmail.com.

Scraps to Art Challenge - Week One

Scraps to Art Challenge is a fun way of using those bits and pieces of scrap paper you have laying around to create works of art.

Master Board -- Use a scrap piece of thin cardboard, card stock, a cereal box (just about anything that is thin and stiff) and start gluing those bits and pieces of paper down you have laying around your art studio. Viola' you have a one-of-a-kind piece of art you can use to make tags, pockets, tucks, bookmarks, belly bands, etc. 

Collage -- Basically the same thing as a Master Board.  Think of Master Boards with a twist -- you need to use five out of six (or all six) prompts provided to create the collage. 

Each week, on Saturday, Pelican Crafts of Long Beach will post a new set of prompts for you to use to create a collage. Collages can be any size you want -- use your creativity to come up with a first-of-a-kind piece of art.  Collages can be left as is or used to create tags, pockets, bookmarks, etc. to use in your scrapbook or junk journal.  

January 3, 2026 prompts:  

a pelican                    Victorian clothing                    a dead tree

something painted or a paint chip                              something with a pattern

BONUS PROMPT:  adult beverage

Where do you obtain these items?  You can hand draw an image (dead tree, something with a pattern), cut an image out of a book or magazine (a pelican, Victorian clothing), print an image off the internet, or use "junk" that is laying around your home (paint chip).  The ideas are endless -- let your imagination run wild and see what you can create.

CHALLENGE:  After creating your collage, create a tag or pocket. OR, use a tag or pocket and create a collage with the above items on the tag or pocket.  Add a comment below with a link to a picture of your finished artwork by the Friday following the prompt post (i.e., by January 9th for this week's post) and be entered into a drawing to receive a surprise. 

SAMPLE (using this week's prompts):  

And we have our first submission from Diana Sarkine.  

 Happy New Years!!!!!

I cannot believe it is 2026 already.  Where did 2025 go?

Be sure to check out all the activities we have planned for this year.  Look under events on the right.

Weekly collage challenges

Monthly technique challenges

Monthly pocket challenges

And more!

Be sure to check us out regularly!

Junk Journaling Class Embellishment Instructions

Embellishment Instructions for Junk Journal Class 

held at Scrap-A-Palooza

Small Journals -- add to a page in your journal, gift as a small notebook for a ladies purses, add to a scrapbook page -- and the list goes on.

These small journals can be any size and are very easy to create.  The ones we taught in class measured 6"x4-7/8", scored and folded in the middle at 3" creating a 3"x4-7/8" journal.  For class purposes we stapled two sheets of blank paper on the inside measuring 5-1/2"x4", scored and fold in the middle.

       

After the journal is complete, decorate the front and inside pages.

Journal Card -- place in pockets, tucks, envelopes. Can be used to journal thoughts, ideas, etc.

To create the small cards, Uno cards from the Dollar Tree were used.  One side was covered with decorative paper, napkins, pretty envelopes (whatever you want) and then decorated to fit the journal you are working on.  Regular playing cards can also be used for a larger journaling spot.  The back can be covered with plain paper for journaling or a fun picture, etc. The cards can be placed in pockets, tucks, envelopes in a journal or on a scrapbook page.

  

Embellished Puzzle Pieces

Take a puzzle piece and cover it with scrap paper you have around your house.  Trim around the puzzle piece until you have a nice edge. (OR, lay the puzzle piece down on your scrap piece of paper, use a pencil to outline the puzzle piece, then cut it out and glue it down.  Embellish as you wish.

      

HOW TO MAKE HIDDEN PAPERCLIPS

 

Supplies:

Paperclips                            Patterned Paper                             Printer Paper                                     

Glue                                     Ruler                                             Paper cutter

Scissors                                Corner Rounder (optional)           Stamp Pad/Sponger (optional)

Whatever you wish to use to decorate the hidden paperclips.                      

Directions:

Cut Patterned Paper 3-1/2” by whatever length you want (I usually use 12”x12” paper, today we are using 6”x6”).

Cut Printer Paper 4” by whatever length you want.

Fold each in half. (I score each sheet at the center; i.e., 1-3/4” for the patterned paper and 2” for the printer paper.)

Using your ruler (or paper cutter), mark the printer paper strip at 3/4”, 1-1/2”, 2-1/4”, 3”, 3-3/4”, 4-1/2” and 5-1/4”. If using 12”x12” keep marking paper at 6”, 6-3/4”, 7-1/2”, 8-1/4”, 9”, 9-3/4”, 10-1/4”, 11”.

Place paper clips at 3/4”, 2-1/4”, 3-3/4” etc (or start at 3/4" and then every other mark).

Press computer paper with paperclips snuggly inside patterned paper.

Generously apply glue to top of computer paper, be sure to apply glue to inside of paperclip itself.

Press down firmly to ensure papers adhere together nicely.  Repeat above step on other side.

Allow glue to dry (about five minutes or so). 

Computer paper will show at the bottom.  Trim even with patterned paper.

Starting at left edge, cut every 1-1/2”.  Viola – you have a hidden paperclip.

OPTIONS:

Round Corners

Notch edges on top layer of hidden paperclip (to be able to easily attach to page).

Sponge edges.

Junk Journal/Memory Book Class

Junk Journal/Memory Book Class 

(Start to Finish)

Gulf Coast Scrap-A-Palooza -- October 23, 24, 25, 2025

Scrap-A-Palooza is just around the corner and I am, for one, counting down the days to be with my scrapbooking friends.  Thanks Robyn and Megan for hosting this great event!

NOTE:  THIS IS A LONG POST

Diana and I will be holding a Junk Journal/Memory Book Class for anyone who wishes to come (limited seating for 15 participants).  A Junk Journal originally was just that -- a journal made from junk lying around your home -- old envelopes, flyers, old book pages, magazine pages, if you can imagine it, it was probably used.  In this class we will be using new items -- several different types of papers (various notebook papers, doilies, etc.) to create the pages. After the cover and pages are created, we will "sew" them into the cover and decorate them with ephemera. At the end of the third class you will have a completed Junk Journal/Memory book to record your memories of trips, events or your personal thoughts.

A flyer was posted on Friday, August 29th about the class and we hope to see you there.  The flyer is below with some explanations to go along with it.  Have a great day!

This is a three-session class to be held over three days.  A list of items each participant needs to bring and a list of what is provided in the class are shown below. COST:  $20 per day or $50 for all three sessions.

Day 1 -- Thursday, October 23rd at 3:00 p.m.:  Each participant will receive a cardboard box that has been cut down to journal size.  Each participant will need to bring two sheets of coordinating 12"x12" scrapbook paper of their choice to cover the "journal" inside and out. 

                

Day 2 -- Friday, October 24th at 7:00 p.m.:  Each participant will receive numerous papers to create the SIGNATURES for the journal.  A SIGNATURE is a group of papers sewn into the journal (resembling a small booklet). Each participant will be creating three signatures for their journal.  After the signatures are created, everyone will be shown how to "sew" them into the cover for the journal.  All materials for "sewing" the signatures in will be provided. NOTE:  This will most likely be the longest class.

   

Day 3 -- Saturday, October 25th at 1:00 p.m.:  Each participant will receive a stash of materials to make ephemera -- pockets, tags, belly bands, tucks, journal cards, etc.  If you would like to have coordinating pockets for the inside of journal, please bring additional sheets of coordinating cardstock.  Bring coordinating card stock if you want to make additional tags.  A Big Shot and Dies will be available to cut out additional pockets and tags.

  

REMEMBER:  Many of the items you make can be used in your scrapbooking!

Each participants' journal will be the same, but different.  Papers may be placed differently by each individual and decorated differently with ephemera.

ITEMS EACH PARTICIPANT needs to bring:

Paper Cutter        Bone Folder        Liquid Glue        Scissors 

Ruler         Pictures      Stapler       Two-sided tape (if desired)             

Pen and paper for notes                  Stickers (if desired

Markers (any type) / Colored Pencils etc. to color neutral ephemera (if desired)

Ribbon:  1/4" x 12" (used as a page marker)             

Lace, Ribbon, Sari Cloth (your choice of materials): 24" to 30" (to be used to tie around the completed journal to keep it closed -- in case you create a chunky monkey or alligator mouth journal).

An old book as large as you can find (Dollar Tree, Dollar General, Library, ????) to be used when you staple and/or use as a glue book to keep your table top clean.

Scraps of lace, ribbon, string, buttons, stickers to use to decorate any ephemera you made.

2 (TWO) sheets of coordinating patterned paper (scrapbook paper) to make the cover and finish the inside of the cover.

Additional coordinating patterned paper if you wish to make additional pockets, etc., to match the cover.

EPHEMERA (e - fem - er - a) -- The third day is devoted to making/creating ephemera. Tags, pockets, tucks, belly bands, journal cards, etc., to place throughout your journal.  Ephemera can be decorated with lace, buttons, bulb pins and more.

ITEMS PROVIDED to each participant:

Pencil Box (to hold tools)        Pokey Tool             Needle

Waxed Thread                          Awl                         Clamps

Cut cardboard to create journal cover                    

Papers to create THREE signatures

"STUFF" to create Ephemera (some bits and pieces of ribbon and lace, book pages, playing cards, tags, pockets and more)

An INFORMATION PACKET of "nice to have/know" information.

Please leave a comment below if you want to attend the class and send an email to pelicancraftslongbeach@gmail.com with your information. Payment is due no later than date of class.

Scraps to Art Challenge Coming January 2026

Scraps to Art Challenge is a fun way of using those bits and pieces of scrap paper you have laying around to create works of art.

Master Board -- Use a scrap piece of thin cardboard, card stock, a cereal box (just about anything that is thin and stiff) and start gluing those bits and pieces of paper down you have laying around your art studio. Viola' you have a one-of-a-kind piece of art you can use to make tags, pockets, tucks, bookmarks, belly bands, etc. 

Collage -- Basically the same thing as a Master Board.  Think of Master Boards with a twist -- you need to use five out of six (or all six) prompts provided to create the collage. 

Each week, on Saturday, Pelican Crafts of Long Beach will post a new set of prompts for you to use to create a collage. Collages can be any size you want -- use your creativity to come up with a first-of-a-kind piece of art.  Collages can be left as is or used to create tags, pockets, bookmarks, etc. to use in your scrapbook or junk journal.  

Start saving your paper scraps and start collecting images of "things" you think might be given as prompts!

Junk Journaling

I fell in love with Junk Journaling during COVID.  I love creating with paper, any size, any kind and have scrapbooked, made cards, etc., and then i found JUNK JOURNALING.  I can use all my creative and use junk, too!

I started out looking through magazines, junk mail, stuff laying around the house, and old books to find "ephemera" to use and have gravitated to printables.  I am even learning how to create my own printables and hope to have a few designs available soon.

I watched video after video on YouTube teaching different ways to create ephemera, how to put a journal together and SO MUCH MORE.  Talk about a rabbit hole, lol. I turn on YouTube and I might as well forget about doing the dishes or laundry -- I'm hooked and I will not surface for quite a while.  To me, it is addicting, in a fun way!

Let's get started with some terminology:

Junk Journal -- a journal you can create using an old book cover and adding signatures (groups of pages), creating your own cover and adding signatures, creating a one-signature journal.  Once you have decided on the journal cover and how many signatures you want in it, you can start designing the journal.

Signatures -- a signature can be as large or as small as you want it.  Whatever fits the journal you are creating.  A normal signature is 6 to 10 sheets of paper --8-1/2"x11" folded in half.  One sheet of paper creates four pages, so a signature with 6 sheets of paper is really 24 pages. The more pages in your signatures the fuller the journal becomes. Remember, you are going to be adding pockets, tucks, belly bands, etc. to the pages and your journal will expand exponentially.

Pockets -- a feature you can use to store a tag, a small booklet, a journaling card -- the list can go on and on, lol. 

Tuck -- similar to a pocket, but it is open on two sides so you can slide in a journal card, a tag, a piece of paper to write on.

Belly Band -- a thin piece of paper/card stock that attaches at the top and bottom of a journal page (or side to side).  It is used to slide ephemera under to hold in place.

Tags -- tags can be used to journal on, giving the journal maker (or receiver) more area to write down their thoughts and ideas and come in various sizes and forms.

Collages -- a collage can be any size and can be anything your creativity designs.  I normally use a thin piece of cardboard (like a flyer that came in the mail) and start gluing bits and pieces of paper I have laying around and adding images randomly.  Collages are fun -- google to see what everyone is doing out there.  You may become hooked on collaging, but be sure to come back to us -- we'll miss you if you don't! And, if you do become hooked on collaging be sure to come back in January 2026 for our weekly Scraps to Art Challenges.

Masterboard -- a masterboard is very similar to collages.  Again, I normally use a thin piece of cardboard (usually the one included in a package of Stampin'Up!'s Designer Series Paper) and glue down bit and pieces of paper, ribbon, etc., along with whatever images I have near me.  A Masterboard can be cut down into pockets, tags, journal cards, etc. and used in your journals.

That is it for now with the new terminology.  I DO NOT want to overwhelm you.  Again, google the above items, get a feel for them and come back and we will start creating ephemera for your journal!

Watch out for that rabbit hole!