Scraps to Art Challenge -- Week Five

 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 31, 2026 prompts:  

something representing a first responder            a flower(s)                    a game piece

a constellation                                                     a napkin

BONUS PROMPT:  something travel related

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 30th for this week's post) and be entered into a drawing to receive a surprise. 

SAMPLE:  

Diana's Collage

Scraps to Art Challenge -- Week Four

 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 24, 2026 prompts:  

a crown/something royal                    an emoji                        a church

a WILD animal                                   highway signage

BONUS PROMPT:  pair of glasses

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 23rd for this week's post) and be entered into a drawing to receive a surprise. 

SAMPLE:  

Diana's Collage

How to Create Pockets -- Pocket Number One

 Triple Pocket with a Plus One

Once a month (on the third Wednesday of the month), we will post instructions on how to create a pocket.  This month we are featuring the Triple Pocket Plus One.

A POCKET is where you can store/place an item(s). In Junk Journaling pockets are used to place tags, journaling cards, ephemera, embellishments, etc.  There are many, many different types of pockets. 

Cut a sheet of two-sided scrapbook paper/cardstock 3-1/4" x 12".

Score along the 12" side at 4" and 8", burnish score lines.

 

If using cardstock, glue an extra piece of paper to the back of pocket (so there is not a stark white center).

Fold each side down, being sure to start at the top. You can fold at the same angle on both sides, or you can choose to fold randomly to create different looking pockets.

Trim folded edges so pocket closes smoothly. Glue each flap down, if you want.

 

Fold ends towards the center, positioning the ends the way you want them to look. Glue along bottom edges of each side.

Fold left side towards the center, making sure the bottom edges match. Fold right side towards the center, making sure the bottom edges match. (Note: Picture is showing opposite positioning of the sides.)

Pocket as shown is a two-pocket pocket. To obtain the third pocket, determine if you want the pocket opening to be on the top, bottom or one of the sides. For simplicity, let's say the pocket will open from the top.  Glue pocket into your journal, scrapbook, etc., along each side and the bottom, creating the third pocket.

This pocket can easily be changed into a four-pocket pocket by adding another pocket on the front. Cut a 3-3/8" x 4" piece of coordinating cardstock, fold top down and glue on top of the above pocket.

Making a pocket is fun.  Use your imagination and see what you come up with.  Be sure to share your project with us at:  pelicancraftslongbeach@gmail.com.

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.