Paper Tole or Paper Piecing, it's still fun

Crafting of any kind can become expensive and I’m always looking for ways to use my products rater than wasting them. That means when I have scraps of Designer Series Paper (DSP) I keep them in their original pack along with the full sheets. I must admit that I keep tiny pieces, I mean, really tiny. After all I never know when I’ll need that small piece for a project. Today was one of those days when my tiny scraps of DSP came into their own as I created a pretty bookmark. Whether you call it paper tole or paper piecing, it’s a fun technique that gives lovely results.

"Happy retirement" bookmark created using a paper tole technique and the Senior Years Stamp Set from Stampin' Up! #papercraftwithme

BOOKMARK FIRST

I began by cutting a 2″ x 5-1/2″ strip of Thick Very Vanilla Card. Then using the Scalloped Tag Topper Punch I shaped one end of the strip.

Next I lightly pressed the edge of a Gray Granite ink pad along the bottom edge of the bookmark. This would become the ‘ground’ to prevent my lady from appearing to float in midair.

Finally I used Tuxedo Black ink to stamp the lady from the Senior Years Stamp Set so she was standing on the ‘ground’. Then I followed this by stamping the “Happy Retirement” sentiment in the space above her head.

Before going any further I used an Ivory Stampin’ Blends alcohol marker to colour in her face, hands and legs. Now I was ready to stamp and cut my scraps.

PAPER TOLE

I was feeling rather lazy today and couldn’t be bothered to search through different packs of patterned paper. So I reached out and grabbed the only pack that was within reach. It was the Whale Of A Time 6″ x 6″ DSP that I used for yesterday’s zebra card.

I tipped up the pack and all the small scraps I’d kept fell out onto the desk. These were perfect for my paper tole technique, I just had to select which ones would suit my project. In the end I found a scrap of the yellow paper from yesterday and a couple of blue pieces.

The paper tole technique is really easy. All I had to do was stamp parts of my lady image onto the scraps of paper. Next, with Paper Snips, I cut out the parts of the image I needed. Finally I used Multipurpose Liquid Glue (Tombow) to attach the pieces of DSP onto the image stamped on the bookmark.

I could have used card scraps to create her hair but I had a different idea. Instead I stamped her head onto Vellum Cardstock and once the ink was dry cut out her hair. As before I used liquid glue to attach the piece to the image on the bookmark.

ALMOST DONE

I was almost done with the lady, just a couple of details needed adding. First using a Basic Black Stampin’ Write Marker I coloured in the top of her glasses and the beads around her neck. Then I added some Shimmery Crystal Effects to her earrings. Of course this wasn’t the most sensible plan as I now had to wait for the Crystal Effects to dry before I could finish.

Eventually I was able to thread a piece of 3/8″ Denim Ribbon through the slit at the top of the bookmark. Then using Mini Glue Dots I fixed the ribbon to the top of the bookmark on both sides, and I was finally done.

I love paper tole as a way to add colour or pattern to stamped images. Here are some other examples…

MANAGING SCRAPS

The reason many people don’t keep their scraps is that they can never find what they need. I can understand that, it’s really frustrating. If you always end up using ‘non-scraps’ because you can’t find what you need, you might as well throw the scraps away and save yourself the stress. But it doesn’t have to be that way… I have a single square biscuit tin that holds all my scrap card. Each colour has its own plastic pocket and I always look in there before reaching for a new sheet. It’s a system I’ve used for more than five years now and I know it works. Since setting up this system I’ve never had more card scraps than my tin can hold. I’ve probably also saved myself a ton of money because I’m using it all and not buying stuff I don’t really need.

In case you haven’t seen it, here’s the video I made in 2017 showing my scrap organisation solutions. Three years on I can confirm they’re still working for me.