Heart to Heart Soul Creations (H2hsc2020): F is for Franken Paper

Monday, April 6, 2020

F is for Franken Paper

April 6, 2020
A to Z Challenge

F = FRANKEN PAPER

Franken Page I made a few years ago

Today's letter is "F" and that means Franken Paper.

Have you heard of “Franken Paper”? It is a technique where you glue or stitch random scraps of paper together to create new papers, tags. pockets etc.

As a paper crafter, I have an organizer full of scrap papers leftover from previous projects. When I scrapbooked, I wouldn't throw any size of scrap paper away. Life in my crafting room has since changed due to a smaller crafting space. These days, I don't keep any piece of paper smaller than a 1" x 1".

This has always been a dilemma for me as well as several conversations with other crafters. When is a piece of paper too small to keep and too big to throw away? As I mentioned above, you can coordinate scrap papers to create new papers, tags, and pockets. Use them to make tuck spots or to even layer other projects.

Any time I work with Mod Podge or other wet adhesives, I place a piece of wax paper down across my desk. I grabbed my wax paper today and I'm ready to start creating Franken Papers.

I gathered the rest of the items I needed. Several paint brushes in various sizes (just in case I need them). Mod Podge. Scrap papers. I always have the wax paper underneath the paintbrushes.

Next, what I do, is roughly make an outline for the size of the page I want to create. (You don't have to do this step). I outline a rough area with a sharpie - this way I know the exact space I am going to be working in. I'll let the papers go over the edge just a tad, then trim them down if necessary, once everything has completely dried.

Franken pages are easy and if you are curious, there are YouTube videos that will show you how to make them. Honestly, just gather your scraps and start piecing them together.

There will be two sides as you make your page. I like using double-sided papers if they are in my scraps, but you don't necessarily have to have them. The only thing I've found when using double-sided papers is sometimes the images will be upside down. That's why I work front and back at the same simultaneously.

The images above show the progression of the front and back as I am piecing the scrap pieces together.

I continue tearing and gluing pieces of paper, layering some of the pieces. Flipping and doing the same thing over on the opposite side. I like building my outer edges first because then I can color coordinate papers if I want. (kind of like putting a jigsaw puzzle together).

As you see, the page is starting to take shape although it looks like a mess! LOL

Flip it over, glue a few pieces, and turn it back over. Repeat as many as times necessary.

I continue to work, flipping over and over. Putting papers here and putting pieces there. I tuck papers up under other papers, flip it back over and do the same on the other side.

I make sure there aren't any holes that need to be covered as I get closer to being finished with the page. Right now, it's just scraps papers on top of one another with no design, rhyme or reason.

Remember, you can use larger pieces and sew them onto your page. It's your creation. Create it how you envision it. They can be cohesive, and they can look like a mess. Kind of like this one does. I could stop here if I wanted and add some words, some stamped images, or use a photograph. But I have something else in mind.

I collect old calendars to use in my crafting projects. I'm going to finish out the front side with a page from an old calendar. I haven't trimmed the edges down yet and honestly, I kind of like how they look.

The finished Franken Page using an old Calendar
This IS the front side

I'm not finished yet. But you will see, I took some of the pieces from the calendar and incorporated them into the backside. I'm going to pull this page together with some more with a few other things. I haven't decided what yet...to be determined. As you see, making Franken Pages is very easy and this would be a fun and exciting project for both children, teens, and adults alike.

the backside of the Franken Page

In closing, here are a few other Franken Pages I've made in the past.

This swap with Franken Papers was a themed one. We had to use green and yellow papers and make embellishments for the pages. I made an altered paper clip using a butterfly and as you can see in the circled photo, I incorporated the recipient's name into the paper.

The next two pages are in the theme of Shabby Chic. I had fun making these two papers. We had to incorporate a bow of some sort when we wrapped them up.

In closing, here is one that was sent to a friend of mine. It's in a Christmas theme. As you see in the photograph, the creator incorporated bling along the outside edge.

So, you see, Franken Pages can be made in any way, shape, color, or, a theme you can imagine. Let's make some Franken Papers! Grab your scrap papers, glue, and a paintbrush...what are you waiting for?