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Leftover Makeover Art Project Idea

Using Paper and Fabric Scraps to Make Mixed-Media Projects

Mar 21, 2008 Jenn Greenleaf

Do not throw those scraps away! Set them aside and use them for the projects outlined here. You will be surprised what you will come up with!

Mixed media art does not only include the use of numerous supplies purchased from stores, or old items found in your basements that would be great for altering. When coining the term, from trash to treasure, look at that from a different angle. Rather than finding something others would typically consider trash and turning it into a piece of art . . . turn the tables and use trash as your medium to create treasures.

By trash, we mean the use of scraps in mixed media art pieces rather than use of fresh supplies. Each time a project is completed, there are always selections of scraps left over on work surfaces. Find a bin or a large envelope and start collecting these materials. They can be used to:

Do collage work
Create an interesting border around a painting, altered book page spread, or art journal page spread
Create interesting ATC backgrounds
Cover over a picture frame completely with scraps
Cover over a matte for a picture frame completely with scraps
Make a book cover for a handmade book, or cover over an existing bound book
Alter the frame on a bulletin board
Alter tins, coffee cans, and other empty containers to create interesting storage
Alter a shoebox to create interesting storage or an interesting gift box

Over the next several weeks, specific instructions for each of the projects mentioned above will start presenting themselves in this topic. In the meantime, start collecting scraps and experimenting with them. Because these are pieces of “trash,” do not be afraid to make mistakes. There is no right or wrong way of doing things like this.

During experimentation, be sure to use a strong adhesive. This will prevent items from falling off your mixed media art piece. This will also prevent corners of papers from curling up. If you are working with weighty items, use a hot glue gun to adhere them to surfaces. A strong bond is very important with mixed media art pieces. Particularly ones that might be used frequently, such as the boxes and tins you may wish to alter.

Take these experiments a step further through the use of acrylic paints, rubber-stamping, text written with sharpies, and the addition of other found objects. Layer up the piece, make a mess, and learn which mediums work best together. Make notes in your art journal, or write journal entries about it in your text-only paper journal, in order not to forget the process or the results that were reached.

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