Serendipity Squares
by Randi
01/24/2004
Serendipity is defined as "The faculty of making fortunate discoveries by accident." The scrapbooking world has taken this term and put the little pieces of paper in our scrap buckets to good use! Serendipity squares are a quick, easy and frugal embellishment that can add a splash of color to a blank spot on your page. As you create them, don't be surprised if you think you have messed it up. They look like an "accident" but you'll soon discover how fortunate they are!
Supplies Needed:
- adhesives (I prefer a Xyron)
background paper
matting paper
a few different shades of paper in the colors that you want for your squares
scissors
pencil
ruler
Select your background sheet
and start applying your torn bits of paper to it.
Keep applying the torn up papers until you have the background paper well covered with no big gaps. Be sure to overlap the edges so there are no abrupt endings to your design. If you wish, after placing all your strips you may randomly stamp or put stickers on top of your torn strips for additional embellishments. I chose not to for these particular squares. It isn't supposed to look good as this point, so don't worry if it looks like a mess!
Turn your background paper over and trim along the papers that are over the edge.
Now take your ruler and evenly space lines across the paper, turn it and draw your lines the other way making even boxes. If you prefer, you may use a square paper punch for this step.
Cut carefully along your lines to make your squares. You may also cut strips to be used as borders, tags, or even letters from your serendipity paper.
Stick your squares (strips, tags, etc.) onto your matting paper.
Trim around your squares (strips, tags, etc.)
At this point you may choose to further embellish your squares by adding buttons, glitter glue, Shaved Ice, eyelets, charms, fiber, etc. Use your imagination!
Your serendipities are done! Enjoy them on your layout!
See more of Randi's work in our gallery.
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