A happy
accident!

Aunt Annie's Crafts

Greeting Card Class

Enlarge

Share this craft

Tutorial #12

Serendipity Square Cards

What we will be making:

In this greeting card tutorial learn how to use leftover scraps of paper and cardstock to make colorful serendipity squares that are then combined in various ways to make beautiful cards. The squares get the name serendipity because they are a happy accident, that is, they are assembled and cut into squares in a largely unplanned way and the results are always a surprise.

Once you learn how to make serendipity squares, you'll never need to throw away those small scraps of paper again!

For Valentine's Day make serendipity squares using red or pink scraps, heart punches and rubberstamps. See card ideas above and in the sidebar.

This greeting card tutorial builds on the previous tutorials, especially #1: Four Patch Cards and #2: Matted Clip-art and Photo Cards. If you are new to card making, review these tutorials before starting this one.

Refer to Tutorial #1: Four Patch Cards for how to make card blanks and envelopes.

Here's what you need:

White card blank - 4¼″ by 5½″
Colorful scraps of paper and cardstock
Strips of white cardstock - 1¼" to 1½" wide by 8" or more long

Glue
Scissors and ruler or paper trimmer
Optional supplies: Markers, rubberstamps and stamp pads, colored paper for mats.

This tutorial is 12th of twelve card making tutorials and is rated EASY to do.

Making Serendipity Square Greeting Cards

Read through the tutorial before starting.

Step 1: Sort Scraps

Sort your scarps of paper and cardstock by color. You might make a stack of blues that include bits of green and yellow, or stick to a primary color and white. If you have a specific idea for the card you are making, keep that in mind as you sort the scraps. For color combination ideas refer to the color wheel concepts in the Paper Weaving Card tutorial.

Tips: You don't need many scraps to make enough serendipity squares for a card. It just takes enough to cover a strip of cardstock that is 1¼" to 1½" wide by 8" or so long.

Step 2: Glue Scraps to Strip

Glue the selected scraps to the white cardstock strip. Use a generous amount of glue as you glue the scraps in random ways—don't think about it too much, just have fun. Let the scraps extend beyond the edges of the strip. Continue gluing scraps until the strip is covered. Be sure all the scraps are firmly adhered.

Tip: Cut larger scarps into smaller pieces or glue them as a background.

Step 3: Cut Squares

Once the glue is dry, flip the strip over and trim away all the paper scraps that extend beyond the edges of the cardstock strip.

Cut the strip into squares. For the biggest surprises, cut the squares with the cardstock strip face down. Flip the squares over. Check the corners for any loose paper and apply glue as needed.

Step 4: Mat the Squares

The final step in creating the serendipity squares is to mat the squares by gluing them to slightly larger squares of coordinating cardstock. For 1¼" squares cut 1½" mats and for 1½" squares cut 1¾" mats. Glue the squares to the mats.

Select a mat color that reflects a color in the squares or use a contrasting color. For color combination ideas refer to the color wheel concepts in the Paper Weaving Card tutorial.

Step 5: Arrange Squares on Card

Take four to six serendipity squares and arrange them on a card front. If you like, glue a 4" by 5¼" mat to the card front first. Once you are happy with the arrangement, glue the serendipity squares in place. Arrange squares on card front

Get creative: Mix the serendipity squares with stamped images on your card front. Or make rectangular serendipity shapes to mix things up! Keep a supply of serendipity squares on hand to decorate scrapbook pages, make into gift tags or enhance any of your paper crafts.

Before you start a tutorial:

Make a place to work.
Read through the tutorial.
Think about what you plan to make. Imagine how you can add your own creative touch.
Gather the materials you will need.