Scrapbook & Cards Today Blog: Designer Challenge Monday

Welcome back to the SCT blog for another fun-filled week. It is a special week for all of us as the spring issue launches on Thursday! That’s right, as of Thursday, March 26th; the spring issue of Scrapbook & Cards Today will be available in stores and online. You do not want to miss this one!

This week, we welcome Allison Cope to the blog as our guest designer of the week. Welcome Allison! Here is her challenge:

When my son was born, my Mom made him a beautiful handmade blanket. It pretty much continues to go wherever he goes. Now, I don’t crochet or knit, so I couldn’t use an actual homemade textile as part of my layout, but I thought that I would create a fun woven paper embellishment to add some great textured detail instead. I created this woven paper mat to use on this layout about Spencer’s blanket. I challenge you to try this technique. It is easy and really fun!

Made with Love
Allison Cope, Sparwood, BC

supplies: patterned papers, die cuts, My Mind’s Eye; cardstock, Bazzill Swiss Dot, Prism; ribbon, Top Line Creation; buttons, Autumn Leaves; tiny letter stickers, pin, Making Memories; letter stickers, American Crafts, adhesive, Glue Dots, Scotch; tools, Fiskars (borderpunch); other, thread

steps to make a woven paper mat:

1.    Cut an 8x8 square of patterned paper.
2.    Use a border punch on one side of the square.
3.    Cut strips of paper from the opposite side of the punched edge (towards the punched edge to within half an inch of the detailed edge). Your strips can be cut evenly or cut in alternating widths like mine (½ inch and ¾ inch widths).
4.    Cut strips of coordinating patterned papers using the same width and length as your base. Approximately 8.5 x 8.75 “.
5.    Carefully weave your first strip under and over the base strips of paper. Carefully push the woven strip to the base closest to the punched edge.
6.    Continue weaving strips of your coordinating strips, alternating the widths and alternating the over and under pattern from strip to strip.
7.    When finished, secure the woven pieces so they don’t come out. I stitched around my entire mat to secure all the ends.