A Paper Scavenger Hunt

I'm finally inspired to make some glue-book pages in my Documented Faith-book, so I'm going to be scouting around for images and words to fill the pages. I have a list here of things I'll be collecting. Hopefully I'll find enough to fill one page apiece!

In 2015 I challenged myself to look for Bits and Pieces of paper that I could use for artist trading cards and I found quite a bit in my home and craft barn that I'm still using from, however, the stash is getting low, so I've decided to challenge myself to find more, but not just in my house and craft barn, but to see what I can find outside of my home.

Just like last time, I'll describe what I find, for one month. If you have followed me in the past, I like long posts, so come back to see what I've added to this one from time to time. Please feel free to make notes or print the list if you like as I understand the need for list reminders. If you would like to follow along and challenge yourself to see what you can find, list in the comments below what paper ephemera you found (be nice, no naked people or profanity please. I keep a family friendly blog here). The prize will be your collection of images and words that you've collected during your own scavenger hunt!

I've been watching many videos of glue-book collectors on YouTube and have some idea of the things they have been using to cut images from, so one of the first things I've done is order travel brochures from here and here  for inspirational themed places! I know about a few since I've written biographies about the people who lived or created them here.

Next I took a plastic shopping bag and went around my house, picking up paper items to put into it. I especially raided my husband's pile of stuff he pulls from his pocket at night and never throws away. I would have enough to do a two page spread (or more) if I used what I found there, but since I'm looking for specific kinds of things, I might not. So anyway, I'll be going through this sack, cropping and stuffing things into my Faith-book sleeves that have already been prepared to receive them.

Day 1.) Tonight, my goodie bag holds Cracker Barrel sacks my husband has been saving for me as I like the graphics on the outside; crinkled tissue paper from Christmas gifts that I've been saving for gelli-prints; a gold envelope; a Formica sample; a quarterly school district newsletter (good for both images and words for my word-bank); a Hershey's cookie sack; some prescription paper (good to use in place of text paper from books in mixed media projects); an old Christmas gift sack with deer on it; a coloring book page; 3 instruction sheets from Papa Murphy's Pizza (more text paper); packaging from crafting goodies with the price tags still on them; a package of Christian art gifts (magnetic bookmarks) with the UPC code still on it; receipts galore from my husband's stash (the question is, will any of them be from a Christian bookstore? nope); illustrated notebook page; some small calendar pages from 2015 (imagine that/smile); a security envelope; several address labels (two  qualifies with a candy cane and a heart on them); notes from girlfriends on pretty stationary (one qualifies for scripture & flowers of the Bible); some business cards (but not any from the places I want); 4 Bob's Red Mill oatmeal lids & vacuum seals; 1 cherry tomato vacuum seal (I thought these would make nice little tea bag folded type origami flowers if you had enough); and odds and ends of stickers from the store.

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Day 2: Okay, so I cleaned out my purse today. Knew I had some wads of paper in there, like “Bits of Honey” candy wrappers, Applebee’s Restaurant apple silverware wraps, two used stevia-in-the-raw envelopes (figured I could cut out the tiny leaves for a Tree of Life themed page), a used post-it-note with the words “Gratitude,” “Blessings,” “Happiness,” “Friendship” and Lady Liberty down in the corner. Some drinking straw sleeves (stripes) . . .

Next, I hung a sack in the kitchen, told the guys about my collecting challenge and ask them to throw in any bits that I might be looking for. We’re a former homeschool family, if that explains anything (smile) and as I moved around the house today, I added bits as I found them, like a cereal sack. We sometimes buy our cereal in big Malt-o-Meal sacks instead of the tag board boxes (there are circles, big letters and numbers, UPS code, a recipe, several logo prints, the mom word). I found a clothing tag made into a little pocket that held a couple of buttons. Have no idea what garment that came from so will be adding the buttons to my collection and have a cute little pocket tag. I found a company logo envelope with drink tickets in it from my husband’s company Christmas party.  I found a pad of paper with several sheets of used paper, so I ripped them off and cut out the logos at the top. Some packaging and junk mail cards with nice images and logos which yield a wreath, a bird & butterfly, a lace doily, a shelving unit and rattan patio chairs and the words “SPRING & SUMMER.” An old card with no envelope or writing inside, so that yield a UPC code, a “Just Married” car, and the sentiment inside. Another tag. Some coupon mailers and bubble wrap. Some doctor appointment cards. A teacup bookmark. 2000 Flushes Toilet Cleaner Package which gave me some large letters and numbers, the word “Blue” and a UPC code on the bottom of the box. A metal soda bottle lid which can be flattened in a Cuddlebug into something round. One of my business cards and a Precious Moments sticker. My husband brought home three cardboard tubes left over from the sticker labels that he uses in the warehouse where he works. And a church bulletin.

Before I forget, Stephanie has cute templates for a home sweet home scene here!

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DAY 3 = Today was a medical appointment day, so between the two appointments we stopped at a bookstore, Hobby Lobby and a thrift store. At Hobby Lobby, I found wallet cards, a sack of “World-Wide” Postage Stamps, a sack of chocolate coins, and several of those freebie tutorial sheets which had crosses on them and a store receipt from a faith-based business. At the thrift store, I was rewarded with two small 2017 calendars, several price tags, an Easter Note Pad in the shape of an egg, an old Precious Moments spiral quote book, 2 sets of Stampin’ Up brand rubber stamps (one sentiment in the round, wheels); and a book by Stephanie’s pastor, Rick Warren.

Also, Kim Victoria of Highlander Stamps has freebie printable's such as eggs, flags, costumes of the world, etc. here.  

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DAY 4 = Crafty Secrets has FREE reproducible's here. I saw the Serenity Prayer, a lamb, an angel, St. Patrick's Day illustration, among many other goodies. One of my Documented Faith friends wanted to know what the page would look like, so I sent her a link to Karin's Corner Easter spread on YouTube. Now mind you, a spread is two pages, whereas, I will only be collecting enough for one page.

So here's what I accomplished today. I had two teeth removed yesterday, so ain’t feeling real perky, but since it doesn’t take much effort to soak the backing paper from the postage stamps in warm water, as I was pulling them from the water and laying them face down on paper towels to dry, I noticed there were a few postmarks here and there, some of which were equally as interesting. As far as I could tell, there was no stamps from the Middle East yet, but I did see stamps from Canada, Korea, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. And I cut up a phone card (numbers, logo, upc code); clipped, saved poetry and recipes.

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Day 7 = Day 5 and 6 were spent cutting up the bits and pieces I have found. Today, though, I went through our junk drawer and pulled all empty battery packages out and actually threw some real trash out. I also collected some soup can labels and other packaging. And cut up the small calendar and glued each month into my Faith-book while I listened to the audiobible.com .  Two of the battery packages yielded an Energizer bunny which can go on my Easter page. The oatmeal package had five Quakers on it, two hearts, some wording and a UPC code!  The TV dinner packaging gave me a logo and two circles, a UPC code and food words. A kitchen paper tube (I mash them flat and wind ribbon or embroidery floss around them), a price tag, a paint chip, a pick-up reminder postcard from our local library came with a cartoon dino reading a book, and a logo. Got to the bottom of the sack and found a Nazarene Theological Seminary business card!

Almost forgot, Dover Publishing has a teacher/parent FREE sample  email newsletter that I signed up for. You can sign up here too. By the way, I received an email from Dover's Customer Service and they said "If you are using Dover coloring pages in any way other than personal use, you must ask for permission.  To receive permission to use any Dover products, please contact our Rights and Permissions Department via email at rights@doverpublications. com.  Please be sure to include the titles, ISBN number, page number, image, how it will be used, etc., and they will contact you with more information."
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4/3/2017 = Life gets in the way of the best of intentions sometimes. Sigh! Most of what I have is more of the same, but I did receive one of my tourist guides that I ordered.

So, let’s see, what’s new! Some “junk ads” that came with some new products we purchased – you know those extra papers that are folded up with the instructions sheets for other products you might like to accompany what you bought. A roll of cardboard from the postage stamp bag. Some clear packaging, a bike license plate frame (cute little rascal on the front, a logo, and an UPC code), one of those labels that “UNDER PENALTY OF LAW  THIS TAG NOT TO BE REMOVED EXCEPT BY THE CONSUMER” and since I’m the consumer, yep, I ripped it off! You betcha! Smile!

Next, I found three postcards, one of them from the Postcard people announcing the next one convention coming to town (I won't be cutting the postcards up, as they are unused and I might need them to send some happy mail to somebody). Then I went through my computer desk drawer. I have a bunch of used spiral notebooks that I formerly carried in my purse and I haven’t taken the time to clean them out. Now mind you, the drawer is a shallow one, but it's full, so nevertheless, it's time to clean out, so  some of the covers can be used to cover atc’s as backgrounds and then my handwriting can be used as mod-podge material on atc’s or journal pages as backgrounds instead of using vintage books and magazines! I found a tylonal box with an interesting background pattern on the inside of the box which I had saved in the pocket of one of those notebooks. Oh, and what a prize, I found a tuna can label with my name on it – DOLORES. Woo Hoo! And last but not least, I was going through some old appliance papers and found some papers for appliances that gave up the ghost a long time ago, so I thought that would be great for text paper too.

Also, I was hanging out at this website today: Historic Map Works: Residential Genealogy. They have wonderful old map reprints for sale.

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4/5/2017 = I've been ill, so haven't done much in the way of digging out papers. I received a get-well card in the mail today with a little coloring card with hearts on it inside and a Bible verse: "A happy heart makes the face cheerful." Proverbs 15:13. I have decided one of my glue-book pages will be hearts and this little card will be just perfect as a element on the page! Thank you Debbie!

And from the envelope, there's some washi tape that says "You are loved!" and a postage stamp as well. And I received another card yesterday from Myrna, a church friend, along with another postage stamp and an address label! Thank you Myrna!

I also found a heart shaped box that had chocolates in it that my sweetie bought me for Valentine's Day. I was thinking of turning it into a heart-shaped configuration cabinet like one of Tim Holtz' with the little spaces inside (it's 10 1/2" wide).  Too big for a glue-page I'm thinking.

And the guys brought home some Stewart's Orange and Cream soda in some cute little packaging. I may have to save that too, as the carrying case for the 4 soda bottles is pretty sturdy.  I also found an expired coupon and an old customer discount card, the kind you carry on your key ring.

On Pinterest, I have several boards for ideas using paper like crepe and tissue paper, kitchen, kraft, labels, paint chips, pharmaceutical, scraps, security envelopes, tea, tissue boxes and tubes and miscellaneous.

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4/8/2017 = My legs are encased in 4 layers of wraps for a week and we had company today, but I did find a website for you with some free printable's. It's called The Painted Hive.
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4/12/2017 = Tomorrow is one of my doctor's appointment in the next two days (total 3 & PT) and I hope to get the wraps off my legs as they are HOT and ITCHY! LOL! And driving me CRAZY! Son says I don't have far to go either! *smile!* But while I've been cooped up, I've been keeping my mind off my legs by watching YouTube videos, organizing a few of my playlists, and getting and sharing ideas of what to collect should I be able to get out and about this weekend! I've got a list made of places I'd like to go! I did find some printable pretties for you at this website!

Meanwhile a new pen-pal has sent me a scan or two -- one was a letter that his dad wrote his mother while he was on duty near the Holy Land during WWII. It was on hotel letterhead from Jerusalem! He also sent me some scans of a tourist guide that his father picked up while in the Holy Land with photos, like Via Dolorosa! How cool is that!

I almost forgot, I received a get-well card in the mail from our small group at church -- everyone signed it. It looked like a Thomas Kinkade card! I also soaked off the stamp and the return address label from the envelope! Thank you gals and guys!

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4/13/2017 = Wearing wraps again. sigh! But while I was at the doctor's I noticed over in the corner was a table of pamphlets, so on my way out, I picked up one of everything there. One was for a past event with hearts on it. One was a medical brochure to quit smoking (I don't smoke, but it was an accordion fold-out on heavy duty paper with a pocket at one end with one of those tissue thin Medication Guides inside -- ah! Stamp some butterflies in Stazon black on the text and I've got faux Tim tissue paper I can decoupage with!). Then we stopped at a Pizza joint to get some supper and my husband found a Little Caesars Activity/Coloring Book which he brought out to me. Right inside the cover was a NASA emblem in a circle and further along in the book was a page of flags from different countries.

Oh, and I was telling somebody about this website yesterday.

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4/18/2017 = Stephanie is always telling us to use what we have. In my case, the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak and I haven't been able to get around to as many places as I had planned to go, so I mostly have the same-o-same-o, except for one thing. . .

I was sharing with my Documented Faith sisters today about a nifty idea for a glue-book page that I saw on YouTube here by Becky Gladhill. And Elizabeth sent me a favorite music video here and said, "Why don't you draw what you want?" (since I don't have the stamp mentioned in the first video). Duh! So I did!

So one of my first names can be "child of God" ("How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God." ~ 1 John 3:1). I wonder how many other good nicknames I can find?

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4/20/2017 = Found out yesterday, that I will be having surgery on my knee at the end of next month. Sounds like fun, huh? NOT! smile! Just hope it prevents me from falling down so much. I remembered this morning that I have a bunch of Vintage Valentines (hearts) I scanned and uploaded to Pinterest some time back and I have a whole board loaded with them that I've found here and there as well.

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4/22/2017 = I've got quite a bit of packaging to cut up. One was from a Russell Stover white chocolate Easter bunny package. Then we went to Michaels the other night and I found Me & My Big Ideas stickers on clearance with hearts, grateful wording, bless, loved by God, etc. Then I also picked up a couple of those craft sheets while I was there and a couple of them had Easter eggs on them.  Also a Michael's Camp Creativity brochure with quite a few images inside. Then afterwards we went over to Walmart across the street and I found two more craft sheets, one for an inspirational T-shirt with a cross on it and a Faith charm bracelet.

Today we went out to eat with the in-laws and my husband's been collecting those take-out menu's, so I grabbed a couple more. This one was from a BBQ restaurant with a piggy on front. We also went to a Christian bookstore and I about cleaned out their clearance baskets. I found some name cards, some Veggie-Tale confetti (I've been a FAN for a long time -- our Sunday School room was decorated in Veggie-Tale), a package of love notes that are about the size of Project Life cards, a Passion of the Christ card with Aramaic script on it, a roll of heart washi tape from Illustrated Faith that was on clearance, some Duct tape with God's Girl Eternal Princess on it, a package of 12 Hello name tags stickers on clearance for 89 cents, Jabez Prayer stickers by Standard Publishing, two more packages of heart stickers by Illustrated Faith on clearance, Faith That Sticks stickers with a heart on it and some scripture, and a Illustrated Faith Bible Journaling brochure. And a receipt to a Christian store to boot! God is so good to me!

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4/23/2017 = Thank you, all for visiting me. Today we went to a used bookstore called Half-Price Books. All their 2017 calendars were on clearance for $1.00 and I also found a package of 6 paperboard coloring coasters by www.dcigift.com. My friend, Karen, contributed some paper bits too. I have a good start on at least one glue-book page which I will share as soon as I get it glued up here.

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4/28/2017 = I been working through Stephanie Ackerman's online Bible Journaling workshop and was inspired by some of her artwork for the middle of this heart glue-book page. My first one done! Now I need to find some egg-shaped stickers and washi tape, because I believe I have enough images to make another glue-book page. Should be a good time to find those on clearance since it's after Easter, right?  Can you guess how many hearts on are this page? 😍

The heart washi tape is Illustrated Faith by Shannon Noel. It is manufactured by Dayspring, a Hallmark subdivision.

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6/2/2017 = Today was a productive day watching YouTube videos for source ideas and wanted to add in a couple that I gleaned and thought of. I'm going to put on my thrift store list -- unused Christmas cards (after signatures are added, they become genealogical documents). I saw some "Tree of Life" collections of crosses and Christmas trees, so Easter and Christmas cards ought to be perfect for that!  We're flexing and stretching our creativity muscles to think of sources we can glean images from, so was enjoying the alpha letters I saw because I need to practice my hand-lettering and doodling and thought, I need to look on labels for those. Somebody had a Special K cereal box letter, so the light-bulb flashed! Another person had graffiti they had collected from magazines, but I have taken some photos of street art, wall dogs (building murals) and church art in my town -- have them here for show and tell (and most people laugh when I ask them where the artwork in our town is, so I was out to prove we had some! grin! ). My girlfriend, Karen, brought me some happy mail the other day and she had two little hands with hearts in the center of the palms that she got from junk mail. Since my heart page is pretty well done, she inspired me to think of a "Helping Hands" theme and I remembered that somewhere I have a tracing of my father-in-law's baby hand that my husband's grandmother made when he was small that I could scan and print out for that page.

7/16/2017 = Second glue-book page done! 

8/1/2017 = Have started collecting purple images, as purple is a royal color, right? 👸 But I found a seed packet glue book page by TheMeriAtelier that I just love also! 

9/15/2017 = Finished up a "Tree of Life" glue book page today. What I used most was used gift sacks I bought from the thrift store and some tutorial sheets from the hobby stores along with a leaf or two from used stevia packets. I'm still looking for a small manger which I can probably find on an unused Christmas card. 

11/17/2017 =

Eight down, four more to go. . .

A shout-out to my Documented Faith friend, Karen L. She sent me some friendship tea bags/tags, so I was able to finish up this Thanksgiving Tea glue-book page tonight. I really appreciate Karen, as she is almost always willing to help me in any art project I have going. I really like that about her. smile!

So until next time. . .