Is it possible to turn scraps of paper into a meaningful wedding anniversary gift? Yes – and I’ll show you how.
After my wedding, I had a lot of leftover paper materials including some save the dates, invitations, envelopes, menus, name cards, and programs. We saved a few copies of each for sentimental reasons, but I was determined to not let the rest go to waste.
So for our first anniversary – the paper anniversary – I decided to create a paper collage using paper scraps from the leftover wedding materials. This post will walk you through the steps to make your own paper mosaic using leftover paper materials from your wedding.
Supplies needed to make a paper mosaic from wedding invitations:
Materials
- Various paper materials
- Thin poster board in desired size
- Mod podge or other paper adhesive that dries clear
Tools
- Paint brush
- Pencil
- Scissors (optional)
Now that you have your supplies, let’s go through the steps to make a paper mosaic from your wedding invitations.
Steps to make your own paper mosaic
1. Decide what you want your paper mosaic to look like
You can choose an inspiration image or dream something up in your head.
Before getting out the scissors and glue, you’ll need to figure out what you want the paper collage design to be. For example, I thought about a few different ideas related to our wedding, but ultimately decided to create a paper mosaic of the view from the mountaintop where my husband proposed to me.
If you have a photo of your desired subject, I recommend printing a photo you can reference while creating the design.
2. Outline general layout of your mosaic (Optional)
This step is totally optional if you like to create entirely as you go. However, it can be helpful to have a general outline on the poster board using a pencil.
You will be gluing paper on top of this so you will not be able to see these notes once the mosaic is finished.
3. Rip or cut the paper into smaller pieces
The next step to create your own paper collage is to rip the paper materials into smaller pieces. If preferred, you can also use scissors to cut it into pieces.
Ripping will give you more of an organic look and can really emphasize things like the ridges of mountains. However, using scissors would allow you to cut more precisely, if desired.
4. Sort the paper by color
Once your paper is in smaller pieces, sort them by color. It helps to have every piece sorted by color so you can easily pick out what you need as you go.
If you are planning on working on this project over multiple sessions, it can help to put each color category into its own bag for easier storage and cleanup.
5. Glue the paper and create your design!
Now you are ready to start creating your paper mosaic design. Using Mod Podge or another adhesive of your choice, paste the pieces on to the poster board.
When selecting an adhesive, you want to pick something that is recommended for paper use and that dries clear. I also recommend using a paint brush to apply the glue – this will help to keep your fingers from getting too sticky.
My biggest tips to make your own paper mosaic using wedding invitations
Take a step back – As you create your mosaic, pause every now and then to step back and view it from a distance. This can help you identify areas that need more work.
Don’t overthink it – Any time you are gluing something down, it can be easy to overthink where every piece needs to go. However, you can always paste other paper over something you’ve glued down if you need to change your design as you go.
Frame it up – Once your paper mosaic is complete, get a frame that complements the design. Whether you are giving it as a gift or keeping it at your home, framing the mosaic will make it easier to hang up and enjoy every day!