Today's the day we all give thought and action towards taking better care of our planet; after all it's the only one we have!
Crafters have been Earth Day supporters for many generations - even if they don't realize it. Every time we find a new use for an existing product or object, we are reducing production in big factories & their pollution, we're reducing the amount we send to landfill sites, and we're saving money while we create a beautiful hand-made card or gift!
Today's tip from the Frugal Stamper is a list of common items that can be given a new life in your craft room:
1) CEREAL BOXES - use cardboard from thin boxes in place of expensive chipboard to make book covers, or to run through your die cutting machine to make letters and shapes.
2) EMBELLISHMENTS - visit your local second-hand thrift shop or your own closet & drawers to find old necklaces, sweaters, etc with unusual buttons or beads - they can be taken apart and re-used on your cards & layouts for a fraction of the cost you'd pay for brand new!
3) UPHOLSTERERS & PAINT STORES - these places are a gold mine for crafters; ask for discontinued fabric sample books or wallpaper books - even the most outlandish pattern can be used in a small amount to accent your cards or altered items. Cut some fabric flowers with your die cutting machine and sew them onto a pillow! Paint sample cards are another popular accent to use on your cards.(Note: not all papers & fabrics are safe for your scrapbooks - use caution when putting them next to your photos).
4) WOOL GARMENTS - Shrink those old wool sweaters and scarves in the washer & dryer - on purpose! You'll be left with a tightly-woven felt-like material that can be cut to make flowers, dots and other embellishments. The process is called felting, or according to my friend Joy, "Franken-felt" - taking pieces from one garment to make something new.
Ok, just off the top of my head, there's a list to get you started. Now it's your turn - leave a comment on this post to suggest other household or workshop items we can incorporate into our craft creations.
On Friday night I'll randomly choose one commenter to win a bag of die cut shapes made with my scrap card stock and my Big Shot die cutting machine & my newest dies - butterflies & flowers for Spring!