Recycling last year's Christmas cards

 After Christmas we have a short week to put decorations away and pack for our winter in Florida.  I always put the Christmas cards we receive in a pile until we return in the spring.  Then I go through and salvage pieces of cards that can be recycled and usually sent to SAS4Kids.  I thought this cute stocking was definitely a keeper.

This month I am participating in

The Cat Lovers Christmas Kickstart Challenge 

 

This is my cat card #2 for the challenge.

 

 

TMS Challenge - 4 days left to play

 I liked the challenge sketch at Tuesday Morning Sketches this week so much that I decided to use it for this card, too. 

Here's this week's sketch:

 

That cute little gnome was on a Christmas card that I received last year.  He was just too cute to sit in my stash.  I've recycled the little guy onto a fresh card.  He's sure to brighten someone's day! 

So how about using this sketch to enter the Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge this week?  Our team works so hard creating cards and leaving comments on your blogs.  Lately the entries have been dwindling and we are starting to feel neglected.  

Well, actually, no one has actually put it into words, but I know I've been wondering why no one is playing?  You have to start somewhere when making a card.  Why not start with a sketch from TMS?

Am I starting to sound pathetic?   I'm sorry.  But....

PLEASE PLAY 

 

I'm playing at these fun challenges: 

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #226 - Merry & Bright 

Little Red Wagon Challenge #632 - Anything Christmas or holiday 

 

 

 

 

Please scroll down to the previous post to see my design team card for the Tuesday Morning Sketch Challenge.

Then click here to play. 

 

You know you want to.

Just couldn't throw it out!

 The other day a friend sent me a few die cuts in the mail....

She had taken a Thank You card that she had received, cut off the back, cut the front in half, put the two halves together, taped the ends, and made a nice secure pocket in which to send the die cuts.  It was a very pretty pocket.  I carefully removed the tape so I could reuse the paper and make this flowery birthday card.

I just couldn't throw out that pretty paper.

 

Tuesday Morning Sketches #600

 

Welcome to my blog, where I have
a new card to share with you each week for

Tuesday Morning Sketches 

 

 

 

 

This week I've made a super easy card using  a piece of recycled striped paper, from a Thank You note I received in a CTMH order just yesterday, and bits and pieces from my scrap pile.  Circle dies are by Sizzix and "hi" die is from Momenta.
 

I hope you'll have time to play along at

Tuesday Morning Sketches 

this week. 

The Design Team would love it if you'd visit our blogs.

Andrea

Debbie 

Margreet

Melissa

 Patti

Tammy

You can be sure that one of us will be visiting yours!

Have a great and crafty day!

 

Challenges:

Stinkin' Inkers Challenge - Recycle/Reuse (striped paper)

Mix It Up Challenge #48 - AG;No Stamping 

Dies R Us Challenge #166 - AG (Sizzix dies used)

Die Cut Divas Challenge - Window or Aperture Card

A Perfect Time to Craft April Challenge - AG

A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #137 - AG

Just Us Girls Challenge #578 - Stripes

Taylor Made Cards 4 You April Challenge - Serendipity (How coincidental that my CTMH order should arrive with a Thank You card in it that I could recycle for this card.)

 

 

Christmas Cardinal and Holly Card

As I tidied up the Christmas things on my craft table, I came across a small piece of holly patterned paper that I saw no reason to throw away.  Picking up a few other scraps, I made a nice little banner.      And that's exactly how most of my cards begin.

First I'll show you the inside of the card (because that is where the banner ended up). 
That's a Stampers Anonymous Tim Holtz sentiment stamp.

Keeping in mind the Inspo list from Festive Friday Challenge #0074,

I chose holly, red and green

I designed the front of the card, using a die cut I forgot I had, a cardinal which I cut from one of the cards I received last year, Fundamental papers from CTMH, and some washi tape for accent.

 Thanks for dropping by.

I think I still have time to make a batch or two of cookies before dinner.

 

Recycling Christmas Card Pieces

 With a lot of time at home this year, I went through old cards I had saved for salvageable pieces.  Many of my Christmas cards had bits from those old cards.  I am particularly happy with this card.  

Last year, when I received a card with these peacock themed ornaments, I knew that I'd be reusing them for my BFF's card this year.  She has quite a group of peacocks that nest in her front tree. I love making cards for her because I know she appreciates the time I put into them and it's like sending a bit of love from PA across the US to her in AZ.

The aqua blue glittery background was also recycled from one of last year's cards.  I wonder if a certain crafty friend of mine will see and recognize it.

The inside sentiment stamp is from Stampin' Up. 

The outside Merry Christmas Die is from Paper Smooches.        Upon viewing the photo,  I noticed the die cut was crooked.  Luckily, I was able to lift and straighten it.

Challenges:

Sparkles Christmas Challenge - Non traditional Christmas Colors;  A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #130 - AG; C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #581 - Christmas; As You Like It Challenge - Favorite person to create for (family or friend) and why

Santa cards

 Here is a pair of cards using a cricut cut sentiment and its negative image.  

The Santa in the first card is a Tim Holtz stamp from Stampers Anonymous.   The sentiment is a cut from the CTMH Artiste Cricut Cartridge.  It was cut from printable white glitter paper and then colored red with a marker.  Santa was stamped on the same paper and colored. The patterned papers are just scraps.

The Santa on the second card was a 3D sticker I salvaged from a card I received last year.   I placed some red paper underneath the white glitter paper from which the Ho Ho Ho above was cut and carefully glued in the centers of the o's and a few other pieces.  Cut once, use twice.  To this card I added some washi tape and a bow.

Challenges: Beccy's Place November Challenge - Day 18 Scraps; Sweet Stampers Challenge #50 - Christmas; Christmas 24 Challenge #022 - Santa; Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Happy Holidays; Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Card Creations; Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of Nov. 17th - AG; Simon Says Wednesday Challenge - Christmas; C.R.A.F.T. Challenge #577 - Christmas; Crafty Catz Challenge # 528- AG with Christmas option

 

One Thing Leads to Another

I started out making this card for my niece.

and ended up making a few more cards..... 

 The Mickey Mouse background for my niece's card was originally part of  a magazine advertisement.  Since Jenny is a big Mickey Mouse fan, I put it aside for her birthday card.

The sentiment is a Rubbernecker stamp and matching die, which I popped using a piece of craft foam also cut with the die. 

Sparkles of various colors finished off the card.

I am entering it in the following challenges:

Crafty Sentiments Challenge - Bright Colors 

Everybody Art Challenge 428 - Birthday

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #410 - Birthday

Send a Smile 4 Kids Challenge - Anything Goes

To make the eight card grouping, I used every bit of 1 sheet of double sided patterned paper.  Each card features the same Rubberneckers Happy Birthday Sentiment stamp, using both the positive and negatives of the die cut.  They all have one of Tim Holtz's Crazy Birds, complete with party hat, watercolored and fussy cut.

These will go on the pile for Send a Smile 4 Kids.  

I think they will make great teen cards. 

Recycling Business Cards

Our day started with a soccer game.  

And I am happy to report that grandson Matthew's team won 2-0.

A few weeks ago, one of the other soccer grandmoms and I were talking.  Norma was very interested in my cardmaking and asked me to bring a few cards to the next soccer game for her to see.  She channels her creative talents into her flower business, Thorns and Petals, in Sellersville, PA, and gave me a few of her business cards.   I'm hoping she'll give me a few more to pass out, because this is what I did with the ones I had.

 Don't they look good on a card????

(That's a CTMH sentiment stamp.)

 I had planned on giving this to Norma at the game this morning but she wasn't there.  Guess I'll surprise her and pop it in the mail

as well as a few....

Challenges:

Always Fun Challenges #27 - Anything Goes 

Through the Craft Room Door Challenge Week of 10/9 - Anything Goes

Sisterhood of Crafters Challenge - Pink October

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Anything Goes

Star Stampz Challenge - Lots of Pink

In the Pink Challenge #126 - Ribbons and/or Bows

Craft Rocket Challenge #42 - Birthday or Pretty Pinks

Fussy and Fancy Challenge #198 - Pretty in Pink

Grandson Nicholas's baseball tournament begins at 6:30pm tonight, with an 8:30pm game following that, and another tomorrow, with even more if they are winning.  

Hope you'll be making memories, too, this weekend!

 

 

Mystery Paper

Alright Close to My Heart users, who recognizes this paper?

 When I first put this card together, it did not have the little jar.

It sat on my table for the longest time because it was just too bare for my taste.  Then I remembered I had a stamp from Sparkle n Sprinkle for this little jar.  I'm happy with it now.

Here's another card using the same paper and a colored digi stamp from Beccy's Place.  Have you figured out where I got the paper?

 I'm off to Joyce's CTMH class.

The origin of the paper will remain a mystery for now.

Challenges:

Beccy's Place August Challenge - Anything Goes with a Beccy's Place image 

A Gem of a Challenge #200 - Birthday Wishes 

Come and Get It Challenge - Die Cuts

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Happy Birthday

Crafting from the Heart Challenge #171 - Anything Goes

Digi Choosday Challenge Week 32 - Anything Goes

Pile It On Challenge #133 - Recycle (The patterned paper is recycled.)

 

Monday Morning Scraps

There are several cards on my craft table in various stages of completion.  So before I headed out to work in my flower beds on this beautiful day, I finished up two of them.

First, a Thank You card using words cut from a store bought card I recently received.

Second, a general purpose party card, using left over 3/8" scraps of CTMH fundamental paper to piece together the background, a die cut from Die-Versions, and CTMH sentiment stamp and dots.

Here's a closeup of the background.

Challenges:

Seize the Birthday Challenge - Birthday; optional topping- Anything Goes

Glitter n Sparkle Challenge #245 - Anything Goes

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #165 - Anything Goes 

Heart 2 Heart Challenge - Watercoloring (I used the ink from the lid of the Twilight ink pad and a water brush to color in the Party Time letters.)

A Bit More Time to Craft Challenge #46 - Anything Goes

I must be off.  

Thanks for the visit.

 

Colony Cards 2/7/2017

A few days ago there was an advertising magazine in the newspaper.  It had the most beautiful purple crocuses on the front.  I just couldn't bear to put them in the recycle bin.  

So I didn't!

inside of the magazine front cover

The front cover piece I saved and embossed for this card....

And 'string saver' that I am, before assembling the card, I die cut a matching label for the inside from the dp underneath the flowers.

Die cut is Our Daily Bread; Embossing folder is Stampin' Up; Papers and sentiment stamp are Close To My Heart.

Challenges:

Crafting When We Can Challenge #147 - Flowers

Crafter's Cafe Challenge - Recycle Something (magazine photo)

Crafting From the Heart Challenge #145 - Anything Goes 

Through the Craft Room Door Week of Feb 7th - Anything Goes 

Mod Squad Challenge - Texturize

****************

Yesterday I attended a card class at Colony Rec Center.
Two wonderful gals each make up 2 card kits for assembly.
First Linda's cards - She loves die cuts and embossing folders.  Her machines really get a workout!

And now Joan's cards - She likes to color.  It's always nice to have a couple cards for men.

This last card had to be revamped when I got home and realized I had stamped the inside sentiment upside down on the back of the front of the card.  And just when you hope your adhesive will allow you to easily peel off the image, it doesn't.  I managed to save both the front and inside sentiments by fussy cutting the image and remounting it on different paper. 

I'm happy you stopped by today.

Don't forget to come back for the CTMH Joyful Stars February Blog Hop in 2 days!

Yummy Birthday Card

After a month making daily holiday cards, I have a birthday card to show you.  It's relatively simple in design.  I rescued the patterned wrapping paper from a gift.  It's looks pretty good on a card!

Stamp is by CTMH

Challenges: 

Crafting by Designs Challenge - Anything Goes 

Fresh Brewed Designs November Challenge - Pastels and/or Friendship 

Crazy 4 Challenges #364 - Add Cake 

 

Freebie Paper & Recycled Sign

Today I've paired up some free designer paper I received in the most recent issue of Cardmaking and Papercraft magazine with a glittery circle die cut from the back of a Student Driver car window sign.  Nothing like some reflective material for some Christmas sparkle! (My friend picked up a bunch of them at a flea market and was kind enough to share them with me.  She thought it might look good on a card and I agree.))

(The stamp is CTMH)

I think I'll make a few more of these.  It's time.

Challenges:

Allsorts Challenge Week 386 - Sparkle and Shine 

Crafting by Design Challenge - Get Ready for Christmas

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #95 - Anything Goes

Wonderful Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Merry Monday Christmas Challenge #219 - Birds

52 Christmas Card Throwdown - Technique Embossing (I gave the paper a good sanding to make the embossing stamd out.) 

Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas Challenge #304 - Use a sentiment

Playing cards this afternoon.  Gotta run.

 

Recycled packaging

This card uses the picture from the packaging of a Tim Holtz Sizzix embossing folder I purchased.

 (I saved the plastic, too.  You never know.)

Here's another card using the actual embossing folder: 

The crinkle ribbon is from DLArt.
The stamps are from CTMH.
And, yes, I love pumpkin pie!
with grape jelly, of course!
Try it, you'll like it!

Challenges for card #2:

Craft Rocket Challenge #25 - Ribbon and/or Lace

Crafty Ribbons Challenge #169 - Ribbon and/or Lace 

D.L.Art Thankful Thursday Challenge #189 - Fall 

Creative Knockouts Challenge #161 - Fall 

Is it just me, or does that chocolate brown card  remind you of a freshly unwrapped, wonderfully glossy, sweet smelling Hershey chocolate bar?  I think I'll go make some chocolate chip cookies.  I like those all year!  And no, not with grape jelly!

Using what's available

When I did my packing, almost 2 months ago now, I neglected to bring any stamps suitable for a sympathy card.  Unfortunately,  I should have.  Luckily, I got a SU catalog when I was in The Villages last month.  The sentiment above was not stamped, but was cut from the catalog.   Actually, nothing on this card was stamped.  The CS and designer papers used are all by CTMH.

Challenges for today:

Crafting with Friends Challenge #15 - Anything Goes

Simply Papercraft Challenge #24 - Anything Goes

Crafty Girls Creations Challenge #15 - Always Anything Goes

Moving Along with the Times Challenge - Words Only

Crafty Gals Corner Challenge #60 - Anything Goes

Word Art Wednesday Challenge #220 - Anything Goes

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes

Paperminutes Challenge #423 - Only Sayings

Crafty Boots Challenge - No Stamps 

Salvaging a "whoopsie"

Were you to eavesdrop when I am teaching a card class, you might hear an occasional  "whoops".  This might be followed by, "do you have another....?".  Quite often, the "whoops" is easily fixable.  But there are times when it is simpler to pull out another card base, or piece of designer paper.   Those more challenging "whoopsies" return home with me and using them becomes my personal challenge.  I just hate to throw things away.  

This card originated from 2 separate class mistakes.  The white card base got a little inky where it wasn't supposed to be inky.   Of course, that was an easy fix.   I covered it.    The second mistake was made by one of the gals who was slightly overzealous when distressing a piece of DP.  Luckily, the reverse side of the DP was solid purple.  Again, it was an easy fix.  I flipped it over.  And, since I had a new embossing folder to try,  I ran the plain purple through the Cuttlebug for some texture.   

I decided to turn the recycled pieces into a birthday card for the gal who made the goofs at class.  I'm sure she will recognize the oval and the rose, a SNS stamp fussy cut and layered, both extras from cards we have made. Then I added a simple bow and charm.  Inside is a lovely Happy Birthday stamp.

I am entering this card in the following challenges:
Crafty Ribbons Challenge #125 - birds and/or butterflies and ribbon
Creative Knockouts Challenge #105 - Flower Power
Natalie's & Amy's Challenge #36 - Charming
Splendiferous Creations Bloggers Challenge - use circles or ovals
Brown Sugar Challenge #182 - use something recycled (card base & purple cs)
Chocolate, Coffee & Cards Challenge #99 - Fancy and Feminine
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #125 - Things with Wings (charm) + ribbon



Below are the 4 cards my little group of Red Hat card makers recently made.

Recycled + Masculine

My friends and I love Marco's Paper.  When they set up as a vendor in stamping shows, it is always the first booth we visit.  Then one of us makes a trip to the car to unload our purchases, and we can leisurely enjoy the rest of the show unencumbered.  I recently emptied a pack of paper and took a liking to the remaining label.  Might as well use that, too!!!

The stamps I've used are from Close to My Heart.  The kraft paper was once a divider in my box of tea bags.  

I am submitting this card to the following challenges: 

Crafts 4 Eternity Recipe #237 - Anything Goes 

Crafting with Friends Challenge #3 - Anything Goes

Wags n Whiskers Challenge # 159 - Recycle

Cardz for Guyz Challenge # 81 - Something beginning with the letter "t" (Toad)

 

#1 in a Minion

Summertime usually means a new group of kids movies being released.  This summer there is a new Minion movie that my grandson definitely wants to see.  Matt totally loves Minions, those cute little yellow guys in overalls wearing scuba masks.  His entire room is decorated in Minions.  We have made so many Minion projects there should be a separate label on my sidebar specifically for Minions.  While going through the Sunday paper, I came across an ad with a photo of 3 adorable Minions that I knew would look great on a card.  What do you think?

Matt is so going to love this!

The #1 stamp is CTMH and the rest of the sentiment I just did on the computer.

Challenges:
Brown Sugar Challenge #149 - Anything Goes
Aloha Friday Challenge #49 at Kitty Bee Designs - Masculine/For the Boys
Polkadoodles Challenge #23 - Father's Day or Anything Male
Really Reasonable Ribbon Challenge #119 - Masculine with ribbon or trim
Scrap & Craft Inspirastion Challenge #10 - Tag It!
Aud Sentiments Challenge #133 - Bingo (I've used the middle row: Pattern Paper, Rubber Stamp, Paper Punch)

Scribbles Design Challenge #29 - "B" is for.....  buttons, blue
Through the Purple Haze June Challenge - Use bright Colors
Creative Moments Challenge #69 - Anything Goes Inside/Out
Sweet Stamps Challenge #224 - Polka Dots

Yesterday was a great mail day!

Most of the time I don't get too terribly excited about the mail.  But yesterday was an exception.  First I opened an envelope containing the summer collection of skittles that I had ordered.  The colors are just fabulous!  Thanks, Corri!   Next, there was a card from a very dear friend in her 90's whom I hadn't heard from at Christmas, which never happens.  So, I was happy to hear she just had a bad patch and is doing much better.  And on the bottom of the mail pile was a familiar gray plastic envelope.... my April issue of Quick Cards magazine with a sweet pack of Lily of the Valley designer paper.

I wasted no time and headed straight for the dining/craft table to make this card:

 I used a Spellbinders die to cut the picture from the front of the notecard I had just received from my friend.  Next I cut the same aperture from a piece of the Lily of the Valley paper and inserted the picture.  The sentiment is an unidentified rubber stamp from my stash.  Using a sheet of white CS 10.0 x 6.25, I scored it at 4.25 and 8.5 inches.  That left a 2 inch flap on the inside of the card into which I can safely tuck a few photos.  Just to dress it up a bit, I used a scalloped border punch on the edge and added a strip of the dp to match the front.  The little rose was salvaged from the back of my friend's card, too.  A similar scalloped edge and dp strip was added to the top of the inside with a simple sentiment - Enjoy!  The card front was attached and a bow, charm, and skittles added to finish the card.

(inside of card with photo pocket at the bottom)

Finding time to write long notes in Christmas cards each year seems to get harder and harder, perhaps, because I procrastinate more and more.  Maybe 10 years ago I simply wrote in my friend's Christmas card that I'd send a letter and photos after the holidays and have continued doing just that for years.  I'll be sending this recycled card and several photos back to her.  I think she'll be tickled to see how I reused her note card and to see how big all the grandkids are getting to be. 

The challenges I am entering today include:

Polkadoodles Challenge Week 15 - Pretty and Pink

Simply Create Too Challenge #83 - No digis or stamped images (This image was recycled from a store bought card I received in the mail.)

Sister Act Card Challenge #101 - Anything Goes

4 Crafty Chicks Challenge #241 - Die Cuts

Fresh Brewed Designs Challenge Apr 8-14 - Coffee or Tea Theme

Scrapy Land Challenge #15 - Anything Goes (I used Spellbinders dies)

Clear It Out Challenge - Anything Goes + Stash Item -AG (skittles, ribbon, charm all from my stash)

Pile It On Challenge #63 - Die Cuts/Punches (I've used a die cut, circle punch, scalloped circle punch, scalloped border punch and corner punch.)

Scrapbook Blessings Club April Challenge - Anything Goes with Pink, White and Green

Kraftin Kimmie Stamps Challenge #274 - Decorate the Inside