Jun 252015
 

Recycle Greeting Cards

If you're anything like me then you might be keeping all the greeting cards you've ever been given. But as time goes on you can't keep them all. So over the years I've had to sort and keep only a few with special sentiments, as a memento of an occasion. The rest got stacked into my 'card basket' for repurposing. Now I know you can't re-give used greeting cards, but you can repurpose them. So I did repurpose them by recreating them into gift tags - to give as a 'thank you' gift to past customers, to use as a gift tag on gifts, or to make packets of gift tags to give as gifts to friends.

This would have to be one the easiest crafty projects you could do. It's so simple and you most likely have all the materials you need at home.

I have an assortment of crafty odds and ends, bits and pieces that I have collected over the years due to the creative work I had been doing for my EP Designs business. I probably have more than the average person who doesn't have a creative hobby or business but chances are that you also have a few bits and pieces around the house to collect. So this project could easily cost you nothing or at the very most $2-$5 for embellishments and ribbons.

What you need -

  1. Collection of used greeting cards - from any occasion or season.
  2. Scissors - fancy edged craft scissors in a pattern/s of your choice; if you don't have any then straight edge is fine.
  3. Hole puncher.
  4. Assorted ribbons, string or fine cords.
  5. Glitter fabric paint and other embellishments (optional)

The size and shape of these gift tags will depend on the design on your card and where the handwritten message is positioned inside (which will become the back of the gift tag).

Cut Portions of Greeting Cards To Make Gift Tags or Note Tags

There is no rule other than cut out portions of your card that look good to you and is free from any handwritten message on the back. Sometimes there is a printed verse on the card that may suit your purposes - it's up to you if you wish to include it.

Add Ties Using Ribbons. Embellish With Glitter Paint.

Add Ties Using Ribbons. Embellish With Glitter Paint.

Other uses for cards - scrapbooking, use portions as embellishments to make new greeting cards or montage artwork.

These Recycled Cards Were Used As a Gift For a Goodie Bag Giveaway.

These Recycled Cards Were Used As a Gift For a Goodie Bag Giveaway.

Give it a try and you will see how simple it is to do and how sweet they will be.

Enjoy the project.

May 202015
 

Recreated treasures are a passion of mine. So not only do I love recreating things I also enjoy seeking them out. There are loads of gorgeous ideas around and today I present you with one of those ideas I came across - The Spoon Flower – cute name and beautiful work. This is all about reusing, recycling and reducing - the old, items past, items discarded and re-inventing them into custom stamped silverware and bespoke garden and plant wares that are ideal gifts for the eco-conscious or environmental lover.

www.thespoonflower.com ReuseRecycle

This is what makes Jade Holi excited....

www.thespoonflower.com VintageSpoons
Jade Holi then takes a hammer to her collection of old silverware that she seeks out from op shops or wherever second-hand items can be found and hammers them with a whole lot of love.

www.thespoonflower.com Workbench

Each item is hand stamped onto a vintage silver plated spoon or fork that has been hammered flat. They are rustic, they show signs of their vintage patina, they are rescued & recycled, they are made in the moment and, as with all handmade, they are all made with love.…. Just beautiful!

www.thespoonflower.com LoveYouJade is driven by...

... an eco-conscious mind. She strives to create a sustainable life that is full of adventure and lives in hope that the world will be a better place by giving back just a little - sprouting seeds on the window sill, growing flowers in the garden, keeping chooks in the yard, eating vegetables from the patch & looking for rainbows after the rain with my daughters......

www.thespoonflower.com Pot display

A little bit vintage, a little fanciful ….

www.thespoonflower.com Bloom

To find out more or follow Jade’s ramblings take a peek behind the scenes at The Spoon Flower.
To purchase any of Jade’s creations go to her ETSY store or Down That Little Lane. She also makes-to-order if you have a special  saying you’d like stamped or an occasion needing a gift.
You can also follow The Spoon Flower on Facebook.