The top comment I hear from new paper crafters and rubber stampers is always some variation of “I can’t afford this hobby!” Paper, stamps, inks, embellishments . . . it all adds up and there seems to be more and more must-have items coming out every week! In honor of Earth Day, I thought it would be fun to scout around the house for random items that could be incorporated into my card-making to help soothe my wallet as well as recyclable items that are otherwise headed for the trash.
Earth Day, April 22, was founded by two politicians back in 1970 in order to create global awareness for the environment. This movement educates the average citizen to work towards better care of our planet. It was a fun creative challenge to combine my artwork with recycling, reducing and reusing!
When I took the time to look, I was very surprised with what I found. Postage stamps, used bubble wrap, vegetable netting, old envelopes, cereal box cardboard, junk mail paper and photos . . . there was literally a limitless list of supplies and tools right under my nose! Now, using items from around the house is second nature in my creative time. I came up with more ideas for cards than there is space in this article! Here are a few of my favorites.
The first card recycles a couple of items, including scraps from previous projects. You know those free cards you get in the mail from assorted charities, as an encouragement to make a donation? Try using the images on the fronts of the cards in your projects, or embellishing the existing card for when you need a quick thank you note or birthday card. In the first project, the back of a charity note card was used for stamping the bubble wrap background and clock image.
For some reason, I’ve been saving cancelled postage stamps for years. I never knew why until I challenged myself for this article. Try using postage stamps that are all part of a theme in a collage, or as embellishments, like on this pear card, or make a larger postage stamp the focal point of your project!
This next project incorporates a used Tyvek envelope that was rubbed with acrylic paint. This is a great method for creating background papers in whatever color you need...as long as you have the paint! Painting on color and rubbing off the excess creates a nice soft look, almost like mulberry paper, but stronger and more durable.
Vegetables can come in different colored-netting bags. I’ve seen them in white, green, red and orange—and the cut-up bags can be used as a layered element in your projects.
Have fun challenging yourself this Earth Day and do your part to clean up your little corner of the world.
Visit your local retailer for the paper crafting products used in these projects, and check out our coupons for savings at your local retailer.
