Wednesday 4 February 2015

Upcycling - beginning with 'B'

First of all - thank you all so much for the lovely comments yesterday about me being on the Cuttlebug Mania Design Team.

If I could have picked any team to be on, this would be the ONE. I adore the versatility if you stand back. The peeps are lovely and of course I do love die cutting and embossing, as you know :)

It's not going interfere with the Playground - but most importantly, the themes are really easy if you think it through. For instance, this current two-week challenge is based on I 'heart' you - most probably Valentines Day. Do you need to have a heart die cut or embossing folder? Of course not - there are many, many stamps and images out there with heart or love themes and if you just cut the background using a die and/or including an embossing folder that is non heart - you're in it!! Tee, hee - think outside of the box :) OMG, this is where I get kicked out of the team - but I very much doubt it :)

Anyhow - today's offering is for: Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge is to make something for Christmas, featuring something beginning with 'B'. I got carried away and made two quick and easy upcycled Christmas cards whilst everything was out on the desk to play with:
 This card has the following 'B's' - Bird, Blue, Branches

 And this card has the following 'B's' - Berries

I used:

- 5" x 5" square white card blanks with all four corners rounded using Fiskars scissors

- a layer of white Centura Pearl card, embossed using the Darice 'Snowflake Background' embossing folder, trimmed slightly smaller than the card and all four corners rounded before being stuck onto the card front using Collall All Purpose glue

- then used two cards from this last Christmas to upcycle. In both cases it was a question of using a die from the Spellbinders 'Labels One' set and carefully positioning it on the card front to get the best cut. For instance, I wanted the bird (dove), the star and as much of the trees as possible to be included on the first one. And then I wanted the sentiment on the second one, which was right down in the bottom left hand corner of the original card so there was some careful addition (and a lot of checking) in both cases of lo-tack tape whilst the dies were in place for cutting

- using more white Centura Pearl card I die cut the 'lacy' backings using a Spellbinders die from the 'Luscious Labels One' set and stuck the images on using Collall All Purpose glue

- just a case then of fixing the lacy edged images onto the cards, using thin sticky pads

Two more for the 2015 box!

And I'm also entering into Craftyhazelnut's Christmas Challenge Extra for February, which is always 'Anything Goes'

Di
x

29 comments:

  1. ah just beautiful upcycling there - love the square diecut :D , Di!!!

    Oh, and big congrats on being on the Cuttlebug DT.. well done and very worthy indeedy!!
    Shaz in oz.x

    {Shaz in Oz – Calligraphy Cards}

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  2. You are so clever at up cycling! I wish I'd kept mine now! Oh we'll, next Xmas eh! Xxx

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  3. Oh Di!!! You lucky girl you! What a fab team to be on, I too love Die cutting and my little Cuddlybug is never still. Have fun sweetie...I am sure you will :)
    Both your cards are gorgeous! Love the Dove one, but the berries are so striking!
    Fab square die.
    Hugs Mau xx

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  4. Its been ages since I got to call...Sorry Di, life is hectic at present and in turn my mojo got sick of waiting and deserted me :(
    What fab news to return too though, A huge Congratulations sweetie xxxx
    Love the card, you are going to knock their socks off with your gorgeous creations.
    I have never seen this butterfly die, need to check it out :)
    Hugs Mau xx

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  5. Fab cards Di - I love the Luscious Labels die as well, I've not seen that one before!
    Kath x

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  6. Congratulations Di - didn't spot yesterday's post, but so pleased for you.
    Ann xxx

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  7. Two gorgeous creations Di! Love this Luscious Labels die and nice embossing and beautiful upcycling!!

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  8. These are gorgeous Di, love the pretty frames xx

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  9. Cor - I LOVE these two upcycled cards Di. Perfect die cutting too.

    Hugs, Sarn xxx

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  10. What super up cycling! B - rilliant!

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  11. Two lovely cards and some great upcycling Di. The die cut mat and background embossing enhances them both so prettily. x

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  12. Beautiful upcycling Di - there's another B for you! x

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  13. Fabulous recycling Di. You have used the images so well and they look pretty with the lovely die cuts and embossing.
    Jean x

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  14. I really should do more with my old C cards! All I do is cut a few gift tags from them, Your upcycling is gorgeous. x Jo

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  15. Both cards Di are really beautiful xx

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  16. What fabulous upcycling. Two really lovely cards and I love the rounded corners and die-cuts xx

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  17. Two gorgeous cards, Di. The upcycled toppers are both perfect for Hazel's challenge. the rounded corners on the base are very effective too. Hugs, Elizabeth xx

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  18. What great way to upcycle and both are beautiful cards. The white background shows off the coloured centres so well. Thanks for joining us at CHNC Christmas extra.
    Hugs
    Margaret M

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  19. Two lovely cards Di. It is great to see so many lovely cards made by recycling. I am a bit out of touch because of internet `problems - again! But I seem to have a little window of connectivity so I´m doing a quick scan through my blog list to see what I have missed. Kate x

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  20. You crack me up Di! I don't think you will get kicked off the DT! These two up-cycled cards are fabulous! I love the shape you cut them out in and I love, love the mat!! Very pretty and I love that you were able to give those old cards new life!! Hugs, Brenda

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  21. You are doing so well at filling up that Xmas card box. Two more lovely upcycled card. Love those dies.
    Just catching up on your blog posts...finally almost settled.
    Congrats on the guest designer gig...you so deserve it!

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  22. Stunning cards, Di - thanks so much for sharing for my CHNC 214 and challenge extra for February. It's been another difficult week for me, but I'm just about to add a snippet card and will dally a while at the swings ... xx

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  23. Hi Di,
    2 wonderful and stunning creations.
    Love your fab designs, and the really great images.
    Belated congrats on your appointment.
    Lots of crafty love. Jenny L.

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  24. Hi Di both of these cards are gorgeous I do like a bit of up-cycling. Hugs Jackie

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  25. Wonderful card - you are on the Cuttlebug mania DT? I have to go over there!!!! And perhaps play!!! Big congrats!

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  26. Fabulous upcycled cards! I really like the bird one. The blue really makes the background card pop!

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  27. You're putting me to shame with all of these wonderful upcycled cards you've made! I have got to get busy with Christmas cards soon! I just love the blue version with that beautiful framework!

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  28. Beautiful cards! Thanks so much for joining us at CHNC Extra. Hope to see you again.
    Hugs
    Fiona DT xx

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