The other day, I grabbed a handful of shop bought (great source) Christmas card fronts, saved from Christmas 2021 that we'd been sent, and had a little session using the Gemini, die cutting the elements I wanted to 'up cycle'. It's a good way to do it by having a 'session' as I did. I wrote which die I'd used on the back of each die cut and also kept a few snippets of the same card fronts to potentially use for sentiments, on some cards, not all.
A day or so later I rustled up a very quick recycled card from the batch, in readiness for the current Rudolph Days Challenge over at ScrappyMo's HERE:
I used:
- 5.75" x 5.75" square white card blank, side opening
- the gorgeous gold embossed edged front panel of a card which originally had a lovely embossed Christmas tree die cut on it - it's kept kept to one side to be played with another time. We've had the same 'tree' card (probably from the same friend who feels that hand made ought to be repaid with a special card) which I up cycled last year I think/know!
- the centre of the panel had the very slight and thin remnants of the glue from sticky pads on but, I knew that would be covered by the image I wanted to add
- trimmed the front square panel to the same size as the card blank and glued it in place
- then pulled out a die cut really adorable robin image, from the front of another card, which I'd previously cut using a 4.5" diameter 'Stitched Circles' die by The Works
- glued the image onto the card front
- I always add printed or stamped inserts with Christmas greetings into our cards, so didn't spoil the front of the card by trying to add a sentiment
Very simple I know, but if the up cycled elements are pleasing, then try to work the card around them and let them shine and have a second outing. Better than being swamped with too much unnecessary 'stuff'. IMHO only of course!
Adorable robin, and goes so well with the gold embossed splattered background card. Great recycling! Xxx
ReplyDeleteBrilliant up cycling of your Chris cards Di. Love this sparkly robin.
ReplyDeleteHappy Rudolph Day (belatedly!) xxx
That's such a gorgeous robin image which is offset beautifully by the gold embossed background. Excellent bit of upcycling. You are right, cards particularly Christmas ones, don't always need to have a sentiment on the front.
ReplyDeleteGreat upcycling Di and I am with you on the re-use side of things. I love robins too ad its good that you can visualise another card using different up cycled bits. Looking forward to seeing the tree one!
ReplyDeleteAww Di your card and recycled is gorgeous l just love that robin looks to have been water coloured so great that it has been used again enjoy your day xx
ReplyDeleteSuch a gorgeous image, great recycling Di. Thank you for joining in the fun at Rudolph Days this month.
ReplyDeleteSue xx
This is very pretty with the gold background and then that sweet arty robin over the top, and great to upcycle Di especially with pieces as beautiful as these..you have ended up with a super card. x
ReplyDeleteI just LOVE this card with the little bird and all that sparkly gold around the edges! What a fantastic recycled creation!
ReplyDeleteWhat clever and beautiful recycling Di, a perfect Christmas card. I don't know how, with the awful problems I have with Blogger, but Blogger let me in to your blog!
ReplyDeleteYou've created a lovely upcycled card Di. What a wonderful way to give new life to a previous received card. The splattered gold background looks lovely with that gorgeous bird. Great work! xx
ReplyDeleteHi Di,
ReplyDeleteHappy Rudolf Days.
What a great up cycled card and that image was too gorgeous to throw away.
Love the ypcycled gold card stock too.
All in all a fantastic card.
Thank you for joining the Rudolf Challenge.
Lots of crafty love. Jenny L. DT
Lovely recycled card. I always think its such a shame not to reuse pretty cards (even as a kid, I'd use them to make ornaments). I've only learned in the past few years that your robins are very different from North American robins -- yours are much cuter.
ReplyDeleteI smiled about our robins. They look do so cute but will fight another robin to the death 'in their patch' Len has also seen a robin fighting with itself ...... in his car wing mirror. Sigh :)
ReplyDeleteFabulous card, Di. Great background and the most adorable little robin.... and the upcycling is a bonus. We get a little robin visit our garden most days, popping back several times a day. xx
ReplyDeleteSuch lovely upcycling, Di!! Just LOVE that colourful and artistic fluffy robin and he works so well with the golden sparkling base! Great idea cutting and saving useful pieces from old cards to have ready to use in your stash!
ReplyDeleteHugs and give TWO cuddles to Dudley from me! ;D
I love this sweet bird! Adorable card and great job to up cycle the cards!
ReplyDeleteThis is stunning, too cute to not upcycle!
ReplyDeleteA lovely upcycled card. I like to do this too, but I usually make them in the first couple of months or all the bits I saved tend not to get used. He's a jolly robin. I am glad you made a way to use him again. Kate x
ReplyDeleteAww love this Di! That's a great idea to get all your prep done in advance
ReplyDeleteIt's such a gorgeous image it deserves a new life and you've certainly given it that.
ReplyDeleteThat is a good idea to die cut elements you want to upcycle. Love how this card turned out!
ReplyDelete