GREEN CRAFTING

So Just what is "green crafting"? I am reading about this more and more. I guess it goes along with the whole "green" life style which is growing in popularity.

Actually in crafting it really is nothing new. It's basically a form of altering items to use things that would normally be discarded. This goes along with the concept of recycle or reuse.

So what was my recycle/reuse craft this weekend. Well it revolved around these...........

I have mentioned in several posts quite a while back that I have stopped mounting my stamps and have unmounted others. This is being done to save space. I could just stop increasing my stamp collection, but that would be about as fun as not increasing my fabric stash is. Anyway this non and unmounting of stamp sets is causing quite a growing collection of wooden blocks. What to do?????? I could just throw them away, but that seems just plain wasteful. If we used our fireplace I could use them for fire wood, but we don't so I can't. I've thought of trying to sell them and may yet, but I am such a procrastinator about getting started on E-Bay. In the mean time I must do something with at least some of them. At least the ones sticky from unmounting sets.

Then I remebered in one of my BLOG hoping ventures I saw an idea for altering the blocks and creating photo and note holders. I wish I could link you back to the originator of this wonderful idea but I can't. I just don't remember which of the 50 or so BLOGs I visit the idea was on. If any one reading this knows please leave a comment for me.

The idea is to completely cover the block in designer paper, add some embellishments and them top it off with a binder clip set on its top. Here is what I came up with. They are very easy and quick to make. Especially since I run the paper strips through my xyron which complete covers the back of the paper with adhesive. The picture doesn't show it but the top and the bottom of the blocks are also covered with paper. I would think you could also paint the blocks, though since these were used ones with some sticky residue on them I'm not toaly sure they would paint evenly. I may just have to try that.

I attached the ribbon by first wrapping a strip of sticky strip around the very top of the block and then sticking the ribbon to it. I cover the seam with the embelishment.

For a nice coordinating touch I placed a little strip if paper on the clip and the clip is adhered to the top of the block with sticky strip tape.

For this first set of holders I did not do any stamping they are all altered simply with paper, ribbon and flowers. I used brads for the flower centers and the flowers are attached with pop-up dots from SU. Here is a view of the three different ones I have done so far. I've tried to show some different thingsthat can beheld in them. Also this first set is made with 2 inch blocks and pretty small binder clips. When I get some medium sized clips I will try some of my larger blocks. I think these could be nice gives or great for a craft fair. However I still need to come up with more ideas for my blocks. I really don't want a house full of photo holders...........