Next time you go to throw something away, take another look at it and see how it can be incorporated into a rubber stamping project! It is surprising how many items that would otherwise end up in landfill can be recycled using a few basic rubber stamping techniques. Transform junk into useful materials for a variety of green crafts and rubber stamping projects. This is a good way to save money as it saves the need to buy lots of new supplies.
Cardstock
Cardstock of all descriptions is of great use in many rubber stamping projects. Keep hold of thick card to make
gift boxes and other small containers. Thin cardstock is ideal to make
tags. Tags are useful to add to gifts and packages. They also add an interesting dimension to cards and scrapbooking projects. Rubber stamp some paper and use this to cover the recycled cardstock.
Ribbon
Ribbon can add a pretty finishing touch to a variety of projects. A simple bow adds an elegant addition to a greeting card or use a strip of ribbon as an edging to a project. Pieces of ribbon can be recycled from a number of places. Ribbons can be cut from clothes or accessories. Ribbon can also be recycled from packaging.Food Packaging
Food packaging can be recycled in a number of ways. Firstly, many food containers can be recycled for use as handy craft supply containers. Ice cream tubs and other types of sturdy packaging with lids are ideal for storing many different supplies. Flat packaging, such as a clean pizza box, is ideal for
storing stamps. Glass jars can be transformed into pretty candle holders using simple glass painting techniques. Use
rubber stamps as a glass painting template. Card tubes are perfect for covering with paper or fabric and recycling into useful
pencil holders or desk tidies.
Fabric
Pieces of fabric can be used in many stamping projects. Use fabric to cover buttons or the tops of brads, or simply add a piece of ribbon to a greeting card to add texture. Pieces of lace can add a pretty flourish to many projects. Pieces of felt are ideal for small embroidery projects. Use a rubber stamp to provide an outline to embroider to make an unusual
embroidered brooch.
Cellophane and Acetate
Pieces of cellophane and acetate are often discarded yet these are handy for use in many stamping and craft projects. Acetate can be stamped upon using a permanent ink and this adds a different dimension to handmade cards. With a little thought it is also possible to make a completely clear greeting card - something that is bound to cause comment! Acetate is also perfect for use in shaker cards. Pieces of cellophane can be added to cards as embellishments, used to wrap gifts or to give protection to cards or stamped and colored for a stained glass effect.Craft Foam and Mouse Mats
Odds and ends of
craft foam can be recycled into many rubber stamping projects. Small pieces can be used to raise embellishments on greeting cards or to add dimension to a paper piecing project. Larger pieces of craft foam are suitable for cutting into shapes and adding to projects. Pieces of craft foam are also great for making
custom foam stamps. Simply cut a shape from craft foam and attach it to an acrylic block using a repositionable glue.
Bubble Wrap
Keep hold of pieces of bubble wrap as this is always useful for protecting handmade greeting cards that are being sent through the post. Bubble wrap can also be used as a background stamp. The print of the small plastic bubbles creates an interesting effect. All that is required to
stamp with bubble wrap is some bubble wrap that is in reasonable condition (without 'popped' bubbles) and a stamping block or something of a similar shape such as a cassette box.
Deconstruct!
Some items, such as greeting cards, can be a rich source of items suitable for recycling in rubber stamping projects. Carefully remove any embellishments, such as card toppers and ribbons, for use on handmade cards. The back of most greeting cards is blank and this can be used to stamp on or to make gift tags or other small items. Other items that are perfect for decontructing are gift boxes and packaging. There are often some useful features and embellishments that are perfect for recycling. Buttons can be removed from clothes to add to stamping projects. Buttons are an interesting alternative to brads and are simple to add to greeting cards and scrapbooking projects.
