Don’t Toss It Out

Waste not, want not. I know we've all heard that saying a time or two. It seems that the tighter the budget, the more creative people get in using what they have on hand in unique and fun ways.

I decided it would be a great exercise in creativity to make a few items using the leftover packaging from things I've recently purchased. It's actually very fun, and really forces you to think outside the box, so to speak!

In the past we've shown you fun altered projects from potato chip tubes, oatmeal cartons, and even altered milk cartons. Today I would like to share with you a few more projects along these lines. I hope this gets you excited about looking at the packaging and boxes you would normally throw out and see them in a new, creative light!

Treasure Box

Here is a little box that started out as the container for a set of chipboard letters. After I emptied the contents into my organizers I painted it, covered it in patterned paper, and then embellished it to be a treasure box for my daughter.

Supplies:

• box with a window - Die Cuts With a View Chipboard Alphabet/Shapes set
• patterned paper & die cut - Cosmo Cricket, Hello Sunshine
• adhesive - Xyron 900 Permanent Adhesive
• paint - Plaid Acrylic Paint
• ribbon - May Arts (Gingham) and Offray (Sheer Dot)
• jumbo brad - Bazzill
• scallop scissors - Fiskars

Backpack Charms

These two little charms were originally the price tags and labels for Maya Road chipboard albums. I saved them, knowing one day they would come in handy! I decided to paint and embellish the chipboard ovals to create a monogrammed backpack charm to give as stocking stuffers. As a final step I applied several coats of Ultra Thick Embossing Enamel, and heat set it with my embossing gun. This makes the charms water resistant, and gives them a fun, shiny coating.

Supplies:

• chipboard ovals on chains - Maya Road Price Tags/Labels
• paint daubers - Adirondack, Metallics (Gold and Copper)
• embossing enamel - Suze Weinberg
• heat gun - Marvy Uchida
• alphabet stickers - BasicGrey
• rub-on images - StickerKing
• misc. ribbon - Offray
• charms - unknown

Candy Container

This sweet project was inspired by the fun holiday papers I found. The container once held 12 Sugar Coating Glitter tubes from Doodlebug Designs. Once it was emptied and cleaned out it was just the right size to hold mini candy bars with handmade paper labels.

Supplies:

• acrylic container - Doodlebug Designs Sugar Coating Glitter, multi pack
• patterned paper - My Mind's Eye
• ribbon - May Arts
• Glitter Chalk - Pebbles Inc. Pearlescent Chalk Set

Just think of all the wonderful projects you can create using the boxes, bags, tags, and leftover packaging items that we normally just toss away. With a little creativity and some experimentation you can make really unique and fun items to give family and friends, or to keep for yourself. In a way it's recycling. It's just one more way to do what we love, save money, and make less waste. That's a win - win situation if I ever heard one!