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Friday 12 April 2019

Reusing it bit by bit..

Hello creative Friends,

We all love to receive new crafty goodies but the amount of packaging 
used to keep our products safe as they make their journey to us leaves 
little to be desired. It's the downside of online shopping for me. 

Here's a project I created recycling a tiny amount of this 
weeks packaging and re-purposing found bits and bobs ...


Using a blank A5 journal cover I protected the holes with washi tape and 
scraped modeling paste through this fabulously detailed Stamperia stencil.


This plastic water bottle had blown into my front garden.
Cutting off the top and bottom I've used its plastic to cut three 
large stems and embossed using the first folder that came to hand.


Taping down those die cuts onto a dark background helped me to 
identify the embossed areas whilst dry brushing with white gesso.
 When removed they've certainly left their footprint... 
I'll recycle that background another day.


Along with buttons cut from old clothing, unloved prizes from 
Christmas crackers and poorly cut dies (my fault not theirs)...


this cover was ready to be transformed...


With the protective washi removed I covered in a coat of gesso.

A wash of diluted Black Soot Distress Oxide is painted over the cover 
and spritzed with water. A small amount goes a long way pushing 
that diluted colour around the page where it clings and defines. 


Found this strange shape amongst those Christmas cracker bits,
It brought a smile to my face reminding me of a cold wet dog nose.
Perfect find for my intentions...! 


Wrapped wire and buttons to embellish a warm blast with a hairdryer 
gently curls those water bottle flowers when glued down in place..

There's a hint to the right what i've used that #wetnose for 😀


It holds a re-vamped stubby little pencil perfectly..

What fun I had recycling and re-purposing...
I think i'll keep this journal just for those recycling arty days.


Wishing you all a super weekend what ever your up too.

Take good care everyone

Creative Hugs
Tracey xx

I'm sharing today's creativity with:

Kristin & Eva: PPF Wk6Y9
Tiot: Use a Stencil or Two
A Vintage Journey: Neutral Zone
*Art Journal Journey * Wendy's -Having Fun
Frilly & Funkie: Re-purpose, Re-use, Recycle
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: No Designer Paper

48 comments:

Valerie-Jael said...

This an absolutely fabulous and very arty project, love it! It must have taken you a very long time to bring it all together. Happy PPF, hugs, Valerie

froebelsternchen said...

I LOVE this amazing ART of recycling - it'a just so super Tracey ! A======W=======E=====S=======O======M======E!
Thank you so much for joining in at Art Journal Journey again!
I specially love the use of the plastic bottle.. you are such a clever soul - I am impressed!
Happy weekend! My good vibes go out to you and Bianca ♥♥♥
Susixxx

froebelsternchen said...

Thank you very much for joining us at Try It On Tuesday as well - so much appreciated dear Tracey!

Cath Wilson said...

This is fabulous, Tracey. Love the way the watered down ink worked over the gesso. I'm amazed at how much you actually managed to recycle... absolutely brilliant! My eco warrior friends would really applaud you ;-) Sadly, I no longer keep all the bits to recycle - more to do with lack of space and poor organisation skills, I'm afraid...I tend to forget about them, although I do still keep some.
Beautiful art and who would ever know the humble origins of your gorgeous journal?
So pleased you joined us at Try it on Tuesday this week :-)
Cath x

Christine said...

Lovely work, you are right about the packaging.

WendyK said...

Wow, absolutely fabulous cover for your journal. The recycling is amazing, some great ideas there as well. Thank you so much for sharing it with us on Art Journal Journey.

Jean said...

Wow - this is just mind blowing! I love the amazing details! And those flowers!!! Stunning!

JFM said...

What wonderful ideas and so beautiful Tracey!!!
I love recycling in artwork and projects and you are fantastic at it!!!

Hugs~

Linda Kunsman said...

gorgeous cover Tracey, and the art you made just from recycling bits is so creative and impressive! Happy PPF!

Dorthe said...

Dear Tracey, it is so gorgeous, and the idea of using the plastic bottle, wow,- you really made magic with it, especially after the embossing and gesso painting on top . All the other findings you used , also makes a most amazing cover, and I love all was used, and reused, Tracey.
You will be smiling everytime you are using this journal. Big hugs , from me- xoxo

BrownPaperBunny said...

I love what you've done this week! I try to reuse as much packaging as I can...saving boxes to send packages to family overseas, or turning cardboard into notebook covers, or playhouses and things for my daughter. I love shopping online but I don't love the excess packaging that comes with it! Happy PPF.

Let's Art Journal said...

Wow, what an amazing make! I love how you recycled everything and your stencilled background is so pretty 😁. It's so beautiful! Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday! Hugs, J 😊 x

Mrs.B said...

A fabulous make Tracey and some brilliant recycling too, love all the layers and gorgeous textures and the little 'holder' for the pencil is a wonderful find.
Have a great weekend, Avril xx

https://linsartyblobs.blogspot.com said...

You've done wonders with your recycling.

Meggymay said...

Wow, this is a fabulous cover for your journal. You have recycled so many items and all of them have added texture and detail to the piece. I love the pencil holder as well.
Thank you so much for linking this to our current Try it on Tuesdays theme.
Yvonne xx

Jane Elizabeth France said...

Hello there to one of my favourite inspirational crafters, Tracey, forgive my absence, it has been sooo long, only just been managing to do my own blog, but hey... the first person I have visited is you, and as usual, you never ever disappoint to make me ooh and ahhh and coo at your beautiful creations. The very reason my craft room is closing in on me is due to the fact that I cannot throw away all the fabulous packaging!!!... my partner calls it piles of rubbish, but us crafters know different. And now I learn you are not just using your own recyclable stuff... but other people's throwaway plastic!!!.. heck Tracey, bloomin brilliant, and what a fab idea. Is that the tim holtz timepiece die cut?? I have this bigz die, I adore it but heck, it cuts terribly, always getting stuck in the die, I have not experienced this with other bigz dies so don't know if mine is faulty, but it is sure frustrating... grrrrrr. I completely adore your journal cover and the pencil holder is just genius. Now I am going to have a lovely catch up with the rest of your delicious blog posts. Huge hugs lovely Tracey. Xxx

Caty said...

Absolutely Gorgeous Tracey !! Specially love the flowers with the plastic bottle, great idea!! This is really amazing, wonderful textures!!
I wish you a very nice weekend,
Big hugs, Caty

Redanne said...

Oh wow Tracey, definitely a fabulous piece of recycling! How clever to find all those bits and pieces and put them together so cleverly. My favourite bit is the pencil holder, that is just the most clever thing ever (dare I say 'cool'). I just love all those yummy textures and neutral tones too. Such a wonderful journal Tracey.

I hope you have a lovely weekend and whilst I am here I just want to thank you for joining in with us at A Vintage Journey too. Hugs, Anne xxx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

OMGosh, Tracey. You have totally outdone me in the recycle department. ]I absolutely LOVE and adore what you made from recyclables. This journal cover is out of this world. I need to have YOU be the face of recycling, since my makes aren't half as good as yours, dear. Also, I was thrilled you chose to share it with us at Art Journal Journey, too. It's fabulous, and I'm incredibly impressed.

Craftyfield said...

I love a bit of recycling myself but...wow! Great work Tracey, I can't believe the transformation into this shabby chic page!

Gillena Cox said...

OMG this is just intriguing!!!

Have a good weekend, Thanks for dropping by my blog

Much🖤love

carol l mckenna said...

Gorgeous creations ~ recycling is wonderful! Great job!

Happy Times to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

DVArtist said...

Ohhhhh you are so talented. Putting all those bits and pieces together to create this beauty.

Mac Mable said...

Now you sure looked like you had fun re-cycling and making this glorious project. The fun pencil holder (dog nose) looks wonderful and love how you used the plastic from the bottles and how when you heated them they slightly curled...will be filing that idea away....thank you x.....Stunning, unique and thank you for the amazing inspiration x

AppleApricot Wen said...

This is an awesome project, Tracey! So inspiring to see what you did with all the recycled pieces and the beauty you created with them, thank you so much for sharing! Wishing you a wonderful weekend, hugs xx

artbyjune said...

What a great idea. I love the recycle project. And the result is beautiful!

Felix the Crafty Cat said...

Love it! love it! love it! Brilliant piece of work. Happy creative weekend, Angela xXx

Jackie PN said...

WOW Tracey!! What an absolute stunning display of turning trash into treasure! This is simply gorgeous! I love how you also used that water bottle- you are ever so clever!!
Thank you for your visit- I hope to be up and around again soon- you are so sweet ,my friend-sending you much love and hugs,Jackie xoxo

NatureFootstep said...

great idea. You created something nice of your "litter" :)

Happy Easter :)

Sam Squires - A Crafting Niche said...

Wow, this is stunning. I don't blame you for keeping it for yourself and a great way of recycling too. Sam - acraftingniche.blogspot.com xxx

sarascloset said...

Tracey, you have a great eye for re-purposing everyday trash! I love this journal cover with the stencil work and all those yummy textures created with a treasure trove of bits and bobs! The water bottle stems are genius, my friend! Wow, wow and WOW once again! You have totally taken the Re-Purpose, Re-Use, Recycle Challenge theme at Frilly and Funkie and ran a marathon with it! Hugs!

sarascloset said...

PS And thank you for sharing it with us at A Vintage Journey, too! Perfect for the Neutral Zone! Sending you big hugs!

My name is Erika. said...

Another amazing piece of art Tracey. You used so many wonderful techniques, and it really shows in your work. Thanks again for joining us at try It On Tuesday. Hugs-Erika

Lace Age Girl said...

Tracey, you are so clever to turn all that wasted packaging and found objects into a wonderful work of art. What fun you've had! I'm very impressed with the recycled drink bottle flowers. Wishing you a happy week.
Jesse XX

R's Rue said...

❤️

Cyndi L said...

Sooooo clever! What a great thing to do with the packaging. We're learning that recycling isn't always all it's supposed to be, and reusing is a much better choice. Of course, if we could also get some of the companies to *reduce* the amount of waste... :-D

Beth Niquette said...

Oh, my goodness--I loved everything in this blog today! You are inspiring. Such beautiful artwork. <3

craftytrog said...

Wow! Fantastic project and recycling Tracey! xx

Mandy said...

Gorgeous journal cover Tracey! I absolutely love all the little details and the design is wonderful.
Thanks for joining us at Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge
Mandy xx

Soma @ inkTorrents.com said...

I couldn't agree with you more about the packaging. I am amazed by your creativity and how your repurposed the throw aways to create such a beautiful piece of art.

-Soma

Roosterhead Designs said...

Hi Tracey, I know I peeked in last week, but it looks like I did not leave a comment on this amazing journal cover! Beautifully done~ Love how you are conscious of recycling; and even more, how you have an imagination to use the things! Great layers and creative work with all the textures! (I would love to know what a Christmas cracker 'prize' is!? ; ) Thanks for sharing; it's gorgeous~ hugs, karen o

Words and Pictures said...

Brilliant, beautiful and kind to the earth too! What a fabulous recycled album cover, full of inspirational ideas and techniques. I love the stencil you've used for the background, and the soft pastel neutral tones are simply gorgeous.
Alison x

Kathy/NorthCarolina said...

Oooooh! This gorgeous upcycle makes my heart smile! I love all the "trash" that you definitely turned into treasure on this lovely notebook. It was so fun to see the process and the end result is pure artistry. Clever girl! Thanks for sharing with us at the Frilly and Funkie "Re-Use, Re-Purpose, Re-Cycle" Challenge!

Sue said...

Wow this is gorgeous Tracey, beautifully thought out and completed. I'm so sorry to read about your dog, they are such a huge part of our families. I'm sorry I've not been around lately, real life uh! Take care, Sue xx

Jenny Marples said...

Oh that's magnificent Tracey! I love how the bauble holds the pencil perfectly and the way all those elements you've layered have added so much texture and detail. Just shows we should never throw things away :) Thank you for joining us for this challenge at Frilly and Funkie xx

sarascloset said...

Tracey, I'm delighted to see your wonderful work recognized as our favorite at Frilly and Funkie! You nailed this and are so deserving of the honors! Hugs!

Neet said...

What an amazing recycled piece of art this is - and something that can be used too.
Love how you took us through each step along the way showing us what we can reuse and repurpose whilst helping the environment. I am a great recycler and cannot understand anyone who grumbles about all the rubbish bins we have these days. We use them all!
Hugs, Neet xx

Words and Pictures said...

And, of course, thank you so much for joining us on A Vintage Journey!
Alison x