Recycling Fun

We all want to do something for the environment. What better way than giving gifts made from Recycled Items? Kelleigh’s Article on Mod Podging Easter Eggs inspired this project.

My Daughter loves the Drinking Yogurt variety and has one nearly each day so you can imagine I had a lot of containers on hand. My general rule of thumb is that if I can wash it in the dishwasher and it survives (or my poor dishwasher survives! lol!) I can re-use it. The majority of containers in my scrap area are recycled containers that I have washed and cleaned in the dishwasher.

Trust me, the more Hybrid projects you attempt, the more your eyes will open to all of the possibilities there are to create beautiful things from everyday items. The creative possibilities are endless. Never be scared to try something new!

Let us gather the supplies you will need for this project…

Empty Container (Yogurt Cup, Glass Bottle, Empty Toilet Roll…anything that will look great as a flower vase).
Digital Elements – I used Mira Designs Happy Land.
Craft Glue
Mod Podge
Foam Brush
Scissors/Trimmer
Circle Punch (Optional)
Sanding Block/Nail File
Florist Wire
Buttons
Flowers

First wash(where applicable) and prepare your container. Remove all labels and sticky residue. Measure the width and length of your container and add an 1/2 inch to 1 inch (depending on the shape of your container) to the final dimensions.

Open a new document in your photo editing program, I use Photoshop CS3. I generally use 8×10 inches at 300 dpi since I do not own a borderless printer. Select the Rectangle Tool and click on the downward arrow next to the squiggly shape as seen in the screenshot. Select Fixed Size and enter your dimensions. Place the shape on your document. You also want to add some circles for the paper flowers. My circle punch’s diameter is 2 inches. I used exactly the same procedure as I have explained above except I chose the circle/ellipse tool and in the fixed size I add 2.1 inches by 2.1 inches. ( I make it slightly larger than the Circle punch’s shape so I will have no accidental white edges.) Place as many circles on your document that you can fit or want to print. I left some space on mine for the adorable Birdie and Cloud that is in the kit; I just had to print them out! Next I place the Digital Papers I want to use in the new document and clip them to the shapes I have added. To Read More on how to clip papers to a shape click HERE. Print out your page and we are ready to start.

After cleaning and preparing your empty container we are now ready to start altering it. Gently sand/file your container. This removes the film/coating on your container to make it easier for the Mod Podge to adhere to the item. It also removes any imperfections. You can also sand glass bottles and metal tins. I like to use a nail file for 2 reasons; it is always on hand and it is cheap. My husband hides away his sanding paper from me! lol! Make sure the container is clean and free of dust.

Trim your papers and cut out the shape for the container. Using your foam brush apply a layer of glue/mod podge to your container.I prefer to use glue to adhere my paper; this is a personal preference and is up to what you feel comfortable with. I have just had more success with this method.

This will get messy; I always keep a wet face cloth on hand so I can clean my fingers as I work. Using the brush and your fingers shape the paper around the container. This does not have to be perfect. Just make sure the paper is properly molded onto the container. Dont worry if you have splotches of glue; it will dry clear.

Let the glue dry. You can use a hairdryer/heat gun to make this process faster. Apply 2-3 thin layers of Mod Podge, and let it dry. This will seal the paper.

Using a Sanding Block/Nail File sand the edges of the container to make it even and neat.

Adhere a scrap of ribbon around the top of the container to hide the folds with craft glue. You can optionally do it with the bottom edge too. Wait for it to dry and add a layer of Mod Podge over the ribbon to seal it. Let it dry.

I cut out the birdie from the Happy Land Kit and carefully using a craft knife cut along the bottom of its beak to create a little flap perfect for placing a flower stem in. Lift up the flap and using glue dots add some flowers underneath the flap of the beak.

Using Dimensional Foam Squares adhere the Cloud and Birdie to the container.

Here is the finished Vase; now to add some flowers!

I have always wanted to try my hand at making the cute Button Flowers that I have seen in Galleries; but with a digital twist to it!

Using your Circle punch or with Scissors cut out the Circle shapes. Remember it does not have to be perfect; you will soon know why!

Crumple your circles into tight balls and unfold them again. Using a nail file gently distress the edges of the paper. Repeat this with all of the circles.

Gather your embellishments and wire. Create a flower using buttons, flowers and a distressed punched circle. Cut a length of florist wire twice the length of your vase.

Thread your first button through the wire, twist the wire too keep it in position. Add more buttons, flowers and paper circles as you wish.

Use an awl to pierce a hole through the paper circles to thread the wire through. When you are happy with the flower add a last button to keep it all in place and twist it again.

To make the stem just keep twisting the wire around itself.

Make at least 6 individual flowers. You can use different variations on the button flowers. Just have fun and play!

Collect the stems all together and twist them up in one stem. Be Careful; the ends are very sharp. Use Masking Tape to wrap around the ends to protect your fingers. Fan out the flowers and arrange them into position.

I wanted to add a little greeting into the arrangement and using the same method as above but using a paperclip I made a holder for my greeting. I used AL Uncle Charles Font for this cute little greeting.

Now all you have to do is place the Bouquet into your Recycled Vase and you have one very cute gift for someone special! You are also allowed to make one just for yourself to admire! Here is the final product…what a cute project!

Recycling Fun

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