The Snarky Sisters Are Upcycling

In these strange times, Edna has decided to do some DIY fashion remodelling - and so we introduce the newest Sisterhood of Snarky Stampers, U is for Upcycle! And I am here to introduce lots of options for you to consider for your own upcycling project. 
Option 1: Upcycle a commercial greeting card 

Upcycled elements: the sentiment and pink panel. I know it's hard to believe, but a close family member gave me a birthday card with this sentiment! :D And now I am upcycling it into a pandemic card. ;) The pink panel is from the inside of the same card, so my only real contribution is the stamped and die cut martini glass. A close up shows off the sentiment panel's shine:

A second card using the inside of a greeting card: 

Upcyled element: background mat. That lovely blue argyle panel is the reverse side of this: 

It was tempting to just put this on a new card base, but what's the fun in that? :D So it turned into a Christmas card scene. The birch tree, deer and cardinal were all previously die cut, so this is using up stash, which is the next best thing to upcycling, as far as I'm concerned. ;) I'm adding this card to my snarky sister Jo's current Christmas Kickstart challenge, Winter Wonderland (Create a Scene) and Jingle Belles' (totally coincidental) upcycling challenge, Peace on EARTH. 

Option 2: Business Ephemera

I am always keeping an eye open for things that might be incorporated into a card someday, and that includes things like clothing tags, business cards, and the like. My first example: 

Upcycled elements: the Keep Calm panel. This was originally on something I bought in Port Dover, Ontario. I've had it long enough that I can't remember what. :D It just happened to perfectly match patterned paper and cardstock from Stampin' Up, as well as these two maple leaves I'd die cut and sponged ages ago for another project. 

Business cards can sometimes be fun, too: 

Upcycled element: Deer & duck business card. Granted, most business cards aren't as much fun as this one, from a restaurant in Vancouver. Some patterned paper for the card base and a Tim Holtz sentiment were all this needed. 

Option 3: A non-saving friend

This option might not be available to everyone. :D My good friend Emily is not a saver. She may stamp or die cut or colour a number of options for a card she's making, but what she doesn't use, she used to recycle. Until I came along and suggested it would be just as easy to save them for me! And sometimes, her cast-offs make their way onto one of my cards. Case in point: 

Upcycled elements: daffodil, white panel, patterned paper. Yep, all castoffs from Emily, just waiting for me to decide to put them together into a simple thank you card. I did have to die cut the patterned paper to size, and then in a show of extra effort, sponged around the edges in pink to add a little extra dimension to the panel. :D 

My sisters in snark as well as our current guest designer, Queen Tristan, have many other upcycled examples to inspire you! It's not necessarily easy to acquire new crafting supplies these days, so why not upcycle something and join us!

Supplies: too many to list! Ask if you are curious about anything... ;) 

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