Upcycling and Using Stuff Up

Hello Bloggy Friends,

Like many of us these days, I love to recycle/upcycle/repurpose rather than throw away stuff which may be useful AND I have way too much crafty stash. In other words, I'm a hoarder by nature. It quietly drives my DH nuts and I'm starting to feel a bit overwhelmed by it all. This year, I'm on a mission to use it all up - clear the decks a bit and really enjoy all that lovely stuff I've accumulated over the years.

So, this was a perfect project for me at the moment - it started with recycled takeaway bags and Amazon packaging, which I fashioned into a little mini book like this ...


...then I piled on loads of ribbons, lace, flowers and other trinkets and treasures I've been saving for special for AGES ...


Here's the back cover ...



... and a close-up of the details ...


Many of these bits and bobs have been given to me in pocket letters and so on - like the little charms I've attached to a broken necklace to decorate the spine. The title was typed on the wonderful vintage typewrite my DH gave me and slotted into the metal label holder which I bought on eBay. The little resin frame and tape measure were made by my son. I've included some favourites from my button box and some old lace pieces from my MiL as well as lots of pretty trims which were cluttering up my craft room.

There are loads of inspiring tutorials on YT showing how to make mini books out of paper bags like this, if you fancy having a go. I'm still working on the inside pages, but I will post some pics when they're starting to make sense! :o)

Thanks for popping in today, see you again soon!

Annie xxx

Comments

Helen Wallace said…
Good on you for delving into your treasures to make this wonderful vintage piece. Like you, I sometimes get overwhelmed with all my stuff and this is the perfect way to showcase them on a shabby chic project. Especially love the vintage scissors. Absolutely lovely.
This looks so inspiring Annie! I have dozens of those paper bags that I collected in the past few months, not quite sure what to do with them! I was thinking a journal too, but I'm not quite sure how to go about it - this has given me some ideas!
Val-Belle said…
It is lovely. I think I need to do something like that with all the stuff I keep hoarding :/ I love all the lace and the bits and bobs you have used.... beautiful.