Rescued from the Garbage Can


Yes it’s true!  Remember last week when I told you I had to clear a path to get to my table?  This was one of the items that kept finding its way to the floor because it just doesn’t seem to fit any of the categories of supplies I have.  Oh, I think I might have purchased this brown and cream element years ago from a clearance pile.  You’ll have to scroll down to see a picture of the packaging and you might be surprised what it is.   It’s a seat sign that you put on the back of a brides seat but I kept finding it underneath my feet.  So I have confession to make – when I throw things away they sit in a pile until it’s time for them to be discarded, donated to the school, the senior center or goodwill.  Unfortunately, many many times they call my name, they peek out of the box, they reason that they are still worthy and I go and pull them out – arrrggghhh!!  Well I guess this one has a happy ending because I stamped this quick 5.5″ x 5.5″ card up the evening before I left for Akron and it came together in less than an hour (this never happens).   I used part of the packaging for my card base, I used the seat sign as my main panel and used the luscious satin ribbon for a double bow across the top of the card.  The only things I added were the Recollections Bling, the chocolate panel and the stamp!  We’re all more frugal that we dare admit – If you have a moment share with me an item you rescued from the trash for crafts, I know I’m not alone :-)


I’m showcasing the most beautiful calligraphy of Suzanne Cannon with Quietfire Design.   Can you believe she hand pens the sentiments before she commits them to rubber?  Well she does!  This was a quick venture for me, but I’ll have another go at this beautiful sentiment again soon, it’s called Remember That the Earth.  

SUPPLIES I USED
Stamps:   Quietfire Design – Remember That the Earth
Paper: Coredinations (Chocolate), Elements of Bride Seat Sign
Ink: Colorbox Pigment Ink – Brown
Accessories: Recollections Bling

Smooches blog friends – wishing you a glorious day, I’ll be back soon!!

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  • LizMay 3, 2012 - 12:04 am

    This card works! I love it!ReplyCancel

  • SharonMay 3, 2012 - 12:05 am

    Now THAT is a card worth casing!!!! Simple but oh soooo elegant! Love it!ReplyCancel

  • aliciaMay 3, 2012 - 12:14 am

    According to my husband nothing ever makes it to the trash LOL!! I can’t throw anything away packaging,scrap paper, containers etc. Actually the best find was from my girlfriend who works in a dept. store in a jewelry dept. . There is a board that comes in the bottom of the armoire packaging and we use them to make wall plaques. I get tons of request for baby name plaques and I did a sorrity one for my good friend.
    For cards it is probably just using the negative space from stickers etc for masking. I am so glad you said it takes you a hour or more to do a card I sometimes think I am the slowest card maker on the planet. It was great meeting you in Akron I posted our photo on my blog and my mom said yes we must be related you favor so many people in our family :)ReplyCancel

  • ChelseaMay 3, 2012 - 12:43 am

    That is just brilliant! I am amazed that you could create a card from that brides seat. I’d have never thought of that!! Thank you for the inspiration!!ReplyCancel

  • Jan CastleMay 3, 2012 - 12:51 am

    There is inspiration everywhere…even the discard pile. I donate my scraps to a lady at church who repurposes them to make cards to send to shut in’s in our church.Many times I have pulled out some of my scraps to use in a project…then feel guiltyusing them, so I make sure I add back to her bag…even if they are not really scraps- LOL!
    Paper Hugs,
    JanReplyCancel

  • Christine Harrop, Oxfordshire, UKMay 3, 2012 - 1:51 am

    Fabulous Becca, who else would have dreamed that chair plaque would make such a great card? I must admit that when it comes to throwing this out I am a bit like you. Things are placed to one side for a while so that I can take a second look at a later date – and often rescue them!ReplyCancel

  • SheilaMay 3, 2012 - 2:24 am

    This card is so sweet and sassy. I have 2 packs of things that should be discarded next to my work station but for some reason or another they don’t seem to make it there, everytime I get ready to discard them they cry out to me, saying, “Don’t throw me away I could be a tag or something.” And most of the time I can’t get rid of them and eventually they do become a little sweet goodie some where. Thanks for sharing with us.ReplyCancel

  • Lisa RansomMay 3, 2012 - 2:41 am

    Good Morning from the UK Becca, What a gorgeous sentiment the card has and KG knew how to exude emotion with greatness… I love that shade of brown and the shine on the ribbon is delicious! the swirl on the card gaves it the perfect finishing touch!!

    Now as for frugality… that is me down to a T! I have not ever thrown out a signal scrap of paper, card or ribbon! In the UK this is not frugal… it’s being known as a tight wad… I have a large kilner type jar (purchased from the big yellow and blue swedish shop) that is full of ribbon off-cuts but next to it is a jar of marbles… so I can always say i’ve never lost my marbles… I know exactly where they are!!

    Sending you love and light today and every day

    Lisa RansomReplyCancel

  • Kathy SMay 3, 2012 - 3:07 am

    love this card the brown and white/cream is so pretty (now I can see it:0) I love it when we reuse or repurpose things it makes a greener world.ReplyCancel

  • BARBARA DEE MCELDOWNEYMay 3, 2012 - 3:27 am

    what a stellar card! So simple elegant and that sentiment is really delightful! Sometimes simplicity is the master of the message! EXCELLENT WORK!ReplyCancel

  • Ellen - CardMonkeyMay 3, 2012 - 3:56 am

    I’m comforted to read that for you, a “quick card” is an hour or so. I too spend a great deal of time deciding on cardstock, sentiments, embellishments, size, placement, stamps, etc. The actual assembly takes far less time, so to CASE something is the easy part of the journey. Many people don’t realize how much time such projects take, and thus question the high price of a custom-made card. Likewise, I used to even question how Hallmark could get $5 or so for a standard card — but now realize the creative payments, staffing, shipping, production, etc. that goes behind each one.

    Thank you for the information that you too are “green” and recycle your wares and off-cuts. I call them “gadribbles” (Grandma taught me that word) — the things that are left on the floor after a fun day of crafting. I’ll sit on the floor and pick up the confetti or punched butterflies, circles, squares, swirls, etc., separating them by shape for a little bag to be used as embellishments at some point.

    Fondly,
    Ellen ~ CardMonkey
    ReplyCancel

  • AstridMay 3, 2012 - 4:50 am

    I just loved to hear that you have big piles on your floor!! I always think of you as an extremely tidy crafter:o)
    It takes a very creative mind to come up with something like this… I think it looks just super!!ReplyCancel

  • Rachel BrooksMay 3, 2012 - 5:15 am

    I never toss until I’m sure something has no use! :) That means I have LOTS of “maybe I’lll use it someday” things cluttering up my life. One item I kept because it was just “too good to toss” was the containers that large Sizzix come in – clear plastic. The ones that are rectangles about 4″ x 6″ I used to pack items in to create “Survival Kits” for various people/reasons. Pastor’s survival kit, pastor’s wife’s survival kit, winter survival kit, etc. They work great, snap shut and let you see the items without having to pull them all out. Embellish as much or as little as desired/time allows and you’re good to go.ReplyCancel

  • KellyMay 3, 2012 - 5:48 am

    Very pretty with the brown and cream together, and repurposing that seat sign – such a smart idea. I love the shape, so I probably would have hated to throw it out as well.

    I usually only buy the pretty tissue boxes at the store so I can repurpose them later on my cards. We recycle everything we can, so I figure why not? :) hugs from Atlanta this week, KellyReplyCancel

  • Ann robbinsMay 3, 2012 - 5:59 am

    Just goes to show “one man’s junk is another’s treasure.” Absolutely love the brown and cream. Makes for a wonderful card. TFS. Love it.
    Mstgane
    AnnReplyCancel

  • Francie (Montreal)May 3, 2012 - 6:00 am

    You have showcased this beautiful sentiment perfectly. It’s simple. It’s gorgeous and I love the colours you’ve picked. That you have achieved this with preloved paper makes it all the nicer. Bravo Becca! Hope your day is full of sunshine and happiness!ReplyCancel

  • TeresaMay 3, 2012 - 6:14 am

    I love to hear you say “It came together under an hour”. So many of my first thoughts come in the span of the hour. And others fly off the top of the head. The second happens less though. Lovely card. Fits this time of the year with gardening.ReplyCancel

  • Becky GreenMay 3, 2012 - 6:20 am

    OH MY! I don’t have ANYTHING to rescue from the trash!!!!!!!!!!! (NOT that I use EVERYTHING!) My husband DID have to rescue a WHOLE stamp set once! It was at curb side when I realized it was gone! It was a set that was discontinued from back in 1999-2000! It had gotten knocked off my desk & smack into the trash can! I’ve learned! NO MORE TRASH CAN CLOSE TO THE DESK!!!!!!!!!!! Now, I just have a little box ON my desk to put my little pieces of paper etc. & empty it quite often!ReplyCancel

  • Becky GreenMay 3, 2012 - 6:23 am

    OOOOPS!
    HAVE TO comment on your card Becca! :) I got caught up in your question! :) Your card is LOVELY!!!!!!!!!! LOVELY VERSE TOO! AND I LOVE the way you put it together! Even that little swirly bling !!!!!!!!!!! :) AND itty-bitty flowers!!!!!!!!!! :)ReplyCancel

  • JudyMay 3, 2012 - 6:27 am

    What a gorgeous card Becca! Who would have know that the main image is actually a “seat sign” for a wedding reception, talk about being creative! You couldn’t have chosen a more perfect sentiment or bling … love everything about the card!ReplyCancel

  • Gloria WestermanMay 3, 2012 - 6:42 am

    Beautiful card!!! I love how you made it from a seat sign….to clever…..I throw away paper….then only to go back into the trash to get it and use it….but that’s not the only thing I’ve rescue from my trash can….I drop things in there all the time and I have to fish it out…..I guess I get finger happy when things come together which then I get clumsily…..ReplyCancel

  • JessicaMay 3, 2012 - 6:45 am

    Very clever! I’ve rescued many boxes from the recycle bin to alter and use for storeage or a gift box. I never thro away cigar boxes when I find them. They make wonderful keepsake boxes. I just gave one to my granddaughter for her 18th birthday! Oh my gosh am I getting old!
    Love the chocolate color! And that bow!!!
    Hugs, JessReplyCancel

  • lois skiathitisMay 3, 2012 - 6:46 am

    Your card is elegant I don’t know if the card is cream or white but whichever it goes so well with the brown. Love how how you have embellished your card, especially those itty- bitty flowers. As always Becca, TFS!!! :-DReplyCancel

  • charleneMay 3, 2012 - 6:51 am

    Beautiful card! I save everything!!!!! :) I like to snip tags from any thing I purchase. They can be used in titles for a card or scrap page!!! They are made from paper….Therefore what better way to recycle paper !!!!!ReplyCancel

  • RebekkaMay 3, 2012 - 7:05 am

    Glad this card made it out the trash..It is beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • Jean HempelMay 3, 2012 - 8:29 am

    I am so happy you rescued that paper as I adore this card.. so clean and so stunning. Love the quote and the colors. The design you put with it is so perfect.. A gorgeous card.. Hooray for you.. Another beauty for you..ReplyCancel

  • Charlotte Schleue ZweigoronMay 3, 2012 - 8:53 am

    Very rich looking! Makes me want dark chocolate… Now where did I hide that from myself?ReplyCancel

  • LageneMay 3, 2012 - 9:00 am

    WOW!! Gorgeous repurposed packaging!ReplyCancel

  • Cheryl WMay 3, 2012 - 9:10 am

    Love this card, Becca. A perfect re-use for this chair sign! I now have my husband bringing home “leftovers” from his office for me to use on my cards. He brought home some really cool and different packaging material not long ago and I’ve used it on a card. I have scads of it left and I need to think of some more uses for it. Thanks for all you do and I hope you have a marvelous day.ReplyCancel

  • JeanetteMay 3, 2012 - 9:35 am

    I am so glad that you rescued this one! Sometimes the simplest ones are the most beautiful and graceful as this one turned out. Thank you for sharing your beautiful work with us.ReplyCancel

  • alsmouseMay 3, 2012 - 9:48 am

    Yeah for saving this card from the dustbin. This card is so clean & stunning. Love the quote and the colors. Perfection.
    alsmouse ~C8> Ratty HugsReplyCancel

  • Karen LinarezMay 3, 2012 - 9:49 am

    I love it! It would be so perfect for a gift of chocolates to someone, it even makes me think of chocolate, yum! It’s so simple yet gorgeous! I don’t know how you do it, but you always can make it stunning whether it’s simple or elaborate. All your cards are so elegant! I’m often inspired by you and things like this reuse of an item intended for something else. I’m beginning to look at things I would have thrown away before with different eyes now thanks to you and others here in the blogasphere. Can’t wait to see what you show next!ReplyCancel

  • CathlynMay 3, 2012 - 10:14 am

    Becca, I have to admit that I have been a big fan of yours for over a year now. I love to check your blog everyday just to see what creative journey you have ventured on. I love your style and the beautiful, elegant way you present your cards. Finally figured that I should finally come out of the woodwork and thank you so much for sharing this inspiration . . .ReplyCancel

  • Connie C.May 3, 2012 - 11:33 am

    Another beautiful card! My kids tease me all the time when they throw out their trash…”Better let Mom go through it first!” they say. It’s amazing what a little imagination can do with a scrap of paper, or some little piece of something. You truly are amazing!ReplyCancel

  • Linda ClarkMay 3, 2012 - 11:58 am

    Hello Becca, I love your card. How elegant!! Your talent just amazes me! Thank you for sharing. I was so delighted to get to meet you at the Akron Convention!! My friends and I watched you make bows with such ease. Then yesterday we all got together to practice how to make the bows. I bought your bow maker on Saturday and that evening we went back to our room and watched the video and tried to make the bows. Your video really gives a lot of information and we got to try more than one kind of bow. Again Thanks for sharing with all of us. Take care and God Bless. LindaReplyCancel

  • Jean CMay 3, 2012 - 1:07 pm

    Oh Becca, I love your card and the fact that you had discarded it but pulled it out. I had been using some glitter paper for a project and had several pieces with small trianglar shapes left after cutting out some oval shaped spellbinders. I took those scraps out of the trash can and searched through my spellbinders until I found something I could use that trianglar shape for. I now have lots of scrolls to add to other cards along the way! I try to use every scrap.ReplyCancel

  • Patricia T.May 3, 2012 - 1:57 pm

    Hello my friend, you have a naturally born creative mind. They say a mind is a terrible thing to waste, and when it comes to creativity you don`t waste a thing. I`m glad you decided to rescue these items from the trash, you`ve created a stunning card. ( from ashes to beauty) I find myself rescuing scraps out the trash a lot. I love the brown and cream combo. And the bow is stunning as always. TFS Becca, Hugs! PatriciaReplyCancel

  • Pattie JnsMay 3, 2012 - 2:04 pm

    For something from the garbage it looks….. elegant to me. I just love your creativity and being so frugal, Helps me to look close before throwing away. I have sorted scraps by color and put them in large plastic covers that open from the top(used in notebooks) but don’t save anything less than a 1 inch, if can be punched or die cut it is saved if not out it goes. I have used images on print paper and punched out for accent layering. works good. ……thanks for sharing. this is a beautiful card. love the chocolate colors, image, and gorgeous bow. …….hugs and smiles.ReplyCancel

  • Tracy McAlisterMay 3, 2012 - 3:03 pm

    From Trash to a card someone will Treasure, beautiful.ReplyCancel

  • Kristine VencelMay 3, 2012 - 4:13 pm

    Wonderful rescue! Your card is gorgeous & who would know unless you told them (us)?ReplyCancel

  • facsmomMay 3, 2012 - 4:35 pm

    Beautiful card-home run. Not only are your cards, including this one, beautifully elegant, but the way you photograph and accessorize the background of your photos add to the elegance.ReplyCancel

  • caroline hillMay 3, 2012 - 6:12 pm

    Beautiful card. Love it makes me think of some cappincino crunch ice cream I had the other day.ReplyCancel

  • SuzanneMay 3, 2012 - 10:22 pm

    Oh, Becca! Beautiful! What lands on the floor is not always trash. And thank you for the kind words.ReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth HMay 4, 2012 - 12:06 am

    Hi Becca,ReplyCancel

  • Elizabeth HMay 4, 2012 - 12:10 am

    Just last week I went through scraps of papers and put them in a brown paper bag for the garbage, then later I saw on a website a cute card made from little inch pieces and yep I dug through that brown bag and retrieved enough to make a card.ReplyCancel

  • yogiMay 4, 2012 - 7:49 am

    beautiful as usual. there are always treasures that land on the floor… of course I recently vacuumed so I might have a harder time finding them. BIG GRIN
    Have a great dayReplyCancel

  • Shelly SchmidtMay 4, 2012 - 11:18 am

    Gorgeous! WOW_ I would love to go thru your trash ….hahaha I love this sentiment and the gorgeous flourishes and layout!!!ReplyCancel

  • deborahMay 4, 2012 - 5:20 pm

    Well I have heard that one mans trash is another mans treasure. You put a whole new spin on it lol. I sure am glad you rescued this card it is beautiful! I just love that chocolate brown ribbon. How clever of you to up cycle those chair back covers. I hope if you have any of the supplies left you will make another card or box. Thank you for helping me to see that many items have more than one use.ReplyCancel

  • Beverly UMay 4, 2012 - 6:44 pm

    This is beautiful! I love the chocolate colors and so clever for this gem to keep sneaking out to grab your attention! Call it destiny!ReplyCancel

  • SusanMay 4, 2012 - 7:22 pm

    Lovely card Becca! I must admit as a crafter and elementary school teacher,I have taken more than my fair share of ribbing from my brothers on all the “stuff” I have saved. They laughed themselves silly over my toilet roll collection — but I did use it eventually!ReplyCancel

  • patricia p.May 4, 2012 - 8:33 pm

    Becca
    I really like this clean,simple design. It is bold with lots of contrast and the bow is beautiful and I love the saying and just the simplicity of the whole card. I’m so happy it spoke to you..Sometimes this is the way it happens. It is germinating in our mind and then it’s ready to be born.
    I’m glad it got born.

    patReplyCancel

  • Victoria C.May 5, 2012 - 1:08 am

    Becca, your so funny. (and you told one of my secrets) lol your the best….blessings,victoriaReplyCancel

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