REUSE ... RECYCLE ... AND JINGLE!

We loved seeing all of the creative recycling in the gallery this week ... nothing better than making the EARTH a bit better by making art.

Here are a few that caught our eyes this week.

Barbara of The Knackered Grouse

...not only made four cards cleverly using re-cycled Christmas cards and other bits; three actually have the EARTH on them! (Which definitely wasn't a requirement, but we confess to getting a kick out of it!)

Kathe D of Kathe's Adventures

...used part of an empty tissue box to diecut this beautiful wreath; bonus points for the fact that this favorite annual challenge was suggested by Kathe in Jingle Belles' very first year for which we thank her!

Cornelia of Stampel Spass (Fun Stamper)

re-used and re-cycled rejected pieces from other creative ventures to make this adorable little holiday scene. (Plus... we love her gnome Santa Claus!)

Joy to the EARTH (day)

We're still re-using and re-cycling at Jingle Belles to celebrate Earth Day.

Here's what we made this week:

Stephanie's Other Card

Stephanie says, "I started with the big snowflake recycled from one of last year's Christmas cards we received at the office (all of the Admins save them for me).  Next I went to my recycle drawer and pulled out a paint chip and some vintage discount stickers to finish the design.  It is a rather loose take on this week's Fusion Card Challenge Sketch."

Lauren's Other Card

Lauren says, "Once again I've raided my stash of received holiday cards that were too pretty to toss out. The flourishy diecut reindeer came from one card; and would you believe that the green base card WITH the red strip was the front of a different card?As soon as I saw this week's Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge (#208) I knew I was on to something! I've also incorporated an oval of gorgeously patina-ed Norwegian sheet music and the tan strip of paper behind the frame is a scrap from a swatch of wallpaper."

Remember, you have until Wednesday at 6pm EST to join our fun.

Peace on EARTH (day)

One of our favorite prompts each year is the one that falls right around Earth Day, when we challenge ourselves (and our friends) to make holiday cards that re-use, re-purpose, re-cycle or up-cycle at least one element!

In previous years, this has led not to just some of the most creative ideas we've seen, but also some of the most beautiful cards. We've seen backgrounds made from giftwrap that was just too pretty to throw away; sketches using shapes punched from lovely store-bought cards received on previous holidays; clear plastic packaging converted to a window for a shaker card; And even empty soda cans turned into cool metal diecuts!

Of course, we're quite sure you have plenty of amazing ideas we haven't even thought of; because you always do! Meanwhile, here's what we made this week:

Stephanie's Card

Stephanie says, "I love recycling vintage cards into new cards ... the vibrant retro colors of this one were so fun, all I did was attach it to a lime green card base, add some dimension with Mercury Nuvo Dots, and finish with a sticker sentiment."

Lauren's Card

Lauren says, "Since nearly EVERYTHING on my card used to be something else, it might quicker for me to tell you what the new elements are: the tiny blue and white doilies that are matting the focal image and part of an Eyelet Outlet pearl bling flourish. Yep, that's it. :) As for the rest? The cottage image was punched from one of the (store bought) holiday cards we received in a previous year; the lace was a scrap from my mother's sewing room; the papers with images have come from several old xmas "Ideals" magazines; the (cool, blue!) text paper came from an old falling-apart book I rescued; and the sheet music is... well, it's sheet music, lol. The sketch, however, is also brand new, it's from Sketch Saturday."

Remember, you needn't make a card that's nearly all recycled bits and bobs OR which contains anything at all vintage; just one re-used, re-purposed, re-cycled or up-cycled element will do! Be sure to tell us what it is, though, if it's not super obvious! Link up here by 6pm (EST) on Wednesday, April 26th. Keyword for galleries and Flickr is JB:17:08.

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