June samples and prize pack from Arlene

Hi All

Arlene has come up with some neat samples of recycling, reusing or repurposing to give us some ideas for the June challenge.... look at these beauties.

just click on the photo to go to her photostream to see how she did these.

and look what she has for the winner of the June challenge....

2 clear stamps
1 small cling stamp set
24 - 5" X 5" Designer Paper K&Company (sharing a stack I just bought
8 - 8 1/2" X 11" designer paper (sharing from my stash)
Die-cut flowers & leaves (various colors)
Die-cut flower buttons (various colors)
Die-cuts (Label 8)- various sizes & colors

So please come and join us.... and let all your friends know.... just make a card/ATC/Layout/Altered item using something recycled, reused/repurposed  and your die cut machine ~ added it to Die Cut Diva's Flickr group and post a photo under June's discussion thread....

Cheers
Dawn

June's Challenge....

Arlene has asked me to post this month's challenge...so here it is..........

I read on the Hero Arts blog of May 13, 2011 that Hero Arts won a 2011 Small Business of the Year award for their sustainability and green business. I know a lot more people recycle, re-purpose, or reuse items, whether it's wood planking from an old farmhouse or a doily for an embellishment on a card. I had already thought of my challenge for the Die Cut Divas flickr group challenge early in the month, but it still needed firming up. No matter what type of recycle, re-purpose or reuse of an item, the card must have a die-cut or be embossed with your machine. Any type of machine is fine.

What kinds of things can be reused, recycled, re-purposed? I use tissue boxes all the time as well as packaging for stockings for die-cuts. I love the idea of doilies, buttons, or stick-pins for flowers making the card scene. I now have a great button die that I love to use because it's not as thick and heavy as a real button. How about turning ribbon into flowers? Yes, that's not recycled, but it is re-purposed.

Have fun! I am publishing this early as I have been locked out of my desktop for about a week and I want to make sure I can get this up and running.

Flower Tutorial

 

 In my travels this week I came across a tutorial for the cute flower Heather used on this ATC.  I asked her if I could share it here and yes has agreed....so here it is

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I thought it would be easier to explain in pictures how I made it, so put together a little photo tutorial on the process. The flowers are really easy to make and can be made with just small pieces of fabric - I hope you give them a try!

Cut 5 circles of the same size out of fabric. I used my Cuttlebug which made it really quick.


Fold each fabric circle in half.


Fold in half again.


Using a running stitch sew along the curved side, a little bit down from the raw edge.


Add the next petal to the length of thread using a running stitch.


Continue adding petals with the running stitch until all five petals have been added. As you can see you don't have to be fussy about doing even stitches!


Holding the two ends of the thread, pull tightly to gather the petals together and knot 3\4 times.


Snip the ends of the thread and add a button, large gem or yo yo to the centre to cover up the raw edges.

 

Isn't this just the cutest ever... thanks Heather for sharing.