Upcycle Week: Give Matchboxes and Egg Cartons New Life with these Great Ideas
Hello G45ers!
Today we have a special blog post for you. We are celebrating our fearless leader, the director of operations, and my very favorite sister's birthday. Happy birthday Aimee! We will also be sharing two fantastic projects. Think twice before throwing away a matchbox or egg carton. You can turn garbage into a stunning gift that would make anyone smile! In this post, Joanne Bain shows us the possibilities of upcycling a matchbox, using our Nature Sketchbook collection! Following Joanne, we have Lena Astafeva's gorgeous Olde Curiosity Shoppe egg carton. Both projects would make excellent gifts or great storage for your desk or craft space. Join in the fun and share your birthday greetings and repurpose ideas in the comments.
"Happy, happy birthday Aimee, you are one of the hardest working, smartest, loving women I know. Thank you for always sharing your light and showing me the way. I love you." ~Charee
"Happy Birthday to my beautiful daughter Aimee!
I’m so grateful to be your Mother. You’ve got the brains, confidence and courage to do whatever you set your mind to (and have since you were a toddler). You bring fun and laughter to our family and to Graphic 45. May the next year of your life’s journey be filled with joy and adventure!
I love you Meemers!" ~Mom aka Diane Schultz
This week we are giving out a $40+ prize package that includes an Off to the Races 8x8 paper pad, 6x6 Patterns and Solids pad, Decorative Chipboard, Ephemera Cards, ATC Black Book Box, and Shabby Chic Drawer Pulls. Wow! To enter to win, just leave a comment here on our blog and/or Facebook page. The winner will be announced here on the blog on Friday, April 21st, 2017.
Upcycled Matchbox by Joanne Bain
"For my Earth Day project I decided to upcycle a large matchbox which would normally end up in the bin and turn it into a small gift box. It would be a perfect place for some yummy sweets or maybe a gift card for that special family member or friend." ~Joanne Bain
Bee Yourself. Use our Metal Label Holder to make sentiments pop.
Ornate Metal Label Holder
Both twine and string add nice finishing touches on projects.
Graphic 45 Supplies:
Nature's Sketchbook Collection
Season Splendor 12x12 Patterned Paper
Mother Earth 12x12 Patterned Paper
Verdant Woodlands 12x12 Patterned Paper
Nature’s Sketchbook 12x12 Patterned Paper
Metal Door Plates & Knobs
Ornate Metal Label Holder
Upcycled Egg Box by Lena Astafeva
"There are so many things always left, which we don’t need anymore. We should look back, think over and turn an old thing into a new one." ~Lena Astafeva
Tip: Egg cartons make excellent embellishment storage containers.
Graphic 45 DIY Craft Paper Rolls are the perfect weight to add this added ruffle detail.
DIY Craft Paper-Bicycles & Polka Dots
Layered fussy cuts are a great addition to any project.
Graphic 45 Supplies:
Nature Sketchbook 8x8 Pad
Nature Sketchbook 12x12 Pad
Nature Sketchbook 12x12 Patterns & Solids Pad
DCE Olde Curiosity Shoppe
DIY Craft Paper-Curiosity Collage & Butterflies
Other Supplies:
Eggs box
Petaloo flowers
That wraps it up for today! Thank you, Joanne and Lena, for two gorgeous examples of upcycling, a step by step tutorial, and a whirlwind of creativity. Be sure to share in the comments what you repurpose at home. We love learning new crafting ideas and techniques! Have fun creating and have a cupcake in Aimee's honor today.
Happy Papercrafting!
Visit your LSS or order online today! Looking for Graphic 45 products? Store Locator
What great ideas! I especially love the match box turned into a gorgeous gift box. Nature Sketchbook is also one of my most favorite paper lines!! Love it!
Posted by: Joya Bohman | April 18, 2017 at 04:07 PM
I save egg cartons for my kids to use in their art projects. The next empty carton is going into my stash! Thanks for continuing to inspire in fresh ways. Happy Happy Day, Aimee. Turns out my best friend was also born on this fabulous day!
Posted by: Katie Baird | April 18, 2017 at 06:21 PM
Happy Birthday Aimee and lovely projects! Love to see all of the inspiration!
Posted by: Jackie P | April 18, 2017 at 06:31 PM
Awesome projects! Happy Birthday!!
Posted by: Jodi | April 18, 2017 at 07:54 PM
Beautiful projects! I especially love the matchbox. Happy Birthday to Aimee!
Posted by: Carol Jones | April 18, 2017 at 10:04 PM
Yes, please! :)
Posted by: Peggy Comella | April 18, 2017 at 10:05 PM
Happy birthday Aimee. And thank you G45, for an endless supply of inspiring ideas!
Posted by: Peggy Comella | April 18, 2017 at 10:07 PM
Such fun projects. Egg cartons here are mostly styrofoam, but I will watch for the cardboard type next time I purchase eggs. Seems like I've seen some in the craft stores, too.
Fun post today....thanks for the ideas.
Posted by: Jan D., FL | April 19, 2017 at 04:29 AM
I love Graphic 45!
Posted by: Judy Hodges | April 19, 2017 at 04:34 AM
HAPPY bIRTHDAY
I love to upcycle containers that I am using to make them special. It bring a smile to my face when I look at them. I have a few completed now and some of them are G45 collections.....
Posted by: ava gavloski | April 19, 2017 at 05:50 AM
Stunning creation!
Posted by: Kirsty Vittetoe | April 19, 2017 at 08:25 AM
Happy Birthday Aimee ~ Best Wish For Many More!
The egg carton would make a cute gift for next Easter!
Posted by: Cyndi B | April 19, 2017 at 09:57 AM
Happy birthday Aimee!
I love these projects. To me this is unbelievable!
Posted by: Gloria | April 19, 2017 at 02:10 PM
Happy Birthday Aimee. I cant wait to tackle this project. I have both a Matchbox and an egg carton Yippee.
Posted by: Cindy Wilson | April 19, 2017 at 04:01 PM
Happy Birthday, Aimee! Really cute re-cycling. Would not thought to use a matchbox. Love it. Thanks for the ideas.
Posted by: Carolyn | April 20, 2017 at 04:50 AM
LOVE the inspiration!
Posted by: Kay | April 20, 2017 at 01:39 PM
Happy Birthday, ENJOY your day
Posted by: Sandi | April 20, 2017 at 03:19 PM
Such clever ideas! Those butterflies really pop.
Posted by: angela ga | April 20, 2017 at 07:13 PM
What a clever new collection. I just love the sneak peeks!
Posted by: Dottie In CT | April 24, 2017 at 08:41 AM
Love the new Sherlock Holmes Papers! I hope I'm chosen to win. Please. French Country was the first G45 papers I bought..I still hoard each scrap.
❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣❣Maggie.
Posted by: Marlene "Maggie" Krug | April 24, 2017 at 08:48 AM