Don't Throw That Away!

This is my finished product!

This is what the container looked like before I started.

I found these beautiful fabric flowers on sale at the local 'big box' craft store.

This is a close-up of the tag on the front.

Ok, where do I begin? The beginning. I'm not a hoarder. But, I seldom throw things away. Actually, if I can envision a future use, I save them. And, yes, my saving space is getting pretty occupied. Here's what I mean. If you purchase something, and the packaging looks like it has a potential for re-use, I save it. My husband has learned to either to not look, or accept the fact that I like to keep empty containers. Either way, what a doll.

So, several years ago (at least 3, if not more) on one of our many trips to LA, Universal Studios, my husband bought a watch. I believe at the fossil store. Well, the container was this tin box. (image #2). I kept the box. Over @ Our Creative Corner, they are having a recycle challenge! Perfect! So, I have my container. However, what am I going to put in it?

One of the local 'big box' craft stores was having a sale on their faux flower stems. Let's go see what they have. Well, I found these beautiful flowers, that are perfect for card making, scrap-booking, paper crafting, all kinds of fun, neat, and creative arts! (image #3) So, I picked some up. When I got home, I pulled all the flowers off. (Ok, not all, but most.) So, that is what's in my tin. Now I have a beautiful gift! Inside and out!

To decorate the tin, I first used acrylic paint to cover some of the original color at the top where the lid goes. I then cut a strip of pattern paper (Fancy Pants)and used sticky strip to hold the paper to the tin. I cut a square of another coordinating pattern paper (Fancy Pants). I thought the dots where cute, but it needed some pizzazz. So, I used my 2-way glue pen and got some Dazzaling Diamond glitter on the dots. I matted that piece with a scrap of Crumb Cake cardstock. I found a small scrap (in my scrap box) that matched the original pattern paper perfectly, so I used a border punch to give it some shape. I wrapped a piece of left-over crochet trim around this piece. Scrunched a long piece of Baja Breeze seam binding, and tied it around my matted piece. This ribbon was long enough to make a bow. I used white detail embossing powder, to give my angel (Clearly For You) some noticing power. Used a small oval punch, to create that piece. I had a scrap piece of white felted wool, so i used my big shot and a butterfly die to make that sweet little butterfly. I had a scrap piece of my border paper to make my rolled flower. I used another scrap to punch out the little leaves. All edges were sponged with Crumb Cake classic ink before adhering to the project. To finish the lid, I wrapped a piece of left over ribbon around the lid, using sticky strip to hold it in place. And then cut a piece of the original pattern paper to fit the lid. I used my sanding block to create the edge work, so the paper looks like it was made for the shape.

Thank you for looking, and please play along! It's fun! See what you can decorate/alter using what you already have!