Repurpose on Purpose

The challenge today at Frosted Designs was to recycle or repurpose something.  I have this little spot in my cupboard where I stash things that I 'think' I might want to try later.  I have a vague idea that I could do something with it, but I just need time to play.  Then there are other things in there that I know exactly what I'd like to do, but again I just need the time to play.

I've taken the time to play with my scraps and turned my trash into this:

It started as this:

I've seen those little bubble things that you can buy for card making, so when I saw the little package this photo negative ribbon came in I tucked it aside for a card making session.  You could use a 'bubble' area that is square or rectangular as well.

First we need to cut up the packaging.  You want to leave 1/2" or so of plastic beyond the 'bubble' part like this:

Then you need to choose your card papers and make a hole in the patterned paper.  You can do this with a circle punch, a circle die, or even just trace a circle that is a little larger than the bubble itself.  My circle die was a little bit larger, but that's okay.  **Keep in mind when you trim your patterned paper for the front of the card, to cut the front a little larger than needed if you plan to trim the edges with a border punch.**

Try your card front over the hole just to be sure (this shows my paper from the back side).  I want to be sure it fits and also that the plastic edges do not extend too far:

 Once you are sure it will fit you will need to glue it down.  I really wanted this to stick to the paper and not shift or leave gaps...or fall apart.  So I chose to use Helmar's 450 Quick Dry Adhesive (emphasis on QUICK DRY!).  I really love this glue....if you haven't yet tried it, but sure to get some from your favorite retailer.

Now you need to fill your bubble with something.  You could put any little trinket in there, coins or candy.  I chose candy...M&M's to fill mine with.  After you fill it, then you need to put the matting on it (or the card if you just want to use your white card front).  

Glue the back of the bubble part (filled....no glue in that part) with the Helmar 450 Quick Dry Adhesive :

Then quickly (the glue dries very quickly) put your matte/card on that, then turn it over to be sure it's centered.

Now it's time to decorate the card front.  I decided before I did my hole in the card front that I would make a flower of it.  You can do whatever you want to.  Just use up those scraps! :)

To create the card like I did you need a scalloped circle replicate flower petals.  I used my Nestabilities dies, but you could also use a circle punch (same one you used to create the hole in the card front for the bubble) and then cut petals freehand with scissors (or pencil them in and cut).  Like this: 

Add a stem and some leaves to the card front, then a strip of green that you snip with scissors to the bottom of the card front to look like grass. I used my handy Martha Stewart fringe scissors to do this, but any scissor will do (you'll just need to make several cuts).

Here's a look with a narrower yellow flower that I cut with my dies:

Now simply add a sentiment:

Then adhere your card front to your card.  I use Helmar's Quick Fix Adhesive Runner.  I put the adhesive down the edges of the card itself and then lay the card front on top of that, being sure to get it straight in one corner first.

That's it!  I didn't put a lot of time and effort into this as it will be torn up in order to eat that candy, but it was a great way to use up scraps & recycle something this week.  Be sure to enter your project in the Frosted Designs Friday Challenge (you'll be eligible for a fabulous prize!).  

And please post a link in my comment section so I can visit your blog and see it! :)