I always look forward to my local craft swap. We met last night to exchange our crafts. This time there were 9 of us so each made 8 items. And we had a theme: recycled. The majority of our craft had to be recycled (or re-purposed). Yes, I grumbled. Then I realized I over-reacted and just started thinking outside my comfort zone of fabric and yarn.
The internet is an amazing thing. A few weeks after the theme was decided, I saw this post of Ali's. Oh me, oh my! I loved this idea. And I shamelessly copied it. Kind of. I couldn't find frames to be reused so I had to come up with a second option. Lacking the necessary supplies, I bummed some lumber off of a friend whose basement was just finished. I asked another friend to cut the boards for me. I went through the paint cans in the basement and found a quart of eggshell white. Then I hit the recycling bin.
One old issue of Domino, an Anthropologie catalog, a MiniBoden catalog and a PBTeen catalog made these 8 pieces of Recycling Bin Art with the leftovers being tossed right back from where they came. All I bought was some small foam dots to mount the paper petals and the sawtooth hangers for the backs. It cost about $5.
I got some great, creative crafts, too. I am stilling missing two so when I get them, I will take some photos and share. This is one creative group! We swap about 4 times a year, the next one being in May. I already know what I am making. And I think I can do it with supplies I already have.
These look so beautiful! I am so impressed and inspired. Wow.
Posted by: Grace | March 13, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Those came out so great. I wish i had something like that here in my town. Sounds like so much fun!
Posted by: Jen b | March 13, 2008 at 01:02 PM
totally love this! what a fun way to re-use all that junk mail.
these turned out lovely.
Posted by: Vanesa | March 13, 2008 at 01:11 PM
I love them! Makes me inspired to try something new! Again :)
Posted by: Kajsa | March 13, 2008 at 01:26 PM
Oh! I'm looking for something to replace an atrocious (as in "what was I thinking") thing in my entry. This would be perfect!
Thanks!
Posted by: Anina | March 13, 2008 at 01:28 PM
awe.some! and i even have some foam adhesive dots!!
Posted by: hannah | March 13, 2008 at 01:29 PM
They look so good. Repetition is so interesting.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | March 13, 2008 at 01:52 PM
Oh, these are so good!
Posted by: sally | March 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM
oh me, oh my! I so have to do this!!!! you inspire me every day, girl! and it goes hand in hand with my current monochromatic frame of mind!
Posted by: amandajean | March 13, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Really really cool
Posted by: Ryan | March 13, 2008 at 02:06 PM
Those are so cute! I love that they are each a different color scheme. I would totally decorate with that!
Posted by: Tracy | March 13, 2008 at 02:24 PM
You can take the fabric away from the quilter, but...
Beautiful Erin! Very fresh and spring-like.
Posted by: Sonya | March 13, 2008 at 03:07 PM
these are great. (i'm all about the color play that you've got going on there.) so clever, so good.
Posted by: emily | March 13, 2008 at 03:12 PM
this is getting me thinking about how to decorate for a st.pat's day party on the cheap. have you ever posted about the origins of your local craft group/swap?
Posted by: apple cyder | March 13, 2008 at 03:21 PM
Those are amazing! I look forward to shamelessly copying those myself.
Posted by: meg evans | March 13, 2008 at 03:44 PM
Luv the whole thing. Going to make one too. :)
Posted by: Norma | March 13, 2008 at 03:49 PM
Great idea! Thanks for tipping me off on it!
Posted by: Stephanie | March 13, 2008 at 04:19 PM
I love love love that idea. It also looks like a great kid project. And way to go on the reuse of materials - perfect!
Posted by: Sarah Jackson | March 13, 2008 at 05:00 PM
okay. you are just the cleverest! and pulling all of your resources! i love it.
they are awesome!
Posted by: leslie | March 13, 2008 at 05:26 PM
Oh my goodness! They are fantastic!
Posted by: Stefani | March 13, 2008 at 05:31 PM
Very cool!
Posted by: Mellissa - wondermommy | March 13, 2008 at 06:05 PM
I love those!! They look great!
Posted by: Wendy | March 13, 2008 at 07:01 PM
love that!
Posted by: beki | March 13, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Such a great idea! Ali Edwards is a very inspiring woman!
Posted by: AJ | March 13, 2008 at 07:15 PM
How beautiful! what an easy way to make a piece of art too. You have lucky co-swappers.
Posted by: Jess | March 13, 2008 at 07:23 PM
I loved Ali's post as well I went out and got the MS butterfly punch =)
Posted by: Heather W | March 13, 2008 at 07:34 PM
i love your colour groupings. beautiful!
Posted by: leslie | March 13, 2008 at 07:44 PM
Those are very cute....but I am totally being distracted by your shoes! lol
Posted by: muralimanohar | March 13, 2008 at 10:50 PM
love the pics, and was also getting distracted by the gorgeous shoes(girl can never have to many shoes..)
am going to copy you and make some with my sons..
love
Posted by: robyn | March 14, 2008 at 04:47 AM
Hi. These are so cool. They would great for cards too I think. Thanks for sharing. Cherrie
Posted by: willywagtail | March 14, 2008 at 05:51 AM
They look gorgeous, very inspiring. I might have a go myself. Thank you for your lovely blog. I enjoy reading it.
Posted by: Claire | March 14, 2008 at 07:11 AM
oh, erin, that is so cool! so what did you GET? ;)
Posted by: kirsten | March 14, 2008 at 09:46 AM
These are great! I wish I had a local craft swap!! Can't wait to see what you received.
Posted by: Jessie | March 14, 2008 at 12:28 PM
you are a genius with creativity!
Posted by: Melissa | March 14, 2008 at 01:02 PM
those look so great! really love them. i'm going to look at my catalogs with new eyes now before i toss them in the recycle bin.
Posted by: Toni | March 14, 2008 at 01:26 PM
What a great idea. I actually ran across that post, too. You did a great job with it. It seems that would be a great activity to share with the kids!
Posted by: Joanna Silva | March 14, 2008 at 01:30 PM
fabulous!
Posted by: jen | March 14, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Neat idea. I have a friend who is getting married this summer. I can picture a version of this with heart-shaped cut outs for her. Interesting... Thanks for the (second-hand) inspiration. : )
Posted by: Julie @ Letter9 | March 14, 2008 at 02:04 PM
these are so cool! Did you cut out all those little flowers by hand? you must have a trick.
Posted by: Kelly | March 14, 2008 at 09:59 PM
erin- love this. I am going to join in on the copying because this is such a great idea. It will be the perfect thing for my bathroom, and a great idea for gifts. I love how it is recycled,and a handmade gift that looks like it may be a bit quicker than sewing or knitting something.
thanks for the inspiration.....again!
Posted by: katie | March 14, 2008 at 10:14 PM
adorable, kid friendly too!
Posted by: Courtney | March 15, 2008 at 09:41 AM
you gave me an idea of collage using the Boden catalogue (great idea, thanks!). I will soon post a photo of it (when light allows) and I'll mention your post.
Posted by: celine | March 16, 2008 at 05:24 PM
Darling. Cool. Lucky swap partners...!
Posted by: miss chris | March 17, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I love it! I saw that same post, but I haven't tried it yet. Don't you love how the colors look when they are abstracted from their original context? So cool!
Posted by: tricia | March 17, 2008 at 08:56 PM
What a fabulous idea - thanks for the inspiration - this a great idea for me and my 11 yr old daughter to do over the Easter break! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Lisa | March 18, 2008 at 06:26 AM
What a brilliant idea! Nice work!
Posted by: Melissa | March 18, 2008 at 09:02 AM
I always love your craft swaps. Your response to the theme of this one was just awesome - thanks for the link.
And in response to your fifteen minute post that follows this one: I'm headed out now, in the dark, to run to the local track, do some speed work, and run quickly home, in order to get housework done for visitors arriving tomorrow. Whew!
Posted by: sulu-design | March 18, 2008 at 10:56 PM
oh wow
these are amazing
thanks for the inspiration
Posted by: Nancy Cook | March 22, 2008 at 03:34 PM
Beautiful! Makes me want to try it too:)
Posted by: Shannon | March 26, 2008 at 06:06 AM