Christmas Leftovers – January Challenge at OCC

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This months challenge was set by my new Team Mate, Pamellia.

“Christmas wrapping, gift bags, tinsel, ribbon, gift boxes, tissue paper, Christmas crackers, wine boxes, empty gift wrap rolls, Christmas cookie tins, even the images from the fronts of cards I received…you name, I hoard it!

Let’s put those bits to good use this month!”

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Wow, this is my first challenge for Our Creative Corner as a member of the design Team!
The challenge is to recycle Christmas bits and bobs. I had collected a few things during the celebrations for my stash, a lovely box containing 3 pairs of Christmas socks, a handful of Christmas cracker pressies from my son in law’s posh work celebration ( everyone knows I collect stuff!) and some clothes labels and jingle bells.
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I was particularly pleased with the box and cracker stuff as I had thought the box would be great for holding a mini album. The cracker stuff lent itself to embellishments for the album.

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I die cut tags from Tim Holtz die then used distress paint and inks in seasonal colours to make wrinkle free distress effects. I used journal tickets to make pockets with tissue tape to fit small photos underneath. The robins were die cut in gloss paper then coloured with alcohol inks in traditional colours to complete the Christmas theme.

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I am a great fan of silver plumbers tape, no idea what they use it for, but it is self adhesive, sticks beautifully to thin card and loves being dry embossed ( AND its very cheap!) I used a TH Christmas embossing folder, painted black paint over, then wiped off the paint when it had slightly dried to leave black in the recesses. I cut pieces to fit the 4 box sides. I die cut a TH snowflake from recycled corrugated card, ripped the smooth top off and glittered it. I also die cut a snowflake from plumbers tape on thin card and then embossed it with the corresponding folder. I had Snow Flurries on the edge die, so cut that from white card and glittered it with rock candy.

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This is how I assembled the box. The snowflakes fitted on top of each other, the flurries slotted into the clear plastic in the frame. I added a piece of the silver emboss to cover the script on the box then added the ribbon and a TH metal embellishment that fitted.

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Here is a view of the box side with the metal embossed card in place.

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We had a fantastic visit to Kew Gardens at Christmas and had some lovely photos, so that inspired the title and the theme for the mini album. The title is die cut and glittered then mounted on the magnetic address book. I thought we could write the names and addresses of the friends we visited with on the pages.

I assembeled the mini pages, but the original red front cover did not work. I die cut a black tag, dry embossed with the TH holiday holder then used Treasure Gold to highlight the letters. (I hope you agree it looks much better.) I coloured the clip and keys with alcohol ink, rusted the lock with embossing powder and added ribbon and string to each tag page.

 

I am pleased with how the piece turned out, I didn’t use the clothes tags as they didn’t fit but are saved in my stash for next time. The jingle bells were too big and bulky but will be saved!

I hope you enjoy making a mini album to keep your memories too. I get a good feeling recycling discarded bits and bobs.

Our Creative Corner is sponsored by Nice Crane Designs. You could be the lucky Random.org winner who will win a gorgeous selection of treats from our Sponsor this month Nicecrane Designs.

Happy New Year!

Jan x


18 thoughts on “Christmas Leftovers – January Challenge at OCC

  1. WOWSERS Jan!! What a gorgeous box!! I just love the metallics against the dark background, what a striking combination! Great idea with your tags too! This is such a wonderful upcycle / recycle project…and from Christmas Leftovers…WOW!! Fabulous make Jan! Happy New Years hugs from you new teamie :)

  2. Wow who knew plumber tape had such a fun use! Can’t wait to try that. It was a fun surprise to see that this project wasn’t just a beautifully decorated box but all the yummie tags and mini album too! Happy New Year teamie! xxx hugs, Laurie

  3. Jan
    I just LUUUUUUUUURRRRRRVVVVVV Aluminium tape as well! I currently have about 6 rolls of the stuff, I buy a roll everytime I see them going on special. What you did with that ordinary box is so sparkly and beautiful. I love the black contrasting with the shiny metal and whites. Altogether a gorgeous project!

  4. Happy New Year Jan and welcome for your first challenge at OCC. I thought you’d done a wonderful job on your altered box. THEN I realised that there were more beautiful items inside. I love your little album with all the texture on the cover. I haven’t used my silver tape for ages (it’s used to join insulation boards/sheets together, so I’m told!), now I think I need to have a play with it again. I’m sure your husband will love this gift. Haven’t been to Kew for ages but the night walk is magical.
    Juliaxx

  5. Hi There Jan!! I’ve finally got some time to play catch-up with my OCC teammates and I just had to say that I LOOOVE this wonderful memorabilia box for your hubbie!! Oh, yeah–that silver plumber’s tape–yeah, very sticky indeed!! I’ve had my hands on that stuff in the past (not for crafting purposes though) šŸ˜‰
    Just a fabulous OCC Christmas Leftover creation, Jan!! Love your style!!
    XOXO-Shari

  6. FINALLY getting a chance to sit down and really have a good look at each of the OCC Design Team creations reclying Christmas leftovers! My, what a cool box and great tags and albums you have made using your stash!

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