As a scrapbooker, I have always been inspired by Henry David Thoreau’s words, “It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”
Hello, everyone, Mou Saha here to talk about scrapbooking techniques that are good for the earth and easy on your pocketbook.
I like to see hidden potential in ordinary things that have already served their original purposes. This gives me a joy that I don’t feel when I use premade, store-bought products. Here are a few examples.
Here, I upcycled the 12″ x 12″ cover of a paper collection to create a background that was a perfectly-spaced grid with sixteen color coordinated patterns without the cost and time.
My Wish for You by Mou Saha.
On this layout, I used a mesh fruit bag, bread tag, and paper scraps to tell a story.
Odd, Huh? by Mou Saha.
And upcycling doesn’t have to stop at scrapbook layouts. I created this mini chalkboard using packaging from some scrapbook supplies (here’s a tutorial).
Chipboard Chalkboard by Mou Saha.
My upcoming 4-week workshop at Big Picture Classes, Lift Me Up!, is a venture in this same spirit. We’ll meet online each week to make a total of four projects out of discarded objects and supplies from your own craft closet, starting simple and progressing to more involved pieces.
I’m excited about this workshop and I hope you will be too! I am giving away TWO spots in my workshop to two CK blog readers. To qualify, please leave a comment below by Tuesday, May 29, at 9:00 am (MDT).
—Mou Saha, Contributing Writer
Congratulations to our winners!
Carol M.: I’m always upcycling things on my cards & layouts. But you have it down to a science!! I’d love to learn more…..PLEASE let me join you in this class!!!
Crystal: Sounds like a neat class! Thanks for the chance to win.
wee.. thank you for the chance to learn
I wish I can win a spot in your class!!
Wow, this looks like a fun class! Thanks for the chance to win!
Love the upcycling grocery page. Prompted several ideas to make my own page! Your handwriting is superb on this page!!! I’m encouraged to doodle more to find my own look. Thank you for the opportunity to enter the Lift Me Up giveway.
I always look for ideas to upcycle around the house. Thanks for the great give away!
This class sounds very interesting!! Thanks for the chance to win!
I’m always looking for new ideas when it comes to eco-friendly scrapbooking. Thanks for a chance to win a spot in the class!!
Sounds like a neat class! Thanks for the chance to win.
I always love your layouts in CK magazine. Your style inspires me!
Hi Mou! Haven’t talked with you in awhile, how is your hand? I always love what you do.
Kathy
such a newbie but love learning!
thx for this opp to learn more !
I already upcycle, but would love to learn more ideas and techniques. Thank you for the opportunity to enter.
I’m into upcycling big time! This class sounds very inspiring and I am considering taking it. Thanks for this great giveaway!!
Would like to see how to use different things inn layouts. Thanks for the chance to win a seat.
I am always looking at yard sales and thrift stores for things to recycle and use them for scrapbooking. This sounds like a great class. Thanks for the chance.
I have done several scrapbooking projects using upcycling and would love to gain inspiration to do more! I love your style Mou!
I am currently reading a book about sustainable living and the subject hit me! I would love to win!
Thanks for the opportunity to learn some amazing stuff!
Would love the opportunity to take this class…am always looking out for throwaway items to transform artworks with my children at school.
I would love to win, I never have the chance to take a class…I am always organizing and helping/teaching others.
AAAAHHHHHHHH-mazing post! Thanks Mou great ideas.. you know I am always awed by your work.. you rock!
I love to reuse items that ordinarily would be trashed or recycled. I especially like the texture your upcycling added to your LOs and the tag. Please consider me for the drawing – I would really like to get more ideas for reuse/recycling via scrapping!
Great ideas – thanks. Also, thanks for the chance to win a spot in your class.
this sounds fun!!
This looks fabulous! Thanks for the opportunity.
This class sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks for the chance to win!
I LOVE the idea of the mesh bag… I used one once for a “seaside” layout of my niece and my son… Titled “Aquaholic” ! Wish I had it with me… Would post a link
Ohhh I forgot to say I would LOVE a spot in your class
I never thought of it as “upcycycling”….I called it found objects and being cheap! lol I would love to learn more!
I do alot of “upcycling” making old things into cute little country/primitive items. I would have never thought of doing that with scrapbooking. What a great idea….
Mou is so creative! I would love a chance to be part of this class.
Thank you for a chance to win!
Wow, this looks like an interesting class! Thanks for a chance to win!
I love doing stuff like this! The hardest part for me finding a place to keep all my “junk”. I facilitate an ATC club where we talked about this same recycling/up cycling. This class is a great idea.
Thanks for the giveaway-looks great!