Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway: The Collage Workbook and an original signed collage by the author Randel Plowman

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Yes indeed! The lovely peeps at Lark Crafts and the author Randel Plowman have provided you lucky Craft Gossip Recycling readers the opportunity to win a  copy of the new book The Collage Workbook: How to Get Started and Stay Inspired and an original signed collage by the author. To get yourself in the running leave a note here in the comments section of today’s post by Wednesday June 20, 2012 and you are in the running! (Open to U.S. Residents only)

What a cool opportunity to own a piece of original art! I think having art from others is just as cool as making it yourself. Which is exactly what The Collage Workbook inspires you to do (it did me!) and it was so easy with the cool prompts and wonderful images included on each page of The Collage Workbook, oh and image library!

More about the book from the publisher Lark Crafts:

“Both a popular hobby and a recognized art form, collage encompasses a wide range of creative styles and techniques–explored here by the creator of the popular A Collage a Day blog. Offering step-by-step instruction, visual inspiration, and even a library of copyright-free images, this hands-on guide covers all the necessary materials, tools, and know-how, from adding color and transferring images, to décollage (tearing away layers). And to spark the reader’s imagination, there are 52 creativity prompts, such as a collage using the letters of a single word.

Randel Plowman is the founder of the popular blog A Collage A Day (http://acollageaday.blogspot.com). His art has been exhibited in solo and juried exhibitions throughout the United States and abroad; cited in The New York Times and USA Today; featured in How Design, Artist Magazine, and Somerset Studio; and graced the covers of numerous books. Randel resides in Madison, Wisconsin.“

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Comments

  1. I have just discovered collage art and love it! Found out about you and your book via ustream @ dede w.’s coffee and art. It sounds like a very informative and useful book, especially for newbies like me. So exciting too, for chance to win your wonderful art! Thank you very much for this opportunity and for sharing your knowledge of collage.

  2. You rock, and so does the opportunity to win this book. Thanks for all of the great ideas you post!!!

  6. An interesting book and an original collage? What’s not to love! Enter me, please.

  7. How wonderful it would be to win an original piece of work from the artist along with the inspirational book! Please, count me in!! Be especially blessed, Kathy

  8. This looks like a great book, perfect for beginners like me! And I’d love to win some art from Randel Plowman. Thanks for the chance to win!

  10. After many, many years of never doing any art at all, returned to doing it just last year…mainly abstract expressionism and collage…lots of experimentation and lots of fun. I would love to have a copy of The Collage Workbook to further inspire me in more and more new, exciting adventures. I thank you in advance!!

Have you read?

Creative Ways to Reuse UNO Cards: Fun Upcycled Crafts to Try

Recycled UNO card ideas

If you’ve got an old or incomplete deck of UNO cards lying around, don’t toss them just yet! Whether the cards are bent, missing pieces, or just no longer in rotation for game night, there are plenty of clever ways to upcycle UNO cards into fun and functional crafts.

Interestingly, UNO has taken a step toward sustainability with the release of their UNO Nothin’ But Paper deck — an eco-conscious version of the classic game made entirely from recyclable paper. It’s great to see big brands making greener choices, but what about those plastic-coated cards you already have? Instead of letting them go to waste, try turning them into something new and creative!

Here are some of our favorite DIY ideas for reusing UNO cards:

 

Playing Cards Purse — CraftBits.com This project turns your colorful cards into a funky, eye-catching purse. By using clear duct tape and a bit of crafting patience, you can create a unique accessory that’s equal parts playful and practical.

DIY UNO Card Game Art – One Mile Home Style UNO cards are bold, bright, and instantly recognizable. Why not use them to create modern wall art or a playful decor piece? Frame them, arrange them by color, or create a heart or mosaic design to liven up a game room or kid’s space.

Upcycling Playing Cards – craftygardener.caThis blog showcases a handful of ways to reuse any kind of playing cards — and UNO decks are perfect thanks to their color-coded design. Use them to create bookmarks, gift tags, or even mini photo frames. You’ll love how versatile they can be once you start experimenting.

Playing Card Wallet — CraftBits.com With just a few supplies, you can turn two sturdy UNO cards into a simple wallet or card holder. This is a great upcycled gift idea for teens, gamers, or anyone who appreciates quirky handmade items.

Clear Duct Tape Card Purse — CraftBits.com Another purse project that uses clear tape to seal and shape your UNO cards into a functional and fabulous little handbag. It’s surprisingly durable and makes for a fun conversation piece.

Great collection of recycled home stuff to use in fun learning activities 

So while Mattel’s move toward eco-friendly decks is definitely a win for sustainability, there’s still plenty of life left in your existing UNO cards. Upcycling them into clever crafts is not only environmentally friendly, it’s also a fantastic way to express your creativity. Whether you’re making wallets, art, or accessories, give your UNO cards a second chance to shine!

Before you head off to raid the junk drawer for that half-deck of UNO cards, here’s a fun reminder — have you ever actually read the real rules of UNO? Because if you’ve played with family or friends, chances are… you haven’t.

Yes, it’s true: stacking +2 and +4 cards isn’t in the official rules (gasp!). And no, you can’t play a Wild Draw 4 just because you feel like it — you’re supposed to only use it when you have no matching colors or numbers. We know, right? Mind. Blown.

So while you’re crafting away with your upcycled UNO cards, maybe print out a copy of the real rulebook and drop it into the purse or wallet you just made. Next game night, you can be the hero (or villain) who drops the “actually…” bomb and sets the record straight. Just don’t be surprised if you get banned from family game night for being that person.

Happy crafting and playing — by the rules (or not)!