Recycled Crafts

Creative DIY Projects That Turn Trash Into Treasure

Giveaway: Upcycle With Sizzix: Techniques and Ideas for using Sizzix Die-Cutting and Embossing Machines

by

Upcycle with sizzix, die cutting, how to, recycled crafts

Giveaway: Enter to win a copy of Upcycle With Sizzix: Techniques and Ideas for using Sizzix Die-Cutting and Embossing Machines by leaving a comment in today’s post by  January 30th, 2015 and you will be in the running for this awesome book filled with so many pretty and innovative ideas for using recycled elements with Sizzix die cuts. This book happens to be one of my current faves and will surely go on my bookshelf in the, “when I’m stuck and need some inspiration” section! To see a bunch of projects I have already made inspired by this book pop on over to Craftside.

More about the CPi book:

With the Sizzix die cutting machines, there are thousands of fun and useful applications. These machines cut shapes from paper or fabric, and they also emboss designs into paper. Uses include:

Scrapbook or photo album designs and embellishments

Handcrafted greeting cards and decorative envelopes

Invitations & decorations for weddings, parties, events, etc.

Frames, signs, banners, calendars, accents, and other home decor

Customize your next holiday: Christmas ornaments, Valentine’s cards, Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Easter decorations, Birthday Party, Baby Shower, and Wedding/Reception embellishments

Home decor for kitchens, living rooms, gardens, home offices, and family rooms

Add some flair to quilts, blankets, hair pins/clips/ties, clothes, jackets, backpacks, purses or handbags

For the kids: add a flourish to school projects, arts & crafts, dioramas, posters, etc.

Decorative art, collages, papercrafting, and other crafts projects

Upcycle with Sizzix offers detailed instructions on how to use a Sizzix die cutting machine to create projects from recycled papers, fabrics, and other materials. Learn how to upcycle found materials in all sorts of crafty projects like collages, banners, gift-giving, and small home decor items, with a new project on nearly every page. Each project includes a detailed materials list and walks crafters through any special techniques that are needed.

Packed with photos, illustrations and ideas, Upcycle with Sizzix will have crafters creating amazing elements in no time. And by using “found materials” including music sheet paper, magazine pages, leather, aluminum, old greeting cards, wrapping paper, and lightweight cardboard packaging, they’ll feel great about the green projects that are created.

Related Posts:

Comments

  1. It would be great to get more use out of my sizzix machine; and maybe make a little money too!

  3. I have been doing a lot of re-purposing recently. This book would offer some wonderful ideas and inspirations to continue exploring the possibilities

  7. I do a lot of crafting but have never tried embossing or die cutting. It is one of my goals for this year. I book would give me some new ideas. Love this site.

Have you read?

Recycled Paper Cylinder Face Art – A Colorful Win for All Ages

I recently stumbled across this super creative project on Instructables – “Face With Recycled Paper Cylinders” – and I had to share it with you all because it’s just the kind of craft that checks all my favorite boxes: recycled materials, hands-on creativity, and fun for literally any age.

The idea is simple but genius—roll strips of recycled paper (think junk mail, old magazines, leftover printer paper) into cylinders, then arrange and glue them to form a unique abstract face. You can make it funky, realistic, Picasso-inspired—whatever your mood or style dictates!

What I really love is the blend of eco-conscious crafting with true artistic expression. This isn’t just another kids’ project—it’s something you could easily do with a group of little ones, a classroom full of teens, or even as an adult art therapy or weekend wind-down activity. It’s super relaxing and surprisingly satisfying seeing all those paper rolls come together to form something new and expressive.

The tutorial itself is easy to follow, with plenty of visuals to guide you along the way. You don’t need any fancy materials—just glue, paper, scissors, and a board or piece of cardboard to serve as your canvas.

I also appreciate how this project leaves so much room for personalization. Want to make it into a full face? Go for it. Prefer to focus on a single eye or mouth? Totally works. You can even play with color schemes by choosing papers with a certain palette, or painting over them once they’re rolled.

In short: this is a total keeper for anyone who loves crafting with purpose. It’s the kind of project that sparks creativity while gently reinforcing the idea that beautiful things can come from what we usually throw away.

Highly recommend giving it a go—solo or with a group. And if you try it, tag me or drop a pic—I’d love to see your recycled masterpiece!