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Embellishing Through Recycling

© Anna Morvee

By the time you've bought your computer, hardware add-ons and software, you've spent quite a bit of money. Now it's time to look for ways to cut corners and save some dollars. Embellishing your projects adds style and a special uniqueness that you won't find anywhere else, as it is your creation and not someone else's.

I am a firm believer in finding the least expensive route, as my budget is limited as most people's. Recycling items found in your home and garden can save a lot of money and it creates a distinct look with every day items. I have an extensive list of items that you can use for embellishing and they include:

· Fingernail polish, clear, colored or glitter polish · Eye shadow powder or pencils · Blush-cream or powder · Lipstick and lip liner · Coffee Filters · Food coloring · Cotton balls · Herbs · Seeds · Dried flowers, leaves from your yard or garden · Yarn and ribbon · Material scraps from old clothing · Buttons · Sand · Stickers · Markers, crayons and colored pencils, glue stick and glitter · Cancelled Postage Stamps

I am sure you can find more items around your own home. A trip to thrift shops or garage sales can turn up some interesting treasures. As you get more into computer crafting you will begin to see every day objects in a new light.

Another great source for free embellishments are wallpaper sample books. You can make envelopes, cards and matching stationary sets, little gift bags and cover boxes for gift giving. You can usually get the wallpaper sample books at any store that carries wallpaper. Most places are more than willing to give them to you. You may have to wait, as I have found that most books are discontinued at the end of the month and the change of seasons. There are few places that I have found to look for the books besides the wall covering stores and those include hardware and home improvement stores. You may also encounter a waiting list. I recommend adding your name to the list and calling other stores in your area. Most places will be happy to give the books away, as it saves them a trip to the dumpster.

I'd like to leave you with a simple embellishment tip and that is making your own envelopes. You can take any size envelope, even those that you get from junk mail, and carefully open it up and use that as your template. Then you can trace around it using wallpaper, wrapping paper, an old map, sheet music or even a brown bag for a different look. Then you can embellish your envelope to match your card and it makes for a very beautiful presentation. Stickers, rubberstamps and simple drawn shapes can also be combined to create a masterpiece that you can be proud of. Imagination and ingenuity are two great assets you will acquire as you delve deeper into the wonderful world of computer crafting.