Turn Your Trash Into Treasure

Welcome to another edition of, The Cherry On Top,

I am so glad you could join us.  I finally got around to doing some up-cycling.  I've been going a little crazy with my newest obsession, digital scrapbooking.  I think I may even have to blow the dust off of my newest Webster's Pages kit.  That just isn't right?!  Hehehe...  I do plan on making some beautiful cards and tags with it.  There will be tutorials of course.  It will be about mixing and matching collections.  I do this mostly out of necessity.  I hardly have the funds to purchase entire collections.  So, mixing and matching and getting it all to flow can be a bit of a challenge, but I love a challenge.  Don't you?

Back to today's up-cycling project, which is a refashioned or pimped up yogurt bucket.  I also keep the buckets from nuts, too.  The lids fit great and the best part, they hold up in the dishwasher!  They are super for Legos, left overs, snacks, candy...The handle makes it so easy to carry around and my boys love them.

Materials:

clean bucket
white paper (for backing)
glue
tape
washi tape (in various widths if possible)
6 cupcake papers (that's all)
scissors (only if you want to cut your washi tape)
embellishments

This baby was pushed out in under 30 minutes!  I wish I could say that for my boys!  Hehehe...  The labelling didn't come off.  So, I taped some plain white paper all around it so you couldn't see through it.  Then I flatted out some cupcake papers and glued them on.  Yes, that's it!  I added a bit of bling because most of my stuff is blingy.  For the lid, I used another cup cake paper and styled up a flower and added another bling flower.  Around the edges and for the handle, I used washi tape.    My first thought was to go around the handle, but instead I chose a wider washi and just went over the top, folded down the sides and then chose a narrow washi for the inside that was the same width.  Perfect!  I love washi tape.  It is just so easy to use and starting to pop up more, here in Belgium.  

My materials were purchased at Hema for under 5 bucks.  I did have all of these materials at home already and you probably do, too.  I plan on having my boys decorate their own buckets.  I have Thomas The Train cup cake papers as well as diverse occasion ones.  You more than likely do as well. You could mod podge just about anything on these. 

I tried tying all kinds of ribbons and bows on the sides and added and added, but it didn't look right.  I keep this bucket on my scrap desk.  It's full of markers and gel pens.

Get up-cycling and turn your junk into treasure!

EcoScrapbooking Simple and Cheap Scrapbooking with Beautiful Results and Keeping Mother Nature in MInd

Welcome to another edition of EcoScrapbooking!

The Cherry On Top is dedicated to making things fabulous without spending a lot of dosh as well as up cycling everyday items and using them in artsy endeavours. Waste not want not! Although, most of my projects and layouts are eco-friendly, I pulled out three examples that use minimal materials which are probably laying around your abode and that go together in a synch.

Most of the stuff I make is for other people. Teachers, friends, parties, baby showers...Giving helps reduce my clutter. It makes someone feel special, that YOU made something with your own hands. Not only do I recycle things from the mail and stores, I save a lot of money.

Below is a stunning, fun, layout made from scraps and stickers. That simple! Paper and stickers when done up just right, can look great. I put the flower stickers on the same dark pink color paper and cut around it, took some more little round stickers and put them on my metal, pink flowers for a little more glam, layered around the letters and added some contrast for maximum poppage. Layering always heightens your look and adds luxury, too. 

Even smaller layouts like the 4x4 below uses less materials. Besides the orange paper, all the other pieces are just scraps I keep in a clear bag. (Use a clear bag so you can see more of your scraps.) I purchased the snowman ellies from a discount store and added dollar store snowflakes from many moons ago. The ribbon and fabric on the elements gives texture and a sense that more money was spent than really was. Save ribbon from your clothes and clothing tags.

The layout above is SUPER eco-friendly. Do you see why? The insert for this mini album is made entirely from old Christmas cards. I love using old cards. They provide a very rigid background, they are free and I also take part in recycling. Yippy! I am even frugal to a point where I used the hole cut outs as embellishments on this layout. I wanted extra reinforcement for the holes in the insert so I used a circle punch, then my hole punch. (I can't find my eyelet tool.) Metallic paper adds shine and bling! Did you notice the word art or text was also from a card? Thrifty, festive and cute!

Take a look at the layout below. A very simple layout using minimal materials. A background paper, scrap for behind the photo for layering, mesh from an old gift, cheap, brass brads from Staples and one decent embellishment from the discount store and your finished.

The last layout is a favorite of mine. I whipped it up on a whim. This went on a present for the little girl pictured here. It is made entirely of scraps. Scrap ribbon, paper and letters from a set that was almost finished. Short names are great for this. Hehehe... I think it's stunning and I didn't pay a penny to make it.

The Cherry On Top is here for you! Here to inspire, encourage, give, help, teach and support our fellow artists as well as remind our fans about the importance of our dear Mother Earth. 

Happy scrapping! 

Thanks for your visit. Be sure to do it again!

Turn Your Garbage Into Beautiful Scrapbooks and Mini Albums

Welcome to an up-cycled edition of, The Cherry On Top.

I love making something fabulous out of nothing. Every year we receive an envelope full of coupons from local businesses. I've been keeping them for years, thinking that it would come in handy one day and I finally got around to doing something with it. I made a mini memory keeper of a trip I took with my parents to Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Below you see the flyer as it comes in the mail.  A fold up envelop with the square inserts.  Pictured, is the front and back of the enclosure as well as an insert.

 

Above, to the left, is the original and to the right, you can see how I used it as a stencil.  The paper it is printed on is quite flimsy. I used card stock from Simple Stories. Below, is more card stock from the same kit. I used the insert as a template for the same reason. On the red sheet, I used washi tape to serve as a frame and add rigidity. Keep in mind that the envelope cannot hold too, many pages. Especially, if you choose to use a lot of embellishments.

What a hilarious photo? We are all looking at something different.

Keep it simple. One large photo and a few ellies and done.

Pull in colors to keep cohesion.

A great thing about minis is you don't need a lot of supplies.

Once your pages are made, embellish as you will. My book has quite a lot of embellishments and didn't close perfectly. Hence, the frilly string tied around.  You may choose to adhere the string in some places so that it doesn't fall off. I tied it a bit loosely so that all one has to do is gently lift open the and pull the inserts out.

Of course, you  could adhere one page to the bottom of the envelope, then make an accordion style insert that stays together. There are so many things you could do with something like this. Put your imagination in action!

Thanks for visiting.

Happy scrapping!

Eco-Christmas Blog Hop

Welcome to a very special edition of The Cherry On Top,

I'm super excited to be a part of the Eco-Christmas Blog Hop.  This type of entry suits me just right.  My blog and Facebook Page is dedicated to scrapping with thrift as well as keeping our precious environment in mind.  Much of what I do is environmental friendly and light on the budget.

Enjoy this holiday project and keep it in mind for any occasion.

This is a mini ornament album with a money pocket.  Hang it from the tree, wrap it up or place in a gift bag.  Great for all ages, woman or man and designed for any occasion.  What a versatile idea?!  You can be as green as you like or go extravagant.  I can't really put a dollar amount on this project because I just used stuff that was already on my work table, Christmas paper and embellishments that I bought after Christmas, last year as well as ribbon from old gifts and mostly scraps and beads that have been laying around for years.

Let's get to the project!

I used old CD's that were trashed or were junk. I put a hole close to the top, with a huge nail and hammer.  Hehehe...That's it!  I tried a hole punch and a screw, but neither worked.  So don't waste your time.  I stencilled around the discs on my paper. FYI:  I chose seasonal paper that was modern and fresh for this is a gift for a teenage girl.

None of the discs cracked or were ruined despite the heavy hammer and noise.  (It felt really good!)  Hehehe....  You may choose to sand down around the whole.  I used a nail file that I keep on hand at my craft desk.

I covered the entire disc with paper, so I had to make another hole.  I laid the disc on top of the paper and marked with my pencil where the hole was.  This made aligning the paper on the disc a synch.  I never have that!  LOL!

I used a large strip of double sided tape across the middle and glue all around the rest of the paper to adhere it. Gather the embellishments you wish to use.  Here's a pretty good example of what I had for this gift idea.  Aren't the colors great?!







To save money and time, I snuck over to my gift recipients Facebook and nabbed some of her super cute photos of her and her friends, then put
them on a PowerPoint slide and printed. I only
used one sheet of recycled paper for all of the
photos.











I covered one side of the discs completely with paper and on the other side, I used the cool, metallic holographic-like surface as my base.





Below you can see the nearly finished product!  Both sides have been decked out for the holidays.  The colors stay the same throughout the mini for cohesion, ease and speed.  Nothing is a better time saver than having all of your papers and embellishments matched up and ready to use.

 Keep in mind who you are designing for and go from there when choosing papers and bellies.

I stumbled a bit on how I was going to put it all together and after experimenting and trials, I went with some blue, craft wire, beads and ribbon.

If my hole would have been bigger, I would have went for a metal ring.  Since it wasn't, I had to use something that would fit through.  Keep that in mind when putting your project together, too.  The beads not only conceal the wire, but add youthful bling.  Loop your wire and beads through the small hole, twist at the top of each disc leaving enough space for your ribbon or ribbons to go through, then string your ribbon through.  The beads also keep a nice space between your pages.

I started this project after breakfast and was done by lunch!  Super simple, fast, with products you have laying around and no burden on your budget!  Now, that's a gift worth giving.


There are many more eco-friendly ideas for gifts on my blog such as:
a recycled match box mini album (one of my favourites)
http://lmtroch.blogspot.be/2012/10/match-box-mini-album.html  Click the link to go immediately to that project.
Design a beautiful paper dress.  Frame it up, put it on a a card or tag....
http://lmtroch.blogspot.be/2012/09/pretty-paper-dress.html  Just click the link and it will take you there.
Foodie?  Baker?  Here's another cost effective gift made with love.  Fancy cookie gift giving idea.
http://lmtroch.blogspot.be/2012_07_01_archive.html  Click for the link.
Up-Cycled Mirrored Frame  This one is also a favorite.  Total glam and made with junk I had laying around. Now it's your turn!
http://lmtroch.blogspot.be/2012/07/up-cycled-mirrored-frame.html

Check out my Facebook Page by clicking on the first badge to the right.  I inform my fans of FREEBIES, super hot deals and try my best to inspire all.  Catch me there and spread and share the love!

Thanks again for checking in!

Here are all of the links for the rest of the hop.  Have fun!

EcoScrapbook http://ecoscrapbook.blogspot.com/
Inspired Jules http://juleshollis.com/
Scrapper on the Street http://scrapperonthestreet.com/
Charms Buttons & Bows http://charmsbuttonsbows.blogspot.com/
meli-melo studio http://scrapartandstuff.blogspot.com/
Deeply Rooted Life http://deeplyrootedlife.blogspot.com/
Momma Harvey http://www.momma-harvey.com/ 

What Project Epitomises Who You Are?

It feels like I was just here yesterday, Cyber Friends!  I can't believe it's Monday already!

I will keep it short for once.  I was looking through some of my more recent designs and came up with the one here.  It seems to epitomise me and my scrapbooking style, if I even have one.  I tend to be drawn to more classic, natural types of medium, but then again I'm a fool for bling and glitz.  This layout seems to just encompass both.  There are a lot of natural elements  There is a timeless class in some of the elements as well as the photos.  Then there is a splash of modernity with the blue, scissors and glue.  The pearls are there to add the pow and glam.

Yep, this is an excellent layout that might help you to see, who I am.

BTW, that feather frame took me forever!  If you like it, I could include it in a future blog where you can simply download it.  Just make a request in the comments and it's yours.

Have a great week, Peeps!  Come back on Wednesday where I'll have some FREEBIES for you!

Outside Of The Box

Happy Turkey Day to my American readers.  I hope this day finds you well, full of turkey and pie and wanting to escape the family mayhem for a minutes and read my blog.  As if?!

No holiday here, but I will celebrate tomorrow with family and my little guy's birthday party.  Two birds with one stone.  I am that lazy or that efficient?  Hehehe...

I put a few layouts together that I was...well...uncomfortable with.  I looked at these layouts and struggled to finish thinking, "Does it look like I just upchucked this out or is there some real artistic merit here?"  I am always trying to challenge myself.  Always trying to think outside of the bun.  Perhaps my efforts are a little too obvious?  Hmmm...

I suppose you might say this is my crazy side.  (You are now asking yourself, she only thinks she has one?  Hehehe...)  It's fun to jump out of ourselves.  Go over the border.  Cross that sea of conformity!  This might be all just a blogging nightmare or it might be an inspiration booster.  An eye opener.  Releasing the silent, creative beast that lies within!  Hahahaaaa!!!!

Go free my artistic beings!  Be who you want to be.  Create how you want to create.  Do what feels right and most importantly enjoy the process.

It Don't Mean A Thing If Ain't Got That Bling!

It's just another manic Monday!

With a super busy week ahead, I have to find the time for a blog entry, but this one is totally worth your reading pleasure.  I am crazy about bling and pimping up my layouts and paper craft projects.  Here are several way to make your projects stand out and grab your attention and as usual, they are cheap or even free methods.

Below is that cute, little dress. It's been pimped up by adding tiny, stranded pearls, a gorgeous satin bow (that came with a card making set) and that hanger with the crazy string is just the icing on the cake.

In the second example, I used some adhesive pearls for the butterfly and the cards or tags, but for the background paper I used liquid pearl.  It really makes this layout pop and adds amazing glamour with out spending a lot of cash.

It's almost embarrassing how cheap this next crafty treasure was.  Some awesome Graphic 45 stuff I picked up on sale for 70% off, glammed up with simple, cheap glitter glue, leaves from outside and some old buttons from an out of date sweater.

More pearls to add luxury to a bright and cheery layout.  I added that little blue one for a burst of fun and cohesion.  The pink pearls were a part of a gorgeous set that I received from a workshop.  I snipped out just the pieces I wanted and made it spread over several projects.

You may have seen this one with old thrift store buttons.  So glamorous.  LOVE!

Here is some more glitter glue and pink adhesive pearls,  Old buttons and a tiny piece of ribbon.  Now we have texture, warmth and bling.  Super!

These borders add depth and color and they are just cut out from a 6x6 and glued on to some black scrap paper.  The red lace adds warmth, texture and luxury.  Yes!!!

OK, how about a digital touch of bling?  Awesome!  Fancy borders and digital bling, too!  My favorite old button or broche is simply stunning.  Of course, money was no issue here.  You can use as much as you want when it comes to digital embellishing.  Ya gotta love that!

What makes this layout stand out is the black background.  It totally pops now!  POW!!!

Granny looks extra special surrounded by all of these cheery digital ellies, a homemade border for more detail and of course, that bow adding texture, depth and softness.  Score!!!

My favorite way to add bling is by doing exactly that.  Bling!  This sparkly embellishment and word art speaks for itself.  Love it!!!

More free bling with this FREE kit.  Forever is blinged out already, then you add the self made border with metallic bam and the studs at the button.  BOOM!  Fantastic!

Another pimping method is embellishing with tags and layers.  Layers are so lavish.  It looks like you spent a ton.  Serious blingage add drama.  Satin bows, antique buttons and lace.  My goodness, the epitome of bling!!!

Yeah, this G45 layout is pretty amazing if I do say so, myself.  That feather frame took me forever to create, but holy crap!!!  It is awesome!  The tags are such  great enhancers, too.  Not to mention that splash of blue.  It really stands out.

More totally terrific tags that totally rock out the blingage and poppage.  Super duper!  All done digital, so no big cost.  Most of this stuff was free anyway.  Follow my FP Page, The Cherry On Top and get your drive full of fabulous freebies.  I have at least one every day.

 If you are going to go antique chic, this is the route to take.  Lace, high fashion, black and white, metallic ellies with serious character and just a touch of colour to make it peak.  Divine!!!

This last example is the prima example of bling and pop.  Crazy animal prints say, "Grrr".  Pink pop with rhinestones grab your attention, fancy borders, layering and groovy glitter edging brings it all together in this totally terrific layout.

Happy scrapping my friends!!!