Craft Hoarders Anonymous UpCycle Challenge: Let the Sea Set You Free
Hello, Friends! There’s a new challenge up at Craft Hoarders Anonymous and I have to tell you, I had a blast making my Let the Sea Set You Free inspiration piece for this one! The theme this time around is Let’s Cycle–UpCycle, That Is! Here are the deets:
Being frugal and going green are what it’s all about. Show us how you can UpCycle something using “junk” from your hoard. Most crafters also hoard boxes, tins, packaging, and bits of “this and that.” Our mantra is, “I can MAKE something with that!” Now is your chance. Upcycle!
This challenge fits me like a glove! You all know about my fabled “Closet of Shame” where I stash all kinds of goodies to upcycle into something new. My husband never throws anything away now until he checks with me to make sure I can’t use it first. (She hangs her head in shame.) But because of this, I had some really cool items that I upcycled into this awesome canvas wall hanging. Check it out!
This 6″ square canvas has been created using the following upcycled items along with some wonderful tools from our challenge sponsor, Canvas Corp. Here’s some info about their amazing product line:
Canvas Corp: Inspired by Designers. Developed by Merchants. Created for Every Home.
Canvas Corp, based out of Springdale, Arkansas, is led by Randy and Christine Meier. Canvas Corp manufactures and distributes a line of craft, scrapbooking and home decor basics under the brand name Canvas Home Basics. Established in 2006, Canvas Corp made its entry into the market with a focus on products that offer great basic solutions for the craft and home decor markets. Joining the Canvas Corp umbrella of brands was BagWorks and 7gypsies in 2011 and the newest member of the brand team is Tattered Angels who joined in 2012.
In addition to the gorgeous canvas frame and Tattered Angels Mists provided by Canvas Corp, I used some items that would usually end up in the recycling bin.
Both of these items came from the grocery store. The black tray held an assortment of sliced cheeses, and the green box held peaches. I also used a white mesh bag that held garlic cloves. I stamped the diamond design on the meat tray onto my canvas with the gold ink, created the seahorse, starfish, and sand castle with images I die cut from the box and used the garlic bag to add a layer of texture and design to my project. Here are some step out photos to show you the progression of things:
I was thrilled with how well the meat tray served as a stamp, and yes, I cleaned it off and will use it again! The canvas was spritzed and splattered with two shades of Tattered Angels Mist: Crushed Shells (which inspired the theme for this project) and Patina.
Once I die cut the seahorse, starfish and sandcastle, I stamped them with the Viva Decor gold stamp paint, then heat embossed them with Vintage Photo Distress Embossing Powder. They have a great “nubbly” texture from the cardboard base, and look so cool in real life.
I added a bunch of shells and sand that I’ve gathered on our trips to the beach, and even the looped piece of sea grass was picked up from the surf.
Here you can see the mesh garlic bag the sea grass, and some twigs I picked up from the shoreline. I used embossing paste and a mask to add the stars to the canvas, then painted them with Platinum High Impact Mixed Media Paint. The Prima journaling card (from the Seashore collection) was spritzed with TA mist, and I glued beach sand at the top and bottom, just for fun.
Be sure to visit the rest of the team for upcycling inspiration, then hurry on over to the Craft Hoarders Anonymous BLOG and link up your upcycled project. One talented artist will be selected to win this amazing prize package.
Here are the links to the rest of the team:
Amber ♥ Christy ♥ Debbie ♥ Donna ♥ Ginny ♥ Glenda♥ Gloria (blog owner)
Jan Marie♥ Karen ♥ Kathy (you are HERE)♥ Pam♥ Tammi
Can’t wait to see what you make!
Cheerio,
kathy
I don’t usually like mixed media projects, but this one has grabbed my attention. Love the use of real sea shells as embellishment, Lovely color choices make this so easy on the eyes, Lovely work. Thanks for posting this project. Well done!
Kathy, your project is gorgeous! Love the beach scene. You always have the most beautiful projects.
wonderful project with lots of lovely details – besides, I love the seaside subject. Gorgeous!
hugs serafeena
This is simply amazing Kathy! I love the addition of all your found items including the sea grass and shells. All of it is so inspiring!
Oh my gosh, Kathy! I LOVE LOVE LOVE this! I am a teal freak so as soon as I saw this, I freaked out. 🙂 I love everything about this piece. The seahorse, the shells, the netting…all of it! JUST GORGEOUS! <3 Candy
I love this. I especially love the sea grass with the shells. Stunning color and texture on this. I also love how the meat tray looks with paint on it….that can be the next project… hee hee
WOW, I’m not sure where to start! I love the colours and your use of the mesh garlic bag! The seashells are beautiful but that seahorse is just amazing!! I’m in awe of this project, that’s for sure!! 🙂
Just love the texture on this and the be achy feel. What a great piece!
Love it all… and the funny part is I have some of the same stuff in my hoard… LOL… so I totally LOVE it… Love, Light and Peace…Bonnie
I love this! It reminds me I would love to be at the seaside with my toes in the waves! Sorry to be so late….green beans have taken over my life again!
Gah! This is gorgeous and seeing it up close makes me love it even more!! This is superb! Love, love, love all of the seaside details. . .everything looks so beachy and real. You have captured the essence of the sea with your upcycle!
Gorgeous! Love it! !
This might be my new favorite of yours! LOVE this mixed media sea beauty! PINNED!
Beautiful canvas, Kathy! So very well done.
Well I think you need a new name Kathy, up cycling queen really does not cover everything used on you fan creation. It all looks great and lots for free, just a wonderful imagination. X
What a beautiful creation, Kathy! I love the colors and the way you used gifts from the sea…and talk about upcycling! Your treasure is full of ideas for re-purposing items. I agree, no longer ought your closet be one of shame, but of creative possibilities! Love this piece of art!
Hi Kathy, First off thank you so much for answering emails. appreciated .
Love your closet of shame, WOW! it is a closet of creativity and beauty. You should see my craft room, I call it Pattie’s Crafty Cave. Like you get lost in all the creative things. So many things to sort through an design. I like keeping things too. OH! well keeps us awake, an active, and sharing. Life’s good things. …..I love your scrap-up project . so thoughtful, an so creative. Looked at the others, pretty. But I love this one, think it’s the all the shells and sea horse that caught my eye. thanks for sharing yours and the other sites. ….have a good day.
This is absolutely fabulous!!! Right up my alley! I love that you used the little cardboard box for your die cuts!! Perfect upcycle! And your shells are gorgeous!
OMG your brain must never stop! Where, How do you come up with all these amazing & tricky ideas?????????? What a fabulous project … LOVE IT!
Okay, let me sum up my thoughts on this piece of art ….
WOW!!!