Welcome to the first Sunday of the year, the first Paper Players challenge of the year, and my first post as a guest designer for The Paper Players…that’s A LOT of firsts! Whew!

The talented Ann Marie Hile is the hostess for the challenge this week and she has chosen an “Everything Old is New Again” theme challenge to create something out of a recycled or re-purposed item.

I admit to stark terror when I saw the theme. I like things new and shiny and have very little imagination for re-purposing. I have always avoided this theme in the past!! But…I put the theme on the back burner and just let it percolate. Christmas Day came and went and I held back a few items that I thought that I might be able to use. Still percolating. Then came my anniversary and one of my gifts was packaged in this darling little sack:

Aha!! Burlap and canvas-y items are all the rage so I was sure I could do something with this! Yes!!

So I sat down with my 6×6 pattern paper container and started the process. When I found this weathered blue paper, I knew it was money. Perfect for the theme and a perfect tone for the canvas!

Now, my blue paper was antiqued around all four sides but when I trimmed it to fit my card base, two side were no longer antiqued. Ugh. But never fear, a blending tool and Tim Holtz’s Antique Linen Distress Ink solved that problem for me! The other papers were pulled from the same pad.

I chose to use Clearly Besotted’s Superstar stamp set and matching dies to create my embellishment. To keep it from fraying, I attached a small piece of adhesive sheet to the back of the canvas before stamping and die-cutting. I then added a layer of white cardstock to the back to stiffen it up.

I also added a piece of adhesive sheet to the back of my canvas layer, slightly smaller than my canvas piece, prior to using a stitched rectangle die to cut my canvas layer. I then pulled a few of the threads out from the sides to slightly weather the canvas. I love the look of the stitching…it just adds more texture!

The leather drawstring for the bag is the perfect layer of texture! I thought it was going to be a bow at first but it was too thick, I actually like it better this way. What do you think?

Of course, I was having too much fun to stop, so I used Clearly Besotted’s Superstar and Dandelion Dreams stamp sets to decorate the inside of the card:

I think this is a graduation card. Can you think of another occasion for it?

So there you have it, my attempt at re-purposing! I’m pleased with how it turned out, especially since I was terrified of the challenge! And that’s why it’s called a challenge, right?? lol

Please visit The Paper Players to see the wonderful inspiration the rest of the design team has created for you!

Thank you for stopping by today! I would be delighted if you would let me know what you think of my project today!!

Wishing you joy and blessings!!

Products Used:

Cardstock: Vintage Cream by Papertrey

Pattern Paper: Venice by 7 Gypsies

Ink: Tuxedo Black by Memento; Lost lagoon, Early Expresso and River Rock (retired) by Stampin’ Up!;  Antique Linen Distress Ink by Tim Holtz

Stamps:  Superstar and Dandelion Dreams by Clearly Besotted Stamps

Dies: Superstar by Clearly Besotted, Stitched Mats-Rectangles by Lil’ Inker and Envelope Liner Die by Stampin’ Up!

Embellishments: None