Upcycled Wrapping Paper

Upcycled wrapping paper was used to make these cards

The cards above were made using old wrapping paper (from Holland) as the background design. I just love collecting interesting paper to use on my cards. Being 'Green Gifts and Cards', I am always trying to reclaim, reuse and upcycle as many materials as possible in my cardmaking. I prefer not to throw out beautiful patterns and designs that I know will make unique, one-of-a-kind cards. 

Recently, a wonderfully generous lady I know gave me hundreds of old, used greeting cards from the 60's, 70's and 80's. Printed greeting cards were made so beautifully then (they're nice today too, but different). The dry embossed surfaces and wet embossed titles in gold and silver are just exquisite, and I almost don't want to part with these beautiful cards. How wonderful it is to be able to upcycle old greeting cards and convert them into new, fresh handmade cards! I really enjoy this creative process and I encourage you to give it a go too ;) - Mel