Recycled Packaging Scrabble Tile Charms

You all know how much I love to recycle various goodies and turn them into something to be loved.  Well today I wanted to share my idea on how to recycle the chipboard header cards you get on lots of embellishments.

This is what I'm talking about....these header cards are usually made from a nice weight cardstock perfect for crafting. The packaging from some spring die-cuts packaging ~ images originally 2-5" are usually small enough to fit onto a scrabble tile perfectly!

Don't worry if your package photos are too large for scrabble tiles, they also work great for use on ATC's or Gothic Arches as well!! That's what I am going to do with these...micro-mini flashcards!!!!

This is a perfect way not only to recycle what would other wise be trash but you can make loads of charms for pennies a piece! Think about it...buy an old Scrabble game at a garage sale for .50 cents, use recycled packaging for your main images, a bit of glue and ink and a bail or eye screw. The bail may end up being the most expensive part of the whole charm. I like eye screws for scrabble charms because it works nicely with the wood of the tiles and you can purchase a package of 100 for about $1.50 or so at Hobby Lobby....less if you hit it on a half off sale!

When using the packaging you could simply cut squares out of the chipboard and glue it on, you could trim select images and mount them on bits of pattern paper or pair the images with leftovers from special inky background paper you have made.

This photo is a selection of all three of these ideas....

Mount these inchie type bits on the scrabble tiles with your favorite liquid glue and add any additional embellishments as desired. I cut out letters from a book page to make the words and used left-over bits of Dresden trim for a couple of the tiles.

Sand off the edges of the paper around the tile once the glue has dried, add ink around the edges if you'd like and either a bail or eye screw for the hanger.

Note: it's a good idea to pre-drill a hole in the tile if you are using the eye screw. It could split the tile in two if you don't.

Finally I add a layer of Glossy Accents to the tile. I do this AFTER I attach the bail/eye screw so I don't mess up the finish on the Glossy Accents.

(these haven't had their GA added yet.)

So there you go...

a super way to recycle and make some awesome charms in the process!!

Now would you like to win one of these spring-y charms?

If so, simply post a comment here and I'll toss your name into the drawing for one of 5 charms

(I have to save one for Mom...

she'll kick my butt if I don't - lol!!)

You have until 2-21-12 to enter.

Good Luck Everyone!