Upcycled Design Lab Blog

Old Book - Bucket List Art Journal Page #2

Do you have a Bucket List? I made one for myself some years ago but I am ashamed to admit that I don't even know where it is. Truthfully I am pretty sure that I have made more than one. Would I be pleased or disappointed by what I have done compared to what I set out to do? Perhaps I will gather up the courage to seek out my lists and do a mental inventory. Perhaps I won't. I like the concept of a bucket list but not the idea of using it as some kind of scorecard. "I... Read more →

Upcycled Homemade Alcohol Inks From Common Household Items

Happy Spring Everyone! We have snow on the ground here today but it isn't spring in Colorado without a good snow storm or two. Before we get to today's project I have to share a little accomplishment that I am quite excited about. I actually found out about it a few weeks ago but it kind of got lost with all the Head Shaving Hoopla. So here it is...... I have had my first project published. :-) I made these paper cuff bracelets several months ago. They were recently published in the Spring 2015 issue of Green Craft Magazine. You... Read more →

Simple Upcycled Foam Stamp and Stamp Pad Tutorial

"What day is it,?" asked Pooh. "It's today" said Piglet. "My favorite day," said Pooh Some folks may think that Thanksgiving is the kick-off to the holiday season but I like to think that it all really gets started with all the Halloween preparations. Honestly, I have trouble letting go of the light, long, hot days of summer. So, it is good to have a Holiday to focus on when the winter months are looming around the corner. The fall and winter bring with them a heavier feel. The days are shorter, the earths takes a pause, stops blooming, rests.... Read more →

2013 Smash Book Day Planner Calendar

Happy Happy New Year!! I do hope your year is off to a lovely start. My new year always starts, in part, with the excitement of finding a new empty day planner / journal. This is no trifling matter as we have to spend an entire year together. Now, I would like to tell you that I use my day planner in the ordinary way, to note the meetings, social engagements, and other things that I don't want to forget. But I have a much closer attachment than that. I am one of those people who has to write down... Read more →

Upcycling - Unreleased Projects From The Archives

Good Morning Everyone. Do you feel fall creeping in? The crisper morning air? The suns reluctance to make its way over the horizon? The leaves falling to the ground? Well I certainly do and with this weather I always feel a little reminiscent. I have a project in the works that hopefully will be ready to share in next weeks post but this morning I am looking back at some past projects that never made it into a blog post. Project 1 - Painted Shoes Before After Project 2 - Magazine Scraps and Bottle Caps Card - I don't remember... Read more →

Purple Petunia Paper Paint - Upcycling from the garden

Ok it is really more of a stain or dye than a paint but paint made a more catchy title. Sometimes I feel anxious about nothing in particular and everything all at once. Do you know what I mean? Those questions in your head about what you are doing with your life vs what you should be doing with your life? Most days I am content and happy to pass my time on this planet engaged in activities that I enjoy with the people that matter in my life. But every now and again I feel the nagging question of,... Read more →

Something Old (Nothing New)

My crafting efforts this week have been very unfocused. I have dabbled with a few t-shirt projects and contemplated some upcycling ideas for the the garden but in the end nothing has really come together for this weeks post. And so with some disappointment I bring you a project that I made a couple of years ago. I am keeping this post quite brief in the hope of moving on into my day and feeling some sense of accomplishment at the end of it. Multi Media Collage Made from cardboard cereal box, magazine pages, old belt and other found objects.... Read more →

Upcycled Styrofoam and Ink Cartridge "LOVE" Stamps

Do you refill your ink cartridges when they are empty? I have never had the nerve. Somehow the fear of damaging my printer has been permanently ingrained in my brain. But I go through ink pretty fast with my printer and every time I replace one of the cartridges I get a little pang of guilt. They have a nice shape with a little handle on top and I want to make something out of them. The other day I saw a tutorial where crafters were making prints with styrofoam and so my idea was born. If you have read... Read more →