From Trash to Treasure_Upcycling Shoe Box Packaging

recycled plastic bags into journal pockets

Don’t you just get so excited when you buy something and get a bonus gift…the packaging? I recently got a new pair of sandals and I was stoked with the plastics and tissue papers that came with it. I immediately thought of making some journal pockets, doing some decoupage, and simply getting creative with all the boxed content.

I love to recycle things and add them to my crafts. That is exactly what I did.

I first gathered some scrapbook papers, embellishments, glue, scissors, paper trimmer, and my sewing machine.

The scrapbook papers I used in this project were from multiple digital sources. The first one was from the Multimedia Crafts Digital Etsy shop called, “Book of Plays Journal Pages kit.” The other ones were from two different FREEBIE kits from the Multimedia Crafts Digital Facebook page called, “At the Opera“, and “Eerie Tales“, and the last one was from the Multimedia Crafts Digital blog here called, “Journal Notebook Pages“.

Watch the entire process from the video below.

This project turned out to be very fun. The pocket turned into a mini policy envelope with a wrap-around-ribbon closure. I added some tags, stamped papers, vintage library cards, vintage ledger paper and more. I accented the envelope on the inside with a fussy cut out tuck spot.

I made sure that all the edges of each paper included with the envelope were distressed with Tim Holtz Walnut Stain Distress oxide ink. I finally added a file folder made with the various scrapbook papers mentioned from the digital kits above. I did some stamping using various Tim Holtz stamps. I also included two altered playing cards I purchased from, “The Sweets by Thelisha“.

Using the recycled plastic to make the four pockets inside the policy envelope turned out just as I originally envisioned it. So when you buy new things, learn to think outside or even inside “the box” if you need to. You never know what treasure you can turn your trash into.

Thanks for stopping by and happy crafting!

Published by Sonya

I am a full time working wife and mother of three sons. I love all manner of crafting; From digital scrap-booking to tangible mixed media projects. I love to learn from other people and get exposed to the huge world of art. Creativity is in my blood. I have always sketched pictures since I was a kid, and now with social media (Thanks YouTube, Pinterest, Google images, etc....) I have become so overwhelmed with what project(s) to do for the day. I don't even know where to start. Should I make cards or make my own clay? Or should I design a wall hanging for the living room. I have become ridiculously indecisive with what I want to make. Also, I have become a craft hoarder. From paints, to dies and other cutting machines, to scrapbook paper and other designer card stock and embellishments, I have turned my little kitchen nook into my craft studio. I'm surprised my husband hasn't told me to get rid of all of the craft supplies....ie..clutter. My craft collection addiction is partially what made me want to learn more about digital scrap booking. It is all new for me, but I have invested in the Adobe Photoshop application and I have scoured YouTube on learning different techniques in layering scrapbook images, pages, brushes, and so on. Now I can go to the next level of design by doing it digitally. View more posts

One thought on “From Trash to Treasure_Upcycling Shoe Box Packaging”

Yes ma’am. My last two journals were from packaging. A Sam’s Club box and a cereal box. This project is really nice. You have so much freedom in your flow.

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