upcycling snippets

I just hate throwing away those lovely bags you get from shops with nice ribbon handles and are so sturdy. This is one which I upcycled as a gift bag. Just used some snippets and dies to decorate.There are side panels with a polka dot in these colour ways but I didn't realise they don't show in the photo until it was too late and the bag was on its way to the recipient.

My other bit of up-cycling comes from a workshop I went to at a localish Materials Recovery Centre (where they sort the recycling rubbish for recyling). It was a free workshop for County residents and you got a little tour of the plant which was really interesting and I learnt so much.

These are the bracelets I made at the workshop from snippets of an old inner tube of a bicycle. The bottom one uses beads made from an old soft drink bottle. To make them simply cut the plastic, curve around something, hold in place with wire and set with hot water! I left the wire on mine as I thought it looked good. I still need to attach the fastening!

Linking up with Miss Di and the Snippets Playground.