There seems to be...

...a lot of recycling going on.

Folk seem to be getting the year off to a start with organising & re/up cycling and many are combining the two.

If you hop around Blogland (or for those of you who 'Pin') you will have noticed a lot of new pen holders appearing - mostly made out of beautifully decorated tin cans. I don't use a lot of canned stuff but we certainly got through a fair amount of...

...over the Holiday period. I mean; what else are you supposed to eat with all that left over turkey LOL.
So the empties have been saved...

...and duly scrubbed.
Yesterday was the First Eastwood crop of 2015 and as usual I wasn't scrapping...

 ...I was up-cycling a gerkin jar.
My burlap wasn't quite long enough to wrap right round the jar...

...but that was fine because I layered some gingham paper and a patch of burlap to cover the gap.
I layered some cream cotton lace...

...onto burgundy satin ribbon...

...and also made a triple satin bow.
Here it is put together...

 ...it will be the perfect holder for my odds & ends and will sit on my desk at home.

The saga of the missing diary & note book is on-going and I'll be blowed if I'm going to fork out for another lot just for the originals to turn up - so a bit more re-cycling.

I had an old Deco calendar in my stash awaiting me finding time to chop it up for the pictures - it has now been given a new life - as you can see...

 ...more of the layered ribbon & lace. Topped off with some die-cut panels with "2015" and a bow with some roses.
This was a very quick 'make-over'...

 ...some layered die-cut panels to cover the old days...

 ...and a pocket calendar page (with inked edges) layered over the top.
The crop was smaller than usual...

...but everyone seemed to have a very productive day.
To finish off the day I made a couple of easel style cards as desk calendars...

...they don't take up too much space but add a little bit of colour and decoration - this one will be taking up residence on my desk at work.

The crop was held in the classroom above In2crafting at Wickford as the usual location was not available. It is a lovely bright space but next time I won't take the kitchen sink...as the only access is via some quite steep stairs - thank you John for the assistance coming down.

John had a large bolt of navy leather that was heading for the skip and he said if anyone could make use of it they could help themselves. I have come away with a nice large piece and I have some ideas involving more recycling. Will have to have a think about this as I have plenty of suitable jars and boxes awaiting my attention.........................................................................