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Saturday, January 8, 2011

LETS GIVE GIFT CARDS A SECOND CHANCE

so...if you're anything like me....your gift cards are pretty much used up the day after christmas...or even the same day if you can buy online...lol....and with my resolution...new year...new use...i just could not bring myself to throwing away the zero balanced cards...

well...after days of staring at 'em...literally....and trying to figure out what to make...it came to me...little pocket sized notebooks!....i mean...i know i'm always needing some scrap paper to jot tidbits on all the time!...

 
to make these...you are going to need a binding system...i used my zutter bind it all....but if you don't have your own...you could certainly take these to an office supply store and have 'em bind for ya!...

 
you're going to need to measure your gift card...most are 3 3/8" inches by 2 1/8" inches...cut a piece of chipboard to that size...it's going to be your back...grab some copier paper...and cut to size...each of mine are 60 pages...punch everything...then do the normal binding process to finish!...

 
see...aren't these just the cutest?...now it's going to be hard to ever throw a gift card out!....just don't go overboard and end up on the show hoarders!...because i'm not taking responsibility for that...

 
even used up my itunes cards...these were a bit smaller than most at 3" inches by 2" inches...just adjust the measurements with your back and paper!...

i even went one step further...and boxed 'em up in one of my old ipod packages!

 
****check out my linky party directory on the sidebar to see where i'm linking to this week!...

97 comments:

  1. char52January 8, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    WOW... You really think outside the box. Great idea!

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  2. Penny Lane Craft Menagerie January 8, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    What a great idea!!! I need to get a binding tool so I can make fun little books!! I love new ways to recycle every day things...and this is such a clever and cute idea!

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  3. Got2BCraftingJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:22 AM

    Love this idea... they look sooo cute! I am already a craft hoarder, so I will take full responisibility. Plus, my little girls love saving gifts cards just to play with... I will just borrow a few from their stash!! LOL!
    Lori
    http://got2bcrafting.blogspot.com/

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  4. UnknownJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    Wow! This is brilliant! What a creative use for old gift cards! I'm sure I have some laying around here somewhere! Thanks for sharing!

    Jeana
    inplaceofhercrown.blogspot.com

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  5. TaraJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:28 AM

    Love it! It is funny you did this because I just said last night that the one we had to Boston Pizza was really cool and I didn't want to throw it out but the lady never gave it back once it said zero balance. I am totally going to start keeping them and asking for them back! lol
    Tara

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  6. byondbzrJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    Wow, great idea!

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  7. MyraJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:38 AM

    These are adorable!

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  8. Scrappy MelJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    OMGosh - what an AWESOME idea!!! I am totally doing this. I just threw out a CUTE Zoo membership card yesterday, now I'm off to dig it out of the garbage can! LOL

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  9. Scrappy MelJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Oh, I almost forgot - if you need giftcards ask at the register at Target. They have some really cute cards and they usually will give you one of the spent ones they have in their register drawer. My girls like to play with them so I get them a couple a year. :)

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  10. Prettiful CreationsJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    This is just another reason I am a follower of your blog. You are so creative. I love to recycle things, and this falls right in line with that. Thanks so much for sharing this!

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  11. greenbeanJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:53 AM

    thanks for all the sweet comments!...

    scrappymel...omg...thanks for the tip!...guess where i'm going today?...lol....

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  12. UnknownJanuary 8, 2011 at 12:08 PM

    Wow, genius idea!! I want to make these! If only I had a gift card to buy a zutter...

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  13. VanessaJanuary 8, 2011 at 12:39 PM

    That is the cutest idea! TFS!

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  14. Bella @ Bella before and afterJanuary 8, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    INCREDIBLE,, I have a TON of hotel key cards, and I too have been saving them hoping to find something cute to do with them. What a great idea.
    I really hope you come link up to **Amaze me August** I really miss seeing your awesomeness around there :)

    Bella :)

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  15. debbie suseeJanuary 8, 2011 at 1:17 PM

    Wow! What a great idea! Super creative. Love it!

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  16. UnknownJanuary 8, 2011 at 1:23 PM

    I absolutely adore this! You could also make this as part of the gift you are giving to someone! Love it!

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  17. buglvr2010January 8, 2011 at 1:25 PM

    This is an awesome idea! Love it....I was just scrounching around in the botton of my purse today looking for a piece of paper.

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  18. StaciJanuary 8, 2011 at 2:03 PM

    How cool is that?! Thanks for sharing!

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  19. Maureen ReissJanuary 8, 2011 at 2:16 PM

    Wow!! These came out soooo cute! Awesome idea!!

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  20. ChristyCJanuary 8, 2011 at 3:13 PM

    What a cool project. Now I need a binding machine. Yes, need. Too bad most stores I go to keep the used up gift cards. I'll have to ask to keep it next time.

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  21. Nike@ChooseToThriveJanuary 8, 2011 at 3:56 PM

    This rocks! Love it ... and man could I use a few of these, too!

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  22. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:21 PM

    Very CUTE idea!!! TFS! -Sam :-)

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  23. DebWJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:23 PM

    Brilliant! Mind if I link you to my blog in a post??

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  24. JoJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    Well ... you've done it again ... what a great idea! There are some really cool gift card designs and I always thought is was a shame just to throw them away. Now I have a reason to keep them ... thanks!!

    Jo xx

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  25. AnonymousJanuary 8, 2011 at 6:49 PM

    OMG - What an amazing idea. I have been cleaning out my wallet and I am now digging through the garbage for the spent gift cards.
    Thanks for all your ideas.

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  26. SavahannaJanuary 8, 2011 at 7:05 PM

    OMG I love this idea! Great job.

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  27. TheLastOfNineJanuary 8, 2011 at 7:37 PM

    I got a couple from Hobby Lobby with a snowman and thought they were so cute, but not quite sure what to do with them. Thanks for the great idea.
    Gloria

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  28. chignonJanuary 8, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Cool idea! I am so kicking myself for not buying the cinch when I saw it super cheap on black Friday. sigh.

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  29. UnknownJanuary 8, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    Now this is seriously cool!

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  30. KristyJanuary 8, 2011 at 10:00 PM

    OMG! What a fantastic idea! I am going to make one. Thank you for sharing.

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  31. KimJanuary 8, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    What a Clever Idea!
    ~Kim

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  32. A Bit of SerendipityJanuary 9, 2011 at 12:38 AM

    Seriously this is a great idea!

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  33. Plants seeds of knowledge...for our future!January 9, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    Pure GENIOUS!!! LOVE THIS

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  34. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 1:42 AM

    Just a quick note to let you know that a link to this post will be placed on CraftCrave today [09 Jan 01:00am GMT]. Thanks, Maria

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  35. - - Sheryl - -January 9, 2011 at 2:18 AM

    love this idea!!!!

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  36. The Autocrat: HaleyJanuary 9, 2011 at 2:33 AM

    Amazing! A very creative idea!

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  37. JenniferJanuary 9, 2011 at 10:28 AM

    Such a great idea!

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  38. BeckyJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    Ack! How freaking cute is this? I've been on the bind it all fence, now I'm going to buy one! Thank you!!!!!

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  39. My Kids MakeJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:24 AM

    those are adorable. i love them!!!

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  40. smdluxeJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:20 PM

    Very creative! I love it!

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  41. The Jeffs FamilyJanuary 9, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    This is such a good idea. You are so creative! Thank you for sharing.

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  42. AnonymousJanuary 9, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    This is just an awesome idea!!! I love to come here to see all your orginal ideas. I couldn't come up with an orginal idea to save my life. I got the Cinch for Christmas and now I will have to try this idea out!!

    Thank you so much!

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  43. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 5:16 PM

    Wow, what a great upcycle idea! That machine sounds really neat.

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  44. Tammy @ she wears flowersJanuary 9, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    I LOVE this idea! SO, SO cute!!

    And, I have a ton of these cards because I have been saving them forever. Can't wait to put them to good use. Thanks!!

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  45. MaggieJanuary 9, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    Ohhh - a binding machine. I'll have to add that to my wish list! Adorable project.

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  46. ShantaieJanuary 9, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    what a genius idea, and super cool! my girls would love these....heck I LOVE THESE!!!!!

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  47. JillJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:24 PM

    OH this is such a great idea!! I'd love it if you linked it to my weekly 'round tuit' party at:

    http://jembellish.blogspot.com/2011/01/round-tuit-31.html

    Hope you have a great week!

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  48. Stephanie Lynn @Under the Table and DreamingJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:44 AM

    Fantastic idea! {love the binding machine - I have to keep my eyes open for one} Thanks for linking to the Sunday Showcase - I'll be featuring this today. Hope you have a fabulous week! ~ Stephanie Lynn

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  49. Pati @ A Crafty EscapeJanuary 10, 2011 at 7:50 AM

    Very cute idea! I would kill for a binding machine, so wish it was in the budget.

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  50. PeggyJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:48 AM

    Love this idea! This is crazy but I actually returned my zutter bind-it-all because it was just sitting in my closest. Then I got Christmas money and am now waiting for it to go BACK on sale! Crazy, huh?!

    So how did you cut your pages? I've been using a straight forward bypass paper cutter but now I'm not sure how crazy I am about it... my stack of paper sometimes splays out so my cuts aren't exactly even... any suggestions? I really would appreciate them as I am trying to get a small business going again. Thanks!!

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  51. greenbeanJanuary 10, 2011 at 9:53 AM

    go get that bind it all back!...lol...

    as far as cutting the pages...i used my tonic trimmer...it's a guillotine style and i love that thing!...cuts like butter and even cuts every time!...

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  52. icraft2create.comJanuary 10, 2011 at 1:48 PM

    Such a great idea! I don't know how many times I've just tossed those cards! These would be cool little gifts for goodie bags as well. Thanks!

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  53. SuzanneJanuary 10, 2011 at 2:09 PM

    Ingenious! Any reason why you couldn't use another gift card for the back? Thanks for your idea!

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  54. Amanda January 10, 2011 at 2:31 PM

    fantastic idea. They turned out really cute. Come link up at I Made It! Monday on at Ninth Street Notions sometime.

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  55. CharlotteJanuary 10, 2011 at 3:00 PM

    Brilliant idea! I wish there was some way you could do this with unused cards - then you could give the little book as part of the gift too!

    Blue Skies,
    Charlotte xo

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  56. ErinJanuary 10, 2011 at 4:19 PM

    Totally adorable!!! What a great idea!

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  57. JenaJanuary 10, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    OMG! Those are fantastic!!!!!!!! What an awesome way to recycle gift cards and so many of them are really pretty these days-thanks so much for sharing!!!

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  58. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 10:20 PM

    Cute project! Thanks for linking it up to my party! :)

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  59. LeslieJanuary 11, 2011 at 8:47 AM

    That is such a great idea!!! TFS

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  60. SharlaJanuary 11, 2011 at 5:39 PM

    Very clever, love that idea!!

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  61. The GardenerJanuary 11, 2011 at 9:37 PM

    You are an absolute genius! Everytime I come here, you have something fabulous made! I just threw away two itunes gift cards and now I'm just sick about it!! These are so dang cute! Love your site!

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  62. Beverly {Flamingo Toes}January 11, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    These are so so cute and creative!! I'm always needing a little notebook for my purse - these would be so fun! Thanks for the great idea!

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  63. .January 12, 2011 at 9:06 AM

    What a great idea!! And I love that it's recycling something that would have been trashed otherwise. :)

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  64. Mandy CoffeyJanuary 12, 2011 at 3:25 PM

    too fun!!!! i'd love for you to link this up at our friday link party! smallfineprint.blogspot.com

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  65. WendeJanuary 12, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    you are right, to stinkin' cute!

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  66. ChristyJanuary 12, 2011 at 11:55 PM

    LOOOVE this idea!

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  67. Heather - Dollarstorecrafts.comJanuary 13, 2011 at 1:08 AM

    Cool! Sharing this idea with the Dollar Store Crafts facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/dollarstorecrafts

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  68. UnknownJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:55 AM

    Carrie, you are brilliant! You ought to write a book!

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  69. UnknownJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:53 AM

    Greenbean,
    You are a GENIUS!! I Love this idea! Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant!
    ~Joy~

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  70. TresaJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:15 AM

    I am a first time visitor. Found your blog through dollarstorecrafts. I love this journal project. Most of all, I LOVE your blog title--very clever, made me giggle.

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  71. Lisa Nelsen-WoodsJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:34 AM

    These are brilliant! I use an old plastic card as a bone folder in a recent modge podge project but that is a reuse for only one gift card. Where did you get your binding device?

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  72. RebaJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    I am TOTALLY Stealing this idea!! I'm constantly bummed that I have 'nothing' to do with them once they're used up! LOVING IT!!

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  73. greenbeanJanuary 13, 2011 at 10:40 AM

    thanks for all the sweet comments!...i'm so glad you're loving these little guys as much as i do!...

    condo blues...i got the bind it all at hobby lobby...you can use your 40% coupon on it!...if you don't have a store...you can buy online!...

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  74. Hoo's Crafty!January 13, 2011 at 10:44 AM

    This is absolutely wonderful. My kids love getting giftcards and hate when I toss them out after they use them. WOoo hoo!!! They will be so excited now :)

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  75. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    Saw this via Blue Cricket Design's link party and just had to say that it's super-cute! Great way to recycle/repurpose!

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  76. VICTORIAJanuary 13, 2011 at 8:53 PM

    Oh my gosh girl you are so talented who would have every thought about that. They are so darn cut my grand kids are gonna love them.

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  77. Beverly {Flamingo Toes}January 14, 2011 at 11:40 AM

    Love these so much!! I featured them in my Crush of the Week post - http://www.flamingotoes.com/2011/01/crush-of-the-week-29/
    They are so great! :)

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  78. AmandaJanuary 14, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    I featured this over at Today's Top 20!!
    Amanda
    www.todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com

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  79. Katy @ Lolly LinensJanuary 14, 2011 at 3:59 PM

    Great idea, thanks for sharing. I've always been hesitant to throw mine away too!

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  80. UnknownJanuary 17, 2011 at 7:29 AM

    New to your blog - WOW what a great idea!. I think they look so cute, thanks for sharing x

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  81. Jen @ EmbellishingLifeEverydayJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:28 AM

    I love this idea! I am now saving my used gift cards. When I get one of those binding machines I know what I'll be making first! : )

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  82. Sandy from UkiahJanuary 17, 2011 at 2:32 PM

    what a cute cute idea.. love it.

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  83. - - Sheryl - -January 17, 2011 at 3:55 PM

    I made two today - I used the same gift card for the front and the back. thanks for the idea.

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  84. crafty pandaJanuary 17, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    OMG, i LOVE this idea! too cute!
    ps. I am a new follower just started a blog..check it out (i need some followers..lol)
    craftypanda30.blogspot.com

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  85. TTJanuary 17, 2011 at 4:39 PM

    well now, i just found your blog and this is the neatest idea. you go girl!!!!

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  86. Sheri@childmade.comJanuary 17, 2011 at 9:26 PM

    I "stare" too. These are great! Now I want a binder too. Thanks for sharing ... I'll be linking!

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  87. LindaJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:45 PM

    I just gave you an award stop by my blog to pick it up http://ikolindascrappinmomma.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  88. DonnaMundingerJanuary 19, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    OMG!!!! What a fabulous idea! Especially love that you boxed them too. Honestly, you are the queen of recycling. xxD

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  89. ElaineFebruary 7, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    This is truly clever! Love, love this idea! TFS

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  90. SherylKFebruary 10, 2011 at 11:44 PM

    I happen to stroll upon your blog through Joy's Life and saw your idea for the gift cards and I can't believe how clever that it is. I was just telling my friend that it would even be cute to make one of these with an ACTIVE card and then they can write things down that they want to get with it. Thanks for sharing this. I'd like to add you to my blog (under heavy construction, mind you.).

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  91. JanniMarch 15, 2011 at 4:17 PM

    Brilliant!!!!!

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  92. CHINIApril 19, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    It is very very good idea and the opportunity so for the plastic card and other product.
    Plastic Card

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  93. AnonymousSeptember 30, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    This is the new stylish idea for me to re-cycle the things every day ....!!! I need to get a binding tool so I can make fun little books!love it....
    Plastic card

    ReplyDelete
  94. AnonymousApril 25, 2013 at 2:36 PM

    I loved this post, so much prettier than carrying around a blank notepad everywhere. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete
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    ReplyDelete