I used to marvel at how Airees can help me save some scraps from the trashbin. THIS article however does more than that. She now utilizes even the packaging of scrapstuff I normally won't think twice in throwing away! How wonderful that Airees can help us make such beautiful personal stuff from not just scraps, but TRASH? Haha!

I have received a lot of emails telling me how Airees' articles have been so easy to do. Instant gratification my bestfriend Sue would like to call it (Sue loves Airees' articles a loooot! Sigh, she doesn't say as much to MY articles.)

So to celebrate just how great Trash2Treasures is and to thank Airees for all her wonderful contributions, we have decided to come up with the FIRST downloadable PDF file of MSW of all of Airees 2006 To-Do Articles! (Surprise Airees!!) Hurry! Download your copy now and we assure you it would be a great read and a handy help to saving all your stuff from the trashbin! -Mabelle

This project was actually not my original plan for this upload. I had other “trash” in mind but the moment I laid eyes on this, I knew I could create something wonderful out of it.

I got a Karen Foster mini album last week while I was window-shopping. I was attracted to it because I planned to make mini albums to send to my parents and siblings in the States through a balikbayan friend. The mini album just measures at 3.5” x 3.5”.

When I was about to open it, the eyelet caught my attention. It was so CUTE that I couldn't bear to throw it away! As I carefully lifted the raised plastic covering, I knew it can be made into a photo shaker box. You too can easily do this. Here's how:

1. Look for a packaging similar to the one in the picture. It can be bigger and/or thicker.
2. Using a sharp cutter or craft knife, carefully lift the top plastic covering to remove it from the chipboard base.
3. If you cannot remove some paper left on the cover, you may paint the edges for a cleaner look. Set aside the plastic covering.
4. Cover the chipboard base with patterned paper or you can also paint it. Once the paint is dry, you can sand it for a weathered look.
5. Cut around the eyelet to expose it. Do this also on the back side.
6. Measure the inside of the plastic covering then cut from a cardstock using this dimension. Adhere your favorite photo on the cardstock and add some embellishments.
7. Position the finished layout. You may add some beads, sequins & die-cuts on top of the layout.
8. Next, adhere the cover with a double-sided tape on top of the layout.
9. Decorate the packaging for a more personalized look. Attach a small string on the eyelet.

Now you have a nice photo shaker box! I may have given away the mini books I bought, but a part of it remained with me. :)