Sunday at The Studio + a giveway

A giveaway - just because!
But first, The Studio challenge for this week (they are kind of related). This weeks challenge was to use a recycled item on a card. I had 2 ideas for this challenge. Here is my 'official' entry for the challenge:

Can you tell what the recycled thing is? It's that grid paper. It's the packaging from a K & Co. product. I've used this stuff before. I love the pattern and the color. I ran it through a die cutter (not just any die cutter, my beloved Big Shot :) to cut the shape:

and here's a close up:

When I tell you I am in love with that Big Shot, it's an understatement. (I used  it for the bracket shape, the flowers and the buttons on this card.) I know die cutting is far from new to the world of scrapbooking and cardmaking. I wonder why it took me so long to discover it? While I love my Silhouette I am loving the ease at which I can just cut a shape with the B.S. No plugs, no computer, no software, no dull blades. Just crank the handle. So satisfying :)

Here's the 'back up' card. (Also know as my entry for Get Sketchy Card Challenge #82  - I was totally inspired by the layering on that sketch :) I really wanted to reuse the button card from a pack of MME buttons (I've got a few of them saved for this purpose) along with my new button embossing die (again with the Big Shot abuse) so that's what I did. I think it got a little busy, though:

So, now I want you to play along! If you need more inspiration, check out what the design team has done this week. All great options for adding a little recycled product to your cards. And if you do participate, you get to be in the random drawing for this:

This is a collection of things from some pub boxes that have recently arrived - there's some My Little Shoebox papers & transparencies, some cute Doodlebug, Maya Mists, a couple of Tattered Angels mists and a cool Maya Road canvas tag album. I'd like to share the love but I want to see your recycled cards. So, in addition to being part of the Studio's monthly prize drawing (sponsored by Scrap With V), you could win this too! Just let me know if you play along by leaving me a comment here telling me you did. I'll draw a winner in 2 weeks - when the next card challenge goes up.
Have a great Sunday!