grow green
(click on an image to enlarge)
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- Gather Supplies: charcoal/stones, potting soil, seeds, hammer, nail, empty can
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- Use hammer and nail to add drain holes.
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- Tap 5 or 6 tiny holes into the bottom of the can.
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- Add a half-inch layer of stone or charcoal to the bottom of can to aid in drainage.
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- Fill can with soil, leaving about an inch of space at top. Add seeds & water generously.
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- Cover with plastic wrap, secure with rubber band. Place in direct sunlight atop plastic lid.
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- When the seeds begin to sprout, uncover, or they will begin to mold & rot.
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- Water, sun & watch green grow!!
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- … a few weeks later
empty box + rainy day =
Take one empty box…
Fold in the flaps, like so…
In a medium sized bowl, mix wall paper paste and water until you get a medium-watery adhesive glue. Cut paper into medium sized strips and squares.
**We used blueprints found in the trash**
Line your work area with newspaper topped with parchment paper (to keep the glue from sticking to the paper). This gets messy!
Dip your paper into the glue, then apply to the box…
Continue applying layers of paper in an overlapping fashion until the entire cardboard box is concealed. Use your hands to smooth out any lumps or air bubbles as you go along.
Work swiftly while the project is wet, because as the glue begins to dry, the paper is more likely to rip.
I put mine on top of an old plate while drying…
Allow this project ample time to dry, overnight is best! As the glue dries the paper will harden to the surface of the box.
Once dry, you can use your new creation for whatever you want. This one is the perfect Paper Recycle Bin…
Tip: Make sure you have plenty of supplies prepared before you get started, because once you get your hands dirty you should just keep going until the project is done.
markers in a can
Sometimes a picture says it all…
Sure, there are countless ways to adorn these, but the bare can is both simple and beautiful. Useful too.
before you toss… cut!
Recycling isn’t limited to what you sort into the appropriate bin and bring to the curb once a week, it’s also about finding simple ways to use ordinary household products, again.
For example, before tossing your moldy shower curtain liner, cut the magnets out of the bottom.
Most shower curtain magnets are super-strong (and great for crafting)!
the functional frame
Time to take that simple wooden frame and make it work overtime!
With just a few screw-in hardware hooks you can transform that plain picture frame into a convenient place to keep your keys.
What To Do: Use a ruler to evenly space out where you will place the hooks. Mark your measurements with a pencil. With a hammer and a small nail, gently tap a tiny hole into each of your pencil marks. Twist your hooks into the holes and that’s it!!
Pick your favorite pre-Picasso to frame, hang it by the door, and enjoy your re-newed functional and fabulous frame.
make a bowl
(click on an image to enlarge)
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- Cut or tear scratch paper into shreads. We’re using an old ledger we found walking the dogs.
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- Find a plastic container in the recycle bin.
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- Cover work area with wax paper to prevent sticking. Thin out the Mod Podge with water so it spreads easily.
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- Apply a thin layer of glue to the paper and apply to bowl then spread a layer on top.
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- Smooth paper onto container in overlapping layers.
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- Cover the entire surface-area, then allow to dry.
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- Cut out images to decorate bowl.
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- Apply cut-outs in the same manner as the paper.
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- Dry overnight, and you’re done!
* * please bear in mind, the finished project is not suitable for food * *
stray sock stuffing
plastic bag dispenser
While we’re finally starting to notice a shift away from plastic bags and bottles, they do still end up in our lives. The important thing, is what we do with them next… don’t toss them, reuse them!!
This is a simple project, inspired by an old Girl Scout camping trick, and it’s a great way to keep all those annoying plastic bags tucked neatly away.
Using an empty plastic bottle, cut off the top. We used a sharp kitchen knife to slice ours. Next, you need to trim the sharp, newly exposed plastic edge with some masking tape (so you don’t hurt yourself putting the bags in and out). And that’s it!
If you’re doing this with kids, have them stuff the dispenser with your plastic bags. We fit about 20 bags into each bottle. WOW! Under the sink looks so neat.
old clothes pillows
When clearing out the closet to make room for all the unbelievable after-holiday finds, be sure to put aside a few graphic-T’s and interesting fabrics for sewing projects like this one…
Old Clothes Pillows is also an amazing way to hang on to a part of a favorite old shirt, or kids outfit that is never going to fit again. Tween girls will love filling up their beds with these tiny little pillows, and boys can turn their favorite old sports shirts into team pillows. Sewing skills are required (but not professional!)
1. Using sharp scissors, cut out the shape you are going to use for the front of your pillow. Then, choose and cut a contrasting color or pattern for the pillow back.
2. Pin the fabric together inside-out, and then sew. We used our sewing machine (because practice is good) but, for the most part, these pillows are not that large and can also be sewn by hand. Be sure to leave an opening for stuffing the pillow
3. Flip your pillow case right-side-out and stuff! Since these were to toss around my house, I used poly-fill from an old (clean) dog bed. I also suggest shredding the remainder of the clothing fabric you did not use for stuffing or, stray sock stuffing.
4. Hand-sew the stuffing hole and you’re done! Enjoy! …but watch out, they’re totally addictive!
it’s a wrap (idea for holiday leftovers)
