Showing posts with label green crafts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green crafts. Show all posts
Monday, December 12, 2011
Annie's Capri Sun Pencil Pouch
My little friend Annie turned her lunch time juice boxes into this unique pencil pouch. She hand stitched them together! Click here to learn to make your own or to try your hand at totes, belts, and other crafts from capri sun juice pouches.
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Project: Wine Cork Bath Mat
I stumbled upon Crafty Nest's blog and saw this cute cork bath mat. I am going to start saving corks for this project!
I’m evidently on a hot glue kick lately. This bath mat requires just three materials: shelf liner, hot glue, and 175 wine corks. How did I gather 175 wine corks, you ask? Working at Sunset had its perks. With all the wine tastings in that office, collecting corks was a cinch. So far, I’ve made a wine cork trivet with them and now this bath mat.
It was inspired by CB2′s bamboo bath mat, which is perfectly lovely and affordable but too big for my tiny bathroom, hence this equally eco-friendly version. My sister Christy gave me the genius idea of using non-adhesive shelf liner with a grip bottom, so it stays in place. The cork feels good on my bare feet, plus it goes perfectly with the natural color palette of my bathroom.
Yeah, but how durable is it, you say? Hmm. I’ll test it out for a few weeks and let you know how it holds up. UPDATE: Check this post for updates on the bath mat and to read about whether you should seal yours.
1. Cut each cork in half lengthwise with a sharp pocket knife. Be patient and careful so you don’t cut a finger off. It’s best if you use natural cork wine corks that are similar length and width. Sand the bottoms flat if any of your cuts are jagged.
2. Arrange the corks into a rectangle, flat sides down. Use a ruler or the lines on a cutting mat to make sure your configuration of corks is as close to a straight rectangle as possible. My mat is 18.5 x 30 inches (10 x 35 cork halves)—a little smaller than a standard size bath mat, but then my bathroom is smaller than a standard size bathroom.
3. Measure and cut the shelf liner to size with a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat.
4. Transfer the outer rows/columns of corks to the shelf liner and glue them to the top side of the liner. Apply a rectangle-shaped line of glue to the flat side of each cork, about 1/8 inch from the edge, line up the cork with the edge of the mat, and press hard. Wipe away any glue dribbles before it hardens fully, but after it cools (so you don’t burn yourself).
5. Once your frame is in place, transfer the rest of the corks to their corresponding position on the mat. You’ll probably have to do some arranging and trading places to make all the corks fit. Then remove one cork at a time and glue it down. You’re done!
Inspired by CB2's bamboo bath mat
It was inspired by CB2′s bamboo bath mat, which is perfectly lovely and affordable but too big for my tiny bathroom, hence this equally eco-friendly version. My sister Christy gave me the genius idea of using non-adhesive shelf liner with a grip bottom, so it stays in place. The cork feels good on my bare feet, plus it goes perfectly with the natural color palette of my bathroom.
Yeah, but how durable is it, you say? Hmm. I’ll test it out for a few weeks and let you know how it holds up. UPDATE: Check this post for updates on the bath mat and to read about whether you should seal yours.
How to make a wine cork bath mat
Supplies- 175 wine corks (plus a few extra to allow for mistakes)
- hot glue sticks
- non-adhesive shelf liner (I used Duck brand Smooth Top Easy Liner in taupe, found at Walmart. Or try [ribbed side down] Plast-O-Mat ribbed shelf liner, available at Ace Hardware, Bed Bath & Beyond or The Container Store)
- pocket knife (sharpened)
- cutting board (one that you won’t mind if it gets slightly damaged)
- rotary cutter and mat (or scissors)
- long ruler or yardstick
- hot glue gun
- coarse sand paper
1. Cut each cork in half lengthwise with a sharp pocket knife. Be patient and careful so you don’t cut a finger off. It’s best if you use natural cork wine corks that are similar length and width. Sand the bottoms flat if any of your cuts are jagged.
2. Arrange the corks into a rectangle, flat sides down. Use a ruler or the lines on a cutting mat to make sure your configuration of corks is as close to a straight rectangle as possible. My mat is 18.5 x 30 inches (10 x 35 cork halves)—a little smaller than a standard size bath mat, but then my bathroom is smaller than a standard size bathroom.
3. Measure and cut the shelf liner to size with a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat.
4. Transfer the outer rows/columns of corks to the shelf liner and glue them to the top side of the liner. Apply a rectangle-shaped line of glue to the flat side of each cork, about 1/8 inch from the edge, line up the cork with the edge of the mat, and press hard. Wipe away any glue dribbles before it hardens fully, but after it cools (so you don’t burn yourself).
5. Once your frame is in place, transfer the rest of the corks to their corresponding position on the mat. You’ll probably have to do some arranging and trading places to make all the corks fit. Then remove one cork at a time and glue it down. You’re done!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Project: Make Your Own Lavender Wand
Do you have lavender bushes in your garden? Check out this nifty project from my fellow soaper Bonnie. In addition to using the lavender buds for dried botanicals, you can also create these lavender wands to scent your drawers, hang it in your closet, car, or any space where you want the fresh smell of lavender!
1. Cut fresh lavender stems as long as possible. Use the fresh cut stems or they will not be flexible enough. Count out an odd number of stems, the more stems the larger the finished wand. Eleven stems makes a small size wand, it must be odd number so you can weave properly.
2. Using about 45 inches of the ribbon of your choice, tie the stems tightly just below the flowers leaving the ribbon for weaving. Leave one end about 12 inches, this will be used to make the top hanging loop.
3. Gently bend the stems over the flower heads, spacing them evenly around the bouquet. Tie the short end of the ribbon into a loop at the top. Have the remaining piece of ribbon running down the center of the bouquet, you will use it to tie off the end of your weaving.
4. Begin weaving the long end or the ribbon over and under each stem, distributing them evenly to form a cage around the blossoms. Keep the ribbon tight to the previous rows.
Keep the ribbon tight to the previous rows.If you don't have time to make this, you can always buy it from her Artfire site for $9.99!
Continue to weave the ribbon around the wand until you come to the end of the flowers.
You can tie off the ribbon at the bottom of the wand to the end of the loop ribbon. You can braid and weave it to the bottom, finish it with a bow or embellish it with some beads. The wand is ready to place in your lingerie drawer, hang in your closet or car, keep it in your gym bag or locker. As the lavender dries it can be freshened with some lavender essential oil or simply crushed between your hands to release more fragrance.
Click here for the full tutorial with more pictures!
 |
| Lavender Wand Photo from Bonnie Bartley |
2. Using about 45 inches of the ribbon of your choice, tie the stems tightly just below the flowers leaving the ribbon for weaving. Leave one end about 12 inches, this will be used to make the top hanging loop.
3. Gently bend the stems over the flower heads, spacing them evenly around the bouquet. Tie the short end of the ribbon into a loop at the top. Have the remaining piece of ribbon running down the center of the bouquet, you will use it to tie off the end of your weaving.
4. Begin weaving the long end or the ribbon over and under each stem, distributing them evenly to form a cage around the blossoms. Keep the ribbon tight to the previous rows.
Keep the ribbon tight to the previous rows.If you don't have time to make this, you can always buy it from her Artfire site for $9.99!
Continue to weave the ribbon around the wand until you come to the end of the flowers.
You can tie off the ribbon at the bottom of the wand to the end of the loop ribbon. You can braid and weave it to the bottom, finish it with a bow or embellish it with some beads. The wand is ready to place in your lingerie drawer, hang in your closet or car, keep it in your gym bag or locker. As the lavender dries it can be freshened with some lavender essential oil or simply crushed between your hands to release more fragrance.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Project: Organization designer style
My mom recently went to London and brought back a cool apron from Cath Kidston, who is a famous vintage-retro style designer (probably similar to Kate Spade in the US). You may see me sporting this apron in upcoming classes! It was wrapped in this gorgeous bag which was wrinkled from bad weather, being in a suitcase, and surviving several long flights. Anyway, I wanted to keep it but knew I had to re-purpose it to justify keeping it. It was too wrinkled to use for wrapping a gift.
So I looked around and thought about up-styling my knitting binder. I keep a binder full of knitting and crochet patterns that I have done or would like to do. I turned it into a designer Cath Kidston binder by cutting the bag and inserting it into the clear-view front and back pockets of the binder. The spine was a pain and required help from the Mister who has more patience for these sort of things. I still have a little scrap left which I may use to wrap some soap. Next time you have some pretty paper, you may want to create your own designer binders! If you have done other cool things with bags or pretty papers, I'd love to hear it!
So I looked around and thought about up-styling my knitting binder. I keep a binder full of knitting and crochet patterns that I have done or would like to do. I turned it into a designer Cath Kidston binder by cutting the bag and inserting it into the clear-view front and back pockets of the binder. The spine was a pain and required help from the Mister who has more patience for these sort of things. I still have a little scrap left which I may use to wrap some soap. Next time you have some pretty paper, you may want to create your own designer binders! If you have done other cool things with bags or pretty papers, I'd love to hear it!
 |
| My new Cath Kidston knitting binder! |
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Crafts with Kids: Make your own Dominoes!
Idea and photo courtesy of Martha Stewart!
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
my NEW cactus garden
How many cacti gardens can a girl have? Apparently two dish gardens are not enough! I decided to convert one of my empty patio planter boxes into yet another cactus garden, and I totally love it! Dad gave me the two cacti on the ends - these had fallen off some of his cacti and rather than throw them away, he re-planted them in a container. One thing I love more than plants are recycled plants!
The two moonstone cacti and the center ET fingers cacti I got from Lowe's. I also bought cacti soil to ensure that the cacti would thrive. I planted these over Memorial day weekend and so far so good!
The two moonstone cacti and the center ET fingers cacti I got from Lowe's. I also bought cacti soil to ensure that the cacti would thrive. I planted these over Memorial day weekend and so far so good!
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Sewing Kit in a Jar (Repackaging Idea for Mothers Day!)
With just a little retrofitting, an old-fashioned Mason jar can become a new sewing kit with a built-in pincushion on top. To begin, separate the lid's sealer and screw cap. Trace around sealer on cardboard. Using a compass, draw another circle on linen or cotton, 1 inch larger in diameter than the first. Cut out both circles; make cushion by placing batting between fabric and cardboard. Turn screw cap upside down, and apply hot glue to inside edge of rim; quickly press cushion into lid until cloth protrudes smoothly above screw cap's opening and cardboard is flush against rim. Apply hot glue around edge of cardboard, fold over excess fabric, and press down. Glue top of sealer to cardboard. Fill jar.
Look around the house for spools of thread, sewing needles, fabric swatches, mini scissors, and voila! instant gift through the magic of recycling and repackaging. If your mom is a knitter, you can do a similar knitting kit in a jar - filling it with stitch holders, markers, crochet hook, double pointed needles, etc.
Another variation on this is to create little tickets or coupons with things you will do for mom. Put them all in the jar and as she picks out a coupon, you can help her with that item. Some examples for kids of all ages: "I will clean up my room" or "I will do all my chores without being asked" or "One breakfast in bed coming up" or "Nice dinner at your favorite restaurant" or "Computer help at any hour of the day" - anyway those are starters - I'm sure you can come up with even more for your mom.
If your mom is a gardener, how about a jar of seeds?
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Several REALLY EASY Bird feeders
So we were talking at work today about bird feeders and I thought I would look for a few quick and easy bird feeder ideas.
Plastic Jar Bird Feeder
Here is a list of the things you will need.
Wash out a small empty plastic peanut butter container or something similar.
Remove the label using hot soapy water. If you let is soak a while it will come off a lot easier.
Cut a 1 inch hole so the bottom of the hole is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the container.
Make a small hole just below the 1 inch hole, big enough for the piece of wood dowel.
Poke the 1/8 inch dowel into the small hole and glue it in place.
Poke another small hole in the middle of the lid for the wire or string to go through.
Run the string or wire through the hole in a loop and tie it off in a big not so it won't pull out.
Put the lid on the jar and there you have it, a bird feeder.
TIP: If you don't like bird seeds sprouting in your flower gardens, spread the bird seed out on a cookie sheet and bake in a 250 degree oven for 1/2 hour.
Here's another idea for a bird feeder using an empty half gallon milk or juice jug
MATERIALS./TOOLS
1 gallon milk jug with lid (a half-gallon milk jug or a regular bleach jug should work, too)
2 wooden 1/2 inch dowel rods, each about 10 inches long (you could also use tree branches that are sturdy_
2 pieces of pliable wire, at least 8 inches long each
1 2- to 3-foot length of rope or an old narrow belt
Markers
Box cutter or sharp knife
Scissors
Nail or heavy needle
Baking soda if needed
DIRECTIONS
Wash and rinse the jug. If there is a strong odor of spoiled milk and/or stubborn milk residue, fill with hot water, add a tablespoon of baking soda and let sit for a couple of hours before proceeding. Rinse well and let the jug and cap dry.
Draw your doors on two opposite sides and where you want the dowels for perches. The perches should be centered beneath the doorways. The first perch should be about 2 inches from the bottom and the door about 1/2 inch or so above that. One side will need to be about 1/2 inch lower than the other so the perches have clearance to cross each other in the center.
Using the point of the knife, make a cut at the center of your door large enough to get a blade of your scissors through. This will make cutting easier. Cut outward and at an angle towards the line you've drawn. This makes following your outline, rounding the corners and getting the shape you want easier.
Fill with wild birdseed up to the bottom of the lowest opening.
VARIATION
You can also make a feeder with just one opening/perch, as shown in the photo here.
Source for plastic jar feeder: http://www.runnerduck.com/kc_plastic_birdhouse.htm
Source for milk jug bird feeder photos and info: http://weblogs.dailypress.com/features/gardening/diggin-in/2010/12/recycle_a_milk_jug_into_a_bird_1.html
Here is a list of the things you will need.
- A small plastic jar like a peanut butter jar.
- 3 inches of 1/8 inch dowel (round wood).
- 8 inches of wire or string.
- Waterproof glue or hot melt glue.
Wash out a small empty plastic peanut butter container or something similar.
Remove the label using hot soapy water. If you let is soak a while it will come off a lot easier.
Cut a 1 inch hole so the bottom of the hole is about 1 to 1 1/2 inches up from the bottom of the container.
Make a small hole just below the 1 inch hole, big enough for the piece of wood dowel.
Poke the 1/8 inch dowel into the small hole and glue it in place.
Poke another small hole in the middle of the lid for the wire or string to go through.
Run the string or wire through the hole in a loop and tie it off in a big not so it won't pull out.
Put the lid on the jar and there you have it, a bird feeder.
TIP: If you don't like bird seeds sprouting in your flower gardens, spread the bird seed out on a cookie sheet and bake in a 250 degree oven for 1/2 hour.
Here's another idea for a bird feeder using an empty half gallon milk or juice jug
1 gallon milk jug with lid (a half-gallon milk jug or a regular bleach jug should work, too)
2 wooden 1/2 inch dowel rods, each about 10 inches long (you could also use tree branches that are sturdy_
2 pieces of pliable wire, at least 8 inches long each
1 2- to 3-foot length of rope or an old narrow belt
Markers
Box cutter or sharp knife
Scissors
Nail or heavy needle
Baking soda if needed
DIRECTIONS
Wash and rinse the jug. If there is a strong odor of spoiled milk and/or stubborn milk residue, fill with hot water, add a tablespoon of baking soda and let sit for a couple of hours before proceeding. Rinse well and let the jug and cap dry.
Draw your doors on two opposite sides and where you want the dowels for perches. The perches should be centered beneath the doorways. The first perch should be about 2 inches from the bottom and the door about 1/2 inch or so above that. One side will need to be about 1/2 inch lower than the other so the perches have clearance to cross each other in the center.
Using the point of the knife, make a cut at the center of your door large enough to get a blade of your scissors through. This will make cutting easier. Cut outward and at an angle towards the line you've drawn. This makes following your outline, rounding the corners and getting the shape you want easier.
Fill with wild birdseed up to the bottom of the lowest opening.
VARIATION
You can also make a feeder with just one opening/perch, as shown in the photo here.
 |
| Decorate your milk jug! |
Source for plastic jar feeder: http://www.runnerduck.com/kc_plastic_birdhouse.htm
Source for milk jug bird feeder photos and info: http://weblogs.dailypress.com/features/gardening/diggin-in/2010/12/recycle_a_milk_jug_into_a_bird_1.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Subscribe To
Posts
All Comments