DIY Plastic Strands

A great tutorial with lots of visuals on how to make plastic strands or as they call them wire. Full instructions are on WikiHow [link]

Need a heat gun?  link

Read more...

Fold A Paper Bow

Learn how to fold a bow from a single sheet of paper. You could recycle a magazine page, try gift wrapping paper, origami paper - just about any paper. I don't think I will be buying bows to wrap presents with anymore! Thanks to Let's Create for translating the tutorial into English. [link]

Read more...

Recycle a Pillowcase Tote

Growmama shares a tutorial for making a tote or market bag out of a pillowcase. [link]

Read more...

OMC : Cartridge Buy-Back

USED CARTRIDGE Buy-Back Offer

Oh My Crafts will give in-store credit of $5.00* for each used cartridge. [link]

Read more...

DIY Drink Holder

Positively Splendid had a guest craft blogger, The Homes I Have Made. She shared a step by step tutorial with descriptive photos on making an outdoor drink holder. What a great idea, and easy enough for kiddos to help make them. I imagine any Dad would love these! Use them in your backyard, take them to a tailgate party, use them around the camp fire... [link]

Read more...

Travel Checkers DIY

Stacy Vaughn has a creative bent towards recycling DVD cases. Here is a new creation using a DVD case and turning it into a portable checkers game. [link]

Read more...

Repurposed Materials

This idea has so many applications. What a great way to repurpose materials. Blah to Tada uses old make-up to colorize glue for an impressive raised embossed look. [link]

Read more...

DIY Dessert Stand

The creative mind is amazing isn't it? So many great ideas can be found online that I could never imagine in my life time - thank goodness for technology! This DIY dessert stand is a great idea. You must know someone in your life that this is a perfect gift for them. Thanks to Bubby and Bean for the tutorial. [link]

Read more...

Upcycle Spoon Mirror

There are times crafters repurpose or upcycle an item to the point where you no longer see the individual parts but the beautiful whole new creation first. It is rare, but it does happen. Just like with the Chrysanthemum Mirror, you see the beauty first and then see it is made from plastic spoons. What to give it a try? Here is the tutorial from Addicted 2 Decorating. [link]

Read more...

DIY Grocery Bag Easter Basket

ellinée posted a great photo of a DIY grocery bag basket. [link]

and if you want an idea of how to accomplish this little wonder out of scrapbooking paper, Me and My Big Ideas has a great tutorial you can follow. The tutorial used scrapbooking paper while the one above uses recycled grocery bags. Either way, I imagine this craft can be used for so much more than Easter! [link]

Read more...

Gift Card Bracelet

Recycle your used gift cards into jewelry! Yeap, Oh So Crafty took a used Starbucks card and made a bracelet for a friend. What a great idea for a gift card you don't plan to reload with money. Recycle, reuse, repurpose and of course diy! [link]

Read more...

DIY Envelopes

Sometimes you see a project that just stops you in your tracks. This recycled dryer sheet project is one of them. Just an amazing idea! Thanks to Fine Craft Guild for posting the tutorial. [link]

Read more...

Pop Can Bracelets

Two different versions of how to make a pop can bracelet.

from wikiHow [link]

from the Greenest Dollar [link]

Read more...

Paper Bag Bowl

Another visual tutorial found on Pinterest posted originally by Duitang.

Read more...

DIY Carton Wallet

Family Fun Website has a totally ingenious idea for a wallet made from a carton. Well, a change purse of sorts but it could hold so many other things. And no, it isn't just for kids but it might make you feel like one when using it! You can use it as a lesson in recycling, repurposing, for earth day, teaching how to be green or eco friendly. [link]

Read more...

Soda Can Purse

RaraAvis shared this gem on Craftster. I love the idea. I am not sure about the staples, I think they would snag your clothing. Using the same concept, I am thinking glueing them together on a substrate or joining them on the backside with something similar to soldering or even taping. [link]

Read more...

Braided Rag Rug Tutorial

The Homestead Weaver Studio shares a tutorial for a historical craft making rugs from strips of rags. I love the look of this one in the image. I am wondering how it would do with strips of plastic grocery bags? [link]

Read more...

Felted "Stone" Rug

This rug was made from felted wool yarn remnants. I found the image on Pinterest. There were not real directions I could link too for you to follow. But it made me wonder, could something similar be done with dryer lint? I am going to have to give it a go and report back to you. I may need to find something to work as a binder or encase the link in a stocking type mesh to hold it's shape. Something to think about and experiment with!

Read more...

Shag Rug Tutorial

What to do with all your old worn out t-shirts? Craft with them of course. This has to be one of my favorite crafts made from t-shirts. Maybe it's the colors. Tutorial provided by Rags by Sock Monkey. [link]


Reading through the instructions makes me think of a few changes/additions:

• I don't see why once you have a row done, you couldn't run it through the sewing machine to make it more secure and sturdy - just sewing along the edge of the back side making sure to miss the fringe. 
• I am also thinking this could be made with fleece. On the shag side, pulling the fleece makes it curl so it would add a different kind of texture, great for a little girls room or bathroom. I can see it in purples and pinks - too cute!

Read more...

Icicle Ornaments Tutorial

Make your own icicle ornaments from a plastic soda bottle. You can get many from one bottle and they will not break like their glass counterparts. Thanks to Cut Out + Keep for the tutorial. [link]

Read more...