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

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Recycle a Pillowcase Tote

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

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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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]

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Paper Bag Bowl

Another visual tutorial found on Pinterest posted originally by Duitang.

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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]

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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!

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Creative Uses for Aluminum Foil

In this time of economic stress, it makes sense to find alternative uses for every day items. It is a good thing when you can limit the additional items you need to buy and find multiple uses for items you normally purchase. For some of us, it might be a necessity. Aluminum foil can be found in every kitchen. It seems to be a kitchen staple, even in the most simple of kitchens. Aluminum foil can be used for a variety of uses beyond layering your cookie sheet when baking. more...

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