I've placed a few rusted, but nicely-formed, bits of old farm machinery in my garden. Rather than ship it all to the dump when cleaning out the old barn, I used some as decor. I had also found a couple old metal pots (from 100 years ago, perhaps?) which I now use to water plants beyond the reach of the hose.
Old Farm Machinery Bits into Garden Decor
On: Friday, September 12, 2014
We continue featuring our readers and frugal living advicates. In today's edition David Leonhardt shares how he has turned old farm machinery into garden decor and tools
Featured Company: TerraCycle Turns Trash into Useful Products
On: Wednesday, September 10, 2014
It's great to see upcycling make it to the news headlines and big companies with funding emeging as a result:
TerraCycle make millions recycling trash and turn it into useful products, such as fertilizers.
Watching their video gives you a clear view of how much the company is doing for upcycling! Look at how they re-use glass bottles:
Or take a look at their chair beautified by candy wrappers!
Great cause to participate in!
TerraCycle make millions recycling trash and turn it into useful products, such as fertilizers.
Watching their video gives you a clear view of how much the company is doing for upcycling! Look at how they re-use glass bottles:
Or take a look at their chair beautified by candy wrappers!
Great cause to participate in!
Crafts from Trash: Scrapbooking with Found Objects by Christy Strickler
Welcome to our next edition of "Featured Readers' Crafts"
Today we are featuring a great series by Christy Strickler over at MyScrapbookEvolution.com
Christy uses all possible items she can find (including shopping bags, plastic lids, and metal pop tab lids) to add texture to your papercraft projects and create awesome-looking crafts!
Please check out Christy's series here: Scrapbooking with found objects
Here are some great scrapbooking supplies:
From Shopping Bag to Layout:
From Scraps to Woven Layers:
DIY Stencils from Lids:
Thanks for sharing these with us, Christy!
Today we are featuring a great series by Christy Strickler over at MyScrapbookEvolution.com
Christy uses all possible items she can find (including shopping bags, plastic lids, and metal pop tab lids) to add texture to your papercraft projects and create awesome-looking crafts!
Please check out Christy's series here: Scrapbooking with found objects
Here are some great scrapbooking supplies:
From Shopping Bag to Layout:
From Scraps to Woven Layers:
DIY Stencils from Lids:
Thanks for sharing these with us, Christy!
By
Jessy Troy |
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Old Sweater into a Bottle Decor #Homedecor
On: Friday, July 18, 2014
We've seen lots of great ideas to pimp your interior with bottle decor including Wine Bottle Chandelier, Bottle Christmas LED Lights, and Wine Bottle into the Garden Borders.
This time I am sharing an even more original idea: Sweater vases!
You take a bottle, add your old unloved sweater and get unique home decor!
Here's a detailed tutorial and here are more ways to upcycle sweater crafts!
This time I am sharing an even more original idea: Sweater vases!
You take a bottle, add your old unloved sweater and get unique home decor!
Here's a detailed tutorial and here are more ways to upcycle sweater crafts!
5 Winter Upcycled Hacks
On: Sunday, December 1, 2013
Winter is a season of many things, the holidays coming in first and
foremost among them for most of us, presenting us with nearly unlimited
opportunities for useful and beautiful crafts and hacks for our homes,
both inside and out.
Whether you're looking to create a festive atmosphere, or you simply want to get the very most out of some unused items when you've got the time to transform them during the chilliest months of year, check out these five winter upcycled hacks, for yourself and to gift:
Whether you're looking to create a festive atmosphere, or you simply want to get the very most out of some unused items when you've got the time to transform them during the chilliest months of year, check out these five winter upcycled hacks, for yourself and to gift:
1. Arm Warmers
5 Cute Upcycled Hacks for Christmas
On: Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Christmas is coming, and no that wasn't the beginning of a carol. We
are gearing up for one of the most popular holidays around, putting up
our trees and hanging up stockings. It also means that DIY junkies like
me are looking for projects for house decor and handmade gifts.
Especially those that upcycle old items and save on materials.
Pinterest has once again come to the rescue. Anyone who has been on their DIY board knows that it is filled with cool ideas in both the simple and impossibly advanced categories. Whatever level you are at yourself, you can find something fun to do any time of the year.
But with it being winter, you can bet there are even more Christmas themed upcycle projects than ever. Here are five super cute upcycled hacks for the holidays.
Pinterest has once again come to the rescue. Anyone who has been on their DIY board knows that it is filled with cool ideas in both the simple and impossibly advanced categories. Whatever level you are at yourself, you can find something fun to do any time of the year.
But with it being winter, you can bet there are even more Christmas themed upcycle projects than ever. Here are five super cute upcycled hacks for the holidays.
1. Sock Wreath
By
Jessy Troy |
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10 Cute Tips for Upcycled Kitchen Decor
On: Saturday, August 24, 2013
Upcycling is a really big hobby for many people these days. Part of
that is due to the years of living under a difficult economy during the
financial crisis. But for others, it is just a fun interest they have
always enjoyed and continue to do so. There are certainly a lot of blogs
and social media posts dedicated to the practice, and thanks to
Macklemore, second hand shops are more popular than ever. At least some
of what is bought there is sure to end up as part of a project.
To get tips on how to upcycle, such as projects involving kitchen d?cor, sometimes it is best just to look at what people have already made. Here are ten tips from upcycled items around the web, all having to do with kitchens.
To get tips on how to upcycle, such as projects involving kitchen d?cor, sometimes it is best just to look at what people have already made. Here are ten tips from upcycled items around the web, all having to do with kitchens.
1. Kitchen Utensil Chimes
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Jessy Troy |
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iphone stand,
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Upcycle-Inspired with Pinterest
On: Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Pinterest is one of the coolest social networks I am hanging out at. It is so addictive! I use it to source upcycling ideas for this blog as well!
A few days ago I came this beautiful article listing some of the coolest DIY projects found on Pinterest. How cool is that?!
Hipstagram Wall! I love it!
What are your thought?
A few days ago I came this beautiful article listing some of the coolest DIY projects found on Pinterest. How cool is that?!
Hipstagram Wall! I love it!
What are your thought?
4 Ways To Create A Kitchen Garden Using Upcycled Materials
On: Monday, May 20, 2013
Whether you live in an apartment and have no yard space or are just enchanted with the idea of growing a bit of food in your own kitchen or on your porch, creating a kitchen garden can be fun and rewarding. There are, of course, a host of kitchen garden pots, planters and other tools available for purchase, but why not create your kitchen garden using upcycled materials? What better way is there to be kind to the environment while enjoying home-grown food straight from your own kitchen?
What to Grow
A number of plants are suitable for a kitchen garden, but it is important to take into account root depth, sunlight requirements and more. Below are a few suggestions of plants worthy of consideration for your kitchen garden.
- Strawberries: Nothing quite beats the romance of picking plump, red berries off your own personal plants. Because they are shallow-rooted plants, they adapt well to container growing.
- Lettuce: Incredibly easy to grow, lettuce is a top candidate for kitchen gardens, especially if you choose a cut-and-come-again lettuce blend. There are some fantastic seed blends with a wide range of leaf textures and colors and tastes that vary from bland to spicy.
- Herbs: The best chefs use fresh herbs. Join their ranks by planting your own food seasonings such as chives, basil, rosemary, parsley and thyme.
- Tomatoes: Be cautious when selecting tomato plants. If you have limited space, you will want to look for patio container varieties. These will stay a bit more contained than some of the bigger garden varieties. You can also grow tomato plants specifically for indoor growing, as they don't require bees to pollinate them. Although the pollen naturally drops from one flower to another, some growers suggest gently shaking your tomato plant to encourage pollination.
- Radishes: Their compact size and bursts of color make it a no brainer – it must be included in the kitchen garden!
- Dwarf Carrots: While your average carrot is too long for many containers, the more compact, ball-type carrots work well.
These are some of the easiest to grow and most popular plants for a kitchen garden. Of course, you can grow many other things, but keep in mind that plants such as watermelon and squash need a lot of space! Once you have decided what to grow, it is time to get down to the business of finding containers in which to plant.
By
Jessy Troy |
In
eco-friendly,
fun,
gardening,
kitchen appliances,
plastic bottles
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10 Ways to Upcycle a Suitcase
On: Monday, April 15, 2013
Everyone should have a good piece of luggage, even if they only
travel occasionally. But what happens when you no longer need a
particular set? Maybe you got something new, or you went a little
suitcase crazy and picked up too many at a second hand shop. Or you
might just have worn it through and need to do something with the old
luggage.
Don't be so quick to throw it out. Instead, check out these awesome and creative upcycling ideas for old suitcases.
Don't be so quick to throw it out. Instead, check out these awesome and creative upcycling ideas for old suitcases.
1. Storage Ottoman
5 Awesome Book Purses
On: Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Reading is a treasured pass time and one of the greatest things you
can do. There is nothing quite as satisfying as sinking into a story and
losing yourself to the plot, characters and excitement.
Which is something that fewer and fewer people are enjoying these days, the lack of appreciation of books depressing. Even with the creation of ereaders, which give us greater access than ever.
Why not do your part to show books some love? Check out these awesome purses that upcycle your favorites.
While the series is now over and done with, Harry Potter will go down in history as one of the most popular fictional worlds of all time. Order of the Phoenix is a favorite of many, and this Etsy seller is offering purse with custom fittings, buckles, straps and decorations using the cover. I have seen many other Harry Potter books used, with every title available.
Which is something that fewer and fewer people are enjoying these days, the lack of appreciation of books depressing. Even with the creation of ereaders, which give us greater access than ever.
Why not do your part to show books some love? Check out these awesome purses that upcycle your favorites.
1. Harry Potter
While the series is now over and done with, Harry Potter will go down in history as one of the most popular fictional worlds of all time. Order of the Phoenix is a favorite of many, and this Etsy seller is offering purse with custom fittings, buckles, straps and decorations using the cover. I have seen many other Harry Potter books used, with every title available.
By
Jessy Troy |
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10 Cool DIY Projects Using Old Tires
On: Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The other day I was in my garage and I realized something: we have
way too many tires. Living where we do, we end up driving into the
mountains a great deal, or further south and into the dessert. Both
types of terrain can be rough on rubber, and we go through a full set of
tires once a year. For a long time we just threw the old ones out, but
now we have been patching and reusing them instead of purchasing new
ones.
Obviously, this is better than tossing them both environmentally and economically. But we still have more than we need, and I had no idea what to do with them. Sell them? Give them away? That is when my Pinterest instinct kicked in and I knew I had to see if I could find some good upcycling projects for them.
These are the ten coolest I found.
Obviously, this is better than tossing them both environmentally and economically. But we still have more than we need, and I had no idea what to do with them. Sell them? Give them away? That is when my Pinterest instinct kicked in and I knew I had to see if I could find some good upcycling projects for them.
These are the ten coolest I found.
1. Tire Swing
Turn an Old Crib into a Craft Shelf, Art Table, Wall Decor + 7 More DIY Ideas
On: Friday, January 4, 2013
There are a lot of cribs out there these days that act as a full sleep system. They go from a crib to a toddler bed, and sometimes even to a base for a full twin later on. But not all of them do this, or live long enough to make it into all three incarnations.
I know both of my kids brother their cribs long before they could become even a toddler bed. Which should tell you something about my children.
For those leftover pieces, you might not know what to do with them. If the crib is intact you can always try and sell it, or maybe offer it in freecycle. But most are leery about taking a used crib, especially with all the recalls to hit the baby industry in recent years. You may not have as much success as you hope for.
Instead, why not get creative? Pinterest, home of all things DIY, has a ton of awesome ideas for upcycling cribs. Stylish, interesting and functional additions to your home are just a project away.
You could do a lot with this idea, because it is entirely based around your personal tastes for decor and art. I like the concept of converting the grip springs into a canvas board, because it is light weight and yet would easily hold different items. You could probably come up with some other ways based on this principle.
I know both of my kids brother their cribs long before they could become even a toddler bed. Which should tell you something about my children.
For those leftover pieces, you might not know what to do with them. If the crib is intact you can always try and sell it, or maybe offer it in freecycle. But most are leery about taking a used crib, especially with all the recalls to hit the baby industry in recent years. You may not have as much success as you hope for.
Instead, why not get creative? Pinterest, home of all things DIY, has a ton of awesome ideas for upcycling cribs. Stylish, interesting and functional additions to your home are just a project away.
1. Wall Decor
You could do a lot with this idea, because it is entirely based around your personal tastes for decor and art. I like the concept of converting the grip springs into a canvas board, because it is light weight and yet would easily hold different items. You could probably come up with some other ways based on this principle.
By
Jessy Troy |
In
beds,
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furniture,
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5 Coolest DIY Christmas Gifts
On: Monday, December 17, 2012
We are now far enough into the Christmas holiday that we are all
burnt out from shopping, hungover from parties and sick to death of the
music, am I right? It may only be December 7, but it all starts so early
these days that I feel as though it is all almost over. Even with weeks
to go before the big day is really here. A point that I am constantly
reminded of every time I look at the list of presents I still have to
make.
I never do big gifts for most of my list. Friend, coworkers, neighbors, my kid's teachers and extended family members are usually on a separate list. One where the main point isn't to give them something so much as it is to show I am thinking of and appreciating them. This is best done (in my opinion) through things I made myself, rather than anything bought from the store.
But what to give? I try to break everyone up into two categories: edible and non-edible. People closer to me go with the former, as it takes more effort for me to make those. The latter are given edible gifts that I can make in bulk and wrap up nicely.
Our previously featured DIY hacks:
I never do big gifts for most of my list. Friend, coworkers, neighbors, my kid's teachers and extended family members are usually on a separate list. One where the main point isn't to give them something so much as it is to show I am thinking of and appreciating them. This is best done (in my opinion) through things I made myself, rather than anything bought from the store.
But what to give? I try to break everyone up into two categories: edible and non-edible. People closer to me go with the former, as it takes more effort for me to make those. The latter are given edible gifts that I can make in bulk and wrap up nicely.
Our previously featured DIY hacks:
- 3 eco-friendly DIY Christmas wreaths
- CD Christmas Tree
- LED Lights in a Bottle
- Ping-Pong Balls into Diffused Party Lights
- Light Bulb Christmas Tree
Christmas DIY Ideas: 5 Ways to Decorate Using Candles and Glass Jars
On: Tuesday, December 11, 2012
I have so many glass jars! Seriously, I have an entire cupboard full
of them, most of them from old food items like pasta sauce, salsa and
olives. I don't know what to do with them and I never have. While I
recycle, my local place doesn't take glassware and I would have to go
clear into another county to get rid of them. Which isn't exactly eco
friendly when you consider the driving involved to get three hours out
of town to the nearly recycling facility that takes glass.
As a result, I tend to take a fair number of them to reuse as water glasses. You know, the big ones you put on the bedside table to combat the effects of winter dryness, and all that. A couple of others have been filled and used as vases, though fresh flowers aren't much of an option now that winter has arrived. My kids have even each used one for their 'rewards jar', which they take a prize from at the end of each week as an allowance for doing their chores.
I have run out of ideas on what to do with these multiplying menaces. I learned how to make my own sauce and salsa in order to avoid acquiring anymore. But what to do with the few dozen still crammed into a cupboard in my kitchen...I could use the space!
This past weekend I sat down and started to really search out things to do with them. The holidays are just around the corner, so it seems like a good time to put them to use. I was relieved to find many struggle with this question, and some pretty cool ideas have come out of upcycling needs. As you would expect, a whole lot of these people had gathered on Pinterest. Man, I love that site.
Here are five of my favorites glass jar upcycling ideas for Christmas (psst: Don't forget to check out our previous glass jar DIY projects: DIY Glass Jar Lanterns and DIY Sun Jars).
As a result, I tend to take a fair number of them to reuse as water glasses. You know, the big ones you put on the bedside table to combat the effects of winter dryness, and all that. A couple of others have been filled and used as vases, though fresh flowers aren't much of an option now that winter has arrived. My kids have even each used one for their 'rewards jar', which they take a prize from at the end of each week as an allowance for doing their chores.
I have run out of ideas on what to do with these multiplying menaces. I learned how to make my own sauce and salsa in order to avoid acquiring anymore. But what to do with the few dozen still crammed into a cupboard in my kitchen...I could use the space!
This past weekend I sat down and started to really search out things to do with them. The holidays are just around the corner, so it seems like a good time to put them to use. I was relieved to find many struggle with this question, and some pretty cool ideas have come out of upcycling needs. As you would expect, a whole lot of these people had gathered on Pinterest. Man, I love that site.
Here are five of my favorites glass jar upcycling ideas for Christmas (psst: Don't forget to check out our previous glass jar DIY projects: DIY Glass Jar Lanterns and DIY Sun Jars).
1. Table Decorations
By
Jessy Troy |
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Why Haven't I Thought about That: DIY Photo and Postcard Organizer
On: Wednesday, November 28, 2012
You are most likely to have lots of photos, lots of memories. You like entering your home and being met by those memories. That's what make us feel at home!
However there's never a good way to organize them: Photo frames are boring (you can't often change photos in them) and they don't always fit. Besides, they cannot have too many photos inside...
But how about this idea: You can use this DIY shelf to store postcards and photos. You can re-arrange them as often as you want even daily always creating a new mood! How brilliant!
Plus with some paint and creativity you can make this shelf look cute!
However there's never a good way to organize them: Photo frames are boring (you can't often change photos in them) and they don't always fit. Besides, they cannot have too many photos inside...
But how about this idea: You can use this DIY shelf to store postcards and photos. You can re-arrange them as often as you want even daily always creating a new mood! How brilliant!
Plus with some paint and creativity you can make this shelf look cute!
By
Jessy Troy |
In
fun,
greeting cards,
holders,
holidays,
interior,
photo frame,
rack
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Calculator Keys into DIY Fridge Magnets
On: Friday, September 7, 2012
We all had those huge ugly calculators in the old days. Now we don't need them: we have laptops, tablets and smartphone calculator apps.
But what to do with those almost vintage devices we store in the garage. Here's one cool idea: create fun DIY fridge magnets to help your kid learn math.
Looks awesome!
Details via Thrive
Here are more ways to reuse keyboard and calculator keys:
But what to do with those almost vintage devices we store in the garage. Here's one cool idea: create fun DIY fridge magnets to help your kid learn math.
Looks awesome!
Details via Thrive
Here are more ways to reuse keyboard and calculator keys:
Plastic Basket into the Ribbons Organizer
On: Friday, August 31, 2012
Some little hacks require no work at all. It's just the brilliant idea.
Here's one most of DIY craft lovers will appreciate: yet another absolutely awesome idea to organize your DIY stuff at home.
Brilliant!
Via Sustainablog
Here's one most of DIY craft lovers will appreciate: yet another absolutely awesome idea to organize your DIY stuff at home.
Brilliant!
Via Sustainablog
Wine Bottle + NY Times = Stylish Vase
On: Monday, July 30, 2012
If you have been inspired by our previous DIY project and created a geeky dictionary lamp, you will find this vase simply awesome.
It looks awesome and will complement any geeky interior perfectly!
It looks awesome and will complement any geeky interior perfectly!
Via Etsy
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