Silverware for Butter Dish HandleUpdate a simple glass butter dish by adding a bent piece of silverware. Glue to top using a good adhesive like E-6000.
Zippered Plastic Bottle ContainerTurn two pop bottles into a zippered container.
Thimble NecklaceAn old thimble becomes the flower pot and brightly-colored straight pins become the tiny flowers. This would be a great gift for someone who sews.
Upcycle Sneakers as Garden PlantersI couldn't bear to toss my favorite gardening sneaks. So I used them for planters instead. I nailed them to a fence post and planted some orphaned pole beans in them. Even if I get no beans from the plants, it will be an interesting look.
Paper Towel Tube Seedling PotsWhen it's time to transplant my seedlings into larger pots, I usually have a good supply of recycled plastic yogurt cups. But this year, I ran out of them. This turned out to be a good thing as it forced me to try something new. And probably even better.
Getting Last of the Chocolate SyrupThis might seem like a little thing, but I was tired of not being able to get the last of the chocolate syrup out of the squeeze container, frugalista that I am. You know that awful spitting that it does at the end and it splatters all over your clothes and the kitchen walls?
Paper Flowers From Old BooksA beautiful use for discarded books.
Sleepy Robin (Western NY)This fledgling robin is all tuckered out after hopping around my backyard. He perched on a fence rail and took a nap while I snapped away with my camera just inches from him.
Heirloom ShadowboxesHere's a way to get your family mementos out of old shoe boxes in the attic or jewelry boxes in your dresser drawers and into display boxes where they can be enjoyed every day.
Creative BirdbathsIf you enjoy watching a robin splash about in a birdbath and want to help our feathered friends to a cool drink during these hot summer and fall days, you don't have to spend a fortune on fancy, high-priced garden store models.
Quick Cheesy Egg On ToastThis is an easy alternative to the frying pan and requires only a tiny bit of butter, cooking spray, or diet margarine. Older children and teens can make this, or younger kids with adult help.
Homemade Fishing GameFor almost no cost, you can make a fun gift for young kids. I've seen this idea all over the internet and came up with my own version.
Grilled Provolone Instead Of Bacon In BLTCraving a BLT and no bacon in the fridge? Doctor says, "cut the bacon from you diet?" Gone vegetarian? Tummy can't handle the additives in bacon?
Old Door Knob VaseEven the tiniest flowers in the garden deserve their moment to shine. But how to display them? Most vases are way too large for these miniatures.
Button Flowers in Salt Shaker VaseUse your button collection to make these funky flowers. Add a vintage salt shaker to hold your bouquet.
Photo: My Back DoorI liked this photo of my back door and garden so much, I use it for greeting cards. Sentiment inside reads "From our door to yours".
Fresh Linen Drying On The LineLine-dried laundry!
Saving Plastic Food LinersDespite my husband's concerns that I'm becoming an episode of Hoarders, I like to save the waxed paper bags from cereals and other boxed foods. I use them when I microwave frozen veggies and other small dishes.
Animal Cracker CraftsWhy should the squirrels in your yard get all the stale animal crackers when you can wear them as jewelry instead?
Wool Sweater Tea CozyMake a tea cozy by using the neck opening of an old sweater. I simply eye-balled the amount of sweater I needed by laying the tea pot on the inside-out sweater and drawing a sewing line around it.
Summer Fresh Tomato Pie for OneThis is a very juicy pie. It's tomatoes after all, so be prepared for drippage! If you don't care for tomato skins like me, they pull right off with your fork.