Decorative Junk Wood Window FrameWe recently got a new dishwasher and in the bottom of the box was a wooden frame. I couldn't throw it out so I made a window box out of stuff I had on hand.
Flowers Made from Nespresso CupsI made these flowers from empty aluminum Nespresso cups.
Cookie Tin Shadow BoxFor the holidays we always purchase Danish cookies in the tin. The tins are sturdy and great for this project idea I had.
Recycled VHS Tape VaseI love my movies but it's just not practical to keep them. I have propped up beds, made shelves with them and today, it's a vase for faux flowers.
Refilling a PillowI wanted a smaller pillow that adjusted more to me. I cut my pillow into two pieces. Then I pulled out the stuffing. Once the filling was out, I cut and pulled apart the filling into little poufs about the size of my hand. I put these poufs back in the pillow.
Easy Headrest Pillow for Your ChairI buy afghans to "frog" (unravel) for the yarn. Most are good quality yarn, but sometimes I buy something that I find later, isn't worth the time. Tonight, in my $1.00 chair from Goodwill As Is, I made it worth the money.
Recycled Wreath BaseAs a crafter, I am always looking for ways to incorporate green crafting into my crafts, using recycled materials whenever I can. Recently I realized that one could turn old vinyl record jackets and an empty packaging box into a sturdy base for a wreath. A great money saver!
Cat Litter as Decorative SandI once had a cat, but it didn't work out for me. I was left with some cat litter. It was a pretty blue type. I had a punch bowl that was never used. I put the kitty litter in it and it looked like water. I added a few shells and it turned out to be the focal point in my all sea décor cottage.
Decorated Wine BottlesMy friend recently had a birthday party. She decided to have all her friends and family do a craft to celebrate. We decorated these beautiful painted wine bottles. Each one turned out different and we all had a great time.
Children's Art Frame OrnamentChildren like to make things, and I like to keep them and turn them into art which I can hang around the house. To that end, I keep the plastic packaging from other items I buy and use them for projects such as this.
Recycled PhotophoreSolid gel air fresheners usually have a quite nice floral or geometrical pattern under the plastic film you have to pull off. Once it has dried out, instead of throwing it away, open it, take off the dry gel, and put a LED votive candle inside.
Muffin Tin HendominiumThis is a hen's condominium. Notice that the empty space is for rent.
Repurposing Desk Drawers into Display ShelfI remembered seeing somewhere that someone took old drawers and repurposed them into knicknack shelves. Now I have a attractive display shelf for some of my Hot-Wheels die cast cars.
Make Home Decor Crafts from Bed SpringsPurchase old bed springs from a thrift store. Decorate to your desire and give as gifts or use as decor in your own home.
Light JarsWe get the large plastic jars of Cheese Balls. When they are empty, we put the jars to use. These white lights were recycled from last year's Christmas lights.
Retro Candy DishHere is a painted flower pot with metal tape handle. I used a drawer pull for the topper.
Make a Headboard from an Old DoorI had an old door so I padded and covered it made head broad for a king size bed.
Lampshade EndtableDon't throw away that old lampshade if it has a metal frame. Remove the fabric/covering. Then spray paint the base in whatever color you choose. Spread the top edges with a good binding adhesive and position a glass, wood, metal or other surface on it. Allow to dry for 24 hours before using.
Making Toothbrush T-shirt RugsI can't take credit for this. I Googled "toothbrush t-shirt rugs". I followed the tutorial and had nothing but fun with this project. A little hint, don't use t-shirts that have a large decal covering the front or back. This will not stretch into the "yarn" .
Upcycled Light Bulb TerrariumThis is a fun way to use a burnt out incandescent bulb that would otherwise be thrown out.
Pizza Pan OwlUse an old, round pizza pan for the owl body. Can lids, bottle caps, and buttons make the eyes. Wooden hearts are the beak and feet.
Used Door Knob Mini VaseI recently had to replace my front door knobs. Instead of tossing them, I use them for a mini vase. I have butterfly weed in it.
Sentimental Pillows from ClothesThe first outfits given to baby are so special! Turn that special outfit into a very sentimental and personal pillow that you can gift back to the original gifter on Mother's Day, Father's Day, for any occasion, or just because.
Painting Old WindowsI got this old window at a salvage store. $5.00. I used clear Elmer's glue mixed with a small amount of acrylic paint to create faux stained glass paint. I outlined my pattern with black paint that comes with a tip. Then I added embellishments and presto, trash to treasure.
Crafts Using Old WindowsReclaim an old window by adhering broken glass, old hardware or shells (use your imagination) using a strong bonding compound. This window can be put outside or in
"Vintage" Cake PlatterI had two china dinnerware plates stored in my cabinet; I wanted to display them or use them. I made matching cake platters. I used an inexpensive stemware piece, coarse sandpaper, quickset epoxy glue.
Turn an Old Headboard into a Coat RackTo turn an old decorative wooden headboard into a coat rack. Find the center of the board from side to side and top to bottom. This is the placement for your first knob. Use old dresser knobs and place as many as you choose on the header.
Trinket Bowl from a Vinyl RecordAnother thrifty present for Christmas is to take some old vinyl albums or records large or small and make them into trinket bowls. Place the vinyl on top of a smaller glass bowl and put in the oven for about 5 minutes till the vinyl starts to droop into the bowl.
Old Window Themed ArtOur master bathroom had no windows and I wanted something in there that made me feel as though it did and looked pretty to match my floral theme. I like to free hand paint so I bought an old wooden 2 pane glass window which I bought at our local salvage place that recycles, it cost $2.
Craft BirdhousesThis is a craft that my mother-in-law and I made. It uses empty seed packets. Pick 6 of your favorite images for the project. I prefer to use 2 of the same for the roof. We hot glued the packages to a block of Styrofoam. We used 2 packages for the roof.
Decorative Things To Make On A BudgetTake old glass bottles (i.e mayo bottles) and pour water resistant paint into them, put the lid back on and swivel the paint around in the bottle to cover the glass. Leave it to dry and you have colourful and cheap vases! Enamel works well.
Cork Wreath Out of Wine CorksMaking a cork wreath is fun and uses up all those wine corks you and your friends have. I used a large wreath with greenery on it, hot glued over 300 corks and wine labels (shaped into rolls) to it. Put them close together for a really great look.
Plastic Bag Hooked RugWe get plastic bags from all of our stores when we shop so I decided to put them to use. I found my hook rug canvas and cut my bags in 4 inch by 1 inch strips to make a plastic bag rug.
What to Do With Finished Jigsaw PuzzlesMy girls love to do jigsaw puzzles and hate to break them apart after doing them. What to do with all those puzzles?
Recycling An Out-Dated LampLamps are so expensive now, so reinventing an old lamp with a new look saves a lot of money.
Making a Full Length CD MirrorDo you have a bunch of those free CD's laying around? Turn them over, the backsides are mirror like, use double sided tape and attach them to the back of the bedroom door for a funky full length mirror. Your teenage daughter will love it.
