Upcycling DIY home decor, woodworking and Crafts
Did you know there are tons of ways to repurpose forks, knives and spoons? I had no idea until putting this list together, which consists of everything from jewelry to home decor and more. If you have a utensil repurpose that didn’t find its way onto the round-up, just leave a comment with the link.
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This is not what I had planned to share with you today, but when I saw this upcycled baby jar planter at Make Life Lovely, I just couldn’t help it! This is on my to do list for the summer. It is a super simple project. Head to the link above to get the step by step photo tutorial!
Want more jar upcycle ideas? Check out our 75 mason jar decor ideas:
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My Poppet has shared a great DIY harlequin bracelet tutorial, using Mod Podge and a few other supplies. No special skills needed, and you can have your very own handmade arm bling. If there is anything I love as much as bracelets, it may be harlequin! Head over for the how to.
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My friend Amy at Plucking Daisies and I are so excited to be attending SNAP! this year, that we have come up with a way for us all to have some fun and get to kn0w each other before the April event. If you are attending, this post is for you. Just sign up in the link list below to participate. Participate in what, you ask? A chance to get to know, create with and promote one another before the big event.
Each participant will be randomly paired with another SNAP attendee. Pairs will be announced March 1st, so make sure you sign up below by then.
When you find out who your partner is, shoot them an email and let them know what your favorite crafting supplies are, and what you look for when you go junkin’, and your mailing address.
Raid your stash for anything you may want to send your new buddy, and head to the thrift store with them in mind. Spend a max of $15 on junk, box it up with what you may have found in your stash, and mail to your partner no later than March 8th.
When you get your box of take pictures, create and share on your blog. You can do a tutorial or whatever you like, and make sure to mention and link to the blogger who sent you your box. Everyone will receive code for the linky to include at the end of their posts. That way we are promoting each other both by linking to our partner, and by a link list of everyone’s final posts!
Have your worn your favorite socks to the point of holes and you are just not ready to part with them? Why not turn them into fingerless gloves, with this simple DIY? You will have your own unique custom gloves for next to nothing, and you will have saved your holy socks from being tossed in a landfill!
Fabric scissors or rotary cutter and mat
old socks
sewing machine
chalk pencil
Cut off socks above ankles at length you want your gloves.
Turn Socks inside out.
Sew three “Vs” on raw edge for 4 fingers (see photo).
Cut between stitched V’s to create fingers.
Put on glove and mark where thumb is.
Cut 1/2 inch slit for thumb.
Wear!
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If you have never used Grungeboard, the best way I can describe it is chipboard that you can abuse, twist, sand and color for some amazing effects. I have used it in several jewelry projects as it is so flexible and durable, and can be cut with my sizzix dies. I searched out some fantastic projects using this eco friendly material from Tim Holtz.
Check out he describes it in this quick video…
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Today I am excited to share a simple scrap fabric project that leaves you with a gorgeous braided bracelet. If you can braid and glue, you can make this! I used leftover scraps and a white tea towel which I sprayed with Dylusions ink. The great thing about these bracelets is you can use any fabric and go crazy with colors to fit your style. T-shirts, old sheets, vintage hankies, lace, ribbons would work great. Make several for gifts. They work up quickly and easily!
Fabric scraps
Fabric scissors or rotary cutter and mat
End caps or wire and cones (see link in tutorial for what to do if you don’t have end caps)
Industrial strength glue (pictured in tutorial is Fabri-Tac, which did not hold, so I ended up using E6000 which holds about anything to anything but is stinky)
Jewelry findings: Jump rings and toggle clasps
Sewing thread
Cut fabric into strips about 10 inches long and 1-3 inches wide (depending on how thick your fabric is and how chunky you want your bracelet).
Using three strips per bracelet :Gather the strips and tie knot at one end with 15 inches of thread, leaving an inch tail of the fabric strands.
Wrap thread around several times at the top of the braid and double knot, then trim excess thread. (For a detailed photo tutorial of this part, see my kumihimo tutorial)
Braid the three strands until bracelet is about one inch shorter than you want the finished piece to be.
Wrap thread around 10-15 times like you did at the top, then knot and trim excess thread.
Put a dab of glue on the thread for added security and cut off each end of fabric braid right up to the thread. (NOTE: if you want to use wire and cone beads instead of end caps, see the kumihimo tutorial I mentioned previously).
Put glue in end caps and insert each end of braided strand into an end cap.
Attach toggle clasp with jump rings. You can add charms if you like.
I am loving these tiny Instagram photo blocks, shared at Intimate Weddings. The project is similar to scrabble tile pendants that have been so popular over the last several years. They are super easy to make, and could be used to create custom photo pendants and embellishments for cards, decor and art!
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If you are looking for a great recycled material to create art, jewelry and home decor with, look no further. Aluminum cans can be transformed in ways that you would have never guessed. I rounded up some that I have shared here at SBLC, as well as some favorites I have spotted. Be prepared to start hoarding cans. Enjoy!
I am knee deep in hand lettering classes as part of my 2013 resolution. My hand hurts from practicing, so I took a break from inspiration and thought I would share with you this fun digital art journal tutorial from Nancie Rowe Janitz. She has several tutorials that will teach you to make some amazing pieces by scanning in backgrounds, photos, doodles and whatever you can think of to incorporate into your digital art. Sometimes messy is fun, other times you just want to play in a way that doesn’t involve a ton of supplies and cleanup! If I am unsure of where to go with a mixed media piece, I often scan in my background to play with text and elements to figure out a layout that I then do by hand.
Here is a doodle I did with the lettering workshop Letter Lab with Lori Vliegen. It is a great class and I am looking forward to developing my own handwritten alphabet.
This was part of a journal page I learned from techniques in Lori’s class. It is water color on mixed media paper, Pitt pen and graphite pencil. I scanned it and applied the Topaz Affects Grunge filter in Photoshop.
Thanks for stopping by, and I hope you are inspired to create!
