Currently viewing the tag: "CleverUses"

This is clever and a lot less expensive (and more flexible!) than purchasing an “organizer”. Good tip!

storage upgrade3 Store Pot Covers Inside Your Cabinet Doors with a Few Inexpensive Hooks

From Lifehacker:

Pot covers help your food warm faster and keep your stovetop splatter-free, but they’re also a huge pain to store. Lifehacker reader Hypargus uses a few inexpensive L-screws to create space-efficient storage inside a cupboard door.

The process is extremely simple: Trace your lid(s) on the inside of your cupboard door, screw your hooks in on both sides of the outline (about a quarter of the way up from the bottom), and you’re done. I’ll let Hypargus explain:

I wanted to find a space efficient way to store the fitted pot covers that go with my pots. I found a number of solutions on Amazon, but most of them involved some sort of a rack that you are supposed to either keep on a counter or which will occupy an entire shelf in the cupboard.

So I decided to do it myself. My solution: a couple of 2 cent L-screws strategically placed in the cupboard door next to my stove. Now I can store my pot lids in an orderly, space efficient way and have easy access to them (with one hand) while cooking.

You can find the square screw hooks at nearly any home supply store, or if you don’t feel like leaving the house, you can pick these up on Amazon:

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Wow – this is taking the recycling effort to a whole new level! I had posted this example earlier, but take a look now!

coffee 1 Custom Lighting Made from Paper Cups, Spoons and Coffee Filters

From ThisIsColossal:

coffee 2 Custom Lighting Made from Paper Cups, Spoons and Coffee Filters

spoons 1 Custom Lighting Made from Paper Cups, Spoons and Coffee Filters

filters 1 Custom Lighting Made from Paper Cups, Spoons and Coffee Filters

The folks over at CollaCubed spotted these great custom lights by Christian DuCharme installed at the Lafayette Espresso Bar and Market in New York. The first is the 300 Cups Lamp made from, yes, 300 paper coffee cups while the others are made from plastic spoons and coffee filters. A really striking use of materials. See more photos here.

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Clever idea! We use the swiffer a lot around t his house, and this might make it more reasonable to use!

We’ve all seen the tricks to refill your Swiffer Wetjet with your own cleaners, but here’s a cheap and easy way to make replacement pads.

I had heard of other people using towels, and figured I’d give it a try.  But the only towels I could find when I was out were $2-3 a pop, plus I had to buy velco.  AND I don’t have a sewing machine, so it would be a lot of annoying hand stitching.  So I found another great source for the pads…

SOCKS! 

Specifically, mens, calf height tube socks.  They were $6 for 6 pairs.. so 50 cents a pad!  These were Hanes – you could probably find them cheaper.  With some careful cutting of the socks, you can make a cheap, washable pads for your swiffer.

Step 1

Remove the scrubber pad (optional)

Remove the scrubber pad optional Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
  • FJS48DFG5KP7FSJ.SQUARE Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
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I removed the scrubber pad, leaving behind the velcro so that it would help hold on the sock.

Step 2

Make the first cut

Make the first cut Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
pixel Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
  • FZ9WHNNG5KPADAN.SQUARE Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
  • FJDY2OSG5LEJDDB.SQUARE Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
First, we want to lay the sock across the bottom of the swiffer.  Align the toe with one side, and lay the sock lengthwise along the swiffer.

Make a short cut in the middle of the swiffer, about 1/2 the size the swiffer.  Err on the short side.  You can always make it longer, but we want the sock to be snug! 

Step 3

Slide the sock on

Slide the sock on Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
  • F2MZM00G5KPADAO.SQUARE Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
  • FK2WCBWG5KP92K1.SQUARE Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
Slide the sock on by first placing one half of the swiffer in the toe, and then pulling the rest of the swiffer into the sock through the hole you cut.  Make sure the swiffer is tight against the toe.

Step 4

Tie a knot in the sock

Tie a knot in the sock Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
pixel Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
  • FD1N74AG5LEJDDE.SQUARE Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
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To close off the other end, tie a knot in the sock & cut off the remainder.  Try to keep the knot snug – the sock stays on mostly through the elasticity.

Step 5

Cut some eyes!

Cut some eyes Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
Almost done!  The only thing left is to cut some small holes for the sprayers.  Don’t even cut holes – just small slits.  They will open on their own.  

Step 6

Done!

Done Cheap, Washable Wetjet replacement pads, without sewing
You are all done!  The socks should be washable, though I am not sure how bad the cuts will fray.  I don’t have a sewing machine and didn’t feel like hand-stitching them over.  Suggestions?

If the socks are too thin, you could double them up to get a thicker pad. 

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Clever idea as the summer gets hot and the bugs get thirsty! From Lifehacker: 

original Keep Insects out of Sugary Drinks with Cupcake Liners

Having a few cocktails in your backyard is great, but if you’re not vigilant you may find a fly or wasp in your drink. It may look a little dorky, but placing a cupcake liner over your drink with a hole for a straw will help keep your beverage insect-free.

This tip comes from The Cupcake Blog who also has recipes for adult beverage cupcakes. Cupcake liners also come in handy to catch popsicle drips.

Cupcake Liner Summer Drink Covers | The Cupcake Blog

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I have posted about upcycling shipping pallets before, but I wanted to have one post with some of my favorite things you can do with these wonderful things! Take a look (click on the pictures to go to the specific instructions):

How to Turn a Pallet into a Garden

032511 Pallet Completed 430x300 Clever things to do with Pallets

Turn a Pallet into a Rainy Day Shoe Rack

pallet shoerack Clever things to do with Pallets

Pallet desk

pallet desk 3 800px 732973 Clever things to do with Pallets

Folding Pallet Chair

F5EXXB2H3NNEXRB.LARGE Clever things to do with Pallets

Entertainment Center (TV holder AND Theater Seating!)

recycled 600 sq feet office brazil 2.jpg.492x0 q85 crop smart Clever things to do with Pallets

recycled 600 sq feet office brazil 3.jpg.492x0 q85 crop smart Clever things to do with Pallets

Country Sofa

Home plan ideas sofa con palets Clever things to do with Pallets

Paracord Laced Pallet, Hanging Chair

FK6930MG7DYJTD7.LARGE Clever things to do with Pallets

Pallet Loungers

7red Clever things to do with Pallets

 

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Here are some great ideas for outdoor planters from Momtastic:

120420 planters Outdoor Planters

Outdoor Planters

Now that Spring is here, I have been trying to find ways to add more flowers to my outdoor spaces without going over my budget

I love planters over flowing with my favorite flowers and like to keep herbs growing in an easy to reach outdoor area so they are easy to clip when I need them for cooking.   Here are nine unique and easy to make planters and vases that will grace any outdoor space- all made by simply re-purposing ordinary items.

120420 planters2 Outdoor Planters
1. Create chevron planters with scrap wood and paint.  91204 
2. Paint juice cans in your favorite colors. Display a collection of them to create impact. Dos Family
3. Paint and pile old tires to create a large and colorful display of flowers. Inspire Bohemia

120420 planters3 Outdoor Planters
1. Fit concrete blocks together to fit your space. Fill the holes with soil to grow succulents or herbs. Remodelista
2. Strap canning jars to old wood to create a wall hanging planter to grow herbs.  Not Just A Housewife
3. Mount a pallet on a wall to fill with potting herbs. Life On The Balcony

120420 planters4 Outdoor Planters
1. You can pick up old chandeliers at thrift stores for a few dollars. Re-purpose one to use as a unique hanging planter. Modish
2. Use hooks and chain bought at the hardware store to hang a colander. Inspire Bohemia
3. Snip the tops off of light bulbs. Wrap wire around neck to hang from tree branches to create pretty hanging vases.  Pinterest

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This is clever and practical! Not sure about the fabric design for me, but the idea is cool! From Make It-Love It:
cell phone holder2 670x526 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

My husband and I both have cell phones.  And both of us have phone chargers.  And that means lots of obnoxious cords.  You never know when one of us may be moving phone cords around, to give our phones an extra charge while we’re chatting away……… or trying to charge our phones up before running errands or something. Needless to say, those phone cords seem to be everywhere…..and are generally in the way and hanging all over the floor.

(Okay, and how about when you’re in a hotel or visiting family/friends.  There’s never a perfect place to rest your phone while it’s charging.)

I was looking around on the internet for a solution and found this.  But I read some reviews and some were saying that the platform was unstable.  So I thought a holder that was more cup shape would work much better.  But then I wasn’t sure how I was going to sew some plastic into a cup shape.  And that’s when I decided to use what I have and cut an old baby lotion bottle into the shape I needed.

It made the perfect little holder for my cell phone while it’s being charged.

IMG 12621 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

And no more phone hanging down from the outlet while in this room or that room……..the cord and phone are  now up off the ground, and tucked away into the little holder, while the phone drinks up a full charge.

cell phone holder3 670x491 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

And of course I couldn’t just leave the poor little holder alone……I had to Mod Podge some fabric right onto it for some kick.  Hey, when my cell phone is happy, then I’m happy.

IMG 1349 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

If you look closely, you can see that the orange print is fabric.  There are edges of fabric along the bottom and then one line down the back where the fabric met up.  But hardly noticeable while in use.  (For a few more options……you could also spray paint it, then stencil it or use vinyl cut outs over the paint.  That would be cute too.)

seams 670x335 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

And my favorite part, is that I didn’t have to buy a thing.  The entire holder was made from things I had on hand.

And turns out, it’s pretty useful.  And not one bit of an eyesore.

Would you like to make your own Cell Phone Holder?

First of all, take a look around your house?  Do you have any old plastic bottles that are just about empty?  A lotion bottle, a mustard bottle, a hairspray or shampoo bottle?  Whatever you choose, find one that’s more flattened rather than a circular bottle.  The flattened shape will keep the bottle closer to the wall and out of the way once a cell phone is placed inside.

Now, measure your cell phone against the bottle, to be sure the bottle isn’t too big or too small.

I found that this bottle of baby lotion was the perfect size for my iphone.  So I washed this out with hot water and let it air dry.

IMG 1154 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Then I held my phone up to the bottle, starting at the bottom…..and decided how high I wanted the front of the holder to be.  Then I made a line with a pen across the front at that point.  Then I turned the bottle around and continued the line to the back but curved the back upwards.

lotion bottle 670x652 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

I cut the bottle out with some kitchen scissors but a box cutter (or exacto knife) would work too.  I just have more control with scissors…….so I used them for this part.  I cut along the line until I was left with my phone holder shape.

cutting 670x353 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Then, I drew a curved box shape on the upper back of the bottle.  Then I cut it out.  (What worked best for me was using a box cutter/exacto knife with a cutting board underneath.  This helped my control a ton.)  Then I used sand paper to smooth out all of the edges.

cutting hole 670x223 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Like I mentioned above……you could now try spray paining and adding vinyl or stenciling it to finish your look.  Do whatever is best for you.

But here’s how I added the fabric:

First, you want to sand the surface of the whole thing.  This will really help to rough it up so that the Mod Podge will stick really well in the next steps.  Also, I didn’t want that blue ink to show through from the other side, so I sanded most of the lettering off too.  Worked great.

IMG 1420 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Then, I cut a piece of fabric that was big enough to wrap around the phone holder and was also an inch or two taller on the top and bottom.

IMG 1425 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Then, I turned the phone holder with the front facing me, and applied a generous layer of Mod Podge to the front.

IMG 1429 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Next, place the fabric right on top, centering it where it needs to go.

IMG 1432 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Then, apply more Mod Podge around the side of the container and continue to lay the fabric down right against it, pulling tightly as you wrap.  Also, be sure to pull the fabric down around the curve of the bottom of your bottle, if needs be.  This will help keep the fabric flat and smooth.  Use plenty of Mod Podge to aide you in this process.

wrap bottle 670x353 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

When you get to the back, overlap one of the edges over the other.  Make sure the fabric is smooth all the way around the bottle……and then cut a straight line up the back of the container, trimming off the excess fabric.

wrapping fabric 670x335 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Then trim around the entire container, cutting off the fabric nice and close to the edge.  Now, apply a nice thick layer of Mod Podge over all of the fabric.  Be sure and seal around all of the edges of fabric with the Mod Podge, ensuring that the fabric won’t peel off.

mod podge 670x335 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Lastly, cut an oval shape (or whatever shape applies to you) to fit the bottom of the bottle.  Place a layer of Mod Podge on the bottom of the bottom, place the oval shape on the bottom, then apply another coat of the Mod Podge.  Now set it upside down on something tall and slender and that your container can fit on top of, so that it can dry without touching anything.  (That’s a single flower vase that I’m using.)

finish bottom 670x401 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Once it’s dry, use a box cutter/exacto knife to cut out the square-ish opening.  You’ll probably need to apply more Mod Podge around the opening and allow it to dry again.

IMG 1475 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

Now, don’t worry if your edges aren’t smooth and have little pieces of fabric sticking off.  Use your box cutter/exacto knife and run the blade right along the edge of the phone holder all the way around, to remove any stray threads or chunks of dried Mod Podge.

IMG 1487 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

And that’s it.  Your phone holder is ready for use.

IMG 1349 670x446 Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)

 

pixel Holder for Charging Cell Phone (made from lotion bottle)
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