Currently viewing the tag: "Upcycling"
This is clever — is it too nerdy for a lunch box? Cute gift box too though. I’d use it…..
From LunchPunch:
Next time you empty a gallon milk jug, wash it out, draw the lines on like in this photo, fold it into a little box and add a piece of hook and loop closure (brand name is Velcro) and you’ve got yourself a clever lunchbox!
Or if you don’t want to put food in it, consider it for the upcoming holiday gift-giving season.
The other day my granddaughter was with us in the SoccerGrandma Van. She was about to drop some trash on the floor, when my wife said “don’t make this van look like a trash heap”. My 4-year-old granddaughter said “It already does, Gram!”.
Here is a clever and easy idea to help with that mess in your car or van if you have one too – use a cereal dispenser! You can even put a small piece of Velcro on the bottom to keep it in place. Details from BetterHomes&Garden:
I really like this idea: a drink holder built into a picnic table! Simple and easy – from Prep in the Midwest:
Picnic table with a drink chiller built in… replace one center board with metal gutter – this is kind of genius.
Great idea for using some extra mason jars! Inexpensive, simple and they look great! Details from NotJustAHousewife:
Mason Jar Wall Planter
I have been canning peaches so I had mason jars on the brain. I have seen several versions of this idea. I have seen them used on coat racks, for bathroom stuff and for craft supplies. So since I was needing another nature decor item for my hallway I thought, why not use them as planters???
I got the plants at Wal-Mart on clearance. They were a little more than a dollar a piece. I bought a small bag of potting soil too. The pipe clamp things came in a 2 pack for $2 and change. I already had the old board in my wood pile. So this project was less than $20.00.
I have always wanted to put a shelf or something on this wall but since it is the hallway and there is a lot of traffic, I was worried thing would get bumped and fall off.
I screwed the clamps to the board first. Then I screwed the board to the wall. And while I held the jar in place my hubby tightened the clap. Those babies aren’t going anywhere!
Now, I am notorious for killing house plants. I ADORE houseplants. I just can’t keep them alive for long. So pray for these little guys. I don’t want to have to slowly replace them with plastic ones 
Simple and clever – love it! From RealSimple:
Cupcake Liner as Drip Catcher
A clever way to repurpose an everyday item.
Before serving that Popsicle, slip the stick through a foil liner to catch drips and keep hands from getting sticky.
This is fun! I like upcycling and repurposing almost anything. Here ApartmentTherapy takes a wine crate and makes a planter:
How To: Create a Repurposed Wine Crate Planter
While the concept of creating a planter out of a crate is nothing new, it can be tough to find a comprehensive tutorial that addresses the waterproofing aspect. After a few failed attempts (Danish Oil did not work for me) this planter has stood the test of time and inclement weather. While you can grow whatever is seasonally appropriate and best suited to your conditions, I chose to grow mint in part because the root system doesn’t require a deep container to be stable (other plants have been easily uprooted by the wind on my deck), and because it will quickly spread to fill its container.
• To start I drilled holes in the crate, spaced about 1″ apart, to allow for drainage, with a standard drill bit.
• Once the holes were drilled, I waterproofed the crate by spraying it with an even coat of Thompson’s Waterseal $6, making sure to coat both the inside and outside. I allowed it to dry then repeated the process, after the final coat I left it to dry overnight.
• After the crate was dry I laid down one even layer of river rock to assist in drainage, proper drainage will help prevent root rot as well as keep your container from becoming waterlogged. I then filled the container to about 1.5″ from the top with potting soil.
• I chose to use Bonnie plants which come with biodegradable pots that make repotting easy and are environmentally friendly. You soak the plants and pots in water then plant them as usual without removing the pot.
Three months later my crate is still going strong! The clear coat allows for some natural graying of the wood, which gives it a nice patina, but the box is sturdy as ever and the mint is thriving.
Images: Kim Lucian
I really like this and it’s a great way to add color and light and re-enjoy that awesome bottle of wine you had with your friends last night! I would think it would make an excellent gift as well.
From WitAndWhistle:
DIY: Wine Bottle Light
This past spring Daniel and I went on a road trip from San Francisco to the Grand Canyon. Along the way we stopped at Chateau Julien for a wine tasting. I wanted to do something with the empty bottle instead of throwing it in the recycling bin. So here it is!
You’ll need:
an empty wine bottle
a drill
safety glasses and gloves (just in case the bottle breaks)
1/2″ glass drill bit
masking tape
short strand of Christmas lights (with a plug only on one end)
How to:
1. Rinse out your wine bottle and remove the labels (if desired).
2. Place a piece of masking tape on the bottle where you want to drill the hole for the cord. The tape keeps the drill bit from slipping.
3. Put on your gloves and goggles and start drilling. Don’t apply too much pressure or you could break the glass. The drilling takes a long time. I spent about 30 minutes drilling the hole. Be patient!
4. Once your hole is drilled rinse the glass shavings out of your bottle, and let the bottle dry.
5. Carefully feed the strand of Christmas lights into the hole you drilled.
6. TaaDaa!
