Recycle, eh

Here's a great way to use up old belts from Brigg, a Norwegian site that I've just discovered. Although Brigg uses an H&M belt and Ikea clock, it would be easy to substitute any belt you may have on hand. besides the clock she has more interesting ways to recycle belts. I especially like her elegant but simple, doggy bed idea.

Take a wander through Brigg for lots more great ideas that can easily be made using recyclables.

Ciao for now!!

Easter is on its way and I've got a few ideas for you that don't cost much and include recycling what you've already got on hand. Most of the ideas are child friendly too but your little ones can always use some help and should always be supervised while crafting away. 

Yes, the eggshells are real ones. I have a friend who raises chickens and has a bakery as well and she saves me all her shells. The eggshell wreath takes a bit of time to make but you can substitute paper mache eggshells. Here are my instructions to make the wreath.

The egg tree is easier and takes no time at all to make. I picked up a fallen tree branch while out on a walk and painted it with leftover poster paint (but you can leave it unpainted, too). I anchored the branch in a glass bowl filled with Easter candy and then hung up some painted and unpainted eggshells.

Here are a few more of my Easter craft projects. 

Mothering Sunday is on March 18 and I have a few ideas that might make it easier for you to create something wonderful by recycling without skimping on charm and quality. 

How about a tongue-in-cheek coat rack made up of old high heels. Take a bit of work but your Mom won't quickly forget this nifty gift. 

For more thrifty Mother's Day gift ideas, go here.

Halloween!! 

It's dark, cold, rainy, and very windy today. A perfect day to stay home and create your Halloween decorations. Here are a few more ideas that you can try out by unleashing your inner mad scientist. You can also find some more ideas at my other blog. 

A little while ago I promised to post the tutorial for making my recycled magazine cake toppers (cupcake picks) - whatever you call them. No printers or photocopying required. I'm showing floral toppers/picks here but you can choose any illustration or picture you like. For example, my little friend, Sam, made a whole bunch with car pictures - you know where his heart is!! With Halloween coming you'll find lots of great illustrations and pictures you can use for any treats you'll be making (or, like me, buying!!). Enjoy!!

What you will need

• Magazines, junk mail, old calendars, etc
• Cereal or other food cardboard boxes 
• Wooden skewers, popsicle sticks or thin twigs (cleaned, or course)
• Glue stick 
• Clear sticky tape
• Scissors

How to do it

1. Cut out your pictures removing as much of the background as possible.

2. Glue picture to the printed side of the cardboard with the glue stick.

3. Smooth the picture out with your fingers and then cut it out as shown in the photo. 

4. Stick the wooden skewer to the back of the cut-out using the sticky tape.

I'll try to remember to put up the foldable vase tutorial tomorrow.

Doing pop-up paper party workshops can be a lot of fun. Without boasting (well, yeah, I am), my workshops tend to be a lot of fun because really they're magical! I get participants making wonderful stuff from nothing.

Two that I recently did (both in Quebec) showed participants how to save a bundle and time by making their own party decorations by the recycling of magazines and cardboard (two of my most favourite raw materials). And here are a few of the things we made: floral cake toppers (or cupcake picks)  to decorate cakes and cupcakes, foldable vases, rosette garlands, and paper hats. You'll never guess what the party hat tassels are made of!

We also made goodie bags and tags as well as bunting. All this from old magazines and cereal cardboard boxes. The cost? Only about $2.50 (for wood skewers and glue sticks for both workshops). Everything else was free.

 To recycle magazines into bags and tags as well as gift wrap, go here. I'll be putting tutorials for the other party decorations shortly so you can make them at home.