Funky recycle shopping bag

Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that I am a keen recycler. I always carry reusable enviro bags with me when I go shopping — you know, those meshy fabric collapsable numbers — but as noble and useful as they are, there’s no denying they’re a little ho-hum in the style department.

So, I was delighted to find this funky-looking, retro-styled bag while I was at the shops on the weekend. Now I can be virtuous as well as hip!

It’s available for $1.98 from Big W stores.

Tags: reusable shopping bag

Make cool pincushions from fabric scraps

If you like to sew, you’ll know just how indispensable a good pincushion is.

So, why not kill two birds with one stone: get a yourself a cool and unique pincushion and use up your old material scraps at the same time?

You’ll find over 20 ideas for crafting pincushions here and you’ll be able to utilise even the smallest scraps of material in your stash.

I guess this can be a two-edged sword, though; while it will use up scraps you can’t bear to throw out, you could be tempted to feed your hoarder side by saving even more and smaller scraps, because you know you can do actually something with them later.

The pincushions pictured here will also be a great project for beginner patchworkers, because the buttons will hide a multitude of sins when your corners don’t quite meet!

If you have  friends who sew, these make great and inexpensive gifts, and they will appreciate that you took the time to make something for them yourself.

Use up all those craft scraps

A vase made from an old milk carton

Is it just me, or are all crafters hoarders?

Mind you I have no trouble doing regular clean-outs of my wardrobe, my linen press or the kitchen cupboards, but I’m loathe to part with even the smallest material or wool scrap — I just know they’ll comein handy one day and will be just what I’m looking for!

If you’ve got loads of bits and bobs like me that are piling up quicker than you can repurpose them, check out the Easy Projects with Caft Scraps feature.

The 27 projects on offer  include a funky Vase made from an old milk carton and paper scraps, ribbon-embellished notebooks, a cute baby mobile (this one is on my to-do list as I have a new grandchild on the way!), a cool messenger bag made from fabric scraps, a peg board stationary organiser and more.

Hopefully, some of these projects will make a dent in my craft stash, even just a wee bit!

Tags: craft scraps, Recycling

30 craft projects that recycle

A throw rug made from old jumpers

Still on the topic of recycling, the US Better Homes and Gardens site is currently featuring 30 great craft projects using items that you would otherwise throw out in the rubbish or things to make that will save on adding to the world’s landfill.

Projects include a snazzy tote bag that will replace those plastic bags when you go to the shops, a throw rug made from old jumpers, and several ways to make a style statement with old cans.

You’ll find all 30 projects here.

Tags: Better Homes and Gardens, crafts, Recycling

Make beads from junk mail and magazines

I must admit that I am a bit of a ‘greeny’ and I try to leave as small a carbon footprint as I can.

And one of the cool things about being a crafter is that you can often use lots of stuff that you would ordinarily throw out, thereby giving it a new life instead of assigning  it to landfill.

If you want to do your little bit for the planet, save some money and get a craft fix at the same time, you should consider working recycled materials into your crafting, and there’s a way to do it for just about any craft.

One way for beaders to get into recycling is to make their own paper beads. You’ll find lots of how-to videos on making your own beads from old magazines and junk mail on YouTube including the one below, and you can check out lots more here.

There are a variety of bead shapes you can make and the appearance of each bead will be determined by the type of paper and the print colours you choose, so your beads will be different to everyone else’s. You’re only really limited by your imagination.

I’ll post links to other ways you can repurpose no-longer-wanted items as I come across them.

Tags: Beading, paper beads, recycle, repurpose