It’s the Holiday season of gift giving and pocket book spending. We decided since we are heading into our next issue, our GREEN issue, we’d show you some upccycling DIY goodies that maybe can help make the gift giving less costly and the preparation more eco-friendly.
My favorite, Denim coasters!
Who doesn’t have a pair of old jeans or shorts that are laying about. I do, they’re the ones that I gear my holiday over-eating by. Maybe time to cut those up and give away as gifts instead!
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Old jeans, scissors, fabric glue
HOW IT’S DONE: Cut away the inside, outside, and bottom seams of the jeans and trim them so they are all around the same width. Place a dot of glue at one end of the same and roll, place a line of glue along the denim while working. Continue rolling and adding new lengths of seam until you have a four-inch-round coaster.
Tea Anyone?
I find these everywhere. Tea cups that have lost their matches or have been sadly discarded at various garage sales about the neighborhood. Pick up 5 for 25 cents each and you’re rocking and rolling some serious atmosphere into someone’s home.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Teacup, candle wax, candle wick, old metal bowl, saucepan, scissors (I use the leftover wax from other candles that won’t light anymore) plus plus!
HOW IT’S DONE: Combine the candle wax with water and melt over low heat. Position the candle wick in the center of the teacup and slowly ladle the melted wax into the cup, filling to the rim. Might want to keep this one for the grown ups in the family.
Let there be VINO
Speaking of grownups. Okay, so instead of dropping them into the bin, make something cool as a result of your holiday binge drinking.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Lampshade, bulb, old wine bottle, engraving device or drill, wiring.
HOW IT’S DONE: With a diamond tipped drill or engraving device, create a hole near the base of the bottle. Run the appropriate wiring through the hole and connect with the lamp and bulb fixture. (might want to be sober for this one)
PILLOWS REPUROSED FROM WORN TSHIRTS or 90’s FLANEL
I love this one. You can personalize your repurposed gifts. Remember that concert you went to with your Bestie? Why not share it with her or him as a gift.
WHAT YOU’LL NEED: Old t-shirts, rotary cutter, ruler, sewing machine, thread
HOW IT’S DONE: Cut the fabric to the desired size, allowing for 1/4-inch seams. Sew the sides together, leaving an opening to fill. Use filling to stuff your pillow, and then sew it closed. Push the filling to the bottom of the pillow and feed the unfinished edge through the sewing machine.
Find more of these awesome ideas at http://www.goodnet.org/articles/art-upcycling-7-diy-home-decor-ideas
