Happy Earth Day! Don't forget to give Earth a break 9/8central. Shut off your electricity for 60seconds! Here's some recycle or upcycled Kreative ideas to "GO GREEN!"
all pics below- marthastewart.comPillow case bag!
piggy bank- from a bottle
Carpet Coasters
Replacing carpet creates an enormous amount of waste -- about 1.75 million tons a year in the United States. If you have to install new carpet, save leftover bits from both the old and new rugs to turn into fuzzy coasters to protect your furniture from errant drips. (They make great housewarming gifts, too.)
Cut out squares of carpet, trimming the fray.
If the coasters get stained, wash in the sink like dishes and let them air-dry. Cost: $0
T-Shirt Pillows -marthastewart.com
Perk up your couch or love seat with throw pillows fashioned out of vintage Ts. "If you don't sew --and I don't -- you can take the cut pieces to a dry cleaner or tailor and have them make the basic stitches for you," suggests Seo.
Cut two identical squares of fabric from old T-shirts (one from the front and one from the back).
Lay the squares on top of one another, exterior sides facing in. Sew the pieces together along three edges, leaving one edge unsewn.
Turn the newly created "pillowcase" inside out and stuff with pillow filling (available at fabric stores, or from an old pillow you don't use).
Sew the fourth edge of the square shut. Cost: about $3 (Kaye's suggestion for those who don't sew- hemming tape that can be ironed on instead of sewing....)
Recycled Paper Notebook
Don't toss paper that's only been printed on one side into the recycling bin. Bind the sheets together for a quick, handy notebook.
Cut the paper into uniformly sized rectangles.
Stack the pieces blank-side up and punch two to three holes along one edge.
Grab an old shoe box and cut two pieces of cardboard the same size as the paper.
Punch holes along one edge, keeping them aligned with the paper holes.
Sandwich paper between the covers and "bind" the book using key rings.
Cover the cardboard with old carpet samples or colorful contact paper. Cost: about $3
Toothbrush holder+chopsticks= ziplock bag dryer
Recycled candles! Got great smelling candles you just can't get rid of and just can't burn anymore? Put a coin in the bottom of a decorated terra cotta pot, pour warmed wax in, set a wick in the middle by wrapping a wick around a pencil and setting it on top of the pot so the wick dips into the melted wax, leave until candle is set. Cut wick and light!
Got some pretty colored empty wine bottles? Use them to water your plants! Don't buy the "As seen on TV" version, just use your own! Fill with water (after washed out) carefully put in soil upside down! Easy!
Martha's peeps have done it again! Sweater chair covers! Take that old favorite sweater, cut off the neck and arms. Unscrew your chairs original cushion from the bottom. Place the sweater on the cushion and staple gun the sweater to the cushion bottom. Replace the screws and voila! And you know that old sweater is washable!
A small purse-pocket made from those pants that don't fit anymore.
piggy bank- from a bottle
Carpet CoastersReplacing carpet creates an enormous amount of waste -- about 1.75 million tons a year in the United States. If you have to install new carpet, save leftover bits from both the old and new rugs to turn into fuzzy coasters to protect your furniture from errant drips. (They make great housewarming gifts, too.)
Cut out squares of carpet, trimming the fray.
If the coasters get stained, wash in the sink like dishes and let them air-dry. Cost: $0
T-Shirt Pillows -marthastewart.comPerk up your couch or love seat with throw pillows fashioned out of vintage Ts. "If you don't sew --and I don't -- you can take the cut pieces to a dry cleaner or tailor and have them make the basic stitches for you," suggests Seo.
Cut two identical squares of fabric from old T-shirts (one from the front and one from the back).
Lay the squares on top of one another, exterior sides facing in. Sew the pieces together along three edges, leaving one edge unsewn.
Turn the newly created "pillowcase" inside out and stuff with pillow filling (available at fabric stores, or from an old pillow you don't use).
Sew the fourth edge of the square shut. Cost: about $3 (Kaye's suggestion for those who don't sew- hemming tape that can be ironed on instead of sewing....)
Recycled Paper NotebookDon't toss paper that's only been printed on one side into the recycling bin. Bind the sheets together for a quick, handy notebook.
Cut the paper into uniformly sized rectangles.
Stack the pieces blank-side up and punch two to three holes along one edge.
Grab an old shoe box and cut two pieces of cardboard the same size as the paper.
Punch holes along one edge, keeping them aligned with the paper holes.
Sandwich paper between the covers and "bind" the book using key rings.
Cover the cardboard with old carpet samples or colorful contact paper. Cost: about $3
Toothbrush holder+chopsticks= ziplock bag dryer
Recycled candles! Got great smelling candles you just can't get rid of and just can't burn anymore? Put a coin in the bottom of a decorated terra cotta pot, pour warmed wax in, set a wick in the middle by wrapping a wick around a pencil and setting it on top of the pot so the wick dips into the melted wax, leave until candle is set. Cut wick and light!
Got some pretty colored empty wine bottles? Use them to water your plants! Don't buy the "As seen on TV" version, just use your own! Fill with water (after washed out) carefully put in soil upside down! Easy!
Martha's peeps have done it again! Sweater chair covers! Take that old favorite sweater, cut off the neck and arms. Unscrew your chairs original cushion from the bottom. Place the sweater on the cushion and staple gun the sweater to the cushion bottom. Replace the screws and voila! And you know that old sweater is washable! Sweater soft cushion covers!
I've shown this before... A purse made of placemats! (Not my favorite looking placemat but there are some others out there that are pretty enough to make a purse out of!)
I've shown this before... A purse made of placemats! (Not my favorite looking placemat but there are some others out there that are pretty enough to make a purse out of!)
Here's the old post of Trash to Treasure with another idea using your old macaroni and cheese boxes!
Upcycled CD-case as a dry erase board
Hand towel organizer
Fold down top of towel 1 1/2 inches; pin, then sew to create a channel for the dowel. Flip towel over; fold it onto itself so it overlaps about 5 inches; pin. Repeat to make a second pleat so bottom edge of towel is bottom edge of caddy; pin. Sew along both sides of towel, leaving channel at top open and reinforcing pockets' corners. Sew two more seams to divide towel's width into thirds. Pass dowel through channel, tie ribbon to both ends, and hang.
Hand towel organizer
Fold down top of towel 1 1/2 inches; pin, then sew to create a channel for the dowel. Flip towel over; fold it onto itself so it overlaps about 5 inches; pin. Repeat to make a second pleat so bottom edge of towel is bottom edge of caddy; pin. Sew along both sides of towel, leaving channel at top open and reinforcing pockets' corners. Sew two more seams to divide towel's width into thirds. Pass dowel through channel, tie ribbon to both ends, and hang.
Wow, what awesome tips. Thanks for sharing :) Theres so many I just love I cant name just one. The wine bottles for watering plants is great and the pillows and seat covers from your old sweaters/t-shirts is great!! Love them all :)
ReplyDeleteTooooooo many really cool tips!! I've done the 're-use' the candle wax with all kinds of containers, it's a real money saver! I really only buy un-scented or vanilla candles so I can put wax from lots of different candles in one container and sometimes it is sooooooooooo pretty when done in layers.
ReplyDeleteI really like the little bank and the little purse made out of a pants pocket. My daughter would love to have that:) And I think the kids and I may make the bank together. Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDelete