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Reclaim: Paper Bags

by on April 23, 2012 in Craft, Reclaim

The Reclaim series is all about turning discarded old things into beautiful new things. It’s about making treasure from trash, reducing our waste and saving a little money along the way. Each episode features an everyday object and a variety of inspiring ways that object can be reclaimed.

Today, we are talking about paper bags!

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Have you got any other clever ideas for recycling paper bags? If so, please share!

Katie x

PS You can find previous episodes of the reclaim series here.

PPS I can’t find the source for that first image so if anyone can help me out, I’d really appreciate it!

Comments { 11 }

DIY Lace Jars

by on April 5, 2012 in Craft, Daily Life, Handmade, Reclaim

Last weekend I prettied up some old glass jars with a little lace. This DIY is super quick and easy and you probably already have all of the things required! The finished jars look really lovely holding a bunch of flowers fresh out of the garden…

And they make cute candle holders too!

To make the lace wrapped jar, I simply cut a length of lace as long as the circumference of the jar. I then used Mod Podge and a paint brush to glue the lace to the bottom of the jar. Once it had dried I applied a second coat of Mod Podge.

To make the lace polka dot jar, I used the lid of an old juice bottle and a pencil to trace circles on the lace. I cut the lace circles out and used Mod Podge to glue them to the jar. Just like the lace wrapped jar, I applied a second coat of Mod Podge once the first coat had dried.

What do you think? Pretty cute, no?!

If this project takes your fancy, you might also like some of the other cute, crafty ways to recycle jars here.

I hope you are all having a happy, sunshiney, magical week. The Easter Bunny is nearly here!

Katie x

Comments { 25 }

Reclaim: Egg Cartons

by on April 1, 2012 in Craft, Reclaim

The Reclaim series is all about turning discarded old things into beautiful new things. It’s about making treasure from trash, reducing our waste and saving a little money along the way. Each episode features an everyday object and a variety of inspiring ways that object can be reclaimed.

This time, we’re playing with egg cartons!

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Have you got any other clever ideas for recycling egg cartons? If so, please share!

Katie x

PS You can find previous episodes of the reclaim series here.

Comments { 11 }

Reclaim: Plastic Bottles

by on March 9, 2012 in Craft, Reclaim

The Reclaim series is all about turning discarded old things into beautiful new things. It’s about making treasure from trash, reducing our waste and saving a little money along the way. Each episode features an everyday object and a variety of inspiring ways that object can be reclaimed.

This edition features plastic bottles!

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Have you got any other clever ideas for recycling plastic bottles? If so, please share!

Katie x

PS You can find previous episodes of the reclaim series here.

Comments { 19 }

A Pink Knit Scarf

by on March 6, 2012 in Craft, Knitting

It’s starting to feel ever so slightly autumny here. The air is changing and a new season is on its way. To celebrate the beginning of my favourite time of year, I decided it was finally time to turn the pretty yarn the cat has been sleeping on into a scarf. A very large scarf…

Unlike Reuben, who can crochet a cardigan without a pattern and create cute animals straight out of his head, I am not a natural when it comes to making things with yarn. In fact, I’m not even nearly a natural. I struggle a little bit.

I have dabbled with both knitting and crochet but have never gotten terribly far with either. I adore (and am quite good at!) granny squares, and I have had a go at crochet hexagons and things too, but I don’t like reading patterns which rules out anything very complicated. As far as knitting goes, I have started a few bits and pieces but I don’t think I’ve actually completed anything since I was about 11 years old and knitted a tiny scarf for our chihuahua. I think the main problem is my short attention span. As a general rule I like crafty things I can start and finish in a few hours. I get bored working on the same thing for a prelonged period of time and so I tend to ditch things unfinished and start something new. That obviously needs to change!

I actually really enjoy the process of knitting and crochet, I just have to teach myself not to get distracted half (or a quarter) way through. I need to focus on the loveliness of the making and stop looking so forward to the being finished part. I need to concerntrate on the project at hand and just stop daydreaming about the next one!

This winter will be the winter I get better at knitting. I am determined. I am a grown up and I can do this! Besides, I really need to get good at knitting so I can make these kitten mittens and this fawn poncho. (Seriously. Everything this girl makes is so cute I can hardly stand it!)

So this scarf is my first practice knitting project. I’m using gigantic needles so the scarf is knitting up quickly, which I like, and this lovely yarn varies in thickness, which is perfect for disguising my wobbly bits and horrible tension. Once i’m finished this one, I’ll practice some more by making dishcloths and maybe another scarf. I think I need to start with projects that don’t take too, too long, to gently ease me into the mindset of making slower things. And you can never have too many scarves and dishcloths, right?

Can you knit? Can you crochet? Anyone else out there awfully impatient like I am?

Katie x

Comments { 31 }

Valentines DIY: Love Birds Diorama

by on February 7, 2012 in Craft, How To

It’s almost Valentines Day! That means it’s time for candy hearts, holding hands, secret love letters and lovely dovey craft projects. Yes! To celebrate the snuggliest of all holidays, I made a little love birds diorama. This project would make a cute gift for a beloved, a sweet holiday decoration sitting on a pretty shelf, or a nice centre piece for a Valentines feast.

To make your own love birds diorama you’ll need…

Materials

  • Large Glass Jar (The mouth of the jar needs to be large enough for you to easily fit your hand in.)
  • 2 Feathered Birds (Vintage birds are available from Etsy and new birds are available from craft stores.)
  • Stick
  • Fabric Scraps (I chose red and blue scraps to match the colours of my birds. You’ll need a few tiny pieces for the miniature garland and one bigger piece to cover your jar lid.)
  • Embroidery Thread
  • Iron-on Adhesive
  • Faux Grass (This is used in scale modelling and is available from hobby shops.)
  • Rubber Band
  • Ribbon

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Needle
  • Hot Glue Gun
  • Fine Sandpaper
  • Small Plate
  • Pencil

Instructions

1. Find a nice stick and snap it so that it’s the right size to comfortably sit across the width of your jar. Give it a gentle rub with the sand paper to clean it up and smooth any rough edges.
2. Use your glue gun to stick your birds into position on the stick.
3. Follow the directions of your iron-on adhesive to fuse your tiny fabric scraps so that they are back to back. This will prevent your miniature garland from fraying and make the garland double sided, so your diorama will look cute from every angle.
4. Cut small triangles out of the fused fabrics.
5. Use your needle and embroidery thread to thread the triangles together. Just sew one long stitch along the top edge of each triangle.
6. Tie the ends of your miniature garland to the ends of the bird perch and trim away any excess thread.
7. Put a blob of glue on one end of the bird perch and as quickly as you can, stick it to the inside of your jar. You might like to practice the motion of manoeuvring your perch in and out of the jar without glue first, as this can be a little awkward. It also helps to make a mark on the jar where you intend to glue the perch, so you know where you are aiming.
8. Pour some faux grass onto the floor of your jar and screw the lid on.
9. Use your small plate and pencil to trace a circle on your larger piece of fabric and cut the fabric circle out.
10. Secure the fabric circle over the jar lid using the rubber band, then cover the rubber band with ribbon and tie ribbon in a pretty bow.

Wishing you all lots of Valentines treats and a little time with those you love most!

Katie x

Comments { 59 }
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