Tag : upcycling

21 posts

202006/17

Skirt upcycle remake

While cleaning out my closet the other day, I found a skirt I had picked up at Goodwill many years ago. I bought it as a potential interview skirt. I loved the fabric. I never used it for interviewing and I already have a job so over time it just got shoved further and further back in the closet.

Mini-me had shown me a tutorial on a skirt she wanted to make. She wants to learn to sew…makes my heart sing!

When she saw the skirt headed for the donate pile she asked if we could try to remake it. As it happened, it was pretty much the perfect design to easily remake into the skirt of her dreams.

It is so cute…she is so cute in it. I’m guessing this will end up as one of her senior portrait outfits.

Blog | Creativity

sewing, upcycling

4 Comments

halleday

202004/02

A second look: recycled t-shirt bags

Since we have entered April, which happens to be Earth Month…or at very least the month that we honor Earth day…I thought it fitting to “recycle” one of my upcycling posts for Second on the 2nd.

Take a look….

2/22/2013 Recycled T-shirt Bags

First of all, I have to admit that this is not my original idea. I’ve seen many versions of this on Pinterest.

But after going through the kids clothes and coming up with 2+ garbage bags full to pass along to a friend, it inspired me to keep a couple school shirts for this project.

This project couldn’t be an easier. I turned the shirt inside out then stitched the bottom closed. Next was the box pleat to create a flat bottom. Basically you sew perpendicular to the bottom seam at each corner. You end up with a triangle of fabric that is not usable bag space. Gosh, I think I’m making that more complicated than it really is!! Here’s a link that shows the process if I just confused you.

Anyway…then I turned the shirt back right side out and cut off the sleeves and made a scoop cut at the neckline. No pattern just start cutting. We all know what a plastic handle bag from the grocery or discount store looks like….that’s what you are going for in shape.

All in all, not too shabby for a few minutes work. It saved a couple of shirts from the rag pile since they’d likely never be worn again.

Little J claimed the lime green one as soon as she returned home. It was her shirt to begin with so now it will continue to serve her in a different capacity.

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Won’t you join me for

Blog | Creativity | Tutorials

recycling, renew-reuse-recycle, Second on the 2nd, sewing, tutorial, upcycling

7 Comments

halleday

201604/02

A second look: Upcycling Projects

Since it’s April and this month is Earth Month I thought I’d share a second look at a bit of upcycling from a few years ago.

Oct 6, 2013

Upcycling Projects

We all know how to recycle and I’m sure most do it daily. Newspapers, cardboard, glass and plastic are all readily recyclable in most cities, at least across the USA.

This is wonderful! But I’ve been really focused on upcycling lately. Finding a new use for something that would ordinarily be tossed out. Wine corks, bottle caps, worn out clothing, stained linens, broken plates…you get the idea.I showed a sneak peek of these a while ago. I made a wine cork tree last year but this time I decided to change things a bit. I used a Champagne cork cut in half for the trunk. I think they turned out really cute.

I’ve also been using some scraps from previous projects such as the denim remaining after completing a quilt or two. As well as the remainder of the dress shirts that I made wine bottle gift bags from.

In addition I’ve been making a bunch more cards. I’ll show more of these last two projects at a later date. The cards have much less upcycling in it’s truest sense but I am still attempting to include elements that might otherwise be considered unusable such as tiny scraps of fabric and yarn. As well as photo trimmings. I have a cigar box full of photo trimmings…they have such vibrant colors that it’s a shame to toss them out.

It doesn’t have to be Earth Day to be a little “green”. Do a little more every day to be kind to our planet. Last time I checked…it’s the only one we have. :)

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If you’d like to see more recycling and upcycling projects please use the tag cloud on my sidebar.

Art | Blog | Crafts

Christmas, fabric, greeting card, scraps, Second on the 2nd, sewing, upcycling, wine corks

6 Comments

halleday

201512/05

Book page wire wreath

A good friend of mine commissioned me to make a wreath as a Christmas gift.

I think it turned out quite nice.

Art | Blog | Crafts

Christmas, crafts, gift, Holidays, upcycling, wreath

2 Comments

halleday

201511/24

T Tuesday: upcycled can project edition

For several years I’ve had a boring tin can on the counter for a pencil holder. You’d think that I’d have made it a bit more visually appealing before now…but no….I’ve mostly just hid it behind other things.

As I was working on a completely different project I noticed a scrap of burlap from my wreath project appeared long enough to wraparound the can. I had to trim it a bit but was very pleased with the look. I added a torn fabric strip around the middle then used hot glue to attach some paper flowers. It looks nice enough to have out in front now.

I have a mini office space on top of the recycling cabinet in our kitchen. Keeps the essentials close for list making, homework, wine sipping… :)

I also have to show you the art journal page I finished up yesterday.

The orange flowers and words were cut using my Silhouette Portrait. They were started out as sage green cardstock.

I used spray mists to alter them more to fit my page. The bunny was cut from an envelope. He looks like a happy bunny to find such yummy flowers.

The page used more of the green fabric used on the burlap wrapped can.

I’m off running errands this morning but look forward to dropping by and visiting my T stands for Tuesday friends later on.

Art | Blog | Crafts

art journal, fabric, recycling, scraps, silhouette, upcycling

14 Comments

halleday

201503/02

A second look: Fridge facelift

Today for the 2nd edition of Second on the 2nd I’d like to share with you a transformation that makes me happy each and everyday.

Original post from January 21, 2012 slightly tweaked to include updates:

So we have this old 20+ yr old fridge that just keeps humming along mechanically but cosmetically it was getting really nasty looking.

I used to keep papers, magnets and comics on it to cover as much as possible.
It was rusting from underneath the finish on the doors. I’m guessing that it was a manufacturing issue since the rest of it isn’t rusting at all.

I sanded all the rust and painted over it with Rustoleum paint.
I decided on dictionary pages to cover the fridge. My thought was…it’s got to be better than the way it looked before.

And in my opinion, it totally is!! I still need to put a couple coats of sealer on top so I can wipe it down as needed. I picked up the Golden polymer medium I used as glue in the recycle center reuse room for FREE!! Just two cheap foam brushes were purchased for this facelift.

Yes, I know we’ll eventually have to replace this beast but until then it’s definitely a conversation piece in my kitchen!!

In addition, I covered our recycling cabinet in the same manner. All I have left is a pantry cupboard on the other side of the kitchen to give the same treatment.