Infinity scarf

The weather has been pretty chilly lately, and I hate being cold around my neck, so I made a bunch of casual, cotton infinity scarves. Luckily my neighbor cleaned out his closet and I got some nice color variety. Scarves are a great way to add a little something extra to a plain outfit. And these simple loops go great with T-shirts and jeans.

Today's project is:

T-shirt Infinity Scarf

You will need:
a t-shirt, extra large is best
(You can find t-shirts at thrift shops, raid your neighbor's closet or buy them cheaply in a 3 pack at Walmart)
scissors

You will cut the bottom hem off the t-shirt. Then cut about 12"  - 14" up (approx.) This should be under the sleeves.

Then holding this round loop, put your foot down on the end, and pull and stretch the top upward. Be strong!
As you do this, the fabric will curl inward, so you don't need to hem this. The T-shirt fabric will not fray.

Now you have a naturally folded loop, double it up around your neck, and voila, instant fun accessory as well as keeping you cozy.

Use the rest of the shirt for rags. Cotton t-shirt fabric is nice and soft and absorbant.

tip of the day:
Buy some Altoid mints and save those great metal tins. They are good for so many things. Small sewing notions, travel jewelry case, store cards fit in them (how do we accumulate so many of those things?). If you need a small 'wallet', use one of these tins. Your credit card, coins and cash fit in nicely plus a couple of keys (without a big keychain). Stash in your pocket and off you go!

That's all for now...
:D

Mini Boxes

Well, Christmas was awesome for me this year!!!

And I'm glad for every moment and everyone. I hope your holiday was a special one, too.

I snuck in an extra post before this one, in case some of you clean up your holiday decorations right afterward. So I hope some of you have saved some Christmas cards, as I suggested then, because this project will be using them.

We will be making:  Mini Card Boxes 

You will need: 2 cards, tape or glue and scissors

First step is to take the front off the card. You can use the back of the card for the bottom of the box if you wish, or if it has too much writing on it, use another card front. The bottom of the box must be a little smaller than the cover, so cut 1/4" off one side and the top.

Working on the blank side of the card, you will take a straighedge (ruler, envelope, another card, whatever) and put it on the top left corner across to the bottom right corner and make a line in the middle. Do the same to the other corners to form an X. This will show you the exact middle of the card.

Then you will take the top edge, bring it to the X, and fold. Do the same with all four sides. See photo below.  Use a popsicle stick, or the handle of your scissors to flatten down the folds well.

Then make 4 cuts as shown (only on the fold lines).

Remember...if you mess up, don't worry, start again with another card, practice on a card 'back' first if you want to until you get the hang of it.

Then you will fold in the two sides, and fold up the end over these and glue or tape. Do the same with the other side. That's it!

I have used these little boxes for so many things. They are just so fun to make. Of course, the bigger paper you use, the bigger the box. You can even make gift boxes from card stock, old calendars, etc., any stiff paper will work. Remember to save any greeting cards you receive also for little gift boxes the rest of the year.

How about this year you make several of these, and put in your goals and predictions for next year, stow them away in your Christmas decorations, and bring them out in 2012, and have fun seeing how many came true.  Or put nice thoughts into them (like a fortune cookie), hang them on the tree (just add thread to the lid corner before you glue it shut) and when friends and family come over, they can pick one. Or use them for a 'treasure hunt' to find bigger gifts hidden around the house (put the recipients name on the bottom of the box). Lots of possibilities.

Tip of the day:

Are your winter sweaters looking a bit 'pilly', you know those little balls of yarn that stick out and make your knitted garments look shabby? Well, here's a couple of ideas to get rid of them, take an old razor and shave your sweater (old razor is better, not so sharp) or I saw this one on TV: use the 'sticky' part of velcro and pick up those pilly balls with it.  Or if your sweater is totally hopeless, and made of wool, you can felt it. Put it into your washing machine on HOT setting. Wash a few times, and it will shrink up tight. You can use this for lots of things, as it won't fray when you cut it. Perhaps another post on felted wool, or old sweaters next time! :) stay tuned!!

and a HEALTHY, HAPPY NEW YEAR to all !

That's all for this week...

:D

Boxed IN

I love making new things from old stuff...

I hope you've been saving those greeting cards, because here comes another idea for them. I like to use this one for lightweight gift giving. Not only for Christmas and birthday gifts, say for those pretty scarves, or a tie. Gift cards, and money fit into these nicely, too for other occasions.
And what about Halloween candy for those special kids who deserve more than a lollipop? Some cookies, and little trinkets would be a welcome treat, also.

Today's project is:

Greeting Card BOX

You will need:
~5 cards, approximately the same size (and same theme)
~ribbons, or string, or raffia
~ a hole punch
~tissue paper

The Dollar stores sell cheap greeting cards if you have not saved up any.

1. You will punch a hole in all four corners of the cards
2. The four cards you will be using for the sides should be the same size. If not cut them to the smallest card's dimensions.

3. The fifth card that you will use for the bottom needs to be a square, the width of the side cards, so cut this accordingly.
4. You will lay out the cards as shown, and tie the ribbons through the holes at the bottom corners of the sides to the box's square bottom. Don't pull the ribbons too tight or the cards will bunch up.

5. Bring up the sides, and tie the top corners as shown.

The box will have gaps in the edges, but that's okay. Because when you give the gift, you will put in a piece of tissue paper (in the case of the scarf or tie). And if you are giving little goodies, put them in a ziploc bag first, then in the tissue paper. That way nothing will spill out.

You now have a decorated box, and made it yourself using recycled materials. Aren't you wonderful? I think so!

Tip of the day:
If you roll up your kitchen towels, THEN put them in the drawer, you can fit a lot more in, than if you folded them in the traditional way.  The kitchen drawers are usually pretty shallow, and the smaller size of these towels work well. Fold them in half, then roll up. Try it. You'll be amazed how many you can squeeze in.
I also roll up the bath towels too. They fit in the closet nicely, and I have some in a large basket in the bathroom, next to the tub.

That's all for today!
Dee

Play your Cards right!

I love making new things from old stuff!

Greeting cards are one of my very favorite things to recycle. There are such beautiful designs, funny or cute or quirky, it's a shame to throw them away after the big day.

So start saving those Christmas cards and greeting cards that you receive. I will have loads of things to do with them.

This little gift box is perfect for gift cards, jewelry, cash, etc. Add a ribbon around it, some tissue paper inside, and you've got an already decorated box.

Today's project is:

Pillow gift box

you need:

~ a used greeting card (the larger, the better)

~ scissors

~ exacto knife

~double stick tape or Elmer's glue or Tacky glue

Step one is to make flaps on the 'open' edge of the card.

Keep it folded, crease a fold about 1/2" wide through both sides. Crease the fold with a popsicle stick, edge of scissors or your fingernail. Then open up the card and fold both flaps outward.

Next, you will cut the top and bottom of the card in an arc. Cut right off the edges, through the folded flaps.

Then open the card, design side facing up. You'll take the exacto knife, and gently score under the cut edges mirroring the arc. (not on the flaps)

See dotted lines in the picture below.

(These score lines aid in folding the top and bottom of the gift box closed.)

Now take the double sided tape and put on one of the flaps. Fold the flaps inward and close the card. Press up and down to seal securely.

OR glue one flap and close the box, and hold til dry. (You can use clothes pins or paper clips to keep it tightly together as it dries.)

Now you gently ease the curved tops and bottoms down to close the box. (See picture at the top of this blog) It puffs up a bit, therefore the name "pillow box".

It may seem a bit complicated at first, but if you do a bunch, you'll be cranking these out in no time. I always have some handy for special occasions (and to put my recycled aluminum can earrings in).

And remember, if you mess up, throw it away. It's not brain surgery, no one will die if you don't do it the right way. That's the beauty of recycling, you are giving something a second chance where most people wouldn't. So no guilt.

Keep trying and with every attempt you'll get better and better.

tip of the day:

I don't know about you, but I get WAY too many catalogs in the mail. Instead of throwing them away, here are a couple of ideas.

1. use them for a 'gluing station'. If you use a glue stick for your projects, go ahead and smear off the paper onto an open catalog page. If you have more to do, just turn the page and you'll have a fresh surface to get sticky.

2. If you have kids in the house, give them a 'treasure hunt' through the catalog.

ie. Give them a list to find, such as a 'blue' thing, a 'round' thing, a 'dog', etc. They can rip out the page when they find it until they collect all the treasures that you have selected. Then they get a treat.

I have loads more, but that's all for now.

Dee