Ice-skates for mom and me

Mom and I went to the annual Women's Holiday Bazaar a few weeks ago, and she fell in love with a upcycled ice-skate a vendor had for sale. She didn't buy it, but kept talking about it for days. Then, the next Saturday, I happened upon a pair of skates at the local thrift store for $5.00! So, I made her one (pictured above) and me one (pictured below). I didn't do step by step pictures of these because they were so simple. All you need is some craft foam, desired fillers, and pretty ribbons. I do wish these skates had been dainty and white, but for $5.00 I'm happy with them. Mom loved hers too!

Harry Potter Owl Wear

I loved this idea at Recycled Fashion so much that I purchased my first ever sewing kit just to make some of my own!

I didn't have any ties around the house, so I went the thrift store and found tons of retro ties. Why would anyone discard these awesome patterns!? Oh well, they are put to good use now :)

Time: 30 minutes

Supplies:
1. Tie
2. buttons
3. felt
4. thread and needle
5. safety pin
6. scissors
7. old hair band

Steps:
1. Follow Owl directions found on the link above.
2. Cut the left-over tie fabric to fit an old hair-band.

3. Sew one end up.

4. Thread the tie through

5. Cut a tiny slit in the tie and place hand-band through

Then you are finished, and now you have an adorable owl broach and matching hair-band :)

Camp Fire Candle

I love candles, but have always just tossed the blackened jars out after their smell good is gone. This was until I came across my new spray paint love--stone facade spray paint! Now, I can make enough camp fire candles to warm all of my family's hearts. :)

Time: 30 minutes plus drying time

Supplies:
1. Burnt out candle
2. used matches
3. Battery powered tea light (2 for $1 at Dollar Store)
4. Stone facade spray paint (Lowes or Wal-Mart)
5. Craft paint
6. Sticker (optional)

Steps:

1. While wax is still hot from the candle's last go, carefully pace in used matches. Then, let set ( this will take a few hours)

2. Tape desired "fire place" glass and then spray paint the rest. Let dry overnight.

3. Paint on "mantle"

4. Drop tea light in upside down and decorate with stickers. You could also place tiny portraits of family members on the "mantel." That is what I'm going to do as soon as I use up another one!

Though I thought of this idea on my own, here are some other ideas for reusing your old candle jars.

Upcycled Thanksgiving Chalkboard Placemats

Upcycled Thanksgiving Chalkboard Placemats

This has been one of the best ideas I've had in a while if I do say so myself! Frankly, Thanksgiving is my least favorite holiday (divorced parents= 10 thousand different places to be with 10 thousand extra calories) , so I've made it a point this year to try to be more in the spirit by making some new Thanksgiving decor.  While at a thrift store yesterday, I came across some rather ugly, but very cheap (.25 cents) set of placemats.

Then, I remembered my chalkboard paint and knew that I could turn these into something festive. They turned out really well and would be so good for keeping small children (or ADHD friends) occupied at your Thanksgiving meal.

Time: 2 hours including drying time

Supplies: 
1. Ugly placemats (I think my mom had some of these at one point in time lol)
2. Spray paint
3. Craft paint
4. Chalkboard spray paint (at Lowes or Wal-Mart)
5. Tape
6. Leaves
7. Chalk
8. Kiltz Primer
9. Metallic Sharpie or Paint Marker

Steps:

1. Use Kiltz Primer to cover the mats

2. Tape desired half of mat and spray paint with the color of your choice

3. Spray the other half with Chalkboard spray paint and let dry (this may take two coats)

 4. When dry, peal way the tape and paint the stripe the desired color. Then, let dry.

5. Gather leaves and paint the back side (has more prominent veins) desired color.

6. Stamp onto mat and let dry

7. Write "I'm thankful for..." on each using metallic paint or sharpie

8. Cover in chalk then erase with towel (I'm not sure why, but seems to "set" the chalkboard)

9. Express what you are thankful for :)

Upcycled Window Screen

Window screen jewelry and hair-bow display

Back in the summer, I had my windows replaced, but I knew that I could use the screens for something creative, so I didn't let the installers hall them away. This one is for my little sister, and I plan to fill it up with some cute necklaces, earrings, and bows then give it to her for her birthday. 

Time: 1 hour (this includes drying time)

Supplies:

1. Recycled window screen

2. Cute ribbon

3. Spray Paint (any color) 

4. All purpose quick drying glue (the kind that will stick to metal)  

5. Double pointed staples ( I found these in the hardware department at Wal-Mart) 

Steps:

Spray paint the edges of the screen creating a matte effect 

Cut a long piece of ribbon and tie it to the hoops on the top of the screen

Insert one side of the staple in the screen's net 

Cut two pieces of ribbon long enough to reach down the middle of the screen and then glue the ends

Hang it up to dry, then *wala* you have a cute and cheap jewelry and hair bow display!

This is the one I made for myself