Old to New

I have been a little busy these past few months.  Painting, painting, and more painting.  If it's not one thing, it's something else.  

I love changing things up.  There's always a project in the works around here.  

I have wanted to find a plate rack to hang above my grandma's buffet for a while.  

Well, here is a cabinet we got at a garage sale for $5!  

A little paint and a visit from my parents.  My dad did his magic... lots of hard work and sweat (at least there wasn't any blood or tears) and and ta-dah!  Thanks Dad!

coffee sack totes

New things for my Etsy shop... totes.  I'm not really a purse kind of gal, but these totes are certainly handy.  Upcycled in every way - coffee sacks, recycled buttons, hand braided loops, and lined with remnant canvas in a bold damask print.  

 

booster seat - covered phonebook

Another upcycling - repurposing project.  How many phone books does one house need?!  We get these delivered to our house all the time.  Funny thing is, the recycling company does not accept phone books (unless I rip each page out, which I've been known to do).  So, I decided to make a new booster for B.  We will keep one in the car, too, for times when we're out and in need of a boost. It's the perfect size.    

What do you need?  

Non-skid fabric 

Remnant fabric

Velcro (optional, if you want to make it removable)  

Cut fabric to fit each size of the sides, leaving a seam allowance.  Sew together.  

Leave one end open to insert the book and add Velcro or slip stitch closed.   

Ta-da!  Booster seat, recycled phonebook... Lovely.  

Hang Tags - DIY

I love saving money.  I love trying to save the planet.  I needed a few hang tags for my Etsy shop.  Idea - how about recycling, reusing, upcycling, salvaging (whatever you want to call it, you get the point) - cereal boxes?!  

What you need: 

Scissors 

Paper punch

Cereal box 

Print on the backside, cut, punch, and ta-da!  Nice job - Just in time for Earth Day.

♻ reduce, reuse, recycle ♻

i finished a small assortment of the recycled items for my Etsy store.  i am happy with how each one turned out.  with the encouragement from e, i listed them today.  

with earth day approaching and the environment constantly tugging on my mind, i wanted to feature a few ♻reduce, reuse, recycle items♻ in my shop, what i use in my home.  i am interested in creating categories of housewares and accessories, not so baby or mom-related.  

i've made these baskets for our "stuff" - toys, blocks, magazine collections, etc.  we love them.  they are sturdy but soft and so versatile.  in the past, i had been buying so many baskets to keep us better organized - i liked this idea better.  

these upcycled baskets are made from a recycled coffee sack sourced from our local coffee house.  each is lined with reclaimed curtains, a soft and sturdy coffee dyed cotton with a thick linen weave.  each basket is made from recycled, repurposed materials... making them great upcycled products for the home.  

they hold such a variety of items - use your imagination.  we use these throughout our house.  the neutral colors are perfect to go with anyone's decor.