Saturday, March 19, 2011

Upcycled Vintage Wooden Crates

I just love vintage wooden crates and can rarely resist adding another to my collection. I have found a great way to display an utilize the crates by converting them into wall shelves.

Since my walls are wallpaper over paneling I was able to just use drywall screws to secure my crates. I used some small screw hooks so I could display my tea cups.

I really like the rustic look. One of my crates is unique and has compartments that are perfect for displaying my little finds.


So... next time you come across one of those old wooden crates snatch it up for future display. Stay tuned next week when I'll show you my vintage converted Pepsi crate.

Have a great week, and remember to:

Recycle, Reimagine, Repurpose, Reuse.

Until Next Time......
Nora

Friday, March 11, 2011

Upcycled Birdhouse

The weather is slowly getting warmer a sure sign that spring is on its way. A great time to upcycle a cute little birdhouse.

For my pallet I used a metal birdhouse I found at my local thrift store. My goal was to completely cover the house with bits and pieces of just about anything I could find. I used sequins, buttons, earrings, a watch face, beads, sea glass, broken dishes, glass globs and aquarium rocks.

I started by covering the house front. I used cheap school glue for the light weight items, for the heavy items I used Wellbond.


Once the front was completely covered I let it dry before moving on the sides, back and roof. I found it helped to prop the house up and keep it level when working. I really loved the way it turned out, my birdhouse with bits and pieces.


Have a great week, and remember to:

Recycle, Reimagine, Repurpose, Reuse.

Until Next Time......
Nora

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Western Blue Jean Baby Bib

This is a great way to recycle some of those old jeans. I always have a stash of out dated or outgrown blue jeans and just love to recycle with them. Since they are a nice weight I find they make wonderful baby bibs. Here is how I made the western style baby bibs. I started by cutting up one seam of the jean leg. I opened the leg and placed the center of my pattern over the center of the uncut leg seam. I pinned and cut out my baby bib. Next I placed my contrasting fabric (right side up) over the baby bib (right side up), matching the corner of the contrasting fabric to the center bottom of the bib. I pinned the contrasting fabric in place and cut along the edge of the blue jean fabric, using my baby bib as my guide or pattern for the contrasting fabric. Next I used a zig-zag stitch and machine stitched approximately ½ inch all around the bib edge. I used the same stitch and tacked down the contrasting fabric along the front bottom using the same ½ inches allowance.


I sewed on Velcro for my closure and added a cute star applique from contrasting fabric. Lastly, I snipped the entire bib edge close to the zig-zag stitching, I also snipped the bottom edge of the contrasting fabric. I washed and dried the bib which gave me the fraying effect.

These bibs are just so cute and wash up so nice making them very functional. The contrasting fabric could be changed to pastel colors making it very cute for little girls as well.

Have a great week, and remember to:

Recycle, Reimagine, Repurpose, Reuse.

Until Next Time......
Nora