Flower Magnet ~ Using Recycled Canning Jar Lids

Items Needed:


~used canning jar lids
~small silk flowers
~glue gun and glue sticks
~empty cardboard box or other safe working surface
~E6000 glue (or other strong glue)
~magnets (we used round)
~scissors or wire cutters

1. Cut the tops of the silk flowers off the plastic stems using scissors or wire cutters.

2. Remove a set of leaves or cut leaves.

3. Glue leaves to the canning lid first, then add flowers in any fashion you desire.

4.  Allow to dry.


5. Glue a magnet to the backside and allow to dry.  

Note:  You can glue your magnets on either before or after you glue on the flowers.

Tip:  Decoupage dried flowers instead of using the silk flowers for the front side.

Tip:  Shop for inexpensive silk flowers in dollar stores, thrift stores, or clearance aisles.

Tip: Pick wild flowers in your back yard.  Press them between two pieces of blank paper, and pile a stack of books on top until they dry.  Using decoupage or white glue, attach them to the white side of the canning lids and allow to dry.

 

Link for More Canning Jar Lid Ideas (click to be directed)

Button Jar ~ Using a Recycled Peanut Butter Jar

Items Needed:

~ Washed and dried peanut butter jar with plastic lid

~ 19/64" drill bit and drill

~ scrap wood to drill over, or safe work bench

~ dry erase marker, optional

~ cording, recycled shoelace, or other thick string

~ buttons

~ optional: Strong glue (E6000) to glue down string ends inside of lid

1.  Using a dry erase marker, place a dot where you would like to drill your holes (to appear as thread holes on a button) on the underside of the plastic lid.

2. Drill your holes gently and not too forcefully.  If you press too hard or use a fast speed too quickly, you may crack your lid. Be sure to hold onto your lid with your other hand to hold it in place.  Use safety when working with hand tools.

3. Run cording or string into your lid holes and secure with a knot  (and glue if preferred).

4.  Fill your jar with buttons. 


These fun button jars make wonderful gifts for anyone who sews or uses buttons for crafts.  

They are perfect to add to a child's hope chest.

Wine Cork Herb and Plant Markers

Items Needed:

~wooden skewers

~wine corks

~permanent marker

Simply gently twist one pointed end of the skewer into one end of the recycled wine cork.  Write the name of the plant/herb on the cork with a permanent marker. 

Typically I use a recycled popsicle stick, but today I thought it would be fun to do something different.  

We've also made garden markers using food can lids and nailing holes to spell out the plant/vegetable.  

I think these give the garden a fun look too.

Simple, frugal and fun!

Wooden skewers can be found in the baking or grilling sections of stores.  I have also found them in dollar stores.  

Note:  Instead of skewers, recycle any wire, or other items you may have around your home/farm. 

A friend shared this idea with us.

Vintage Potato Masher Helper

Items Needed:
~Table saw or hand saw
~Scrap wood
~Wooden handled potato masher (as shown)
~Drill and 1/16th drill bit
~2 Wood Staples
~2 Mug hooks
~Hammer
~Pliers, two
~Safe work surface or scrap wood to put underneath

 (drill bit, wood staples, mug hooks)

We used an old piece of barn wood for this project.  I found the wooden handled potato masher at the thrift store for $.50.  You can also find these at flea markets, garage sales and yard sales.  Antique stores have them, but expect to spend $5.00 and up for them.

1. Cut a piece of wood to fit under the bottom of the potato masher. Remember to use work gloves and safety glasses.  Clean the wood with a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water if needed.  Allow the wood to dry.  This will be needed for old barn wood.

2.  Position the masher onto the cut wood.  Using the hammer, hammer down both wood staples where you desire, over the bottom of the potato masher. Do this on a work surface or another piece of wood.  If your wood is thinner than the staple, simple turn it over and hammer in the pointed ends.  You can also remove the tips using a hand grinder, but be sure to use safely glasses and use work gloves.

3. Using the 1/16th drill bit, drill a hole on opposite sides of the wooden handle.  For this one, we used two different heights.  Once the starter holes are finished, hand screw your mug screws into the handle.  Use pliers to help if it becomes difficult to twist your mug screw into the handle.


Note:  We used two pairs of pliers to bend one hook wider to accommodate the roll of tape.

That's it!  

We found this idea in a flea market magazine (I apologize, but I can't recall the full name of the magazine).  This was fun to make, and we are always in search for a pair of scissors in the house, or in the barns.

Mini Chalkboard Sign

Use an old metal tray to create new life from it.  Simply wash and dry the tray.

Purchase a can of Chalkboard spray paint and follow the directions on can for applying it.

 I used hooks for hangers, by applying a strong glue to the backside of the tray.  After it dried I tied on scrap twine.

 I used paint tape to cover the edges where I did not want the chalkboard paint.

Once your paint is dry, follow the directions for preparing it to use as a chalkboard.

This mini-chalkboard will be used for a door sign.  You could also use a small one for guests to write you a short note (when you are not home, out in the garden, or doing other outside work). 

 

Crocheted Towel Holder Ring .....with Vintage or Costume Jewelry

Recycle old jewelry for these towel rings (in place of a button).

Pins that have a clasp in the center of the back work the best, but most round 1 inch pins or slightly larger work well for these.

Glamp up a camper/tent or use these around the house.


I crocheted these fun towel holder rings using leftover yarns.  I cannot locate the pattern that I used, but here is a link to another version:  Basic Towel Ring

If I locate the pattern I used, I'll see if I can get permission to copy it or post a link.

You can easily recycle a ring from anything about 3 inches in diameter.  Otherwise you can purchase rings at most craft stores.

 A fun one for Christmas or Valentine's Day

Items Needed:
~3 inch metal ring (or recycle a ring), or use the above pattern
~yarn
~crochet hook (see pattern)
~scissors
~button or recycled pin (see photo)

Vintage pins and costume jewelry are fun ways to embellish towel holder rings. 

Note:  To attach pin simply slide your pin in from the front to back and then back in to the front and clasp it.

Drawer Organizer ~ Easter Basket ~ Gift Basket

If you buy produce that is sold in plastic containers, you may like this idea.  You can also use plastic containers from take-out and more.

Many recycling centers will take this type of plastic.  However, our recycling center does not.  I try to save them separate and drive them to another town, but  it's not always convenient.

Items Needed:
 ~ newspaper
 ~ scissors
 ~ plastic food containers (from strawberries, or other food)
 ~ 1 inch wide paint brush
 ~ decoupage medium
 ~ scrap tissue paper


1. Wash and dry a plastic food container.


2. Cut the lid from the bottom. Note:  You can trim the top of your bottom portion, to remove ridges if you prefer.  For this one we did not, and it worked out nicely.


3. Cut strips of newspaper.


4. Using Decoupage and a paint brush, layer the cut strips of paper and decoupage them to the container.  You will have to do one side and allow it to dry, then decoupage the other side.  Cover the inside and outside completely.

Next, add some color to your new storage container/Easter basket/gift basket.  You can leave it as is, or do the next step.

5. Cut strips of tissue paper.  Using decoupage and a paint brush, glue the strips to the inside of the container. Create several with different colors of tissue paper.

Use your new containers for organizing kitchen, bathroom, office, or other area room drawers and shelves.

Use them for Easter baskets.  Handles can be added easily.

Use them to give gifts in.