Home Decorating Ideas

We are always searching to find inspiring ways you can reuse all sorts of items around your house to beautify your home and save you money. 

Here are a number of interesting and great ways you can.

 An old a wagon wheel or a stained glass window, turn it into a coffee table.

Book pages can be used as wallpaper.

An old suitcase and bed posts can be turned into an end table.

Reuse decorative plates in a wall collage and you can even add mirrors.

Reuse and design old chairs by turning them into feeding dishes for your pets.

Some people like things within hand reach.

Wooden drawers can be converted to create shelving.

Assorted pitchers are lovely and will hold cooking utensils.

A variety of different shaped flower vases are eye catching.

 Wine and liquor bottles can be reused for olive oils and dish washing liquid

Hmmm...Old lunch boxes are turned into storage containers.  How awesome is that? 

Turn an old door into a table, just attach a couple of posts for table legs and reuse an old file cabinet for extra storage.  

Re-purpose an old metal heater into shelving; it can hold your favorite magnets and messages.

These items can be found on the Nest Full of Eggs Blog.  Check it out for more creative ideas.

Here is the link:  http://nestfullofeggs.blogspot.com/2011/05/spring-11-ideas-house.html

This is only of few ways of taking treasured items and turning them into something new.

Go Green your home!

Get inspired.  The holidays are right around the corner.  

Save money and create something new for yourself, your home, or to as a gift.

Come again.
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Turn Soda Cans into Embossed Boxes

Hi. Celeste and I are always looking for special treasures people have turned into something awesome by reusing a discarded item. We think you will love these boxes. They can hold trinkets for yourself or make incredible and meaningful gifts.

The embossed boxes pictured here began life as an energy drink can. It's really easy to do and requires no special tools.  
 

You can reuse aluminum soda cans and turn them into attractive little gift boxes.

 





DIY blog Atomic Shrimp shares a series of guides on how to turn aluminum cans into different shaped boxes.

Check out this video link below and see how it's done.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7vXNLpVafM 

 

Embossed tin work is sometimes used to decorate rustic style photo or mirror frames, or just to make decorative items such as Christmas tree decorations. The metal used is usually thicker (tinplate) and is normally worked with hammered tools – by reusing aluminum cans requires less effort, but gets a similar effect.

Materials You Need

All that's needed for this project is a strong pair of scissors, a cork-backed table mat, a pointed object (a scribe or just a ballpoint pen), a little bit of tape, some fine abrasive sandpaper, and an empty aluminum drink can.
 

First, cut the can down one side and the carefully cut off the ends.

Extreme Care is required here. The edges of the thin metal are sharp and jagged.

Then open the side into a flat sheet and trim the jagged edges.

Tape the metal down flat onto the table mat, then use a piece of fine sandpaper to remove printing. It isn't necessary to remove the paint, but it does make forming a pattern easier later.

Then, use the scribe or an ordinary ballpoint pen to mark out a decorative pattern on the metal (pressing just hard enough to crease the material).

 

Again, great care is needed here to avoid cuts from sharp edges.

The box is decorated with a simple pattern consisting of geometric shapes, swirls, and spirals (you can use any shape). With a little skill it is possible to reproduce a picture in a beaten relief style.

Once the design has been pressed into the metal, it tends to prevent it from recoiling back into a cylinder.

The work can be removed from the cork board, then cut the the piece and shape with the scissors .... Then, fold in the corners to create a box shape.

Finished

The end result is a little metal box with an embossed pattern. You can also line the inside with a little scrap of tapestry-style fabric and holding it in place with all-purpose glue.
 

For other interesting ideas, check out http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/drink_can_tinwork_3. If you are interested in trying this project, you can go to the Atomic shrimp website and download free templates.  

Here is the link:

Hexagon http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/drink_can_tinwork_3

Star http://www.atomicshrimp.com/st/content/drink_can_tinwork_4/

Bring out your creative side......Go Green !

Ruby

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Make Your Own Illumination Garden Light

These funky lanterns are easy to make and won't break the bank. These are made from metal food cans. Celeste and I suggest protecting them from the elements by using spray paint. They will last for years!!! These lights can brighten up any area of your garden. Spray lots of lanterns all the same color for a simple look or go for lots of bright colors to create the party mood.

These lights are really easy to make.

1. Fill can with sand and water, then freeze.

2. Use a nail to and lightly tap evenly-spaced holes. Or you can slowly drill holes through the side of the can.

3. Make two holes opposite each other for the wire handle at the top of the can.

4. Let the ice melt and wash out the can, then let it dry.

5. Working outside, spray the cans with rust proof paint. Cool blue creates a calm mood.

6. When the cans are dry attach the handles. Make these from galvanized wire, bend around a can to create the shape. Push each end through the holes, bending to make them secure.

7. Make sure the rims of the cans are smooth before you decorate them.

Watch this great video to see how it's done!!!!

http://www.finegardening.com/videos/index.aspx?id=96716&c=5

Tip: You can trace your favorite design onto a sheet of paper. Attach with tape to keep it in place. Then tap the nail holes along the traced lines. Some holes may be close while others are spaced further apart.

Light up your life.

Go Green with Tin.

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Fantastic Frames!

It seems like everyone is looking for ways to cut down on energy costs. I have noticed a lot of folks are replacing their old wooden window frames with energy efficient windows. There are ways to reuse those old wooden window frames. Here are a couple of unique ideas that I found very interesting:

Coffee table top. The windows may no longer stop a draft, but if they are the right size you could add a few legs and you got a table. Who needs coasters for those hot drinks… you can put them directly on the glass!

And my favorite …
Greenhouse: Using bricks or other objects, raise windows off the ground and put plants that need a little extra protection from the elements underneath. This can be especially useful for some seedlings that you started inside and are ready for the outdoors but need more transition time before being transplanted to the garden.

Go Green your wooden window frames!

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Go Green your Blue Jeans

I have been working on my drawer space in my bedroom. One of my biggest problem is blue jeans. I get real attached to them and have a hard time getting rid of them. I mentioned my blue jean hoarding problem to Ruby and she suggested ways I could get them out of my drawers and keep them around a little longer.

I'll share some of Ruby's thoughts...

1. Blue Jean Pot Holders

• Cut a square piece of denim out of the pants leg leaving the seams intact 
• Fold over and press unfinished edges
• Use an old cotton towel for additional padding. Cut the towel a little smaller than denim
• Slip the towel into the folded edges
• Sew around the edges
• Add a pocket to the center for an added touch



Ruby also had another cool idea that she found on the internet….

Denim Organizer

The instructions are below and include a pattern

Project Instructions

1. Organizer fabric: Cut 2 pieces of fabric 22" x 25".
2. Pockets: Cut the pants leg sections apart at the outer seam, trimming away the seam. 1st Row: Trim 3 leg pieces 5" high by 10" wide. 2nd row: Trim 3 leg pieces
   9 1/2" high by 10" wide.
3. Decorate pockets as desired with decorative stitching, appliqué, machine or hand embroidery, or trims.
4. To form each pocket row, sew the three same size leg sections together.
5. Mark the pockets as shown for folding pleats (1). Fold solid line to dotted line. At seams, fold solid lines to seam line, do not overlap. Baste pleats in place at lower edge.
6. Attaching top row: Mark a line on organizer fabric 11 1/2" from top edge. Place pocket row on fabric, right sides together, with the lower raw edge of pockets against the line (2). Stitch, 1/2 inch from edge. Press seam allowance toward pocket. Bring pocket section right side up, press. Baste side seams. Stitch in the ditch using Jeans thread or all-purpose at seams in pocket row to form individual pockets (2).
7. Bottom row: Fold pleats and baste. Place pocket section on organizer fabric, right side facing you, aligning raw edges. Baste sides and bottom edge of pocket. Stitch in the ditch at seams in pocket row seams to form individual pockets.
8. Place backing fabric over organizer, right sides together. Stitch together, using a 1/2" seam allowance. Leave a 1" opening in the side seams at the top corners for inserting a dowel or curtain rod and a 6" opening in the lower edge for turning.
9. Trim corners diagonally. Grade lower edge to reduce bulk. Press the seams open before turning. Pay particular attention to places that are thick due to jeans seams. Turn to right side. Press. Hand sew opening in lower edge closed.
10. Insert dowel, attach a cord for hanging. For better stability use a curtain rod and brackets for hanging.

There are many more ways to re-use your old jeans. I can't wait to get started on my denim projects. Thanks to Ruby!

GO GREEN YOUR BLUE JEANS!!!!!  

Bottle Cap Fishing

Bottle caps are often a mixture of metal and plastic. They are recyclable but it’s a good idea to reuse the caps instead of recycling them to keep them out of the waste stream. This will prevent using energy along with reducing air, water, and land pollution.

A man by the name of Norm Price came up with a “redneck” fishing lure made from his used bottle caps. The idea came to him while he was bending caps with his fingers and talking with a friend. Price placed ball bearings inside the cap and hooks on the end. He claims he caught a fish on his first cast. Price is the founder of the Original Bottle Cap Lure Company that was started in 2001. His lures are sold throughout Canada and the United States.

Price’s invention is not only “eco friendly”, it is also helping anglers catch the “big one”. What a great way to reuse bottle tops!
To learn more about Norm Price or purchase a lure follow this link...

Norm Price turned a simple bottle cap into money while also protecting our environment.

GO GREEN!

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