I love to use up EVERY LITTLE BIT of crafty stuff from my testing- and that means using up extra die cuts, random rhinestones, and even the paper that I spray mist/paint on! Watch this video to see how I transform the “dirty paper” into fabulous background paper using Mod Podge Sparkle! Happy Holiday weekend and get crafting! I’ve got to get this box of cards out to OperationWriteHome.org ASAP!
Faux-Dichroic Glass Pendants (Recycle Craft)
Today I have a fun recycle craft for you- Faux Dichroic Glass Pendants. I love the look of fused glass but don’t have the time, tools or inclination! So I came up with this great way to reuse beach glass (or tumbled glass shards) and….wait for it….basket cellophane! Before I get to the tute, let me show you how they look worked up into finished jewelry. wp_ad_camp_4] It’s pretty simple. Here’s what you need: Disclosure: some of the links […]
Roadside Rescue: Cheval Mirror to Pin Board
I found a grody old cheval mirror on the tree lawn a few months back. (OK, maybe it was more like a year!) But I saved it from the trash man and tucked it away. I decided to make a new pinboard for basically FREE. Want to see how? Here’s what I started with: Since it had been out in the weather, I determined that the stand wasn’t really worth saving. And the wood backing was pretty shot too. […]
21 Ideas for Recycling and Upcycling Paper Scraps
Yesterday I showed you how I transform paper scraps into paper beads that mimic glass lampwork beads- and today, I bring you more projects to use up, transform and recycle paper, newsprint, sheet music, and more! I’ve got some amazing projects for you to check out!
Recycle Craft: Faux Lampwork Paper Beads
Ok- Time for a show of hands- who here is a paper hoarder?? Don’t worry- you are among friends. No judgment here. I find that not only that sometimes to I have a hard time cutting into my favorite sheets of paper, but sometimes when I do, I can’t even toss the little baby scraps. I just love them and want to own them all!! But I’d drown in scraps if I didn’t find some ways of using them up….and […]
Kid’s Craft Idea- Crepe Paper “Painting” Recycle Crafting
This is a craft that I’ve done with the kids, but I’ve also done by myself for fun. It’s also eco-friendly, because you can re-use tissue and crepe paper from parties, presents, and packaging. The idea is to use the wet the tissue paper onto watercolor paper and let it “bleed” to create a picture. Wanna learn how? All you need is: used tissue and crepe paper that is not water-resistant (this is very important) Larger sheet of watercolor paper […]
Guest Tutorial from I’m Topsy Turvy: Carving Eggs with a Dremel
A big hello to first-time “Guest Dummy” Ashlee from I’m Topsy Turvy. She’s got great tutorials for the crafters, and cakes to DIE for. I mean really spectacular! Anyway, I love what Ashlee did with these eggs- and you all know that I LOVE my pistol-grip Dremel. Can’t wait to try these out myself! I published this post a few years ago, but It’s so fabulous it deserved a command performance! Last year I found this picture and story about […]
How To: Craft English Christmas Crackers (American Version)
Last month hubby and I headed to London for a week. I love that city, and it was my first time being there around the holiday season. I was entranced by English Christmas Crackers (not the food, the party favors!) and even took a class at Handmade London on how to make them. Sadly, you cannot readily find the snaps that make them true “crackers” in the US. So I’ve swapped a few things out to make an American version to […]
Fall Serving Tray featuring Martha Stewart Crafts Glass Paints
Last week I shared my review of the Martha Stewart Crafts Glass Paints from Plaid and you got a sneaky peek of a work in progress. But today you get the whole tutorial of how I transformed a “blah” glass serving dish into a lovely fall focal point! Can you believe that I found a plain chip/dip glass serving platter at an outlet for under $7.00?? And with a little Martha Stewart Crafts Glass Paint and silk screens, I transformed […]
Handbag Upcycle Featuring Scrapbooking Attitude by Avatrex
Yesterday I shared my review and video overview of Scrapbooking Attitude by Avatrex- that whole “printable film” thing is wicked cool! And if you remember, what I was most excited about was not its uses for paper, but for cool substrates like leather, wood, and craft foam. As I was doing my swatch tests, I kind of fell in love with the idea of upcycling one of my older handbags- a boring little brown bag- into something hip and high-end using […]
How-To: Craft a Hanging Scissors Organizer from Recycled Neckties
Hooray! Today we have a guest post from a lady I totally admire for her recycled crafting mission! Thank you Becky for being our guest today on CTD & sharing a totally practical and CUTE craft using recycled neckties. Take it away… Hi there! My name is Becky Striepe, and I am a freelance writer and vegan crafter who’s life’s mission is to make green crafting and vegan food accessible to everyone! You can find my craft projects […]
How-To: Recycled Mint Tins with Washi Tape and Mod Podge
I love a good upcycling craft, I love little storage containers, and I also love Washi Tape. This, my friends, is therefore my “Trifecta” of crafting- a project that recycles mint tins- like the ones for Altoids- into happy little storage tins- great for earbud storage! Disclosure: links below are affiliate links and I’ll receive a small commission if you make a purchase. Thank you for supporting CTD. To make them, you’ll need: Recycled mint tin (I used […]
Recycle Crafting: Runway Re-View Challenge
If you’ve been to CraftTestDummies even a handful of times, you know that I love to craft with found/recycled objects. (Or make “outsider art”- we don’t get hung up on semantics here.) I was invited to participate in a challenge for the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo– a “Runway Re-View”! Here were the challenge guidelines: Dress form was provided. 80% of the materials must be recycled. No more than $20 could be spent on the “new” materials. ….and really, that […]
How-To: Make a Recycled Pincushion from a Thread Spool
I’ve you’ve visit CTD before, you know that I love recycling/”green” crafts. So when the lovely Lish sent me a bag of empty thread spools, my wheels got spinning. We’re not talking cool, vintage spools, either. We’re talking new, plastic spools. So it was an extra challenge to turn today’s trash into something worth keeping. I came up with this: Here’s a brief explanation on how I did it. First, I used an Elmer’s Painters marker to color the top […]
Allium Dried Flower “Fireworks” Patriotic Centerpiece
Need a quick patriotic centerpiece? I made one with dried flowers- alliums- in only 15 minutes! You can bring the look of fireworks to your Fourth of July party for pennies using SPRAY PAINT! A few years ago, we planted some globe allium at our new house. It’s a member of the garlic family- actually, it reminds me of giant chives. These blooms are HUGE- they are at least 5 inches in diameter. And when the bloom fades, they […]
How-To: Recycled Fabric Flowers
This post originally ran on CraftsUnleashed.com last year- but I thought y’all might like it here, as well! Get your fabric scraps ready and craft it up! I love to be able to recycle- it means I can stretch my money and save more for my craft shopping! Well, this handy-dandy flower is made from recycled silk or taffeta (I got mine from a relative who sews prom gowns) but you could just as easily rip up an old […]
Five Eco-Friendly Craft Products and Companies You’ll Love
Happy Earth Day! As a craft product reviewer, there are certain issues I care about deeply. One of those is “green” crafting- craft projects, products, and companies that focus on eco-friendly, sustainable, and/or recycled components that make our world a healthier place to craft! Today I’m going to share five products/companies that offer GREAT products that you will want to include in your crafting. Here they are, in no particular order. You can also click the links to read the […]
How-To: Luggage Accessories Using Recycled Neckties
It’s no secret- I love recycle/”green” crafts. There’s something about taking something that is headed for the garbage or donation bin and then transforming it into a new, useful or beautiful object. Today’s tutorial is both useful AND beautiful- we’re going to make luggage handle cozies and tags from old neckties- the wilder the print, the better! With these colorful accessories, you’ll never wonder, “Is that my luggage?” ever again! Let’s get to it! To make one set (a handle […]
Video Review: (Guitar) Pick Punch
Today’s review is a fun one for me- I’m reviewing the Pick Punch that my dear, sweet son bought me for Christmas last year. I geeked out when I saw it in a catalog because it’s a great way to reuse old bank cards, gift cards etc. And you all know that I love “green” crafts! For those of you who don’t know me in “real life,” I’ve played guitar since I was 14, and spent 15 years as a […]
Washi Tape Dispenser Ideas
By now, you know that I have an obsession with Washi Tapes and Paper Tapes. I’ve accumulated quite a few rolls….and now the question is “How do I store all this decorative tape!?” I’ve installed a paper towel dispenser right above my desk that is serving nicely. But of course, it will only hold so many rolls at a time. And I have OH SO MANY rolls!!! Well, a few months ago, I saw this post on Paperama on making […]
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