Thrifty Thursday - 5 Upcycled Embroidery Hoop Projects

Following this weeks embroidery theme, here is a round-up of what to do with your embroidery hoops if you have a few extra or are wanting to upcycle them.  I'm a fan of the Ribbon Chandelier which is so colourful and bright and super easy to make, which we like around here. Feel free to share any favourites that you may have found in your travels,  share the link below in the comments.

Hoopla Storage by Rachel at Always a Project

Hoop Clocks by Lauren at Brit+Co.

Pendant Light by Jessica at Dear Emmeline

Ribbon Chandelier by A Kiss of Colour

Pin Cushion by Stacie at Yellow Spool

Happy Upcycling xx

Thrifty Thursday - Upcycled Boot Cuffs

With Winter well and truly here, it's got me thinking of Winter Warmers and ways to 'cuteify'  the Winter Wardrobe.   Even though it's a bit cold and dreary some days, it's still nice to bring a little colour or something cute to accessorise the Winter Wardrobe with. This week on  Tutes Cute Tuesday I shared a 30 Min Finger Knit tutorial - DIY Finger Knit Boot Cuffs.

If you aren't much of a Knitter and/or don't have the time then today on Thrifty Thursday I am sharing some different ways to use upcycled sweaters (or as we Kiwi's like to call them, jerseys) to make Boot Cuffs.  They are pretty easy to make, with little or no sewing and they are such a cute way to dress up a pair of boots and keep warm at the same time.  And let's face it, there's bound to be an old jersey (last seasons anyone?) just waiting to be upcycled into a pair of Boot Cuffs.  If you don't have one just casually lying around at home, head to the Op Shop and find one for a bargain.

Thrift Shop Fashion – Recycle Sweaters Into Boot Toppers

DIY Boot Socks

How to make Leg Warmers from on old Sweater

What Can You Do With a Goodwill Sweater?

How to make Boot Cuffs from a Ribbed Sweater

For more Upcycled Clothing ideas check out my Upcycled Clothing Pinterest Board

Happy Upcycling xx

Thrifty Thursday - 24 Upcycled Fabric Scrap Projects

Scraps, scraps, more scraps!  They are no doubt, abundant in every craft, sewing or creative space everywhere. Cast aside for a rainy day, they tend to pile up quite quickly and are most often admired for their cuteness but not for their usefulness.  Here are some cute scrap fabric projects to get you inspired to start using and upcycling some of those scraps (rainy day not required) to make them useful.

Fabric Stamps Tutorial
Fabric Scrap Gift Tags
Scrap Hearts Card
Bunting Card
Fabric Envelope Tutorial
Paper Clip Fabric Bookmarks
Bunting Gift Wrap Decoration

Pippa Cuff Tutorial

Scrap Fabric Bunting Necklace Tutorial
Happy Scrappy Headband Tutorial
Fabric Button Bobby Pin Tutorial
Recycled Scrap Necklace Tutorial

How to make a Dress Up Girl game
Matching Scraps Memory Game

Alphabet Set

Drawstring Bag Tutorial

Body Outline Fabric Collage

Fabric House Tutorial
Scrappy Bunting
Fabric Scrap Spool Bunting
Ticker Tape Canvas
Scrap Fabric Canvas Art
Scrappy Bunting Tea Towel

Vintage Sheet wrapped Frame Tutorial

For more scrappy ideas check out my Fun with Fabric Pinterest Board to get inspired.

Happy Sewing xx

Thrifty Thursday - 28 Upcycling ideas for plastic Easter eggs

I don’t know about you but the week after Easter I keep tripping over those plastic eggs I used for the Easter egg hunt.  And I’m sure there weren’t that many to begin with, it’s like they multiplied overnight!  

I decided to find some uses for those sneaky eggs and found so many fun ways to upcycle them.  I’m sure you will agree when you see how many fun ways there are that you will be saving those eggs and wishing they would multiply so you can use them for some of the ideas below.

Believe it or not, there are some great storage ideas using the plastic eggs, considering how small they are.  But when you see the different storage ideas you can see how handy they are for those little storage jobs.

1.      Creative Lunch box ideas

2.      Popsicle holder and popsicle recipe

3.      Snack containers

4.      Keep jewellery from getting tangled by placing one in an egg. Great for travel!

5.      Play dough storage – keep stored by colour

6.      Give those little bitty small parts of board games like puzzle pieces a new egg home. Keeps them from getting lost!

7.      Crafty storage, organising little beads snaps, buttons, or ribbon. colour.

8.      Toy treasures stored in an egg

9.      Keeping small parts of toys together using egg storage

For learning activities, plastic Easter eggs have many uses, from scoopers during sensory play to memory games and alphabet eggs.

10.  Rainbow Rice scoopers during sensory play

11.  Alphabet Eggs with items starting with that letter or matching up capital and lowercase letters

12.  Water Bead activity

13.  Memory Game

14.  Egg Transfer activity using a couple of tools like spoons and tongs for fine motor exercises

 It wouldn’t be upcycling fun without arts and crafts, and as you can see there are many crafts using the plastic eggs.  My favourite is The Lorax and the plastic Teacups (cuteness of course!)

11.  Plastic egg garland

12.  Egg Animals

13.   Make Maracas - Fill with beans, rice, or sand and glue or tape the egg shut. Or both!

14.  Teacups

15.  The Lorax

16.  Make egg shaped  bath bombs

17.  Caterpillars

18.  Bird feeder

19.  Dino dig

Of course being an egg shape there would be a use for them as an egg during role play games but who knew you could disguise them as a strawberry or a carrot?

20.  Cupcakes, a great addition to any tea party

21.  Play food for baby or teddy or dolly…..

22.  Mr Carrot

23.  These Strawberries are super easy to make

24.  Eggy Eggs complete with insides

Happy Eggcycling!

Thrifty Thursday - 7 ways to upcycle the humble book

The humble book is a great read but when it's all read and done, it collects dust.  And in my house that's a regularity.  I came across these super cute ideas to upcycle books and they are all going on my to-do-list!  While I might feel a little guilt when starting to cut through the pages I know it's better to upcycle them, then leave in a pile somewhere to catch dust, unless it's a much loved favourite like Pride & Prejudice or 50 Shades of Grey or whatever your favourite may be.

Planters

Invisible Bookshelf

Book Lamp

Book Clutch

Book Clutch

Jewellery Box

Birdhouse

Book Safe

Thrifty Thursday - Upcycled T shirt Scarves

It's a new year and with a new year brings resolutions and wishes.  One of them might be to update or clear out your wardrobe.  Don't be too hasty in throwing anything out, here are some ideas on how to upcycle those old t shirts into scarves.

I love scarves and have an extensive scarf collection, sometimes they jazz up an outfit and add a little colour (and warmth some days).  These scarves are made from old t-shirts and the good news is they require little or no sewing!   All scarves have an easy tutorial - just click on the links.

Twisted Braids Scarf

T-shirt Ruffle Scarf 

diy-multi-strand-scarf

Loopy scarf

Braided Scarf

Ruffled Ends Scarf

Fringe Scarf

I really love this one, available on Etsy, might have a go at making this one.  

Here are a couple of youtube tutorials for the rosettes if you are thinking of adding some to your scarves....

And with the leftover scraps, make a couple of bracelets like these cuties -

Upcycled Tshirt Bracelet Tutorial

Happy creating xx

Tutes Cute Tuesday - Bunting Lantern

The new year has inspired me to tidy up around here - change a few rooms around, plant some pot plants, and add  a little sparkle that's been missing around here.  Lily will be moving into a big girl's room soon and this bunting lantern would be perfect - it's cute, practical and it's bunting!

Check out the full tutorial here at Bonjour Quilts

Thrifty Thursday - last minute diy gift ideas and stocking stuffers

There are always a few last minute gift moments that leave you  running around like a crazy person scrabbling for an idea (or two).  Here are some thrifty gift ideas that are under $10 and most of them have a free printable to go with them - easy peasy!  I love the 'mistletoes' idea, I know a few lovely ladies whose feet could do with some pampering after a busy festive season.

For the kids (big & little).....

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For those who love a little baking with love.....

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For those whose feet need a little pampering.....

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For the tea drinker in your life.....

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Something a little cute for the stocking.....

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For those who love a little jam session.....

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Happy crafting x

Thrifty Thursday - Upcycled Suitcases

Last week, I did a post about Upcycled Furniture Ideas for kids, if you didnt see it you can find it here.
One of the ideas was a dollshouse made from a suitcase and it got me thinking about upcycling (again!) and suitcases.  Now I'm no stranger to an upcycled suitcase, having upcycled one for our wedding, as a cards case.  Super easy to make and handy too.  I still read the cards from time to time, brings back so many memories!

So it got me thinking, what else could you make from an old suitcase?  Well there's quite a lot of ideas but I thought I would show you some of the quirkiest ones (and the cutest of course)

For something around the house............

Bedside Table, Pet Bed, Breakfast Tray, Welcome Sign, Side Table

Some fun storage ideas...........

Dress Up Box, Craft Storage, Fabric covered cases, Dollshouse

I love the Dress Up Box idea......Lily is getting to that age where I could see us dressing up most days in something magical, one does look pretty good in a tiara you know.  The Portable Dollshouse is a treasure of an idea too. Below is a better close up, you can find the tutorial on how to make it over at Pretty Prudent. My brain really hurts with all these ideas... does anyone else have this problem??  What are some other ideas you have seen upcycling suitcases?

For more ideas and their sources head to my Pinterest board Upcycled Suitcases

Thrifty Thursday - 7 Upcycled Furniture ideas for Kids

I see cool play kitchens and dollhouses in stores and think how cool would that be for Lily?  And then think no too expensive, I don't have enough soul to sell to the devil to pay for that.  But then I travel the world of Pinterest and Craftgawker and see upcycled versions and then think hmmm trademe anyone?  And then before you know it there's a whole treasure trove of ideas and a few trade me auctions on the go to get the right bookshelf or cabinet to create something pretty special.  If you are looking for a Xmas gift idea for a little someone I think one of these would be just the thing to get that "oh wow! i'm so excited, I can hardly contain myself" squeal on Xmas morning (and that's just the parents! because let's face it, we all have a little kid in us somewhere.)

Bookcase Dollhouse

From this.....

To this!

You can find the tutorial here at the Land of Nod

Suitcase Dollhouse

From this.....

To this!

Check out the tutorial here at mypoppet

Play Kitchen

From this.....

To this!

You can find all the details here at vintagesongbird

Hardware Store

From this.....

to this!

Read all about how Harry's Hardware came about here at Kates Creative Space

Puppet Theatre

From this.....

to this!

How to make your own puppet theatre here at twice lovely

Lego table

 From this.....

to this!

Recreate this here at Meet the Dubiens

Workbench

From this.....

to this!

Check out all the details here at diy network

For more ideas and inspirations check out my Pinterest board - Upcycled Furniture