Monday, November 29, 2010

Use Up Leftover Yarn Scraps ~ Make Handmade Christmas Gifts ~ 16 Ideas

16 Ways to Use Up Leftover Yarn (and other threads) This Christmas

1. Make and give an  iPod/MP3 Cozy
Crochet or Knit (Several Free Patterns on the Internet)
I crocheted this one in rounds, added the top tab and loop, and sewed on the button.

2. Make and Give Chapstick holders

3. Make and Give a Drum Stick Pouch

4. Make and Give Cup Coasters

5. Make and Give Napkin Rings

6. Make and Give Bookmarks 


7. Make and Give Dish Towel Toppers

8. Make and Give Baby Booties

9. Make and Give Toy Bunnies

10. Use leftover yarn to tie around gifts instead of buying ribbon.

11. Use leftover yarn to tie ornaments onto trees

12. Give yarn to the birds for nest making

13. Use to tie bows in young girl's hair

14. Make and Give Crocheted Jewelry
Circle Bracelet

15. Make and Give Barefoot Sandals

16. Make and Give Hair Scruchies

I will be back to add more - visit often!

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Reusing Folgers Plastic Coffee Canister

When we ran out of organic coffee, my husband brought home a 29.2 oz. (1 lb.13.2 oz) large plastic container of Folgers coffee.  Metal coffee cans can be reused in so many ways, but I had to think about this plastic one.  Here are some ideas we came up with.  I also checked the Folgers Web site for some more creative ideas on how to reuse the canister.


  6 Ways to Reuse this Folgers Coffee Container (Plastic)

1. A Scoop
This coffee container has two indentions in the back of the container, making it easy
to grip from the side, for a scoop.  It's perfect for scooping large animal feed or for chicken feed. 

2.  Sandbox Toy
Give your empty container to the kids for a sandbox toy.

3.  Snow Fort
Save these to pack snow into, then stack the packed snow into a snow fort.

4. Water Scoop
You can scoop a large amount of water with this container.  Use it in the garden,
the pool, or to pour water over animals when they are bathed.

5. Gift Container
Reuse the container as "wrapping" for a gift.  For food gifts, be sure to wash and dry the
container, and place the homemade baked goods into a bag or paper before 
placing it in the container.  Decorate the container with recycled Christmas paper,
 old magazine pictures or photos.  Attach them with decoupage medium or white glue
and allow it to dry.  Adorn with a recycled bow or ribbon.
Folgers Design Your Own Canister

6. Laundry Detergent & Dish Detergent
Reuse your plastic coffee canisters to store homemade detergents.

Enjoy! Reuse and Recycle!
Visit back often!

Ways to Recycle Metal Coffee Cans

Before you buy storage containers or throw out your coffee cans and lids, consider other ways to reuse them. Also, if you cannot use the cans, take them to your local recycling center. Here are ideas to keep the landfills from filling up. Wash and dry your used coffee cans and lids.

1. With large coffee cans and rope, make a set of coffee can stilts for kids to play with.

2. Use large and small coffee cans to store makeup brushes, kitchen utensils, garage tools, gardening tools, or writing and office utensils.

3. Use a coffee can to collect raffle tickets or money. With a sharp knife or scissors (and parental assistance), cut a slot into the plastic lid to slide tickets or money into.

4. Make coffee can ice cream.

5.  Visit often for more ideas!

Friday, November 5, 2010

33 Ways to Reuse a Canning or Mason Jar

Canning, or also called Mason jars, are so versitle.  They can be used in many other ways, other than canning foods.

Here are 32 ways to use your extra, used, or leftover canning  or mason jars
(with or without lids)

Idea #1:  Food Storage
Once you open bagged food, store the remaining in a used canning jar.  This is a safe way to store food, keep it fresh longer, and keep bugs and mice out.  Store homemade dry mixes, herb mixes, and other foods.


2.  Collect bugs


3.  Gifts in a Jar that include recipes or simply dry hot chocolate mix.



4.  Button storage/Pin Cushion or Sewing Kit


5.  Craft Storage (see photo idea under Bathroom Storage)
You can simply store jars on a shelf, filled with craft supplies.
 Store any small craft supplies or use them to hold markers, paint brushes or pencils.


6.  Bathroom Storage (cotton balls, Q-tips)


7. Make a nice holder for matches.  
Glue a piece of sand paper to the top of the canning lid, glue or tie ribbon to decorate, and fill the jar with large stick matches. (See MaryJanes Farm Magazine, Dec-Jan 20011 issue, page 65)


8. Store dried herbs.


9.  Utensil holder for everyday or party use.



10. Store Honey.



11. Make candles in a jar



12. Use for Candle Holders or Chandeliers



13. Make a soap dispenser.



14. Make snow globes


15. Use them for drinking glasses.
Fill jars with lemonade, iced tea or other drink, attach a jar lid and take along for a picnic.  Use
for every day drinking.


16. Make an electrical lamp
(Link for this project is not longer available)

Directions for making a hanging lamp using a mason jar - http://dailyemerald.com/2012/08/27/diy-making-a-hanging-mason-jar-lamp/

For a counter top lamp with lamp shade, visit this site for directions: http://www.colormeglamorous.com/2011/11/diy-mason-jar-lamp.html



17. Make and Store Bath Salts


18. Make a Bird Feeder
Simply attach a 1 quart jar to this.


19.  Turn the above bird feeder into a candy dispenser.


20.  Make a Garden in a Jar or Terrarium


21.  Make Gel Air Freshners

22. Use for a flower vase


23. Camping
Store butter inside a canning jar and place in cooler with ice.
The jar keeps the butter safely contained, easy to use, and helps it last longer.
Use it to pack coffee grounds, dish soap, dry laundry soap or any other
item that needs stored securely for camping.  Bring along canning jars filled
with a favorite beverage, scrambled eggs, or pancake mix.


24. Use as a Money Holder


25. Store collections.
Store small collections such as buttons, seashells, rocks, keys or other
small items.  Display the jars on shelves.


26. Water Container
Fill jars with water, add the lid, and take along for pets while traveling or walking.


27. Table Center Piece Holders
Fill with colored sand, dried flowers, fresh flowers,
fruit, lollipops, licorice, or other decorative items.

28.Chore Jar
Write several chores for kids on scraps of paper.
Place them inside the jar,and have each child
pick from jar to complete chores.

29.  Journal Prompt Jar
Write or type several journal prompts and cut to separate them individually.
Fold them up, and place them into a canning jar.
Simply pull one for writing motivation or idea.

30. Straw Holder
Fill a canning or mason jar with straws.
Coffee stir sticks can fit nicely into one, cover with a lid, and store in
a kitchen cupboard.

31. Freezer Container
Reuse canning jars to store fresh snipped, washed and dried (flash frozen or
simply air dry) green onions and chives

32. Store Leftover Coffee
Pour cooled, leftover coffee into a canning jar and place it in the fridge to make iced coffees for a treat later.

33. Use to Store Goat's Milk After Milking