Yogurt Tub and Denim Drawstring Bag

Posted on April 22, 2013 by CraftyStaci

When I was asked by Earth 911 if I had any good recycled crafts they could share for Earth Day, I didn’t think I’d have any problem digging one up. I was surprised to find most of my projects that fit the bill were seasonal, and not appropriate for spring. I really wanted something that was mostly repurposed, didn’t take a lot of materials and was a little unusual. I think this bag fits.

To make this, you’ll need a clean yogurt tub (about 24 oz size), a piece of denim (a leg cut off to make shorts will work) and two shoe laces.

Ok, so I know that’s technically not just yogurt, but have you tried this stuff? Yum.

Measure around the top edge of your tub. Add 1/2” to determine the width to cut your denim. Measure the height of the tub, multiply by 1 1/2 and add 3” to determine the height. Mine came out to 14 1/8 by 9”.

You can leave a decorative seam if your sewing machine can handle sewing over it doubled.

Fold the denim with the short sides together. Subtracting the 1/4” seam you’ll sew in the next step, find and mark the center on both sides. Unfold. Measure 2 1/4” down from the top edge at the mark. Draw a 1/4” line from 2 1/4 to 2 1/2”. Stitch a 1/4” buttonhole at the line and carefully cut it open.

Fold the denim right sides touching and short ends together. Stitch a 1/4” seam down the side. Press the seam open.

Stitch over the edge at the top and bottom with a zigzag stitch or serger to reduce fraying. Fold the upper edge toward the wrong side 1 1/2” and press. Stitch 1/2” from the edge and 1/2” from the fold.

Using scissors or a razor knife, cut the lip off the tub. Slip the fabric tube over the tub, wrong side of the fabric toward the tub and the top edge of the fabric and tub even with each other.

Using a long stitch and a large needle, stitch 1/4” from the edge through the plastic and denim. Add a pleat to the denim if you need to make it fit. If you have any doubt at all about whether your sewing machine can survive this, punch holes in the plastic with an awl and sew by hand.

Pull the denim up over the tub, turning right side out. Feed a shoelace into one of the buttonholes, all the way around through the casing, and back out through the same hole. Repeat on the opposite side with the other shoelace. Tie the laces together near the buttonhole and again at the ends. Pull both sides to draw closed.

I thought I was done at this point, but when I turned around the lid was laying there. I cut a small flower from it, which I stitched on with a button on top.

I keep imagining taking this to the beach with my sunglasses, bottle of water and sunscreen in it.

If this wasn’t Oregon. In April. Maybe a snack instead?

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Too-Short Shirt Refashion

Posted on March 18, 2013 by CraftyStaci

I had two long-sleeved t-shirts in my closet that I hated because they were both too short. I have a long torso, and like my shirts long besides, so it’s a constant problem for me. The thing is, I kept forgetting that I hated these shirts so I’d pull one of them out, put it on, remember the problem, and decide to just wear it anyway. I thought I’d grab them from the clean laundry and not stick them back in the closet. As you can imagine, I’d forget (again!) and hang them right back up.

I broke the cycle! I have hooks on the back of my sewing room door where the future project clothes hang, and I finally managed to move them there. Sometimes things live there for a long time, but I just kept looking at those two shirts thinking they might work if they were combined into one.

The first decision I had to make was which shirt to keep as the main color. I went with the green because it was in a little better condition than the blue.

I very lazily held the shirt up to myself and estimated how much longer I’d like it to be. I highly recommend actually trying it on for this step. Fortunately, I guessed too long which is much easier to fix than too short.

I cut off the amount of length I wanted to add to the green shirt from the blue shirt, plus one inch, which was 6 1/2” total. Since the sleeves weren’t too short, I just wanted to add a little of the blue, so I cut 2” from the bottom of each sleeve.

Since the fabric didn’t unravel when I cut it, I didn’t finish any of the edges. I marked 1” from the edge on the blue so I would know where to overlap the green to.

I overlapped and generously pinned all the way around the bottom and both sleeves.

I used a narrow zigzag stitch to sew them together so it would still stretch.

You might be thinking this looks a little weird. Well, it did. I tried it on and it was twice as long as it should be, so I folded the blue in half and stitched again.

I could have stopped there, but that blue t-shirt carcass was laying on my table just begging to not get thrown in the trash. Starting from the bottom of the shirt, I cut off four 1” strips. I then cut off the side seams, so I was left with eight strips.

I lined up a strip about 1/8” away from the top edge of the neckline and sewed a zigzag stitch down the middle, overlapping the strip back on top of itself about 1/2” as I went. When each strip ran out, I just started the next one where it left off.

I was a little concerned this was going to make the neck too heavy and it would hang too low, but I tried it on and it fit just like before.

You know I still have blue shirt pieces left, right? At this point, I cut everything up that I had left into equal width pieces…

…and sewed them together by overlapping them slightly and zigzagging.

I wrapped the remaining strip I had around one section, tied it and tucked the tail under the knot. Infinity scarf!

I have to admit, I was a little hesitant about mixing these two colors, but I’m happy with the result. Two shirts I couldn’t stand wearing turned into one I love with a bonus infinity scarf? Today was a win.

Leather Cell Phone Wristlet

Posted on February 6, 2013 by CraftyStaci

The Protect Your Tech Challenge is over, so now I can share my project with you. Every time I think I’m done using the leather I cut off to refashion this coat, I find something new to do with it. Believe it or not, I still have a little bit left, so I can’t guarantee you’ve seen the last of it.

When I was asked to create a holder for a cell phone or tablet using recycled materials, it was important to me that as many of the materials were reused from something else as possible. The only thing I ended up using that was brand new was the thread. Seriously, I draw the line at trying to reuse thread…just, no.

This is what I used:

leather – from refashioned coat
hook and loop – from a duffle bag
D ring – from a bag
clip-on wrist strap – from an old point and shoot camera bag
lining fabric – scraps left from my Pan Protector and Hot Pad project
webbing – from a belt

To create my pattern, I drew a rectangle that measured 3/4” larger than my phone on all sides. My phone is pretty thin (Samsung Galaxy SIII) so be sure to take the thickness of your phone into account when drawing your pattern. I used something with a rounded edge to round the two bottom corners. If I could remember what that was, I’d tell you, but it was probably a jar or something similar.

After you’ve drawn your pattern, cut two pieces from the leather (or whatever fabric you’re using) for the outside and two from the lining fabric. You’ll also need a 1 1/4 by 2” piece of leather for the side loop. Cut the 5/8 to 3/4” wide hook and loop 1 1/2” long. The webbing I used was 1 3/4” wide and had a finished end, so I cut it 3 3/4” long. If you’ll have to finish the end, cut it 1/2” longer, fold it under 1/4” twice and stitch.

Sew the loop piece of the hook and loop to the front leather piece, centered side to side and 2 1/4” from the top edge. Sew the hook piece to the webbing, 1/4” from the finished end.

Fold the 2” sides of the small piece of leather under 1/4” and stitch.

Slip into the D-ring and fold, wrong sides together.

Use binder clips to clip the two remaining pieces of leather right sides together. Slip the D-ring loop into one side with the ring inside, 1” from the top. Stitch 1/4” from the edge, leaving top open. Do the same with the lining, without the D-ring loop, and leave a 4” opening at the bottom.

Turn the lining right side out. Stuff it into the leather piece. Clip the top edges of both together. Slip the webbing between the layers , opposite the front hook and loop (the loop part) with the hook and loop on the webbing facing the lining. In the photo you’ll see my webbing sticking up above the edge, which is only because I started out with it too long. Yours should be even with the edge.

Stitch around, 1/4” from the edge.

Turn right side out through the opening in the bottom of the lining. Stitch the opening closed by hand or machine.

Push the lining to the inside. Roll the seam with your fingers until it is completely turned. Stitch around close to the upper edge.

For the flower embellishment, cut your favorite shape from the leather. I also cut a smaller starburst shape for the center to add a little more texture.

Stitch onto the webbing through the button.

Clip the wrist strap onto the D-ring and it’s finished. If you don’t have a wrist strap, some narrow webbing stitched together and a carabiner of some kind will do the trick.

My phone fits in the case perfectly without my phone cover, however I’d make it larger if you want your cover to stay on.

I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for my project in the challenge. I appreciate the support!

Fire Starter Hostess Gift

Posted on November 20, 2012 by CraftyStaci

I’m starting to feel that anxiety of a busy week coming up. I don’t mind the chaos. In fact, I sometimes like a little crazy. The part that makes me tense is the thought that I’ll forget something important. When there’s so much to do, something is bound to slip through the cracks (FYI – as I was typing this I wrote “crafts” instead of “cracks” – psychoanalyze that!).

One of the things I want to make sure to remember is a hostess gift for Thanksgiving. My husband is still away and my sister invited me and my kids to spend the holiday with her family. Hosting Thanksgiving is no small task, so I want to thank her properly. Before you think I’m giving away the surprise here, this isn’t the gift I decided on, but I love it and wanted to share it with you anyway.

Everywhere we have lived has had either a fireplace or a woodstove. I love being able to have a fire in the winter. What I do not enjoy is wading up balls of newspaper to start it. I decided instead to make something I could just grab out of a basket and throw in under some kindling.

To make the fire starters, I used cardboard rolls. Mine are toilet paper rolls, but you could also cut down a paper towel roll or the center from the wrapping paper. Speaking of gift wrap, you’ll need some of that too. You’ll also need some cotton string and something flammable to stuff inside, like shredded paper. I’ve even seen these made with dryer lint.

I used shredded paper for mine. I also wadded up pieces of the instructions that come wrapped around interfacing and stuffed that in the ends of the tube so the shred wouldn’t fall out while I was working with it.

Cut the gift wrap into pieces about 6” by 10”. Starting from the larger side, roll it around the stuffed tube. Secure with a small piece of tape.

Squish the ends just above the tube and tie with a 6” piece of string at each end.

To use, simply stick a couple under some small pieces of dry wood…

…and light the ends.

I normally use a butane lighter to start a fire, but I thought something prettier would make this a better gift. The Burlap Bag had shared a match jar project that was exactly what I was looking for. The only changes I made were to not cut a hole in the top and use the lid insert under the sandpaper. I actually had a partial box of strike anywhere matches that I’m pretty sure has been around our house through most of our marriage.

After I made the first batch of these using Christmas wrap, I happened to find some wood grain print paper at Target. Now they’re perfect!

Throw in a few dried pinecones and you have a gift that’s both functional and pretty – if your hostess can bring herself to actually burn it. The wood grain starters will probably still be sitting on my hearth in April.

Friday Favorites–Recycling and Repurposing

Posted on April 20, 2012 by CraftyStaci

I’m never quite sure what to say about Earth Day. It feels similar to what we all tell our children when they ask why there’s no Kids’ Day. Say it with me – every day is Kids’ Day. Isn’t every day Earth Day? Do you only recycle on April 22nd? Probably not, and I found a bunch of creative people who do it year-round too.

I just bought some shrinkable plastic sheets to play with. I wish I would have found these DIY Shrinky Dinks from Curbly first.

If someone comes up with some creative way this thing will water itself (I’m sure it’s out there) I’ll be all over this Vertical Vegetable Garden from Instructables user pippa5, because I’m pretty sure I have this shoe organizer somewhere.

I’m sure if you’ve even dipped your foot into Pinterest, you’ve experienced the frustration of trying to track down the original source of a pin. I saw this photo and loved it, but finding where it came from took a LONG time. Turns out, it’s an entry in a photo contest on Dave’s Garden. The photo, taken by Elfishone, is lovely and the idea is a brilliant way to reuse an old purse.

Who hasn’t found themselves with old, empty DVD cases and wondered how they could be repurposed? This DVD Coloring Case from Handmade by Stacy Vaughn is the perfect answer.

I’m not sure how difficult it would be to find the hardware for this Book Page Bracelet from Happy Hour Projects, but I think it’s definitely worth looking.

Start collecting those pop tops, because you’ll need a lot of them to make this Pop Top Lamp Shade from Make.

This Buckle Up Key Holder from Uncommon Goods is a ready-made item, but with a little ingenuity and access to an old seatbelt, I’m sure you crafters out there could make one.

Something about this Corner Door Shelf from Craftaholics Anonymous feels like Alice in Wonderland.

This braided belt from Instructables user hammer9876 uses ties from yoga pants, but the possibilities for reusing other string-shaped items are endless.

I’m going to start stashing away colorful magazine pages so I can make these gift bows from How About Orange. As if I need another excuse.

Friday Favorites–Flowers

Posted on January 27, 2012 by CraftyStaci

The winter after my daughter turned one, I bought an amaryllis bulb. Surprisingly, I remembered to water it a few times, and it bloomed into a beautiful red flower. It just so happened that Codi had a favorite book, which we had to read every day, that included a flower that looked just like it. Every single time we reached that page, she’d point to the flower. The weird thing is, she continued to point at the spot where the flower used to be every time we read the book, long after it was dead and gone.

In the wake of this same girl turning 18 and every day bringing up a new aspect of what college life will be like, I nostalgically bought another amaryllis last month. It finally bloomed a couple of days ago, leading me to a realization. I need one of these every year. Having that bright flower in the window is the perfect antidote for the dreary, post holiday month of January. Even without a little blonde girl pointing it out.

For all the beauty of an amaryllis, with none of the watering, check out this lovely pop-up card from CardNotions on Etsy.

The flower on this Back to School Headband from Brassy Apple is simple enough to make with some motivated little girls.

I like the way this Fabric Flower from I’m Feelin’ Crafty is cut in a spiral, making it curve perfectly.

I love a tutorial that has no words, like these Paper Dogwood Flowers from La Manufacture, and what a fabulous re-use of a shopping bag and tissue.

Do you have an old necktie lying around? Make it into a cute flower with this tutorial from My Heart is Yours.

These Felt Camelias from How Joyful would be perfect on top of a gift or attached to a headband.

I just love the ruffley-ness of these Ruffled Fabric Flowers from Quiltish.

I’ve seen these rick-rack flowers around, but didn’t understand how they were made until right this very minute. Thanks to The Crafting Chicks for excellent directions on their Rick Rack Rosettes.

Buttons always make cute flowers, and here’s a slightly different take from Artsy Crafty Babe.

As if I needed a reason to want a rainbow of duct tape, I’ve added these Duct Tape Flower Pens from Seven Sisters to my want list.

Here’s hoping you find something to brighten up your day today!

Friday Favorites–Gifts for Guys

Posted on November 25, 2011 by CraftyStaci

Thanksgiving is over, and the Christmas season has officially begun. If you’re not out shopping the Black Friday sales, you might be considering handmade gifts. Actually, if you are out shopping, you might be standing in a LONG line contemplating the same thing, along with “What was I thinking?!?”

For the next few weeks, my Friday Favorites will be full of gift ideas and we’re going to start with the most difficult of all – guys.

I have a couple of bicyclists in my house who might appreciate this Cycling Cap from Dude Craft.

With all the holiday events coming up, maybe your guy could use this Bow Tie and Pocket Square from Craft.

My son has been working on this Paracord Belt from Instructables user Jake22 for months. I should say he started it, made a mistake, then couldn’t decide whether to continue or fix it. Still waiting on a decision.

I’m sure this Rubberband Gun from Sugar Bee Crafts was intended for a little boy, but I can totally picture my husband keeping one of these on his desk at work.

This Pocket Knife Key Wallet from OnlyKnives just says “guy” all over it.

If the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach, these Salted Chocolate “Twix” Bars from Crepes of Wrath are the expressway.

He might not know it yet, but your guy definitely needs a holiday tie, whipped up using this Father’s Day Tie tutorial from The Purl Bee.

If he’s less tie and more hoodie, try this Men’s Fleece Hoodie from Craftstylish instead.

I don’t know which would be more fun – to make this Bike Tube Wallet by Instructables user Captain Molo and give it to your guy, or give him a bike tube and the instructions to do it himself.

If you don’t want to make him something yourself, but still like the idea of handmade, check out this Shaving Kit from Etsy seller orangefuzz. It includes beer shaving soap and comes in a cigar box. It doesn’t get much more manly than that.

Pharmacy Bottle Christmas Tree

Posted on November 21, 2011 by CraftyStaci

Yes, you read that right. Pharmacy bottles. Before you get concerned about my medicinal habits, let me explain.

My brother-in-law, Jerome, found himself in need of a career change a couple of years ago. He decided to go back to school to become a pharmacy technician. No small task, but he stuck with it and graduated at the top of his class. That part has nothing to do with these trees, but I’m just so proud of him!

His training involved some practice with the bottles used in a pharmacy. They were empty, and would have been disposed of after the class was finished with them. Like any good crafter, Jerome saw a better use for them and brought them home. Lots of them.

He dog-sat for us when we went to Seattle for a couple of days, and spent most of that time working on these. I think before this he thought I was a little crazy for all the crafting I do. He thinks I’m completely off my rocker now.

After a couple of tubes of glass and bead glue, and possibly some damaged brain cells, he had glued together 132 bottles and a variety of beads and decorations. Not to mention inserting Christmas lights into every single bottle.

The tree on the far right is actually made from mini-bar size vodka bottles. Luckily, he was given the bottles already empty. Otherwise we might have an entirely less attractive group of trees. Here’s the vodka tree lit up.

I didn’t get a photo of this one with the lights on, but it was a wedding gift for Jerome’s friend, who was one of the many married on 11/11/11. Seems appropriate somehow.

This blue tree is ours. It looks really pretty in the window in my kitchen.

Jerome is definitely the biggest Kiss fan I’ve ever met. He has been for all of the 22 years I’ve known him. This is his tree.

I’ve never seen someone so happy to be done with a craft project. In fact, it kind of seems like he’s running past my craft room when he comes in the house now. I’d feel bad for him, except I really love my new blue tree.

I think sometimes crafting is like having a baby. Eventually, you forget the pain you went through to get the amazing end product and you do it all over again.

Friday Favorites–T-Shirt Refashion and Recycling

Posted on June 17, 2011 by CraftyStaci

T-shirts are like the flour of fashion. They aren’t good for much all by themselves but they’re the foundation of a lot of things that couldn’t exist without them. Once in a while, I look into my closet, wonder how I ended up with so many t-shirts and go shopping for something new. But I always come back to them, and occasionally try to figure out how I can make them better with crayons, paint, bleach or scissors. And I’m not the only one out there.

These T-Shirt Pom Poms from Craftaholics Anonymous are not only cute, but they look like they would be really fun to make.

I’m so glad I found this this tutorial for Dear Lizzy’s Pretty Petals Tee before I bought another one of these flowery tops. I actually wish I had found it before I bought the first one.

I like crafts I can do while I watch television or movies with my family. These T-Shirt Yarn Braided Coasters from Homework would be perfect, and when I’m done, I can set whatever tasty beverage I’m drinking on them.

I love all of the texture and detail on this Anthropologie Pratia Tank Top from Made by Lex.

I’ve wanted to try these Bleach Pen T-Shirts, like these from Show Tell Share, for months now. I’m just waiting for the weather to be nice enough I can do it outside so I don’t knock myself out.

This Empire Cut Blouse from Guaya is cute, but the bit of ribbon and lace she added makes it adorable.

I. Love. This. Rug. Thanks to Xoelle for sharing how she made it.

This Long Sleeved Shirt to Short Sleeves from Make It and Love It didn’t just get its sleeves cut off, but added details as well.

All I can say about this reverse applique t-shirt from Sew Simple is wow.

And finally, a pretty Lace Applique Tank Top refashion from Ali Foster Patterns that would be perfect for the lovely summer weather I’m sure is coming our way soon.

Friday Favorites–Earth Day

Posted on April 22, 2011 by CraftyStaci

I had grand intentions this week. I have a pair of jeans with a broken zipper that I was going to use to create some sort of Easter basket/container, covering my Easter and Earth Day projects in one fell swoop. Didn’t happen. Honestly, there was just too much going on this week. But it’s Friday, so instead I’m going to let you in on some great recycling projects other people have done. Don’t worry – that denim thing will turn up here at some point.

I’ve been seeing these homemade play kitchens for a while and every one of them is more clever than the last. They are usually made from a piece of old furniture, like a night stand. The details on this version from My Little Gems really put it over the top.

I don’t think it would be especially difficult to get a kid to empty a candy bag for me so I could make this Sweet Tooth Pouch from Punkin Patterns.

And I think there’s someone else in the house willing to empty the dog food bag for the Upcycled Garden Tote from Garden of Eden Goods.

I really like this Braided T-Shirt Yarn Headwrap from Sew Homegrown, but I also think it would make a great belt.

I’ve worried that bags made from old t-shirts might stretch and sag, but I think She Wears Flowers has solved the problem by lining hers.

We have loads of Pez dispensers floating around this house. I seriously love this Toy Story Wall Art by Under the Table and Dreaming and might have to make one for myself.

This Ribbon Sling Bag by My Recycled Bags is an ingenious use of old store shopping bags.

Primitive Living Skills shows you how to make your own Tire Sandals.

This Treasure Chest Gift Box, made from recycled plastic containers, by Creative Jewish Mom is a present all by itself.

This is one of the most unique recycling projects I’ve seen. UrbanWoodsWalker on Our Everyday Earth made this plastic coat by fusing plastic shopping bags together with an iron and using it as fabric. Pretty amazing!