Category: Upcycle

Upcycle~ Book Ends

telephone bookends


How to make telephone bookends

These bookends are easy to put together. First find the 2 old phones you’d like to use. Remember, they don’t have to match.

Next take 2 pieces of thin metal 7.5″ long and 1.5″ wide. These will be the base that your phones stand on. Now drill a centered hole 1″ from the end of each metal piece. Then take a larger drill bit and screw another hole on top of the first, not quite all the way through. This creates a countersink which allows your screw to sit flush on the bottom of the metal strip.

The next step is optional, if you’d like you can spray paint your metal strips and allow them to dry.

Then take a cordless drill and screw the metal piece to the bottom of the phone after positioning it the way you’d like it to stand. Glue a felt strip to the bottom of the metal base with a a hot glue gun.

Finally position your books and prop them up with your new telephone bookends!

telephone bookends

Does this remind anyone else of the 90’s tween board game Dream Phone?

Source: A Beautiful Mess

telephone bookends
Telephone Bookends

Upcycle

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/25-new-ways-to-use-your-old-stuff-pictures

Ladder Drying Rack

When laundry time comes around, do you find yourself hanging damp clothes all over the house? We thought so. Rebecca Kuenzi needed somewhere to hang-dry her clothes without taking over her small laundry room. She immediately found the perfect use for an old wooden ladder she had wanted to put to use. She cut the ladder in half, painted it turquoise and screwed four hooks into the top. She then added chain links and hung it directly from the ceiling. To hang her clothes from the ladder, she added multiple shower curtain hooks to each rail. Now clothing can be hung with ease and the drying rack can stay out of the way when not in use.

Upcycle Idea

https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/design-101/25-new-ways-to-use-your-old-stuff-pictures

Entryway Shutter Catchall

Holly Marsh set out to conquer the entryway clutter issue by turning a common household item into a clever organizational system. She found this vintage shutter at a local thrift store and hung it up next to the back door where everyone comes and goes. Then, she placed S hooks and clothespins on the wooden slats to hold everyone’s keys and outgoing mail, invitations and other important memos. An old wooden box below keeps often-worn shoes contained, too. Now there’s no excuse for missing keys, lost invites or misplaced bills.

Upcycled idea

cheesegrater
Shabby chic and adorable recycled cheese grater!  What an easy and fun way to store earnings!

Recycle Idea

I love this idea – why spend money on a bird feeder – create your own out of an old pop bottle!
https://sassytownhouseliving.com/16-creative-ideas-recycling-common-household-items/

Upcycle This!~

Upcycled Paper Coffee Cup Candle

Don’t Toss That Cup! DIY Coffee Candles

Next time you’re enjoying a hot cuppa joe from your favorite coffee spot, instead of tossing the paper container, take it home to repurpose into a homemade candle. Use leftover wax candle ends, along with a sprinkling of used coffee grounds, and you’ve got a fun and eye-opening candle to scent your home or give as a gift.

What You’ll Need:

  • Small paper coffee cup
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons used coffee grounds
  • Paper towel
  • 1 cup wax candle remnants
  • Candle wick
  • Scissors
  • Small saucepan
  • Small metal or glass mixing bowl

Directions:

  1. To create the base of the candle, add 1 cup of wax candle remnants to a small metal or heat-safe glass bowl, and place over the top of a small saucepan filled halfway with water, creating a double boiler. Bring the water to a simmer and watch closely until the wax has melted, which takes about 5 minutes.
  1. Give the paper coffee cup a good cleaning, and wipe to make sure it’s dry. Place the coffee grounds in a paper towel, and squeeze to release any extra liquid. Position the wick in the center of the cup, and sprinkle a layer of the coffee grounds at the base. You can find candle wicks at your local craft store.
  1. Carefully pour half of the melted wax over the coffee grounds, reserving the rest of the wax for the top of the candle. Let the wax harden for 20 minutes.
  1. To create the second layer of the candle, sprinkle the cooled wax with another spoonful of coffee grounds. Rewarm the wax in the double boiler, and top off the candle.
  1. Let the candle cool for at least an hour, and then cut away the coffee cup to reveal the finished candle. If needed, smooth the edges with a paper towel, and trim the end of the wick to fit the candle. Find the perfect spot to display your candle, and enjoy the subtle coffee scent.

Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Sarah Lipoff

Upcycle Idea

Shutter Sofa Table
Shutters are key design elements in cottage style. Many people repurpose them as wall art or headboards. Layla used a shutter as the top surface of a sofa table to bring in soft lines common in cottage design.
https://www.hgtv.com/design/decorating/clean-and-organize/25-ways-to-upcycle-your-old-stuff-pictures

Upcycle This~!

Kitchen Organization - Spice Rack Crate

A list of kitchen organization ideas would not be complete without a spice rack solution. This spice rack could not be easier. Vintage Coca-Cola crates already have the perfect compartments. Simply hang it up and add your spice jars.
Source: BROhaha