August 2012 | the ReFab Diaries

Ok - it's another filing-cabinet refab. But she did it with book pages!! And you know me and book pages. And it looks amazing ... right? Complete how-to at The Space Between



I love Meream over at Bored and Crafty. Because she's funny. And crafty. And because she knows who Tiffany Aching is (!).  Her awesome Popsicle Stick Chandelier just got featured on Design Sponge (go Meream!) ... go check it out and make one for yourself. 

Pop cans and washers = a whimsical butterfly wind chime! Sweet tutorial from Made by Marzipan.

Summer days are still in full swing in my life but I understand that cold reality is on the horizon - the days are shorter, the early mornings actually feel just a little cooler. So very soon it will be "bye bye garden hose and lawn mower; hello rakes, snow shovels" etc. I think this is a great way to keep your leaky old hose out of the landfill and prepare for the change of season: turn it into a durable doormat that will withstand mud and snow!  (RIP image via here)


Great example of some thrifty refabbing ... and creative reinterpreting!  Two places to go for a complete tutorial (I've used images from both):  Design Sponge and Courtney Ann

I don't have much to say about this beyond .... hello!!!  How freakin' cool????  You only need approx ... ummm... 400 milk jugs. But I think a classroom of small humans might create that many in a month!  Care of Tinkerlab
bubblewrap beads


Not only do you get to play with the bubble wrap ... you get to upcycle something you can't recycle and create something really pretty!


bubblewrap beads


The creative mind behind this craft is Steven James. He says "I've always been fascinated with the idea of manipulating materials and the science behind creativity. The process of fusing the bubble wrap takes it from one material to something incredibly different, while just slightly retaining some of it's original form."


bubblewrap beads


The technique of using heat to fuse layers of plastic is versatile and can be used with a variety of plastic materials, including plastic shopping bags.
 
For more detailed instructions on how to make these (original source is gone), google "how to fuse plastic bags" or search YouTube for tutorials like this.





Use hammered bottle caps and book pages to create an one-of-kind piece. Full set of instructions at Mixed Kreations

You know how you used to pooh-pooh the cuckoo? You know that horrifying, noisy old clock of your great Aunt / Grandma / Second-cousin that you never wanted?  You want it now, don't you?! Well, I certainly do. Be inspired by a sweet roundup of colorful cuckoo's and get the cuckoo makeover how-to at Vintage Revivals



If you've been anywhere near my Pinterest boards, you know I love turquoise/blue and orange together. I also love a retro, vintage, mod feel - in general. So how much do I love this project??? Scrap wood and a little paint ... awesome. Complete how-to at Oh So Lovely Vintage.

Stir up some new lighting with this awesome how-to from Serendipity Refined.

Today, a few more vinyl refabs because apparently I can't get enough.

If you follow the blog, you've seen me write (repeatedly) "I love natural wood and white!" So how about this side table / end table refab? From alley find to interior designed. Complete how-to at Design, Dining and Diapers.

Back-to-school advertising is now in full swing in my part of the world. So school supplies are on display in the way that makes kids cringe. Tonight I found myself contemplating colored pencils. Ummm... maybe because I loved them when I was a "tween" (which was a long time before that silly word made its appearance). Anyway, this is the beginning of what will no doubt be a much bigger round-up of projects using pencils. First, as pictured above, the amazing Pencil Chimes created by Vanessa Boer. Not a DIY but something I spotted on Etsy and had to feature because they're too cool for ... !!!  :)






Magazine pop-up flowers! Yay! You need nine (9) magazine pages. And... not much else. Step-by-step instructions at Pink Paper Peppermints
Thrift stores are full of old leather belts, jackets and purses that are so far out of style/size/this decade (!) that no one really wants them. So they're often insanely cheap and begging to be upcycled or refashioned.



Here's my challenge to you:  I've gathered 23 upcycled leather projects for you. If you leave this post without being inspired to dig out that old leather jacket, or rush out and thrift one of those poor old leather items, I'll bite down on something!


Take four, 3-ring binders... some great instructions from Southern Disposition ... and voila - a very stylish, retro-chic house for Barbie!  But wait, there's more. Everything you see is DIY (with a lot of repurposing involved); the bathroom, the furniture, the bedding. See those kitchen chairs? Made from wire hangers!  So here are the links you need:

Make the 3-ring binder Barbie House

Make the bed and bedding

Make the living-room furniture

Make the kitchen table and chairs 

Make the bathtub and sink
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