the ReFab Diaries: upcycle

the ReFab Diaries: upcycle

Showing posts with label upcycle

Repurpose: Ale-vent Calendar and more!

in advent, DIY advent calendars, upcycle, by Candice

This week, friends of mine in the UK created for themselves a wonderous Ale-vent calendar ... inspired by CAMRA. It might be the best take on a grown-up advent I've seen! And it's really simple to make - paper-wrapped bottles ... printable numbers. I'm wondering about refrigeration (I like my beer cold!) ... I should ask them.

Anyways, I love countdowns, so there's usually some sort of advent calendar in my house (see last year's book/gift calendar for Ms Ro). And I don't think they're just for kids! The holiday season is stressful, so why shouldn't we get a little gift for every day we survive it?? Here are 11 more adult-friendly advents to DIY:

Upcycle: Old appliances, big and small

in repurpose appliances, upcycle, by Candice

Haven't put together a big post like this in a while ... because I haven't really been inspired to. Then I saw an old blender on top of the dumpster in our alley and thought "huh - do we even consider fixing small appliances these days?" I don't think so. They get the boot. Perhaps because, in the US anyway, they're so cheap to replace? So, this collection of refabs began to take shape and I'll add to it as I find fun things. My focus is "stuff you find in a house that has a cord attached". Pretty broad huh?

Upcycle: Wax Paper Chandelier...

in decor, decorating, hanging basket chandelier, lighting, Paper, repurpose, upcycle, wax paper chandelier, wax paper lighting, by Candice

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

Upcycle: Yarn-wrapped chair / Chalk-board table

in furniture, kid's table and chair, upcycle, Wood, yarn bombed toddler chair, yarn wrapped furniture, yarn wrapping, by Candice

I'm on a kid-whimsy kick this week. And I LOVE this eye-popping upcycle from One More Mushroom. The chair has been yarn-bombed (!), the table painted entirely with chalkboard paint. Which one would you rather have in your home? :) Complete how-to (with great pictures) here.

Upcycle: Yarn-bomb a lamp shade!

in DIY decor, DIY lamp, lamps, lampshade makeover, Textiles, upcycle, yarn, yarn bombed lampshade, yarn wrapping, by Candice

A simple, retro-tastic makeover worthy of a bow. Elycia shares the instructions in a guest post at One Sheepish Girl.

Giveaway: Anthro-morphed leaf earrings...

in anthropologie, Giveaway, jewelry, leaf earrings, makeover, upcycle, by Candice

Ok ... another jewelry giveaway for you! I was inspired by all the leafy earrings I saw in Anthropologie's spring collection and transformed some dull silver leaves from thrifted pendant earrings (Detailed post here). Like the negative earrings and pendant I gave away last week, these are carefully made and one-of-a-kind. I'm giving them away because... well, it's a fun thing to do. :)

All you have to do to enter is leave a comment (please leave your name and/or email address so I can identify and contact the winner!). Not in the US? No problem - happy to ship out of the country.
Entry closed

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Thanks for looking!

Upcycle: Mod Podge Wedges...

in Accessories, re-do shoes, shoe craft, shoe makeovers, Textiles, upcycle, by Candice

Holy transformation bat-girl! Don't know about you... but I think Taryn took these from "gosh, no thanks" to "ummmm, where can I get a pair?!!" I know some people who have treasure troves of upholstery samples .... what a great way to use them! Full tutorial at Design, Dining and Diapers.

Repurpose: Vintage camera lamp / slide shade ...

in camera lamp, decor, DIY lamp, photographer decor, repurpose old camera, repurpose slides, slide shade, slides, upcycle, vintage cameras, by Candice

Welcome to my first-ever themed week... five posts about repurposing old cameras, 35mm film etc. At some point you might see the header "putting a positive spin on negatives" because I can't resist. There might be at least one actual tutorial from your's truly. And maybe a giveaway. Another first for me :)

To start the week with a bang, I present the completely amazing lamp created by Stacie Grissom blogging at Stars for Streetlights. I'm mesmerized by this thing. And it's doable thanks to her superb instructions.

DIY: Gap & Threadless T.I.Y. #4

in DIY laptop sleeve, gap and threadless, repurpose t-shirt, t-shirt laptop sleeve, T.I.Y., tshirt recycle, upcycle, by Candice

Here's the latest T.I.Y. Get the laptop sleeve instructions here.

Upcycle: reusable shopping-bag smock

in diy smock, upcycle, upcycled shopping bag, by Candice

I'm so excited to share this post today! You know how sometimes, a plan just comes together? You know how sometimes, you realize you're so old you're inadvertently alluding to "The A-Team" - the TV show, not the movie?

Upcycle: Soda can tabs = Pop Curtain

in budget decorating, decor, Metal, pop tabs, recycle soda cans, repurpose soda cans, soda can tabs, upcycle, by Candice

Look ... look again. A pop-tab curtain? How freakin' cool is that? Get the how-to here ... (via decorhacks)

DIY: Gap & Threadless T.I.Y. #2 / #3

in gap and threadless, repurpose t-shirt, t-shirt art, t-shirt tote bag, T.I.Y., upcycle, by Candice

Gap and Threadless are teaming up for a series of "TIY" (T-It-Yourself) tutorials, with a new one posted every Friday on Gap's Facebook page. In tried-and-tested blogger fashion, photo instructions demonstrate how to turn old t-shirts into... other stuff. I don't think last week's "wall art" idea is very inspiring ... but here it is.

Get the tote bag project here.

Repurpose: Ball Chain = Twisted Necklace ...

in Accessories, jewelery, Metal, repurpose, upcycle, by Candice

A cheap, humble raw material. A great little DIY necklace. Care of Dismount Creative.

DIY: Gap & Threadless T.I.Y.

in gap and threadless, repurpose t-shirt, t-shirt sandals, t-shirts, T.I.Y., upcycle, by Candice

Gap and Threadless are teaming up for a series of "TIY" (T-It-Yourself) tutorials, with a new one posted every Friday on Gap's Facebook page. In tried-and-tested blogger fashion, photo instructions will demonstrate how to turn old shirts into fun accessories including flip flops, laptop sleeves, and beach bags. I'm curious to see what they come up with. See the flip flop project here.

Upcycle: Plastic scoops = Orange Sunburst Mirror

in budget decorating, decor, Plastic, plastic scoops, plastic spoons, recycled spoons, starburst mirror DIY, sunburst mirror DIY, upcycle, upcycled spoons, by Candice

Mirrors created with some version of a plastic scoop / spoon ... they're a theme this week. Apparently these orange scoops come from a brand of formula. They look like something we got in cans of powdered juice when I was a kid ... one scoop of the stuff into water and you had a neon orange drink. Wow ... yum (!) Complete how to here.

Repurpose: Bottle-cap decorating ...

in bottle cap tray, bottle caps, bottle tops, bottle-cap decor, Metal, Plastic, plastic caps, recycle bottle caps, upcycle, by Candice

Crafting with bottle caps has been done, done and done. I know. But they (the caps) still accumulate... especially if your preferred beverage comes from a brown bottle. Right? So I am always interested in ways to repurpose them ... and this post focuses on home accessories / decor, v. the many necklace, earring and bracelet options out there.

The amazing resin serving tray (above) got this post started. I think it's genius and LOVE the color combination ... great tutorial overall from SomeWhatSimple. 14 more after the jump!

Upcycle: Plastic bottles = Spring chandelier

in budget decorating, decor, Plastic, plastic bottle chandelier, recycle, upcycle, upcycle water bottles, by Candice

This eye-popping chandelier is created entirely from plastic water bottles. Visit Oh Happy Day for the completely tutorial.

Upcycle: Plastic food container = artsy bracelet

in Accessories, jewelery, jewellery, Plastic, upcycle, by Candice

#6 plastic is nasty, because it's Polystyrene (styrofoam). Most recycling programs won't accept it and it's potentially toxic! Find out more about the numbers you see on plastic products we use here.

If your supermarket IS really still using #6 containers to package food, you should complain. There are many other options available. And if you do find yourself with one of these horrible things in your hands, save it! Because you can make fused beads (think shrinky dinks)!

The original tutorial from Rust and Sunshine has been removed. But this is a really simple craft that requires very little skill and calls for doodling with permanent markers. CLICK HERE for instructions for making shrinky dinks with #6 plastic.

Upcycle: Old pillow case = new tote bag

in Accessories, pillowcase tote, Textiles, upcycle, by Candice

Simple no-sew makeover from CremeDeLaCraft.

Upcycle: 1 old desk = 2 new nightstands

in budget decorating, decor, DIY nightstands, old desk, upcycle, Wood, by Candice

One beat up, $10 desk, a little carpentry, a little paint and hellloooooooooo.... yes please! Get the how to from Sugar Bee Crafts.

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