the ReFab Diaries

Yarn chandeliers (or mobiles) are popping up everywhere!  They're easy to make, eye-catching and a good use of scrap yarn.  You need yarn, glue, balloons and patience!  Full Tutorial here.


And keeping in theme ... how cute are these little balls decorating every possible corner?  Again, it's yarn, glue and styrofoam balls.  Tutorial right here.

When we have felt scraps, they tend to be really small pieces. I think these leafy accessories are a perfect way to use them up!

Coffee stirrers????  Yes, wood coffee stir sticks ... (stand slowly and applaud, please).  You want this on your wall right?  I mean like, right now!!!  Go make it. 

Old silverware (or cutlery, where I'm from) is always so eye-catching.  They just don't make it like they used to right?  So why stick it in a drawer when you can WEAR it?  Get ready to cut metal with this great "spoon ring" tutorial from Through the Front Door ... while you're there, check out her round-up of new uses for old silverware!



Not really a ring person?  Stars for Streelights shows you how to make a fork bracelet.








I used to own a beautiful wind-chime made of old spoons and forks ... think I got it in England.  I lost it in a move - I remember it making a really soft, lulling sound in the wind.  Tutorial at Freckled Nest.

It seems fitting, that paper be turned back into trees. Upcycle junk-mail into paper tress - instructions at A Little Hut.

Handy with a saw?  This tutorial involves cutting, roasting (or nuking-to kill the critters) gluing etc ... but the result is great.  Check out her mirror while you're there... thanks Pretty Handy Girl!


Wrapping yarn around balloons is a technique popping up everywhere ... lovely twist on the the idea at Made by Michelle ... she also has a sweet fabric heart garland tutorial.



Write a letter to your love ... then send it across the room via paper plane (printable - designed by Cathe from Just Something I Made)

Thanks to Budget Living, I've made quite a few "book folds" for myself - they decorate a wall in my home (pictured below). For the original BL instructions, follow this link. 

Note: I cut up an old calendar featuring "maps of the old world" and glued them into the covers of the top two. The book at the bottom already featured graphics on the inside covers.

The kind of folding I've done is simple - no real pattern required but I definitely inspired by the Budget Living feature. If you'd like to start easy, see my tutorial using an old kid's book. I also have a full tutorial for a hanging book fold.







This pretty display is care of BHG. Please note that they have NO instructions attached to their idea, nor do they credit anyone for this idea (it's "theirs"). I'm only including it here because I really like the grouping. See below for links to actual instructions for folds, which you could then group on a wall like this. How to hang them? Click here. 

Find more step-by-step instructions for simple folds at:

Frugal Upstate 


Ashbee Design



Sutherland Shire Libraries (Video Tutorial using a paperback)




Homeroad (folded book organizer)



Creative Tryals (book trees)




Pandora's Craftbox




Instructables (folding a heart)



Inverted heart video 



A Whimsy Willow (some great basic folds)



A couple of great sculpting videos by Johwey Redington and another here.




Book hedgehog video 



Kid-friendly magazine hearts! 

If you want to try your hand at something more complex, clever and ornate take a look at the amazing patterns offered free by Rhymes With Magic:  

The owl and the pussycat went to sea.
In a beautiful pea green boat ...
The zebra was jealous
And yes, she lacks feathers
But nevertheless, off she floats!

I love paper lanterns but often see them tossed into dumpsters. How about making a hot air balloon instead? This whimsical, wonderful DIY is care of Momtastic.