the ReFab Diaries

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. 

So... you had a baby.  And you have all sorts of good intentions about making your own baby food etc.  And maybe you actually do it (it's doable).  But you will still buy some of these jars. And even a few of them pile up. But now that I've compiled this post I have these words of wisdom for you: KEEP THEM!  I had no idea just how many things could be done with the little beasts. I mean the jars, not the babies. Not that you shouldn't keep your babies.  I just mean that in no way do I advocate/promote/ condone the upcycling of babies. Just jars. Jeepers.

I've been sitting on this post for months and ... forgot about it.  Ah well.  I think this is a super-sweet idea for class goodbye gifts!  Perhaps you still need them?  Perhaps you can pin this idea for next year ... or for an early-ending summer camp? The back reads "hope you have a great summer!"  Get the free printable from Lisa Storms.  Couldn't resist posting her recent owl gift box too.


Get instructions for making this awesome creature here. It involves repurposing a cardboard oatmeal container.

A couple of months ago I dedicated a post to creating a bowl from an old LP (vinyl record).  The method involves using your oven and heating the vinyl ... an apparently smelly (noxious?) process.  So, today I'm posting an alternative how-to from Skulls and Ponies. This one involves boiling water v. using a hot oven. A kinder process all round. It also involves vinyl in amazing colors and a lot of fun, judging by all the great pics!

This post does not link to a tutorial ... but I know a few people out there who will take one look at this lamp and figure out the DIY version (please let me know if you do!).  I also see it as a way to use/repurpose empty (used up) plastic pens... v. new ones.  See Enpieza for the full collection of "biro" lamps.  (lamp image via Chica and Jo)

I have a lot of creative, crafty friends - lucky me!  However, too many of them are blog-unfriendly. Or perhaps blog-inconsiderate is a better descriptor.  By this I mean, they are not organized enough to take good before, during and after shots of their projects. And then post their pics to Facebook where I can oggle them and say "hey - I want to share that!".  Perhaps it's time for some new, more me-oriented friends. Except Lynzie - she gets to stay. Because she's an energetic, committed teacher who, just this week, is on her way to a new life and a new middle school in Holmes County Mississippi (and I'm SO proud of her for 7 different reasons)... oh, and she also took pics of this awesome dresser makeover that I get to share with you today!

School might already be out for summer (in your part of the northern hemisphere) but bookmark/ Pin/somehow save these ideas for future teacher gifts.  They're definitely fun summer craft ... with adult supervision of course.  All three ideas are from Krokotak.  Use Google's translator (if necessary) - it works well on this blog... which is a treasure trove of repurposing.  The apples pictured above are made from the bottoms of two small water bottles.




A whole gallery of incredible flowers made using bottles and a flame.  Great video tutorial.