Check out this denim conforter made from old jeans. My dear sweet Grandma made this many years ago from my Grandpa and my Aunt’s old jeans. We had many comforters similar to this in my home when I was growing up. My Great-Grandma used to make the same style with her old clothes and material scrapes. The reverse side is a cotton flannel and the filling was either a lofty quilt batting or an old blanket that needed a new use. This particular comforter measures 70 inches by …

See this cute little girl. Here she is wearing just a small portion of the silly bandz that live in our house. The craze hit us hard last spring and summer. I would like to say that we don’t always fall for the latest and greatest but silly bandz seemed relatively harmless and are very inexpensive. Of course, the craze has passed. They still wear them on occasion but mostly I just find them in random locations around the house. My first instinct was to just toss them …

I grew up in the country. We once had some escaped cows in our front yard but I don’t ever remember bunnies eating my Mom’s petunias. When I moved to the “big city” with my husband, I planted all of my flowers with care only to have them chomped to the ground by all of the bunnies roaming around our backyard and living under our deck. I have since become wiser and have successfully kept my flowers and vegetables healthy without those pesky rabbits taking bites of all …

Turning an old pair of pants or jeans into a skirt is an easy sewing project. With a sewing machine and very basic skills, you can complete this project. A few months ago, our oldest daughter decided that she was only going to wear skirts and dresses. No more pants for her. I don’t always let our kids follow every whim of form or fashion but she was already wearing mostly skirts or jumpers and was rather convicted. I think we can blame her favorite television show …

In our part of the world, it is time to start planting your garden. Here are some ideas for upcycled garden markers. 1. Old Silverware. You can leave them as is and write on either the back of the spoon or the handle depending on whatever is easiest with a permanent marker. You can also pound the spoon flat and stamp the letters right into the metal. Domestic Simplicity has a simple tutorial for using Modge Podge to adhere labels to the spoons. 2. Save your …

A clever reader suggested we check out the work of Derek Diedricksen. We are so glad we did! Derek designs and builds tiny buildings. His unique work includes things like cabins, tree houses (both for grown-ups and kids), and flex buildings that could be used for anything from a green house to an office to a homeless shelter. So, why are we writing about him? Because his designs are meant to be built on a budget and he advocates the use of upcycled and recycled materials. Things like …

This is a fun and easy upcycled furniture project and makes for a functional coffee table and a great place to display your “smallies.” I can’t take any credit for this idea. My in-laws had one at their home when I started dating my husband. It is an old printer drawer or tray placed on a base and covered with a piece of glass. Printer drawers once held the type set that was used in a print shop. They are wooden, sturdy and sometimes come with a cool …

Stop!!! Don’t buy the messy plastic Easter grass. Try some of these green alternatives. 1. Shredded paper. You can let your imagination run wild with what paper to use. Some ideas are newspaper, used wrapping paper, magazines, tissue paper, junk mail and the list goes on and on. If you have a paper shredder, you can simply run the paper through and ta da! you have easter grass. If not, you could use scissors or a paper cutter to cut skinny strips. 2. Raffia. Raffia comes …

Look at this cute upcycled chicken coop. Any chicken would be lucky to call this place home! We have happily noticed an increase in urban farming. Families who have never gardened before are starting small gardens in their back yard and communities are working together to form large gardens or planting areas. Along with this push to become involved with growing our own food, is the ever increasing group of individuals raising chickens and other small livestock in urban settings. Raising your own chickens is a …

With some old wine corks and an exacto knife, you can make your own little stamps. Start with dry corks, an exacto knife with a fine point and a cutting board. It is no surprise that this project is best done by an adult with a steady hand. Start by drawing your desired shape on the top of the cork. Simple shapes work best. Now, slowly and carefully cut along the border of your shape. I made lots of little cuts going up and down …