By Noreen Doll Create a rustic basket from the side of a cardboard box. It makes a lovely holder for a gift. Or use it as a Spring basket or Easter Basket. It would also be perfect for Mother's Day. Supplies. Corrugated Cardboard Box Twine 18 or 20 Guage Wire, about 26 inches long Scrap Book Paper or other colorful Paper Ribbon or Pre-made … [Read more...] about Rustic Basket
Recycled
DIY Plastic Protective Notepad Covers
By Noreen Doll. This is a notepad I carry wherever I go. However, after I've carried the notepad for a while, the cover begins to tear loose. Once it falls off the papers inside tear easily and it's not very useful anymore. So I decided to make DIY plastic protective notepad covers to help preserve the original covers. I find it's very handy to carry a … [Read more...] about DIY Plastic Protective Notepad Covers
Gingerbread Man Wreath from a Brown Paper Bag
By Noreen Doll. This gingerbread man wreath is a great craft to make with kids. And it recycles brown paper grocery bags. Or you could make it from brown kraft paper or brown paper packaging material. Instead of buying gingerbread man ornaments, as I did, you can make gingerbread men with the kids. Gingerbread men can be made from brown paper bags and … [Read more...] about Gingerbread Man Wreath from a Brown Paper Bag
From a Cereal Box to a Gift Bag
By Noreen Doll. Here's how to go from a cereal box to a gift bag with just a few craft items. And the gift bag is so sturdy you can use it again and again. You can also recycle used, torn, or crumpled tissue paper to cover the box because it won't matter if the paper is wrinkled. A colorful way to cover a box would be to use different colors of tissue … [Read more...] about From a Cereal Box to a Gift Bag
Recycled Christmas Card Ornament
By Noreen Doll. Create a recycled Christmas card ornament from your old Christmas cards. This is a nice way to save some of your favorite cards and use them on your tree. Or hang them from a mantel. You will need a fairly large card with a horizontal picture to make this ornament. Supplies. Christmas Card Scissors Ruler Ice Pick or Sharp Pointed … [Read more...] about Recycled Christmas Card Ornament
Reusable Gift Box from a Matchbox
By Noreen Doll. This empty matchbox is a perfect size to make into a small reusable gift box. It can hold money, a gift card, jewelry, socks, or other small gifts. While I was wrapping gifts, I had this small piece of wrapping paper left over, which perfectly fit the top of a matchbox. Because I wanted to be able to reuse the matchbox / gift box many times, … [Read more...] about Reusable Gift Box from a Matchbox
Cell Phone Reminder
By Noreen Doll. Don't forget your cell phone! How many times have you forgotten to tuck your cell phone into your bag, only to discover, when you're well away from home, that you don't have it? That isn't going to happen to me again! I created a way to always remember to take my cell phone with me. I made this cardboard reminder that sticks way up out of my … [Read more...] about Cell Phone Reminder
Raven Wreath from a Brown Paper Bag
By Noreen Doll. This Raven Wreath from a brown paper bag is a quick Halloween wreath to make. It was found among Edgar Allan Poe's effects after he died. I thought about using orange burlap ribbon to wrap the wreath, but I couldn't find any, so I decided to use orange tissue paper instead. I think orange and black are very striking together, and I really … [Read more...] about Raven Wreath from a Brown Paper Bag
Basic Brown Paper Bag Wreath
By Noreen Doll. A really neat way to recycle brown paper grocery bags is to make them into a basic brown paper bag wreath. This basic wreath can then be used as a base for any wreath you want to make. You can either leave the brown paper showing for a rustic looking wreath, or wrap it with colorful wrapping to match a holiday decor. Or it can be spray painted … [Read more...] about Basic Brown Paper Bag Wreath
Star Soda Can Lights
By Noreen Doll. Create colorful star soda can lights for many occasions. They're perfect for patriotic occasions such as Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. You could also use them for Christmas, birthdays, or graduation in school colors. Save your soda cans to recycle into this fun project! Supplies. String of … [Read more...] about Star Soda Can Lights
Make Easy Faux Wood Crates
By Noreen Doll. We wanted to use some boxes under our coffee table to hold miscellaneous items, but the cardboard boxes didn't look very pretty. So we decided to cover the boxes with paper and Mod Podge. It isn't hard to do, it just takes some time as you have to allow the Mod Podge drying time between coats. The finished box feels like wood instead … [Read more...] about Make Easy Faux Wood Crates
How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier
by Noreen Doll. When you find a cardboard box that is just the right size for an item you want to store, it's handy to know how to make a cardboard box sturdier so that it will last a long time. I have found that simple things like glue and Mod Podge really do a good job of making a very sturdy cardboard box. Boxes frequently have weak spots, and these can easily … [Read more...] about How to Make a Cardboard Box Sturdier
