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Nifty Thrifty:  Repurposing...what have you done lately?  |
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Calicogirl
True Blue Farmgirl
5216 Posts
Sharon
Bruce Crossing
Michigan
USA
5216 Posts |
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delicia
True Blue Farmgirl
917 Posts
delicia
cincinnati
ohio
USA
917 Posts |
 Posted - May 17 2010 : 06:29:26 AM
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I bought a plate holder for the wall at a garage sale and I am using it in my laundry room to hang my iron from. It hit me in the middle of the night to use it that way and I am really excited about it.
delicia |
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
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Bart
True Blue Farmgirl
115 Posts
115 Posts |
Posted - May 20 2010 : 2:48:51 PM
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OMG! Kathy thanks for sharing that - I love it!! |
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
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Heather B
True Blue Farmgirl
562 Posts
Heather
Longmont
Colorado
USA
562 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 06:07:09 AM
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What to do with an antique ashtray? Well it looks pretty good as a soap dish in the bathroom. I love to repurpose stuff. So many of you ladies are so imaginative in what you do. You've opened my eyes to some new things to try. Thank you!
Heather
http://homesteadincity.blogspot.com/
"Only your real friends tell you when your face is dirty"
Farm Girl Sister #662 |
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somethingticking
Farmgirl in Training
20 Posts
Sara
River Ridge
LA
USA
20 Posts |
Posted - May 25 2010 : 2:41:32 PM
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I'm working on making a braided rug out of old t-shirts. I was going to just give them away, but then I thought about how much I dislike the rough mat of a rug by my bed, and how this might be softer to put my feet on in the morning, more colorful and more meaningful as well. I'm sort of winging it as far as construction technique, but I think I have a fair idea of how to do it. After four hours of total work, all the strips have been cut, but who knows if I cut too much or not enough.
If nothing else, stitches can be pulled out and made again! |
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coloquilter
True Blue Farmgirl
214 Posts
Susan
Co
USA
214 Posts |
Posted - May 29 2010 : 10:53:20 AM
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We burn a pellet stove to heat the majority of our house. The bags can't be recycled so I save them and reuse them for trash can liners ,to change kitty litter and split them open and lay flat when i need a drop cloth.Today I discovered the clear ones are just about the right size to slip over the top of a tomato cage to make mini greenhouses for tender young plants !
Susan
P.S. Sharon I live in the NW corner of Colo |
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lulu
True Blue Farmgirl
240 Posts
Connie
Geuda Springs
Kansas
USA
240 Posts |
Posted - May 30 2010 : 1:33:18 PM
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I just finished covering my patio chair cushions I had two sheets I picked up at Goodwill and drew a pattern of the cushions and recovered 4 chair custions and the top cushions made tabs with velcro to attach to the chairs all for under $10.00. Last year I had ordered new cushions for another set and spent over $120.00 for them, I didn't want to that again. Sure made me feel good to save that much money by repurposing a couple of sheets.
Connie
LULU
farmgirl sister #1369
"Scattered Prairie Gals" chapter
Take care and write soon.
When you wish upon a star...Jiminy Cricket |
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2quilter
True Blue Farmgirl
127 Posts
Patricia
Greenwood
IN
USA
127 Posts |
Posted - Jun 17 2010 : 2:58:34 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by somethingticking
I'm working on making a braided rug out of old t-shirts. I was going to just give them away, but then I thought about how much I dislike the rough mat of a rug by my bed, and how this might be softer to put my feet on in the morning, more colorful and more meaningful as well. I'm sort of winging it as far as construction technique, but I think I have a fair idea of how to do it. After four hours of total work, all the strips have been cut, but who knows if I cut too much or not enough.
If nothing else, stitches can be pulled out and made again!
I've made a really big tshirt rug for my work-in-progress covered deck.....and can't WAIT until I can use it! post your pics when its done!
When life hands you scraps, make quilts! |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 06:31:11 AM
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Wow, girls, awesome ideas. You all inspire me so.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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delicia
True Blue Farmgirl
917 Posts
delicia
cincinnati
ohio
USA
917 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 09:14:28 AM
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OK I am so thrilled because I found some red silk geraniums at a garage sale for .25 and they were 10-12 dollars a bunch at Hobby Lobby. I am going to put them in a hanging basket on my gate and have a red and white theme.
delicia |
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lulu
True Blue Farmgirl
240 Posts
Connie
Geuda Springs
Kansas
USA
240 Posts |
Posted - Jun 18 2010 : 12:59:26 PM
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Delicia,
Good buy! I think that sounds like a cute idea. I have some red, white and blue carnations I think would would look good on my front porch. Think I'll gather up all the patrotric stuff I have and do a theme on the porch. Have a good summer.
Connie
LULU
farmgirl sister #1369
"Scattered Prairie Gals" chapter
Take care and write soon.
When you wish upon a star...Jiminy Cricket |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 06:52:26 AM
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| Am working on re-purposing books -- the children's kind that are cardboard. I read about using them as the base for journals in which one glues various items -- sort of a scrapbook of ideas for quilting, dollmaking, gardening and so on. Right now I'm still trying to get the slick paper pages off. Any ideas as to how to make this easier than just peeling and hoping it all comes off? I bought some at a garage sale and am looking for more. |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 06:56:39 AM
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| Another baby food jar idea: my mom, back in the sixties, was a great at re-purposing. She painted the tops a flat black and then painted pictures of herbs on them and kept spices and herbs in them. She also took big gallon jars and did the same thing -- matching sets. These she used for flour and sugar. |
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debbies journey
True Blue Farmgirl
635 Posts
debbie
anchorage
ak
USA
635 Posts |
Posted - Jun 28 2010 : 10:29:55 PM
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Suzanne, you might try using contact paper to cover those pages,
or how about using spray adhesive and decorative papers, or paper bags,
or just plain paper?
Debbie |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 06:08:58 AM
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I asked my DH about the board books and he suggested just scuffing the surface with sandpaper, then you can glue things on it.
I am repurposing empty cereal boxes into magazine holders. I seen it in a magazine and tried it. You have to use the really big boxes, so my girls are thrilling at the honeycomb cereal purchases! I usually don't buy that due to the price, but $1 extra on the cereal is cheaper than the $15 extra for the holders. I am gonna cover them with the end rolls of newspaper we get from the local newspaper printer and let the girls color them, then I'll label the fronts with each magazine it holds.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Jun 29 2010 : 09:50:30 AM
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Thanks for all of the great ideas. When I read about using the board books in a magazine, the author didn't say how she got the shiny paper off -- but she did mention doing it. I suspect some things will stick better to the cardboard -- but I can try anything -- it's a fun project to think about.
Angela, you will have great magazine holders. Suzanne |
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sherone_13
True Blue Farmgirl
2460 Posts
Sherone
Evanston
WY
USA
2460 Posts |
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SunnySister
Farmgirl in Training
16 Posts
Janna
Fairhope
Alabama
USA
16 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 7:35:41 PM
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I love the idea of the cereal box magazine organizers! I am definitely going to try that one! I think I will find some pretty papers and decoupage them. Can't wait!
Thanks for all the great ideas, ladies!
http://sunshinesisters.etsy.com |
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natesgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
1735 Posts
angela
martinsville
indiana
USA
1735 Posts |
Posted - Jul 01 2010 : 10:47:49 PM
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My DD has decided that mac-n-cheese boxes will be the best thing to organize her index cards. She's cutting them and folding them to look like the magazine boxes. They are so cute on her desk.
Farmgirl Sister #1438
God - Gardening - Family - Is anything else important? |
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JojoNH
True Blue Farmgirl
1984 Posts
Joanna
Dunbarton
New Hampshire
USA
1984 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 06:17:17 AM
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We occasionally purchase a large bottle of soda when we have company. Well, I hate just throwing them out and have a small collection of them. Then one night it hit me, cut off the top- right where the straight edge of the bottle begins. Take off the cap, turn the top upside down and place it into the soda bottle. Now, fill the bottom with water, allowing it to rise up just past the the piece you placed inside. . . an instant container for my wildflowers!! The weight of the water keeps them from blowing over, it's easy to see when they need water added and best of all, they look wonderful all lined up with fresh bouquets waiting to be purchased!
Joanna #566
"Keeping Traditions Alive A Stitch At A Time"
JojoNH
http://www.etsy.com/shop/CountryCents
http://CountryCents.Blogspot.com
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JenniferJuniper
True Blue Farmgirl
359 Posts
Jennifer
New Hampshire
USA
359 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 12:24:58 PM
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I had some leftover wallpaper and used it as book covers for ugly old utilitarian 3-ring binders (I have about a dozen, each a differnt category full of tear sheets & project ideas torn from magazines and catalogues). Might also work on the book boards.
Farmgirl Sister #204 |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Jul 05 2010 : 5:16:15 PM
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I purchased a little child's plastic push wheelbarrow at a garage sale for my grandchildren ages 1 1/2 and almost 3. They live in northern Montana so the wheelbarrow was sitting aroudn a lot. I was going to plant flowers in it, but then it wouldnt' be available when the kids come. So I put the wheelbarrow to work.
I use it when I am weeding the garden. I weed on my hands and knees and push the little wheelbarrow between the rows and throw weeds into it. It's perfect and its cheerful color makes me smile. I need another one for all the rocks I pick out of the garden. Happy in the garden, Suzanne |
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shunger
True Blue Farmgirl
224 Posts
Suzanne
Helena
MT
USA
224 Posts |
Posted - Jul 11 2010 : 5:27:28 PM
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Here's another repurposing. I use the bottom half of an old tea ball to shake paprika over chicken or potato salad. I buy herbs and spices in bulk and store them in any old clean jar I have, which works great until I need to shake some out instead of spoon some --- thus the old tea ball.
Would love to hear more of your ideas. Suzanne |
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Nifty Thrifty: Repurposing...what have you done lately? |
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Repurposing...what have you done lately?
