Desk organiser from recycled tin cans - tutorial

Finally, I have some crafty goodness happening! I have been missing it a lot. I have done a tutorial on how to transform basic food tins into a cute and functional desk organiser. This is one of my favourite crafts actually - there is recycling, there is (mostly) 'free' and there is wow 'before and after' factor! All great elements for crafting.

I have done the tutorial as a PDF download. Click here for your copy and make sure you let me know if you make one yourself.

Notes:

- I don't have access to good quality spray paints but I think a Rustoleum paint would give much better coverage.

- If you want the option of changing the look of your tin, just wrap the paper around and secure with double sided tape.

Teacup pincushion tutorial

For Earth Day, I did a recycling type craft today (like most people). I have been wanting to do this teacup pincushion for awhile and finally got around to it...

You will need: teacup, fabric, stuffing, needle & thread, glue, scissors and a scrub bud to help keep your pins and needles sharp (this is optional).

Step 1
Cut out circle of fabric. The diameter of my teacup is 10.5cm and the diameter of fabric needed is a little bit more than double that (my circle was 22 - 23cm diameter).





Step 2
Stitch around perimeter of fabric in a long running stitch – no need to knot the end.

Step 3

Gather up the circle about halfway and fill with stuffing (and scrub bud if using) until nice and full. I didn’t overstuff mine as I wanted it to sit down in the cup and not above the lip too much.

Step 4
Pull the gathers as tight as you can at the bottom and tie a knot in the thread before trimming off.

Step 5
Apply liberal amounts of either hot glue or normal tacky craft glue to inside of cup. Firmly press fabric ball into the cup and wait for the glue to dry. Note: Make sure to not get too high up the sides of the cup with the glue so it doesn’t squish out over the fabric. You only need to secure it from underneath.

Only thing left to do is to stick your pins in it now (or box it up for a present of course). I am thinking this one might be one of my handmade Christmas presents for someone...

Recycled boxes & tortilla chips (nearly)...

I have been holding on to these little boxes for awhile now as they are too good to throw away but I haven't been able to work out what to do with them either. They came from some cutlery sets I bought the kids and I have no idea what happened to the clear lids but I decided to add a cute liner and will find some way of using my little boxes (or trays really now).

I might use one near the front door to hold my sunglasses and phone when I come home and maybe the other one might corral lip balms in my dressing room. Or I might make lids for them and use them as little gift boxes for someone. Or maybe I could design some little note cards and envelopes for a handmade gift for someone. Hmm, not sure..... I could keep going but I won't torture you! Oh, that reminds me, I am making the grand goal for myself to make all homemade gifts for everyone for Christmas this year (I was thinking birthdays too but that might be a bit too much for the first year). The goal also includes the gifts actually being very good and not looking too homemade! Will post on my progress as I go....

The only other thing I did today was totally spoil making some chocolate pudding for the kids (grrrr) and providing a testimonial on 'how not to make tortilla chips'. Those little suckers turn quickly if you aren't watching them! Sigh.