A Repurposed Christmas

A post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

This post should have been up long before now, but time has just gotten away from me, so there may not be any time to make them this year, but that gives you a whole year to decide which ones will feature in your Christmas decorating next year.

Bed springs can be used to make the cutest little Christmas trees.

Source

A few of these simple decorations would make an unusual centrepiece for the table on Christmas day.

Source

These are actually necklaces, but I think they would look beautiful hanging in the tree.

 Source

If you don't happen to have any old fashioned cotton reels lying about you could use corks instead. 

Source

Mindy at The Happy Scraps used a Cricut to make her flip chart Christmas countdown, but the same thing could be achieved using scrapbook paper, cardboard numbers and old Christmas cards.

 Source

Mindy at Prudent Pennypincher shows us a cute way to make a hanging countdown to Christmas using empty toilet rolls.

Source

Old picture frames can be decorated and used as an alternative the traditional Christmas wreath.

 Source unknown

Source unknown

If you lucky enough to have a fireplace this would make a fantastic focal point to all your Christmas decorating.

Source 

But if you don't have the wall space for a gate, how about a bicycle wheel.

Source unknown

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a 

VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 

I hope you have a joyous and peaceful day spent with the ones you love.

I will be back with a garden update as soon as I can take some photos, we are on day two of a heat wave and the veggie garden is covered in shade cloth at the moment. 

Disclaimer: I try to give credit to the owners of all the images I use, sometimes this is not possible, those images where the source is unknown will be assumed to be in the public domain. If you are the owner of any of these images (source unknown) and would like them removed or credit added, please let me know

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

All gardeners have them, they are a necessity in every garden, but what do you do with your hose when it is no longer usable. Below are a few ideas to help keep that old hose out of landfill and turn it into something useful or decorative around the garden.

Mark from Mark Kintzel Design turned his old hose into a door mat after the garbage collectors refused to take it.

Carla from Cosmo Girls Emporium used an old hose and turned it into an outdoor flower wreath.

Use a hose and some artificial leaves and add some whimsy to your front gate.

Source unknown

From HGTV comes a great idea for all of us veggie gardeners.

Kara from Kara Paslay Designs shared this photo on her blog showing how the Mattress Factory used hoses to create a little fence around their vegetable garden.

I don't now that anyone who would have enough different coloured hoses to do this, but what a great way to brighten up the wall of a shed or garage.

Bachman's Summer Idea House via Quirk Madame

And lastly, it might get a bit hot to sit on if left out in the sun, but I think a hose chair could be very comfortable.

Source - Pinterest

Disclaimer: I try to give credit to the owners of all the images I use, sometimes this is not possible, those images where the source is unknown will be assumed to be in the public domain. If you are the owner of any of these images (source unknown) and would like them removed or credit added, please let me know.

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

The Windows 7 Edition

Head on over to Craftmams Drive to see how Mr LMB incorporated 

an old window into a stylish and rustic bathroom cabinet.

Donna over at Funky Junk Interiors used one to create a 

sign for her dining room.

They can be used to make a cold frame just like this one 

from Home Talk.

Or greenhouses big

Source: Donna Reyne Homecoming

and small.

Source: Flea Market Gardening

You could remove the glass and replace with mirrors like 

Monica from Crafty Nest did.

Lastly, you could use them to add extra living space to your home.

Source: Orange Spot LLC 

Join me next month for another edition of Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle.

Disclaimer: I try to give credit to the owners of all the images I use, sometimes this is not possible, those images where the source is unknown will be assumed to be in the public domain. If you are the owner of any of these images (source unknown) and would like them removed or credit added, please let me know.

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

Time To Retyre

Every year in Australia about 48 millions tyres reach the end of the road, of those 48 million, only 16% are recycled, the rest end up in landfill, stockpiled or illegally dumped.
Source

Anything that can be done to reduce the number of tyres ending up in landfill can only be a good thing. Below are just a few examples of what can be done with them. 

From icreativeideas comes an idea I might try myself as I have been trying to think of a cheap way to add a frog pond down in the vegetable garden.

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

A Potpourri

Kathy at Suited to the Seasons created this pea trellis out old bicycle wheels and twine.

Natalie at Natalme used an old rake head to make a rack for her gardening tools.

Jamie from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom shows us how to make no-sew tote bags from old t-shirts. A brilliant idea!

I love how Andrea at Queen B and Me used old drawers as planters to add some curb appeal to her front porch. I have some old drawers down in the garden shed so I will be doing this myself.

 

I personally think the only thing you should do with a book is read it, but sometimes through no fault of their own books get misused, abused and battered. Using them to make an altered book gives them a new lease of life, I think this idea would make a great gardening journal.

A lovely use for an old bird cage, fill it with succulents.

And lastly, for those of you who just happen to have an old row boat lying around, why not turn it into a potting bench.

Well, that's it for this month's round of Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle, I will be back next month with more ideas.

Disclaimer: I try to give credit to the owners of all the images I use, sometimes this is not possible, those images where the source is unknown will be assumed to be in the public domain. If you are the owner of any of these images (source unknown) and would like them removed or credit added, please let me know.

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

Old Furniture, New Uses

Turn an old dresser into a wine rack.

Source unknown

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Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle - January 2016

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way.

It's For the Birds

Bird Baths

A simple birdbath made using the frame from a lampshade,
and an old light fitting. Source

My favourite, using an old washtub and a pump to keep the water moving. A series of DIY photos found here will show how it was constructed.

 Not the best photo but you get the idea. Vintage hand basin
gets a new life. Source 

 A simple structure of branches and bowls makes for a unique birdbath. Tutorial here.

A new use for old dishes. You can find the tutorial here. 

Bird Houses

An old letter box re-purposed as a bird house would add charm to any garden. Source

 (No longer in business) 
Source

Old boots given new life as a bird's nest. Source

An old pot and an aged piece of timber make a
rustic bird home.  Source unknown

I can't think of a better way to use an old watering can.
Source

Made up from old bits and pieces this bird house would look
right at home in an English country garden. Source 

Terracotta pots can be used for a lot more than holding plants, but none as sweet as a home for baby birds. Source

Bird Feeders

Reuse old coffee/formula cans and turn them into bird feeders. Source

What a lovely way to reuse that chipped or broken teacup
and saucer. Source unknown. 

Do you have any old globe light fittings lying around? 
Here's one way to put them to good use. Source

See you next month for another round of Repurpose - Reuse – Recycle.

Disclaimer: I try to give credit to the owners of all the images I use, sometimes this is not possible, those images where the source is unknown will be assumed to be in the public domain. If you are the owner of any of these images (source unknown) and would like them removed or credit added, please let me know

Read More

Repurpose - Reuse - Recycle

A monthly post to (hopefully) inspire you to look at old things in a new way. 

New Ways to Use Old Bedsprings

Outdoor candle holders.
Source unknown

A unique way to display dried flowers.

Use them to display old family photos.
Four Corners Design

Organize your office using the base from a cot.
Source unknown.

One for the sewers in the family.
Stamp Girl

Fun snack holders for a children's party.

Source unknown  

Marie Niemann's wind chimes

Test tube vase.
Free Pretty Things for You

Shabby chic table decor

Source unknown

"Spring" wreath

Beyond the Picket Fence

And finally, my favourite way to use them.

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