DIY Cereal Box Pocket Folder

It seems like I finish one organization project and another one pops up over night.  This time it's my file drawers, I would show you a before picture but I'm too ashamed!  Instead, I'll show you how to reuse some things that you have laying around the house to make pocket folders for those larger items that need organizing.  Here's one that I use to store my ECO-Fi felt sheets:

Here's what you'll need; assorted cardboard boxes, an old manila folder to use as a template, tacky glue, old t-shirt, something to cut with and a marker

Begin by placing the fold of the manila folder on one of the folds of your box and trace the edges of your template

Cut your folder out.  Now if you just need a few small folders to organize papers and such you can stop here and repeat for as many folders as you need.  Read on to complete your pocket folder...

Use an old t-shirt to cut a strip that will form the side of your pocket.  You should cut the strip to be a minimum of 1" wider (1/2" for each side) than the side opening of the folder and a minimum of 1" longer than the height.

Add a little tacky glue along the edge of the cereal box to the first fold and attach the t-shirt fabric to it.  Give a little time adhere before you move on

Fold the finished side up and glue the t-shirt to the bottom of of the file pocket

Then add glue to the remaining unfinished edge, fold it upwards and press the t-shirt into place

Repeat on the second side and you're ready to label and fill your new upcycled pocket folder!

Wordless Wednesday Featuring an Upcycled Surprise

My nine year old niece visited this weekend and brought with her and upcycled bird feeder that she very proud of.  I dare say I might have rubbed off on her a bit since the whole playing with trash is kinda "my thing" in the family.

While the engineering may not be an exact science on this one, the creativity is pretty awesome.  In her mind, when the bird lands on the spoon it acts as a funnel initiating a pour response filling the spoon with seed!  Cute, huh?

Upcycled Finds in Abbeville

I fell in love this weekend, in love with Abbeville, SC.  If you've never had the chance to visit you should.  Abbeville is a very sweet little town that prides itself on preserving its historical nature.  I had the opportunity to participate in their Art'Oberfest festival this weekend and found myself daydreaming about my own little shop right on the city square. 

Alas, it's Monday and reality has sucked me right out of those daydreams. But I am left with the "warm and fuzzies" thinking about all of the wonderful art that was on display this weekend.  There really was an amazing variety of wares!  I was amazed at all of the booths that had upcycled/repurposed goods in them.  Thank goodness, I drive a tiny Kia that was packed to the roof with my own displays because I would have put the furniture guy out of business on day 1!  He had these amazing king size chairs fashioned from an old crib.  The cushion on each was half of the crib mattress that he had upholstered!  I'm sad to say that he sold those puppies before I had a chance to snap a pic - amazing!


I did bring a few things home with me this time around.  Here are some wonderful vintage buttons that I can't wait to use in my jewelry and soda can flowers.  They came in a really old mason jar that will make a lovely soy candle, too!

A few booths down from me there was a man selling some really fun stuff out of old glass jars, mostly wine bottles that he collects from restaurants.  That's were I found this really cool hummingbird feeder.  I know, the hummingbirds left a couple weeks ago but when you see a cool upcycled creation you have to grab it while you can or it'll be gone before you know it!

I wish I could share my third purchase with you but it was a Christmas gift for a friend and I don't want to spoil the surprise.  But it was another wonderful creation from the same artist who made my bird feeder. 

Be sure to visit this quaint little town when next you visit the South, you won't be disappointed!

FaBOOlous Friday

Just ten days left until Halloween.  For all those who waited to decorate or pick up party  supplies here are some of my favorite ideas from around the web:

 Juice Box Monsters from Crafts by Amanda

Plastic Bag Pumpkin from Crafts for Kids (...and kids at heart!)

 Book Page Pumpkin from Creations by Kara

  

 Suit of Armor (you've heard of plastic bottle armor haven't you?) by Kosuke Tsurmura

 LEGO Halloween Costume by Instructables

 Plarn Pumpkin Trick or Treat Bag by My Recycled Bags

 Mummy Lanters by Crafting a Green World

Happy Halloween crafting!

Wordless Wednesday Featuring an Upcycled Scratch Pad

An old Christmas tree lights box covered in pretty paper (of course, a magazine page would do too) collects envelopes after I've opened the mail.  They make great scratch paper for making shopping/To Do lists!

An Amazing Example of Sustainability

As I was crafting this past Sunday afternoon, a program called Eco Company came on the television.  It's basically a conservation program for kids - by kids.  They had a story about Lundberg Family Farm that brought tears to my eyes.

The farm has been participating in a program called Egg Aid since 1993 and has farmers, school kids and government agencies working together to save eggs (mostly ducks) that have been laid in fields about to be plowed under.  In a perfect world the hens would be allowed to hatch those eggs just as nature intended but this is not the reality we live in.  Egg Aid is the best alternative and boasts a 95% hatch rate - way better than natural hatch rates in the wild.  This has resulted in the release of tens of thousands of ducks over the years.

I am so impressed at how the organic farm helps kids understand the connection between the food they eat and how it effects the environment.  Even more importantly it shows them that they can do something to help ease the conflict between human and animal needs.  See for yourself; check out this video that I found on YouTube, it's not the entire program but all good stuff.

Don't forget to check out the noise makers the kids use to flush female ducks off of their nests...they're upcycled!

Memory Bracelet

A few months back, I headed out to San Francisco for work and while there I stayed with my brother and his fiance.  My soon to be sister-in-law was kind enough to send me home with some bits of trash that I could use in my crafting.  She also gave me a handful of Australian coins from her childhood that she held on to.  When she asked if I could make something from them for her, I gladly accepted the challenge!  Well, I just returned from another trip to San Francisco yesterday and here is what I left with her:

The bracelet was ready to wear and was a perfect fit.  I also made a pendant for her to wear on her favorite chain.  Did I intend to take an action shot with her wearing the pieces?  Of course!  Did I? Of course not!  So, for now this picture will have to do. 

She can wear her bracelet on a fancy night out with the Queen adorning her wrist.  OR if she's feeling a bit spunky, she can flip it over and take a walk on the wild side:

Beautiful new bracelet and pendant using a few old coins and lots of great childhood memories!