How to Turn Plastic Bags into Decorations

Turning plastic bags into décor is such a neat idea! I don't know about you, but I seem to have a million of these bags - despite switching to reusable bags! You can use this tutorial from City of Creative Dreams to make these for parties, holidays, etc.

See How to Turn Plastic Bags into Decorations.

The Ultimate Reusable Snack Sack

 Sew Can Do created these completely awesome snack sacks out of food safe fabric! I can't even count how many little plastic baggies we go through for all the snacks in this house. Having some of these on hand would be so awesome!

 

See The Ultimate Reusable Snack Sacks.

DIY Colored Denim

  The fashion trend right now is skinny jeans and colored denim.   The Little Giggler took a dark pair of flare jeans and brought them up to be "in style" by taking them in with a serger, then bleaching and dying them.   That's a great way to refashion some of the jeans in your closet you don't love anymore.

See the dyed denim tutorial.

Chopsticks Bowl!!!! (Cool!)

  I've seen some cool projects done with chopsticks, but I think this one is my new favorite!!!   Pretty Shabby UK made a funky bowl out of chopsticks and a piece of wood!  A definite conversation piece.  (This blog has a Waste Not, Want Not party that is dedicated to recycling and up cycling.  Join in!!!)

See the bowl made out of chopsticks.

Wine Bottle Tiki Torches

 With all the summertime parties and bbq's coming up, I know you are just wanting some tiki torches to add to the atmosphere.   Little House in the Big D created some tiki torches from wine bottles.  How fun!

See how to make wine bottle tiki torches.

Plastic Bag Flowers

Recycled crafts are fun and eco-friendly!   Take those plastic bags you get from the store and turn them into something pretty!   Silly Simple shows you how to make flowers from them.   I wonder if you could also hang them from the ceiling for decor and party decorations?  Probably!

See how to make plastic bag flowers.

How to Make Plarn (Plastic Yarn) and a Plarn Grocery Tote

Some of you may have a goal to be "greener" this year or to find a new crafting skill!  I found one for any of you with either of these goals or for someone who just wants to be different. 

Petals to Picots show how to turn the plastic grocery sacks into "plarn"  (plastic yarn) and then gives you the pattern to make grocery totes.  Such a cool idea!  The people at the Farmer's Market in my town would LOVE this idea!!!!

Learn how to make Plarn and a plarn grocery tote.

Chip Clip Trick!!!!

I love this chip clip idea at Crafting in the Rain!   She took the clips of a cheap hanger for a better cause:)

See the chip clip trick!

Take In a Baggy Sweater

I have quite a few sweaters in a box that I dont' wear anymore because they are very baggy. I've thought about trying to take them in, but was scared I would ruin them. Now that DIY Home Sweet Home has successfully done it and it looks AMAZING, I'm going to try! (Actually, this sweater was her husband's and she made it her own!!!!)

Learn how to take in a baggy sweater.

Guest Blogger - Homemade Ginger - Waterproof Bib from Bag

Hello Someday Crafts readers! I'm so excited to be sharing with you all today! My name is Megan and I blog over at Homemade Ginger.

I just celebrated my 2 year "blogiversary" by challenging myself for the entire year.  I'm calling it the 30 Days Project and each month I will come up with a new challenge for myself and blog about it.  For the month of November, my challenge is 30 days of Repurposing.

 I am blogging a new project every single day this month that has to do with repurposing something by giving it a new life!

 For example, one of my favorites I've done so far is repurposing a thrift store sweater into a sock monkey costume.

 And this repurposed ruffled sweater

Today, I will be sharing a tutorial on how to repurpose a reusable shopping bag into a waterproof pocket bib (with some extra leftover to make another mini-project!)

I found this $0.99 shopping bag at Marshalls and thought it was so adorable.  I've seen similar ones at Joann's and Hobby Lobby for very cheap.  The material is perfect to make something waterproof.

 And you can't beat the price! Especially considering the fact that most waterproof fabrics like oil cloth are super expensive.

 First, I took a bib I already had and made a pattern by tracing it.  I cut another piece the same size and shape of the bottom portion of the bib, which will be the pocket.

Use your pattern to cut out the pieces from the bag.

Next, you will need some double fold bias tape.  I actually made mine, but you could definitely buy some if you wanted to.  Sew the bias tape along the top edge of the pocket.

Pin the pocket to the bib and now pin bias tape all around the edge of the bib and sew on.

 

Lastly, sew on some velcro for an easy closure

And you are done! So simple!

 

Now, you will probably have a huge piece of the bag leftover.   So, why not cut it...

Serge or zig zag around the edges.

And use as a placemat!

Perfect for a messy eater because it's easy to simply wipe off.

2 easy projects from a $0.99 bag.  It would make a great frugal Christmas gift!

Hope you enjoyed the tutorial.  Thanks so much for having me today and feel free to stop by  Homemade Ginger and say hi!

Hat and Kids' Sweater from an Adult Sweater

I love me some good upcycled projects and I definitely believe this qualifies as such.  Me Sew Crazy took an adult sweater and created an adorable hat and sweater for her new son!   So cute. 

Check out the upcycled sweater hat and kid sweater.

 

She also provides you with the pattern to make baby baseball caps.  These ones were made from onesies.   Totally fun!   Check out the baseball cap tutorial.   I'm going to watching this blogger.   Me Sew Crazy has lots of amazing ideas and probably some tricks up her sleeve!

Upcycled Crochet Rugs

What do you do with your old shirts and scraps?  Have you ever thought of upcycling them into a cute rug like this?   King Soliel has made quite a few of these rugs and shows you how on her blog. Some were even made out of levis!!!

Check out how to make upcycled crocheted rugs!



Six Pack Caddy

Turn a used six pack drink carrier into a little craft caddy to help organize your supplies and carry them easily.   Cat on a Limb shows you how!

See the six pack craft carrier.



Spool Bookcase

Wouldn't you love to have a piece of furniture like this spool coffeetable at your house? What a cool way to store some books or other gadgets! The description of how to make it is given at Reading Is Fashionable.

See the spool bookcase/coffeetable.

50 Crafty Ideas for Recycling/Upcycling Cans

This post at Under The Table and Dreaming is a must see. Not only does it have some great "green" ideas for using old food cans, it has 50 gorgeous crafts for what may have become garbage! It is amazing. I'm loving this tiered can. (Do you have any idea how long it takes to put together a post like this? Probably months!)

See the 50 ideas for recycling and upcycling tin cans.