Today's Happenings

Upcycling

A couple weeks ago, I talked a little bit about upcycling and its importance. You can make almost anything using old clothes, plastic rubbish and even furniture, and by doing so you are helping to improve the environment and also your mood! Today I will go into a bit more detail about it, giving a few ideas of things you can make in the comfort of your own home. 
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Button Jewellery

Do any of you have lots of spare buttons around the house? I know I certainly do - I was doing a small clear out a little while ago and found loads of them. If you are a particularly avid crafter, chances are you come across buttons every day and sometimes in the weirdest of places! So, if you are looking for something to do with surplus buttons, then look no further. Here are the instructions for how to make some button bracelets and necklaces. This craft is perfect for all ages and abilities.

You Will Need:

• Buttons (not shank buttons). Buttons with either two or four holes work best.
• Cord or thin elastic/elasticated cord.
• Scissors.

Instructions

1. Cut a length of thread. It needs to be longer than you want it to be, particularly if you plan on using lots of buttons.
2. Thread the cord through the first hole of the button, going from the back to the front. However, it is important that you do not pull all of the chord through.
3. Thread the chord the second hole (if you are using a button with four holes you can pick any of the other three holes but I would recommend the one furthest away). This time, the string should go from the front of the button to the back.
4. Your button is now secure, with only a small bit of string at the front of the button. To adjust the button, you can still slide it along the thread but you will need to use a bit more force.
5. Keep sliding buttons on in the same way until you are ready to finish. Be sure to leave gaps on the ends so that you can tie them together.
6. Tie the ends together as securely as you can.

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Phone Socks

I made this phone sock out of an old glove. This craft is a little more complicated than the previous one, but it still is relatively quick and straightforward.

You Will Need:

• A mitten or glove (ideally one that is large or made of stretchy material).
• Thread and needle (or fabric glue if you are not a confident sewer).
• Two buttons or a short zip.
• Scissors.

Instructions

1. Cut the fingers and thumb off of the mitten. TIP: I recommend using tailors chalk or even a light pencil or pen to mark where you will cut. However, if you do this, turn the mitten inside out now.
2. If you have not already, turn the mitten inside out.
3. Sew up the holes left from cutting off the fingers and thumbs but do not sew up the hole that was originally there.
4. Sew two buttons at the top of the front of the mitten.
5. Turn the mitten in the right way again.
6. Cut holes in front of where the buttons lie.

Now, your phone sock is ready to be used.
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Other Ideas

Here are a few other ideas of things you can make through upcycling:

• A toilet roll or kitchen roll tube with a piece of cardboard stuck to the bottom can be used to hold pens, knitting needles and crochet hooks or cables
• A single use plastic bottle can be turned into a pencil case by cutting it and gluing a zip. I got this idea from Stacey Solomon's Instagram account (@staceysolomon). I recommend following her for more ideas.
•  If you have a lot of time and space, you could even convert an old chair into a towel rack by sawing off the front chair legs and supergluing the rest of the chair to the wall. It sounds a bit weird but I found a picture of this online and it actually looks really cool!

You can find even more suggestions online simply by searching "upcycling ideas."

That's all from me today. I hope you have fun trying a few of these.

Until next time, happy crafting!

Caiti