Recycled Get Crafty!

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recycled craft ideasHappy New Year!!! Welcome to 2011!! Well, I am a great fan of “make do and mend”. And if you cannot make do, then to reuse or repurpose. There so many fabulous things you can create out of supposed waste material it is rather astounding and the featured list just kept on growing and growing. Take a look and let YOUR imagination be the limit!

If you love upcycled crafts and MORE ideas than “just” the below… remember there lots and lots more recycled crafts on this blog. From Newspaper Hats to Cutlery Windchimes! Join me on Facebook or subscribe to e-mail updates and don’t miss out on the latest!

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Get Crafty with Children

Spinning Tops

I love these little spinning tops. Kids love spinning tops. We have 10s of bottle tops lying around… I know what we will be making. I also love that these are traditional Hanukkah toys. And you know why things are traditional, no? Because they have withstood generations of children testing and playing with them.. Creative Jewish Mom shows us how. These are simple toys that embrace recycling!

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Convert a Box

Mary Anne at Mama Smiles indeed makes me smile. She knows what it means to transform a cardboard box into… a washing machine or a fridge or a cupboard or even a playhouse. And what she does splendidly, is show you that “simple is best”. It doesn’t take much to convert a box and hey presto you have days of fun. We have a box standing around, with a door cut into it and a piece of string for a handle and both Red Ted and Pip Squeak ADORE playing and around it. As do the cats… Also, visit Fun on a Dime for yet another post on “The Power of the Box”!!

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Spaceship (from plastic bottles)

I love it when people “claim” not to be crafty and then come up with a wonderfully crafty idea. Here is Tim from Bringing Up Charlie, being very inspirational with two empty bottles and creating a wonderful spaceship for Charlie. FABULOUS!

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Play Road (from card)

Simple. Effective. Hours of fun. All you need is some cardboard, some black paint and some white paint and some scissors. The next thing you know you have a road to play with. And a nice light and portable road too… visit Anna at the Imagination Tree and take a look!

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Iron (card box & duct tape)

I love this iron. The main reason being that it embrace two concepts – one, keep it simple. Two, cherish it. This iron was made on a whim by Metajugglamum and has remained a much loved toy. You see, it doesn’t take much to keep our kids happy. Go off and get crafty quick! These are the sort of homemade toys that childhood memories are made of.

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Penguins (deodorant bottles)

I love our little penguins. We had such fun making them and Red Ted was so pleased with the end result. The reason I love these for Recycled Get Crafty, is because to me they embrace the idea of “recycling” with “throw away” items – look at what you are throwing away, look at the shape and see what else it could be? The deodorant bottles were perfect penguin shape…. For more, read on here.

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Egg Carton Mouse

My “new favourite Egg Carton crafter”. Linda is the Egg Carton queen. I ADORE this little Christmas Mouse (take away the hat and you have new years mouse). But she’s also made a great Christmas street. What I like about her craft, is that she “embraces” the shape of the egg carton box and incorporates it in her craft. I am inspired!

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Wrapping Paper Memory

Now, I am SURE you will have tons of wrapping paper lying in your recycling boxes… take out a choice few and convert them into Michelle’s clever little memory games. Here is how!

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Boats (from drink cartons)

Sometimes you see something cute and the cuteness just bowls you over. As I was by these juice or milk carton boats. CUTE! I ADORE THEM! Go and take a look and never look at a Tropicana carton the same way again.

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Milk Carton Dolls Houses

Now, I know I should have kept these for next months Recycled Get Crafty, but couldn’t resist already showing them to you now – to me these dolls houses made from old drink cartons look so sweet and fairytale like, that they belong right in the heart of White & Sparkle”! What I love is, that the children made these… lovely lovely! Go and read more here.

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Robots

Red Ted Art is all about having fun with crafts without spending a fortune (most of the time). We rather enjoyed making these robots out of bubble bottles, boxes, lids and loo rolls. Click here to read more!

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More Robots for Dressing up

One of my earliest “bloggy friends” is Zoe from Playing by The Book. She has a fabulously inspirational blog all about, well books, but also lots of clever, fun and innovative crafts. Here she gets crafty with the girls creating fabulous robot costumes.

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Aaaand MORE Robots + Some Great Xmas Recycling

Christ as Thinly Spread, does it again, not only does she make this fabulously happy Robot, but she also writes a great post about of how to make the most of all that “Christmas Rubbish”. A lady of my own heart, who supports the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” Mantra. Do go and see more about this fabulous Robot, but also about top tips regarding to what to do with all those Christmas cards!

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Monsters (from food tags)

Ok, these little fridgemagnets were made for Halloween out of “food tags”, that you get to seal bag such as bread. But why stop at Halloween, I am sure you can come up with a range of wonderful other magnets – e.g. Robots or Snowmen! Fab-u-lous! Embellishing Live Every Day tells us more!

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Matchbox Magnets

Not only do I like these magnets, but I also love Inspiration Surrounds Creativity Abound’s approach to making these: all sorts of wonderfully crafty items were laid out and the children were being free reign to be creative. Splendid.

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Jedi X Wing

Well, which Star Wars fan would NOT be excited about this fabulously amazing Jedi made for a very lucky little boy’s Jedi party? How cool is that. Brilliant. Only downside is, that we wouldn’t have the space for this in our house… 🙁 Go and visit the Clever Faeries to read all about the party and the X Wing.

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Pirate Boat

Ok, if The Force isn’t with you, then how about a “life size” boat? When You Never Expected Two, makes this fabulous Pirate boat for their kids. I love it and it looks like the kids do too!

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Sweet Wrappers

I just adore all those “coloured bits of paper” you get at the end of a box or tin of sweets. But what to do with them? Cass at Frugal Family got crafty with her children and made some “stained class” bookmarks. I love what they did here: the original plan was to make window decorations for the children’s bedrooms but the plan changed to incorporate Miss Frugal’s bookmark needs. This is what crafting with children is all about: being flexible and letting them become creative and making decisions as to what to make next. Fabulous.

Paper Roll Album

As my love for Paper Roll crafts continues, these little albums make for another fabulous addition. There really appears to be no limit of what you can turn the humble loo roll into. Wow! Those Northern Skies shows us how.

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Stables

I adore these stables that Cathy and her girl made out of all sorts of “old junk”. Who needs anything shop bought, when you can make your own and make it look so fabulous? Visit nurture store for more info here. But…

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Toy Town

…why stop at the stables, when you can have a whole toy town? Now come on? All those fab presents must have come in some fab boxes this Christmas, quick: get them out and get building! (More from Nuturestore)

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Get Crafty with older Children

Nature Walk Pouches (from jumpers)

I love these little pouches for two reasons: they are recycled AND they encourage young walkers to go out and explore nature. As they are especially for those lovely things you find on your walks. I am impressed that the kids on this post made them themselves. Red Ted isn’t quite old enough for sewing, but I can’t wait to teach him!Visit Kleas for more!

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Junk Magnets

I Jude at Artful Adventures, does make some beautiful things. And who would have believed that “junk” could indeed be so much fun… take all your junky bits and make these junk magnets – create infinite combinations of characters on your fridge. Now these are stylish and kind of beat those Alphabet magnets. Visit Jude and read more.

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Dolls House

What recycled Get Crafty wouldn’t be the same without a home made Dolls House? I love love love this Dolls house – as it has so many different areas and aspects to explore and add to. You will find margarine tub baths, matchbox TVs and rag curtains. It looks like a real “childhood memory” and I cannot wait to have a go with two children soon… Please go and take a look at all the fabulous details at Mermaids Creations!

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Comic Art

Another crafty idea from Jude (at Artful Adventures) – which teen wouldn’t enjoy having old comics converted into this splendid art? Visit Jude again to see how she went about it. I love recycling and I think this a great way to reuse old comics.

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Funky Party Bags

Whilst we are on the topic of comics, why not visit my friend’s vlog on how to make some funky party bags out of old comics? Unfortunately I only have the vlog, so you will have to hop over to see how fun these are! How to make Funky Party Bags.

Sample Swatches Turkey

Amazing Mess recycled an old bottle and colour swatches to make these cute turkeys. Clever and fun little idea. Why stop at turkeys? Make peacocks or dragons or other fabulous creatures… Let your imagination run wild!

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Get Crafty for Adults (or older children)

Woven Baskets

If you haven’t visited Gail at That Artist Woman yet, you really must. Gail is an incredibly inspirational lady, who comes up with the most marvelous artistic crafts – for all ages to enjoy. She combines so many different approaches into a new craft to make them beautiful, interesting and unique. Here she shows us how easy it is to convert a plastic container with a little weaving… beautiful. These would make a lovely Mother’s Day gift too!

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Message holder

Maria at Fabmums did actually make this with her son, but I don’t see why we can’t all have some pretty note holders standing around our house (and also not just for Christmas)… take a cereal box, then nip over to Fabmums and get crafty!

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Loo Roll Flowers

Well, surely by now, you all know that I am a huge “Loo Roll” craft fan. They are plenty around and they can be converted into the most amazing things. Including these flowers. Visit Design By Night to see how.

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Bottle Wreath

I know how some of you love wreaths. There are so many clever and pretty wreath ideas out there. I particularly like this recycled wreath – made of old plastic bottles – I can just see the sun catching it and casting a warming glow. Laurie from Scene of the Grime shows how.

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Hot Water Bottle Covers (out of jumpers)

Now, I have plenty of friends who say “but Maggy, I can’t knit”… ah yes, this is where those old woolly jumpers come in handy. You can very quickly convert them into cozy hot water bottle covers. What a clever way to preserved that much loved jumper. Take a peak and read more over at Our Yellow House.

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Bowls (out of old records)

Ahh, these gorgeous bowls really are rather retro – take an old (hopefully scratched and therefore useless record) and turn it into this fun bowl! Tiddlyompompom guests posts her “How to” over at Violet Posy. Makes for a perfect Teen gift!

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Globe Lamp

Well, this doesn’t need much explaination: it is what it says on the tin: a lamp made from an old Globe. Lovely and simple and yet, you needed to have thought of it! Tana at Little Bird Seeds shows us what else you need to make it!

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Tray Magnet Board

Bring together and old tray and some bottle tops and the next thing you know you have a pretty little magnet board on your hands. Visit Junk Dog Design for many more “junk” ideas.

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Rag Bookmarks

I love reading. But with too small children running around, I am always putting my book down. It would be lovely to have some of these fabulously bright and colourful bookmarks. Just looking at them makes me smile and think of sunshine. Pink and Green Mama made these for Christmas, but who is stopping you from making them at Valentines or Mothers Day?!

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Baboushka Pin Cushion

I saw this pin cushion and fell in love. HOW CUTE is this?! Ok, so you have to find a “single” Babushouka, but when you find her, she is will be no longer be lonely, but a gorgeous addition to any sewing kit.

Recycled Christmas

I decided to put these items separately, as we have afterall JUST HAD Christmas… however, I still adored the recycled craftiness, that I really really wanted to feature these items for you. I am sure you can still draw some inspiration!

Nativity (from corks)

The Domestic Goddesque shows us her very clever little idea of creating a WHOLE nativity set out of corks! Who would have thought they would look so wonderful. Now go and drink LOTS of bubbly in 2011 and make some of your own!

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Juice Can Gift Boxes and Decorations

Michele has come up with these gorgeous little gift boxes made out of Juice Cans. Wow. They are simply too cute and perfect for Christmas. Of course there is no reason why you shouldn’t use them for other special occasions! Don’t just go and read about the gift boxes, but also stop by and see her Juice Can Ornaments. Lovely!

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Sleigh Bells

Take an old beld, some bells and hey presto an “authentic” Christmas decorations. You can just imagine this being attached to Santa’s sleigh. Visit Tana to read more.

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Juggling Chooks

Use up your fabric scraps to make these adorable and SUPRISINGLY EASY juggling chooks. Great project for beginner sewers!

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Paper Bag Where the Wild Things Are

Need a Paper Bag inspiration? How about making Max and a wild thing? Yes, that all it needs – one paper bag, scissors and tape. Check out the page for a linky of paper bag craft ideas!

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If you love upcycled crafts and MORE ideas than “just” the below… remember there lots and lots more recycled crafts on this blog. From Newspaper Hats to Cutlery Windchimes! Join me on Facebook or subscribe to e-mail updates and don’t miss out on the latest!