citymade

Here is our final project from the 6×3 curtain. (Look at all projects from 1 curtain!).

Today we made these adorable drawstring bags. The curtain fabric is the top and for the bottom, Melany chose spring flowers ( it’s been a long winter). We can just imagine our girls in their spring finest carrying their bags.

Still working on re-purposing the 6×3 foot curtain.

Today we made a hanging wall/door tote. The outside fabric was bought, but the pocket and the tote were lined with the curtain fabric. This handy wall tote hangs on a door knob or on a wall and can hold a variety of items.

Here is another project from our 6 x 3 curtain we are re-purposing.  The top of the curtain had five nice loops for hanging that we wanted to keep and use.  We decided to make a wall hanging that would organize all of our re-purposing projects.  We often try to plan ahead a little on our days off and we are hoping that this will help us.

First, we fused interfacing onto the back of the curtain to make it more sturdy.  We sewed on several pockets and hot glued pieces of cork board to the fabric.  By using iron-on transfer paper we were able to create iron-on categories.

This week we are re-purposing curtains. Our first project is to see how many things we can make from a 6 ft by 3 ft white cotton panel. It was an old curtain, but still in good condition.

Today’s project is a bed/couch pocket. Melany says she is constantly reaching over her husband to get her lotion, books, tissues that are on the night stand on his side of the bed. With the pocket now on her side, she can put her lotion, books and tissues next to her. It slips between the mattress and box spring or between the couch cushions. And, it just looks nice.

A simple cracker box. That’s it.

By cutting out the front to save the leaf print, we have a stencil for the folding grocery tote we made for our friend, Michele, and also were able to embellish some handmade paper.

We used fabric paint for the tote and a simple acrylic for the paper. And, of course, the stencils can be put in the recycling bin when you are through.

Re-purposed Dryer Sheets

What can you do with used dryer sheets?  Here is one idea:  After you use the dryer sheet (most brands can be used more than once) store them in the glove compartment of your car.  They will help keep your car smelling fresh and when your dashboard gets dusty you can pull one out and dust the inside of your car.  The anti-static agent in dryer sheets will repel dust from your dash.

Tell us your ideas for re-purposing dryer sheets.

Today’s re-purposing project is easy, practical and cheap!

Melany went to a thrift store and bought a pillow sham for under a dollar. She cut a round hole in the front, added a few tabs for hanging and put some Velcro at the opening in the back. Now it is a handy hamper. Hang it by your washing machine or in a closet.

Valentine’s Day re-purposing, part 2. (This one does involve chocolate).

We eat a lot of a certain brand of French jelly. The jars are really cute and so very difficult to toss in the garbage. So, naturally, we have saved a bunch of them. With the cute red checked top, they were perfect to fill with a Valentine’s treat for our kid’s teachers.

We just soaked off the label and filled them with this sweet, delicious candy mix. The real challenge is to get the mix in the jars before you eat it all!

Mix recipe:

1 bag semi-sweet chocolate, 1 bag peanut butter chips, 1 bag M&M’s, 1 bag chocolate covered raisins, 1 jar honey roasted peanuts.

A Valentine’s re-purposing that doesn’t involve chocolate.

Valentine’s day is fast approaching so we decided to create something for Anna’s Pre-K class to enjoy. We have mounds of old broken crayons.  We peeled them (and peeled, and peeled) and melted them in heart shaped candy molds. Now all Anna’s friends can enjoy colorful crayons.

What kid doesn’t love footed pajamas? They are warm and fuzzy and just fun.  My daughter Anna loves the idea of footed pajamas but always complains that she is hot in the middle of the night.  When she asked to cut the feet off of the pajamas I was presented with some non-slip pajama feet to re-purpose.  Slippers!   By sewing a small tube in the top of the feet and threading some elastic through I had a pair of pink slippers.  Now Anna can wear her footed pajamas and simply remove her “slippers” when she gets hot.