Old Things, New Uses

Mabel has discovered a new use for the sink sprayer. It is now called a head rest.

We see normal everyday items being used in the traditional fashion. But what if we got creative? How many ways can we use that same old thing? Sort of like reuse and repurpose, but with a twist (the sink sprayer will still always be a sink sprayer).

Let's see what we can find.

Check out this wrapping paper plastic tub with wheels. Voila! It is now a water exploration tub.

Looks like a shopping bag and a basket, right? Wrong. Those are kitty beds.

What used to be old book pages, some ribbon, glue, tape, and pretty paper is transformed into pretty rosettes.

See how much fun it is to acknowledge our resourcefulness? Maybe a few more...

The old mini wine barrel has become a light and log filled beacon of welcome.

Nesting dolls become a game in graduating sizes.

An old picture frame, old paneling, and some paint transforms into a chalkboard.

This is fun! We are just being resourceful. I think I will keep looking.

What old things can your find new uses for?

Christmas Card Joy: Old Book = Cute Display

Need a new Christmas card display idea? Turn an old hardback book into an unusual way to show off your cards.

I saw something similar to this on Pinterest, my favorite location for gathering ideas. The fun thing about finding great ideas is that you personalize and adjust them to fit your likes and location. Perfect.

First you find a neat old book at a thrift store. Doesn't matter what it is about. You won't be reading it.

And then you fold pages. And fold pages. And fold some more. This takes the most time of any of the steps. I think I worked on and off for 3 or 4 days before I was finally done.

And then you let your grandson help choose a winter print scrap paper for covering the inside pages. This is vital if the inside pages are ugly or boring. Or maybe you just love snowmen like we have on ours. I glued it down with Modge Podge. Worked perfectly. Oh - I tore off an end page to measure the scrap paper. Again, easy and perfect fit.

All done. Display those cards any which way. I added fresh greens, a German smoker Nativity, and a candle.

Pockets

I often wear skirts or slacks that do not have pockets. As a teacher, I need to have some stuff at my beck and call. Like pencils, markers, pens, a whistle, lip balm. That sort of stuff. But my wardrobe did not cooperate.

So I made my own pocket. And, this cracks me up (probably only me, but I get the joke), I made my 'pocket' out of a pair of Taylor's (Army son) jeans. I just cut off a front pocket, sewed the holes, trimmed the edges, and added a strap.

Et voila! A pocket, worthy of a teacher. A pocket from a pocket. Ha-ha.

A bit of history. The pilgrims did not have pockets either. So they had a pouch they tied around their waist as a pocket. So triple ha!

And my students know exactly what I want when I say, "Where is my pocket?" or "It's in my pocket."

They caught on. And wanted their own pockets.

Whacked off some more old pants, trimmed the edges, added straps, and let them decorate with permanent markers to their hearts content. Ahhhh.

Recycle. Yes. Reuse. Yes. Repurpose. Yes.

The new 3 R's. All in kindergarten.