ReFab Diaries

Repurpose: In record time ...

2013-06-18T22:01:00.002-05:00

A while ago I compiled a post dedicated to repurposing vinyl and, ever since, I wanted to find some '45s in great colors to play with myself. And here they are! Since I'm drowning in clock-making hardware (all those book-clocks I once made to sell!) I turned them into clocks. Here's the tutorial ... giveaway to come!

Upcycle: Spotlight on Yoghurt...

2013-06-17T22:13:00.002-05:00

Ah ... the little Danon yoghurts. One dose a day, means lots of little bottles collecting quickly. Which means you'll soon collect enough to make this lamp! Construction is much simpler than you'd imagine; no special materials required. The completely tutorial at Reciclantes is really inspiring, as is the whole blog - please click through and take a look.

Upcycle: Paper lantern gets a fishy refab ...

2013-06-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Love this summertime, fish-tale inspired upcycle. Complete instruction at DS* ... be sure to skim the comments - some helpful extra info there about the where to source the paper etc.

Freebie: Does dad deserve a medal?

2013-06-12T11:16:00.001-05:00

Does dad deserve a medal? This great "My Hero", Father's Day printable is care of Scott over at What I Made.

Repurpose: Bowled over by bottles...

2013-06-10T21:49:00.000-05:00

It's summer in my hemisphere. That means (amongst other things) that I'm suddenly driving over a lot of empty plastic bottles! I've started giving myself points every time I hear the loud crunch. But really? Do they need to be rolling around in the street? I think we should let our kids bowl with them instead. Then recycle them please Chicago!

1. Monster bowling

2. Sumo bowling

3. Bowling "toss"

4. Rainbow bowling

Upcycle: Pop can geometry!

2013-06-07T16:00:00.001-05:00

A little more aluminum / soda-can bling for you! This simple, geometric piece was easy and quick to make. Here's how:

Upcycle: Book pages + Rope = Bowl refabbed!

2013-06-06T21:50:00.000-05:00

I grew up in South Africa in the 80s. It's possible things have changed now but, when I was a kid, gold seemed somehow more affordable than books (only one of many very screwed up things about SA in the '80s, but I'll spare you the history lesson). So, we used libraries ... populated, and run by, lots of "ladies" wearing a lot of gold jewelry. I didn't own a whole lot of books until I hit England in my mid 20's and discovered publisher's clearance warehouses. And used bookstores. Books for a buck!! I went a bit crazy.

Perhaps my values are skewed care of my gold-plated upbringing? But I think this is a great way to treat a less-than-glittering bowl! Get the complete tutorial at Liz Marie Blog

Repurpose: Targeting plastic grocery bags...

2013-06-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you live on a certain continent, you recognize the red bullseye a mile away. And the bags ... my, how they collect. There are, of course, other plastic grocery bags in the world ... and they all collect! So here are some fun ways to upcycle and repurpose them:

1. A lampshade

2. A leaf or heart/valentine mobile

3. A cuff bracelet

4. A clutch bag

5. A sturdy (fused plastic) reusable bag (where'd the spots go you ask?)

6. A wreath

7. A sturdy ("plarn" or knit) market bag

PS: I think the majority of grocery and departments stores in the US now collect their own bags for recycling. Some even turn their used bags into the sturdy, reusable versions.

ReFab: Neon yarn + hanging plants!

2013-06-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

How many trends have collided here? Lets see ... neon + yarn bombing/balls + macrame + suspended plants. Yes, really. And you know what? I'm won over by the simplicity. I love this particular use of brights. I love hanging plants. I love yarn and crochet bombing! And I'm secretly thrilled that one of my parents' favorite '70s past-time (macrame!) is back.

Repurpose: Old t-shirts? Cut a rug!

2013-05-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

If you don't know luri & wilma then today's your lucky day! This fabulous t-shirt refab is their project (complete DIY) and a great reason for you to discover this publication. Yes ... publication. Like, actual print magazine loveliness in vintage, handmade, eco-friendly, technicolor glory! The styling, ideas, features, photography and very real women populating this thing are an inspiration. I'm hooked.

They just launched a Kickstarter campaign - here's the nutshell:

"At luri & wilma we are more than a blog or a magazine, we are a way of life. We profile and support eco-friendly businesses, especially those run by women, who have innovative ideas for recycling and repurposing, sustainability or producing quality handmade products. Our models are never airbrushed because we support a healthy, realistic confident woman. We’ve published 7 issues online and this spring, we came out with our first printed issue. This first edition was more of a test and we created a magazine that you can flip through again and again. And now we want more!"

They use a local printer and print on recycled paper. But overhead costs are what they are, so they're asking for support. Their goal: convert luri & wilma into a quarterly printed magazine with an additional 2 online-only versions. Check out their latest issues here!

Repurpose: Frames + bottles = Spring display!

2013-05-26T20:16:00.000-05:00

Bev at Flamingo Toes calls this project "Simple Spring Framed Vases". I see a whole lot more than that! I can imagine an entire wall of old frames, mesh and bottles - it's beautiful! Head over to FT for a great, detailed tutorial.

Upcycle: Old mirror frame, new organizer!

2013-05-24T10:29:00.001-05:00

This post has been removed at the request of the owner. Apologies for the inconvenience. If you're linking through from Pinterest, see the complete project at Petticoat Junktion.

Upcycle: Old jeans, new top, chop chop!

2013-05-22T11:52:00.000-05:00

I heard a great story on NPR yesterday called The Global Afterlife of your Donated Clothes. Do you know that 80% of the clothing donated in the US is carted off by textile recyclers? That's about 3.8 billion pounds of clothing every year! Big number right? Now get your head around this number: About 85% of all the clothing sold every year is not donated - it ends up in landfills.

In the US, we are habitually buying cheap clothing that doesn't last. Then we're throwing it into a dumpster. Or, if we're going to the trouble of donating it, most has to be turned into insulation or industrial wipe cloths. Why? because it's so badly made, they won't even take it to the "needy" over the sea. Apparently there's high demand for used clothing around the world but guess what? It has to be decent quality and we're contributing less and less "quality" clothing.

Ok, rant over. Buy less. Buy quality items that will last. Donate and upcycle whenever possible. Instead of throwing out your old jeans, turn them into a crop top, chop chop!

Upcycle: (re)use your Noodle!

2013-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

Winner! "Made by Dad"

2013-05-20T14:14:00.000-05:00

As always, I used random.org to pick the winner and it chose entry #389 ... that's Valerie S! Valerie, I will be contacting you via email to get a shipping address :)

Thanks to everyone who entered for your interest and great comments. Keep up with Scott on Pinterest and Facebook and look out for his Made by Dad segment on the Rachael Ray show later this summer.

Upcycle: A Bloomin' Bottle ...

2013-05-17T06:30:00.000-05:00

Enter this week's Giveaway! Ends 5/19

If you're looking at this colorful refab, wondering what it reminds you of... think Anthropologie. And then click through to Love, Live and Garden for the full DIY... and the inspiration!

Upcycle: Guest blogging at Upcyclista!

2013-05-16T09:05:00.002-05:00

Enter this week's giveaway! Closes midnight 5/19

My first-ever guest post is live! Really excited to contribute to Upcyclista ... great blog, great voice, awesome people putting it together. I'd love you to take a look at my guest post... then spend some time exploring their beautiful new site.

Giveaway: "Made by Dad" and a Q&A!

2013-05-14T22:12:00.002-05:00

"If you have kids, some time to kill, and an empty toilet paper roll, this book is definitely for you. (Actually, the kids are optional - although I think they'll be a bit jealous if Dad has all the fun!) ... If there's one thing I could put in big, bold, flashing neon letters, it's that the fun is in the making and not in creating perfect-looking projects." - Scott Bedford, Made by Dad

So opens the wonderful new craft/DIY book from the creator of What I Made. The collection of 67 "blueprints" includes ideas for "Dangerous Decor", "Covert Creations" and, most importantly, "Playful Parenting". In general, I think we should all be making more for and with our children. It's easy to make excuses ... really easy. But two pages into this book, you'll be looking around for an empty toilet paper roll and telling your kid to go find the glue!

Read on for an exclusive Q&A with Scott and

enter to win a copy of "Made by Dad"!

Repurpose: Rock-a-bye cardboard...

2013-05-13T22:56:00.000-05:00

I've been wanting to make this bed for a while but found that general inertia usually prevented it. Not a lack of cardboard boxes! But a couple of Sundays ago, while enjoying a rare moment of doing nothing but drinking coffee, I found myself saying out loud to my toddler:

"Hey, would you like to make a bed for Jodie? (the doll)"

She lit up and said "like Greta's bed?" (Greta being the $50 rag doll she saw in Pottery Barn Kids about 2 months ago!!)

I said "yes, exactly like that!" (I lie to my child quite easily, it seems).

And so we made a bed out of a cardboard box. It's not quite "Greta's bed" but my kid doesn't seem to mind :)

Upcycle: Cork, bling, pop!

2013-05-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've never done the "101 things to do with corks" roundup ... because I confess: I'm not all that attracted to the final refabs. But these work for me! Great tutorial care of Lisa Storms posted in full here.

Repurpose: Back to the Drawing Doors!

2013-05-10T08:57:00.000-05:00

Now you can give your kids permission to draw on the doors! Jessie, at Simple Dimples, found not one, but two really fun ways to refab old cabinet doors. She used to to create permanent display spots for her kids' "art" and then constructed the ingenious, hinged art desks. Click through for lots more pics and the how-to.

Upcycle: A Cupful of Awesome (teacup jewelry holder)

2013-05-09T09:32:00.001-05:00

When my grandmother moved from her little flat into a care facility, I remember looking at the things in her kitchen and thinking "why did you have to buy everything new in 1985?" Where were all the awesome "vintage" things that grannies are supposed to hoard? The treasures??? I remember the teacups in particular - a version of the cheap, mass produced "wheat" design pictured above. Not so desirable.

So imagine my delight when I saw this project! Not only is the end-product useful and contemporary, it's easy to make! The tutorial in two parts: here and here. Review both parts before you do anything - she has some great advice re. supplies!

Upcycle: Milk Jug Embroidery {necklace}

2013-05-08T06:00:00.000-05:00

Pink Stripey Socks!! That's the name of the blog. The one where you can find instructions for how to make this clever necklace.

Free: Made by Dad projects ... for Mother's Day!

2013-05-06T22:08:00.001-05:00

A long time ago, in a blogosphere far far away, I found What I Made. Three things struck me - the unreal artistry of the blog itself, the humor (and creativity) that went into every project and the fact that the blogger was a DAD! Finally ... an amazing dad blog full of upcycled projects. I was hooked. And I went on to feature and share lots of the projects I found there.

The blog went on to win a Webby ... and now, there's a book. And guess what? I have a review copy to oggle and say nice things about! And I'm going to say lots of nice things very soon and give a copy to one of you fabulous refabby folk. If I'm really lucky, I'll also have a little Q&A with Scott to publish along with the giveaway. This will all happen in the near future.

Today, I want to send you to an awesome Mother's Day freebie I found out about from Scott's publisher...

There are several projects in the book that are specifically makes "for mommy". Perhaps they came into being because "mommy" spends so much time sharing her home with three manic males, cardboard-debris mountains and glue guns? Like all the other projects, these include not only great instructions, but free templates. Right now, you can access two perfect-for-Mother's-Day projects (including free-to-download templates)!

So go get 'em and watch this space for an opportunity to win the book!

Upcycle: Wicker baskets + zip ties = new lampshade

2013-05-06T05:30:00.000-05:00

I was in IKEA recently and saw a lot basket-style lighting - pendant and table lamps (pictured above). Wicker or basketry like this always makes me think of home (South Africa) and the hack seems pretty obvious - turn an old basket into a new shade. Then I saw this project (coincidently by a fellow South African) and I got a little giddy!

I remember the wicker paper-plate holders very clearly ... do you? I remember trying to balance them on my bare legs (scenario: sunny Sunday "braai" around the pool) and getting scratched - a lot. I believe they were a fad ... or are people still using them? If not, I imagine thousands of them languishing, unused, in storage all over the world. So what a perfect thing to upcycle! This idea by Alet (of My Pondokkie) is ingenius. And really simple.

Visit her blog for the full tutorial and many other fabulous refabs ... (and to find out what a "pondokkie" is!)