Monday, April 15, 2013

Mining Mondays: What to do with a pair of worn out jeans?

Good morning, friends -

My hubby decided it was time to part with a pile of his worst deadest most favorite jeans that had seen, as the saying goes "seen better days."  Long ago...better days.

He was going to bring them to the rag bag, but I stopped him short: "Hey, where are you going with those?"  Him: "Ummm... to toss them?"  Me: "OMG, NO!  I can re-purpose those!" Him: "Wait, does this have to do with your blog?" Me: "Blog...um...no....I am saving the earth!"  Him: "Really, because I am pretty sure I just saw a site open on the computer over there about what to do with dead jeans... and I am imagining YOU see a blog post in it..." Me: "Well...maybe..."

Once we cleared that up, he left me a pile of jeans and walked away...very quickly...before I changed my mind.  Yes, there was a blog post in them, probably a few, but we'll start with one today because it's Mining Monday and I need some ideas!  I mean, really, I have 5 pairs of ratty old jeans just lying here, waiting patiently.

The first idea I ran across that caught my eye was a bean bag toss game that would be perfect for my grandsons - they were here a couple times this weekend and something SOFT to throw appeals to me.  I found it at Chica and Jo, a great site for all sorts of fun crafts and games.

Dollar Store Crafts had this great placemat idea.  I'm into cloth napkins and placemats, a fairly new thing for me and these are so cute!  I might have to use something else for the body - not sure if there is enough that isn't too, well ruined, to use!

Because I am considering taking up crochet, or at least giving it the "old college try" again, maybe I need one of these denim project bags Lesa at Home Frostings designed.  I am pretty sure I could do this - might take 2 pairs of the dun-zo jeans or perhaps I make it a little smaller?

I definitely need more pot holders, with all the cooking I am doing, so maybe I need to give these a try!  It's a perfect use for the pockets, don't you think?  The website is Finish, but you can figure out what to do pretty much with her pictures.

Over the weekend I did a blog post that showed some great tea cozie ideas - here's another: a drink cozie made from the pocket area of a pair of jeans.  I think all these ideas together might work!

Here's one that the perfect use of the legs: a pennant!  I don't have the crazy cool machine to make the lettering, so I'd have to cut it out, but I've got some pretty sharp scissors I could use.

Well, I think these ideas would pretty much take care of the jeans.  Let's see what I come up with this week and I will let you know.

Have you done any repurposing/refashioning/recycling this week?  Do tell!
Quilty hugs,
Carrie

16 comments:

  1. Stopping over from UBC and I'm glad I did! I have springs I am currently working with and my blog post on Thursday will be my first little project with them! Love the jean idea. Looking forward to trying!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for coming by, Mandy. Springs? Cool! Link the post later so I don't miss it! Let me know if you do something fun with the jeans - the pile is STARING at me!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. GREAT ideas! I'm currently using old jeans to make a new skirt with them. Denim is the best isn't it?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks & agreed! It goes with everything, well, at least in my wardrobe! I'd love to see the skirt when it's done - leave a link - Carrie :)

      Delete
  4. So yesterday I pull out my camera and get out the baking supplies and he says.....hmmmm - let me guess, you're going to blog about baking, right? These men know us so well. That aside, I use old jeans to make pencil cases and cosmetic bags.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha, Carlana - yes they do!! Sweet - pix?
      Carrie

      Delete
  5. I absolutely LOVE the cloth napkin in the pocket! Makes me want to find an old pair of jeans and try it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Toni! Me too!
      Thanks for stopping by - Carrie

      Delete
  6. OH, I JUST LOVE THIS POST! It makes me want to get back into my sewing room and just have some fun with some old jeans. Awesome ideas! Carrie, my family is the same way about the UBC. Everytime I get my camera out, I hear "What--are you going to write a blog post about this?" ;) hehee

    ReplyDelete
  7. Yay! So glad, Amy!
    Go there, girl - fire up the machine and get sewing!!
    Tonight, at dinner I made something I WILL be posting shortly and hubby said, "your taking a picture of this, right?" hahaha! love it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So much better than just repurposing them as shorts. Love, love the ideas here. Must carve out time to reconnect with the crafter in me ...

    Have a wonderful week!

    Dee

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by, Dee. You should!! It's a nice break from all we do. :o)
      Have a great week, as well.
      Carrie

      Delete
  9. I admire your craftiness and imagination. Nice photos to enhance the blog post too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Donovan - I appreciate your stopping by.

      Delete
  10. I absolutely hate to throw way old clothing if there is ANY usable piece on it. Thanks for the creative ideas!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are welcome, Erin! It's so much fun to see what you can do. Thanks for stopping by - Carrie

      Delete