Mining Monday: 10 Ideas for Organizing your world

After yesterday's fun video about recycled storage ideas, I thought I'd expand on the idea with a "Mining Monday" post as I am in great need, personally, for this.  My friend and I have determined our Chi is off and some organization would help... soooo.... Let's procrastinate / go hang out on Pinterest and get the ideas rolling!

We all know I have plenty of fabric AND lots of boxes, so this one seemed a natural start: fabric covered boxes!  The original idea came from a Belarussian site, so the author translated it: THANKS!

Image from Handimania.com

I'm very much into the fabric/box "thing" - here's another GREAT tutorial with wonderful directions you need to check out from over at Positively Splendid.

Image from Positively Splendid

This next idea I would like to do on my crafting table: a Craft Room Lazy Susan.  I love the colors she chose and the concept. Bit of recycling and voila!

Image from Craftsbyamanda.com

Have a few books laying around?  (That's a bit of an understatement here...) This project is fantastic!  A "book sling" - who'd of thought, right?  This would be perfect for my grandsons!

Image via Domesticimperfection.com

Any site who's tag line is : "Home of the Never Ending Honey-do-List" is a place I want to visit!
How about this idea: adding wheels to a wine box for under table storage?

Image: DIYVillage.com

I am a visual person - which means, I need to SEE my materials!  Sigh....makes for a bit of a mess, really.  I thought this idea from OneProjectCloser might fit the bill for me: a shoe bag organizer!  Take some time to check out their site: you can get LOST there!

Image from oneprojectcloser.com

Most of these ideas take a wee bit of time and materials.  Here's one that's so simple it's CRAZY!  You can pop over to Smart Savvy Living for even more ideas!!

Speaking of hangers: here's one for washi tape (or other tape, as well!)  My only thought is that it's a bit of a pain to get at a roll on the far side, but it would get them up off the table and in view, right?

Image from sillyoldsuitcase.blogspot.nl

Okay, this one isn't what one might think of as "storage" but... wait: how did they get both the fitted and flat sheets so... flat?  LOL!! Right, it's Martha!

Where was this idea when my kids were little?  I need to show my son this one for his boys!

Image from 100things2do.blogspot.ca

What sort of organizing ideas work for you?  We'd love to see!  I've added a Linky Tool you can use to share, if you'd like.

Have a great day!
Carrie

Organizing your craft room with Recycled Materials!

As I am in the midst of a HUGE overhaul of my crafting space (H.U.G.E. is an understatement....) I was cruising YouTube for fun ideas and this video popped up.

These sisters (identical twins?) have some great ideas and I'm definitely running out to get some chalkboard paint and a chalkboard paint pen!  Who knew?

I love the box idea, as well.  If you come to visit me at market starting two weeks from tomorrow you just might see some of these!

Enjoy!
Carrie


Carrie

A Year Ago Today --> Repurposing Jeans

Good morning, friends -
I thought that I would share a popular post from a year ago today with you for those of you who are new to the blog or might have missed it.  Let's take a look what to do with some old jeans!!


This post was from April 15, 2013...

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

Ring Toss Game from Pockets!

Good morning, all!

Remember that pile of jeans I had and all those cool ideas?  I grabbed a pair and started snipping yesterday.  The result?  A fun, safe (won't break windows and such, with two boys) game for the next time the "mysters" are here: ring toss, with Grandpa's old jeans pockets!

I started by taking the pockets off of two pairs of jeans.  Both were "Dickies" (Grandpa's favorites) and I kept the tags on - I thought that was one way to identify who's bean bags were whose!

When you snip them out of the jeans, leave a bit of extra fabric. You'll trim them once you have what you need in the next step.  That gives you some room to work.

Cut out as many as you need OR as you have pockets!  I went with a pair for each of the boys. Trim them as close to the edge of the sewn pocket as you can.

I saw this whole idea last week on Chica and Jo's website, HERE.  Like any good project, you make it your own. They had painted red stars on theirs.  When I went into the craft room, the new can of Krylon Glowz (glow in the dark) paint caught my eye.  "Hmmm... we could play with them in the dark!!"  

I cut out a stencil and headed outside to spray.  It didn't look like it was taking too well, so I grabbed a sponge brush and dabbed the extra paint that was sitting on the stencil on to the stars.

 

It was still a bit light (well, duh, Carrie...it's DAYLIGHT!!) so I traced over the dried stars with Sharpie.  Now, daylight or nighttime, we'd be able to see the stars!

Time to fill with seeds/beans/rice/etc and sew shut.

Viola!  Some fun, soft, easy on my living room toys for the boys!  Not that they would EVER throw anything...or that ANYONE has ever broken ANYTHING in my living room... just to be safe...

Chica & Jo had painted plates to play with - I just made a ring to toss into because I had plenty of denim.  All you need to do is take a pool foamie, tape it together to form a circle with duct tape and cover with denim... or not... what do you feel like?

One great Memere game ready to go!  I AM the coolest!  Hahahaha!  BTW, the glow-in-the-dark paint does look great, I just couldn't get a good shot of it - my camera wouldn't take a picture without the flash. 

Thanks for stopping by today.
Quilty hugs,
Carrie

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

Find it Free on Friday: Totes/Bags

Happy Friday, everyone (or whatever day of the week it is when you get a chance to read this!) -

I thought we'd go out in search of tote and/or bag patterns this week, what say you?  Up for it?  Great - let's go!

I think it's the color that drew me to this bag by Debbie Bliss.  It's a lined, knit bag done in pieces.  My thought there is that you could use up from your yarn stash to create it! 

How about a super cute tote made with GIANT fun ruffles?  Head over to Crafty Little Projects for her "how to" with excellent directions! 

Here's a pattern from Bethany at Sweet Bee Buzzing with a very clear PDF of directions (thank, so much, Bethany!!)  The pattern comes in 2 sizes and she gives some GREAT color coordinates with ones she's made.

This next one comes from Henry Glass Fabrics.  It's a quilted tote bag:

While we are considering bags designed by such places, here's one from JoAnn's Fabrics.  They call it a "Zest Tote Bag" - looks pretty zesty to me!

Have you ever done felting?  How about trying to felt a crocheted bag?   Petals to Picots gives directions for both the crocheting AND how to felt it after!  Perfect!

Studio Kat has some wonderful pattern for lots of different items.  Below is the Rug Bucket that caught my eye.  She literally makes them with a rug!  You'll need to scroll down the page this takes you to and click on the instructions. 

Do you have any pretty pillowcases hanging around, looking for something else to be made into?  Here's a pattern from Country Living to turn a pillowcase into a tote!

No extra pillowcases? Do you have a tank top that doesn't fit quite right you could turn into a tote?  Great idea, right?  Fly on over to Crafty Nest to learn how.

Let's finish up with an idea for using Plarn (plastic yarn...who knew?) to create a shopping bag.  PERFECT!  Cindy at My Recycled Bags has full directions for how to make plarn and how to create this fun bag!  Head on over!

Be on the lookout for more free fun ideas next Friday!  
Till then, quilty hugs, 
Carrie

PS. Don't forget to stop by the blog post about the current Crafter's Giveaway - there are lots of goodies adding to the box!

Mining Monday: 10 Terrific Potholder Patterns

Good morning, friends!

I want to apologize to anyone who was confused by WHEN my last couple of posts have been.  I shoot for between 7 and 9 am and to do so I sometimes write the night before (like I am at this very moment!!)  I made a couple of boo boos and hit "Publish" rather than "Save" or "Link" as I tried to - the buttons are soooo close to one another on Blogger!  So sorry!

Anywhoo... this Monday's Mining is all about potholders.  "Why potholders" you ask?  Because I've been cooking up a storm and I need some new ones!  I hope as many of you have fun with these as the great post about headbands - that one has had crazy reposting on Pinterest!!  Potholders are not as sexy as headbands, but hey, maybe we can turn that around?!?!

Let's see what I can find, shall we?  Here we go ....

These are soooo sweet and right in time for Easter - from Miss Mary Sewing Classes.  She has nice clear photos and good directions.  LOVE IT!

Anytime scrapbusting is mentioned, I'm in.  I have oodles of scraps in desperate need of some busting...actually for sewing, but, well, you know what I mean...  This tutorial for scrapbusting potholders comes from My Girl Thursday and it's great!

How about a gift for grammy (or memere, in my case) that doesn't require sewing?  Zip over to Ally's Helpful Hints for Mommies and see how to do these little gems.  Pick up some inexpensive ones and add your sweeties hand prints.  :o)

Have you ever watch that show "Semi-Homemade" with Sandra Lee?  The potholders with hand prints and this one made in part from a towel make me think of that.  Lindsey from The Allen's has a pretty quick/easy project using a towel and some fabric - looks pretty cute.  She calls them "hot pockets" - adorable!

This one could be posted on either my DIY Fabric Pinterest board OR my DIY Repurposing board!  Either would be perfect.  Jill (from Australia - how cool is that?) on her site Creating My Way to Success, gives you a great set of directions to create this for yourself.  Thanks, Jill!

This project is probably the most complicated of what I've shared so far, but I would say that they are well worth it, if you like to sew.  These come from the Sew 4 Home website and use Moda fabrics (always gorgeous) but you, like me, can use whatever coordinates you have at hand.  I felt like there were several very good sewing lessons at the same time!

How about knitting some?  This pattern from Katy Elliot looks fairly straight forward.  My only concern would be, without Insulbrite, toweling or batting, would I ultimately get burned?  Happens a lot in my world.  Let me know if you use ones like this - does it work for you?

This one ISN'T a potholder, it's a trivet made with felt!  YAH - can you believe it?  Totally looks like a piece of wood, doesn't it?  You can see how it's done at Shelterness.com.

Ah... what would a set of potholder ideas be without one from Martha Stewart?  Click through the arrows to the right of the picture for directions.  The template is on the first page, where you see this picture.

One can't have a pattern for knitting and not find one for crochet.  These are GORGEOUS and I might just have to learn to crochet just to make one! This comes right from Crochet with Raymond (who is her cat!!)

I hope you have fun checking these out.  If you have any other great ideas, let me know in the comments below -I'd love to see them.

Have a quilty day,
Carrie

PS.  One thing I forgot to mention and most likely you'll read about it when you check these sites out, but you'll need something to line your potholders if you, like me, tend to burn yourself.  I've used re-purposed towels, some re-cycled heavy duty felt and my favorite, Insulbrite.  If you are going to make a bunch (say for Christmas) you can buy a 20 yard bolt for $30 at Fabric Depot.  Okay, I am thinking you and 3-4 friends might want to go in on that - 20 yards of Insulbrite is quite a lot...