Category: Recycling

PET Lanterns

gurtner-egli PET Lanterns

Links of entry

I find the idea with the PET lanterns very nice, too, and it should be relatively safe with the Christmas tree candle holders inside :)

 

I made a short translation:
“Materials:
PET bottles, Christmas tree candle holders, wire, Wico colours*, candle

Instructions:
Cut open a big PET bottle (transparent or coloured) about one third from the bottom.
Colour with Wico colours*.
insert a Christmas tree candle holder into the bottle top. You must take apart the little candle holder and attach it with wire to the bottle top.
Prick two little holes into the bottle neck (e.g. with a hot knitting needle).
You can embellish the top cut with pinking scissors or a metal band.
Prick three little holes into the top edge (e.g. with a hot knitting needle) and attach three wires or fine chains of equal length to hang the lantern up.”

* Wico colours is Window Colours. These are those glass paints that come in plastic bottles and can be used on acetate sheets, I don’t know the exact English name.


Links:
PET Lanterns (Petlaternen) (German)

Basket from Recycled Cards

AllFreeCrafts Basket from Recycled Cards

Links of entry

I presented already the postcard boxes, the baskets here are in principle the same, but it seems to me that they are easier to assemble.
I think that I should give it a try ;-))


Links:
How to Make a Christmas Card Basket from Recycled Christmas Cards

Here at unikatissima: Postcard Boxes

Monika’s Dish-Cloth Apron

Monikas Dish-Cloth Apron_th.jpg

Links of entry

After having published the entry Slippers from Old Textiles, Monika sent me an email with the photo (click to enlarge) and the following text (translation – and translation errors! – by me ;-)):

“I’m making such aprons for years. The ‘edging’ or rather the slings are from ready bought bias tape (the package with 5m lasts conveniently for exactly one apron two aprons, so that also the costs remain reasonable).
The aprons are always a great success. If the pattern makes it possible (e.g. gingham patterns) I sew little pockets from the pieces that I cut away on top.”

Well, isn’t this a great idea?
Thank you, Monika!

And if you have the dish cloth 2x, sew some matching potholders ;-)


Links:
Here at unikatissima:
Slippers from Old Textiles
Sewn Potholders

Altered Books Simplified

unikatissima Altered Books Simplified

Links of entry

One method to simplify the work on an altered book is to use children’s cardboard books as base. They often have the advantage, too, to have interesting shapes.
Once I began such a book (on the picture you see the original book).

 

unikatissima Altered Books Simplified
These are the first two pages. I used amongst others (just as for the artist book) self-dyed paper, packing tape transfers, embroidery on paper and dried flowers and leaves.

Because of the embroidery I don’t immediately glue the papers in but I finish the pages first.

The following pages aren’t finished yet – just another UFO (unfinished object) ;-)


Links:
Altered Books Simplified

Here at unikatissima:
Artist-Book
Packing Tape Transfers
Entries with the tags ‘paper’ and ’embroidery’
How to Press Flowers, Leaves and Herbs

DIY Postal Scale

Toys from Trash DIY Postal Scale

Links of entry

Linking is wonderful: I found a self-made postal scale, inspired by a self-made postal scale, inspired on its part by another self-made postal scale ;-)))
And we have now the chance to choose the self-made postal scale that we like best or where we have the material for at hand ;-))


Links:
DIY Postal Scale (Postal Balance)
via: DIY postal scale
via: Pretty Good Postal Scale from Old CDs
via: A 67 Cent Postal Scale

For Europeans:
Wikipedia entry ‘Euro coins’ (English)
Wikipedia entry ‘Euromünzen’ (German)

Magic Ball

Knitters Review Magic Ball

Links of entry

I wrote about leftover needlework before, however I find the magic ball, a yarn skein from yarn rests knotted together, so great that I wanted to mention it again.

It doesn’t matter there whether you knit it or crochet it or both, it looks greatnearly every time. Some use it for freeform work, some crochet only half double crochets or knit in stockinette or garter stitch.
I think it would also look great if you used the magic ball for weaving.

Many people like the loose ends to be seen, in the instruction someone even suggested to add beads on the tails, which have to be long enogh for this (entry of mbriz).


Links:
Magic Ball (Tips and Tricks: Magic Ball Knitting)

Here at unikatissima:
Leftover Needlework
Freeform Needlework
Entries with the tag ‘knitting’
Entries with the tag ‘crochet’
Entries with the tag ‘freeform’
Entries with the tag ‘weaving’

For your inspiration:
Google search result for ‘Magic Ball Knitting’
Google search result for ‘Magic Ball Crochet’
Google search result for ‘Magic Ball Afghan’