Repurposed or up-cycled things

I like to re-use things whenever I can or if a creative idea comes to mind. Just a few things I can find that aren't packed up yet. (We're moving in less than a week! Yay!). 

I had quite a few Yankee Candle jars I wanted to re-use and here are some things I have put them to use for:

I cleaned the jars out and washed them. I put q-tips and cotton balls in a couple. The others are being used for other bathroom items...razors, kids toothbrushes and toothpaste, tweezers, nails clippers... 

Next:

I have a really small apartment kitchen and don't have a lot of space for things. So for some of the the kitchen utensils I used an empty Nesquick (bunny milk in our house) container. Cleaned it out before use. Now it sits on top of the microwave right by the stove for covienence.

Starbucks love:

I'm really not a huge Starbucks drinker but on occasion is always nice. I like the mocha frappuccino's from Starbucks and on occasion I'll buy the cold frappe drinks at the store. The bottles are so fun and I also wanted to re-use them. So I made them into a soap and lotion dispenser.

I hammered a nail through the lid and used needle nose pliers to make the hole bigger, big enough to fit the soap pump. You can use any soap pump just make sure it's long enough to reach the bottom of the bottle. 

I used a Bath and Body Works soap pump, the soap was on sale and an Aveeno lotion pump for the Starbucks lotion bottle. Then hot glued it in place and filled with my BBW soap. I added some decals I found at Walmart on the lotion bottle.

I made a soap dispenser out of a honey bear jar too. It was a little tricky cutting the hole in the lid for the pump though. His nose and eyes were a bit rubbed off so I added some puffy paint and filled them in. The BBW pump is a little big for him.

Cell phone chargers:

When they aren't in use they sit on the counter and take up space and it drives me crazy. I saw a idea on Pinterest, she used a baby lotion bottle, http://www.makeit-loveit.com/2011/12/holder-for-charging-cell-phone-made-from-lotion-bottle.html. You can use whatever container works best for you. I used the puffs baby food container. Cut it to the size I wanted and cut a hole so I could screw the container to the outlet to clear counter space. I added some scrapbook paper for some visual interest.

Growth chart

Inspiration found here: http://adventuresindecoratinganddesign.blogspot.ca/2012/01/ruler-growth-chart.html

I love this growth chart and it was was fairly inexpensive to make! I figured since my boys are getting older, now would be the time to finally get a project done that I have already put off too long. For the years I didn't get to measure my kiddos I realized I could just get a print out of their height/growth from the pediatrician.

I didn't have any supplies so I ran out to Home Depot and got almost everything I needed. I think the total cost was around $28. 

Supplies needed:

A 6 foot 10"x1" or 8"x1" board

Large numbers in different fonts.
Smaller numbers for the ruler part.
Stain
Clear Sealer
Paint pen
Pen

Picture wire

 

I sanded down the board a bit before I started with the numbers. I can't remember what font I used but I loved the numbers on the inspiration growth chart and wanted something similar. I traced the numbers onto lined paper and traced them onto the board as shown in the link above. I used the color English chestnut for the stain but you can use any color you prefer. I used a paint marker found in the Walmart craft section for the line marks and the black numbers. To stencil the numbers with the stain view the link above for a detailed tutorial.

I realized when I finished mine I placed the black numbers vertically instead of horizontally. I was going for over sized ruler look but I'm still happy with the way it turned out. Don't mind my little guys art work on the sliding door. We were having fun with window crayons. The screen to the sliding door needs a bit of maintenance and please excuse the ugly balcony. Our maintenance men aren't too handy at our apartment complex.

I used the picture hanger teeth (I don't know what the actual name is for them) but it didn't last for long. My oldest son thinks the numbers are pretty cool and he would play with the board and the picture teeth eventualIy came off. So I ended up buying some picture wire I found at Walmart that came in a little kit for a couple bucks. Very easy to do and I haven't had any problems with it staying on the wall.

I found a spot in the hallway to hang it and it works perfect in this spot. I love the idea of hanging the kids picture next to the chart like pictured in the blog but I don't have much space for that but we'll be moving soon and it will soon be on a new wall. 

Chevron crate shelf-DIY

I have been using a computer desk for a tv stand for years and have been ready for an update for quite some time but the budget doesn't allow. I wanted something unique and fun. Browsing through Pinterest for inspiration, these crates kept catching my eye. You can purchase them from Michaels and Joann craft stores. 

It was a slow process as I bought them individually and waited until I had 40% or 50% off coupons. I bought one of them online with free shipping at $8.99. Originally I wanted to use 9 crates and stack them 3x3 but I got impatient waiting for more coupons and my paycheck so I opted for this but I love the look! I wanted some storage for controllers, remotes, cords... So when I saw the crate with drawers I got excited 😀

I had to choose a fun color! Blue is one of my favorites colors, I chose blue ocean breeze in a matte finish. I thought spray paint would be easy but let's just say I suck at spray painting! I used one can for one crate. I ended up having Walmart match the spray paint color and I bought a quart. Out to the balcony I went and started painting. It got dark and I had to bring everything inside and finish the next day. After each piece was painted and dry I applied a couple coats of sealant/protectant.

I guess I didn't really think the whole project through, I just had the finished project image in my head. Once I got the drawers and crates painted it was time to finally put it together. I bought 1/2 inch and 1 1/2 inch screws and my husband put them all together. He thought we should get a board for the top to make it more sturdy. I wanted to add some legs and chose these:

We tried screwing the legs in and decided we needed a base to add stability. The screws that were attached to the legs weren't long enough so we purchased some long screws so we could add the legs. 

 I had the top board cut at Lowes to the size of 11x37 and the bottom board 14x40. I'm loving the chevron trend right now and wanted to add a little pop to the shelf. I used Apple Barrel craft paint Antique Parchment color and brushed it on. I made a chevron stencil and traced it onto the drawers and boards and began painting. 

I added some hardware to the drawers that I purchased from Lowes. 

Multiple trips to the craft store, Walmart and Lowes to complete the project and here's the finished project!

I took out a slat on each crate so I could fit cords through if needed for the game systems.

We are in the process of moving so I have my decorations packed now but I would love to get a couple cute baskets for the top crates and some fun seasonal decor for the top 😀 I was keeping track of how much I was spending but when I had to keep running out for more paint or screws and the top and bottom board I stopped adding up the amounts. I really don't know how much I spent in total except for spending more than I intended to.