Featured Reuse-It Item - Envelopes

Envelopes are one of those everyday mundane items that many of us quickly dismiss and toss in the recycling as soon as we've taken out the important, or sometimes not so important, contents that they hold. However, as it turns out, envelopes can be reused and repurposed in a wide variety of ways. Here are all the ideas that our blog team found. Who would have thought that envelopes could be so versatile?

Lana

An old envelope is great to have on hand - they're fabulous for collecting and saving seeds! Penn and Cord's Garden talks about how paper envelopes allow seeds to breathe and describes how to create envelope seed packets. I like envelopes with plastic windows as it's easy to see the seeds that I've collected. It's also a good idea to add a photo of the plant into the envelope for easy identification.

Tamara

Though mail by post is on the decline, you likely still accumulate a number of envelopes. Some mail comes with a return envelope that is meant for you to send your payment back. These are ideal for reusing. To reuse envelopes, you can turn them inside out to make new envelopes. Essentially, you slice open all the sides with a letter opener or knife, fold it inside out, glue it back together, and voila, a new envelope. It is always a great feeling to save paper, not to mention money that would have been spent on new envelopes.

For a step by step tutorial on this useful idea visit Thrifty Jinxy

Mallory

What can you find in any household that is more common than envelopes? Everyone receives mail! With all of that paper that's used for envelopes, it's never a bad idea to have some crafty upcycling options at your fingertips.

Being an avid reader myself, I know that I'm always looking for something to use as a bookmark, spoons, receipts, cloth scraps, and anything else that would possibly fit the bill. After stumbling upon this brilliant idea from d. Sharp journal to use the corner of an envelope as a corner bookmark, I just may never need to hunt for a bookmark again!

Sarah J.

Use old envelopes as a scrap notepad. I remember my mom always did this. In her purse, she always had an envelope with scribbling on the back. 

Envelopes are also great for storing  miscellaneous items around the house. Here are some ways that I use old envelopes for keeping my things tidy:

• Use old envelopes to manage your money. Some people use cash, and this can be a very effective way to organize money into budget categories. This idea also works well for organizing receipts.
• Use an old envelope to organize puzzles -  the larger the puzzle, the larger the envelope you'll need. 
• I have started using brown envelopes in my filing drawer instead of folders to keep documents together. 
• Store paper napkins in them. My paper napkins are always getting everywhere in my cupboard or drawer, making a mess. 

In general, old envelopes are very handy for organizing!

Vanessa

Ellen mentioned that the inside of many envelopes have pretty and unique patterns and Sarah J. described how envelopes are great to use for scrap paper. Both of these points got me thinking about envelope notebooks. I found this tutorial on Crafting a Green World and was so impressed with how nice and pretty an envelope notebook can turn out. 

I love carrying a small notebook in my purse. They're usually filled with "To Do" lists and important reminders. Instead of buying a new notebook once my current one is filled, I'm definitely going to try to make one out of old envelopes.

How do you reuse old envelopes? Share your ideas in the comments section.

Featured Reuse-It Item - Neckties

Here at the Reuse Centre we usually have a few neckties kicking around waiting for someone to pick them up and give them a second life. Neckties can be reworn over and over again but they can also be repurposed and upcycled into numerous creative things. Our blog team has put together a number of great ideas to upcycle old and unwanted neckties. Check out what we came up with.

Ellen & Tamara

The best thing about crafting with preloved neckties is that the best patterns are often the ones rejected by current fashion trends. What no longer works with a crisp, professional suit, will look lovely cut to bits on a crafting table!

Using Sadie Seasongoods' tutorial as a guideline, I started with a plain vibrant blue necktie and roughly measured the circumference of a typical to-go coffee cup then snipped the end of the tie to accommodate the circumference. I sewed along the cut line to prevent any unwanted fraying from occurring. The cut line would be hidden by the tip of the tie overlapping, so the seam didn’t need to be fancy. I decided to use adhesive-backed hook and loop Velcro strips. I fixed the loop side of the Velcro fastener to the backside of the tip of the tie and the hook end of the Velcro strip to the other side of the tie. Once the Velcro was attached all I had to do was wrap my necktie cozy around my beverage cup or bottle. Super easy!

Photo Credits: Ellen

With summer just a couple of months away, these drink cozies will be perfect for enjoying a cold beverage out in the sun. What a "cool" idea for keeping your drinks from getting warm this summer!

Vanessa

What better way to repurpose an old necktie than to use it to add a little extra flare and adornment to an existing shirt. I love the contrast of blue with the yellow on this tee shirt created by McKell's Closet. There are unlimited possibilities to create one of a kind ruffled necktie tees.

Mallory

Neckties are easy to find stuffed in the back corners of closets, hanging untouched on hangers, and drooping in second-hand stores. It's also hard to find a use for them once the crazy prints are obscenely out of style.

Good thing there's an upcycle option for everything, including your old ties! A great example for those who are handy with a sewing machine is to use the bright, vibrant colours and interesting prints as focal points in quilts. Your tie quilt will continue to draw attention in a beautifully eye-catching way. See Anita's Piecing and Quilting for a tutorial. 

Sarah

I am always looking for ways to better organize my things, so I'm not always digging for something in my cavernous purse. I love this idea for a pouch made out of an old tie! I have a collection of ties in cool prints that I've been trying to use up, and I think I'll be whipping one of these up over the weekend! See Snapguide for detailed instructions.

 

   

Happy Crafting!

May Reuse-It Item - VHS Tapes

May's Reuse-It Item is VHS tapes! We get a lot of them here at the Reuse Centre, and so many of our customers tell us that they'll be bringing their old VCRs out of retirement, after finding some of their favourite classics in the store.

Image source: Reuse Centre staff

With the advent of DVDs, Blu-Ray DVDs, and streaming services, many of us have old or unusable VHS tape collections. If you don't plan on watching them, what do you do with all of those old tapes? Our blogger team has taken up the challenge! We've pulled together a few of our favourite VHS upcycling ideas from around the web.

Siao

I am constantly running out of storage containers and space. Plastic VHS cases are great for organizing smaller items, and it's super easy to stack them onto a shelf. Make a small label for the spine of the case and you are set!  If the black cover bores you, you can have a small craft session with the kids to decorate the exterior.

Tamara

In this age of technology where new gadgets and systems are produced almost constantly, there's a high likelihood that you have some old VHS tapes that have become dust collectors. There's a number of things you can do with them so they don't just end up in the garbage. Take, for instance, this easy to make pen holder:

You only need 4 tapes, glue, and some sturdy cardboard. In fact, I wouldn't think you have to limit yourself to making just a pen holder with this idea! This container could also be used to store kitchen utensils (spatulas, wooden spoons, and the like), fake flowers, and probably a lot more. Put your creative hat on! 

Get the full instructions at Hipcycle.

Vanessa

A VHS coffee table would make a great addition to a family or rec room! It’s super easy to make, and is sure to be a conversation piece. Add a touch of nostalgia by using your favorite movies!

Get the tutorial at Instructables.

Sarah

I love this VHS tape pencil case idea! You could also use these for sorting and storing craft supplies, like buttons or bobbins of thread. Get the tutorial at Taylor Rae Luster Flights of Fancy.

Do you have a collection of old VHS tapes? Blow the dust off, and get creative! Share your ideas in the comments below!

Please note that the Reuse Centre only accepts commercially recorded VHS tapes, and blank tapes still in the packaging. Home recorded VHS tapes should be disposed in the garbage.

January Reuse-It Item: Board Games

Have you ever pulled out your favourite game, only to realize a critical piece is missing? Or maybe that well-loved board has fallen apart, and you suddenly have an excess of tiles and tokens.

Nobody could possibly want those, right?

Wrong! Here at the Reuse Centre, we take complete board games, but we also accept all kinds of spare chips, game boards, and cards. This month, our bloggers have put together some of their favourite ideas for reusing those extra bits and pieces.

Michelle

Here is a great way to repurpose an old metal Chinese checker board piece into a clock. You may find parts for the hands online or at watch shops. This would surely make a unique conversation piece for your home.

See the tutorial at Light & Spoon.

Mallory

Do the scattered pieces of old, unused board games litter your house? Do they lurk under couches and in corners, waiting for the chance to find their way under your feet so that they can have one last glorious moment of triumph as you limp away in pain?

Never fear, here is a wonderful tutorial from Living Like the Kings on how to re-purpose those pesky pieces into something a tad less dangerous for your unsuspecting feet. The best part? You can do this with any old board game pieces –  monopoly, clue, scrabble –  the sky is the limit!

Tamara

I saw an excellent idea for reusing old scrabble tiles: make some coasters! They're adorable, plus you get to play the game again and think of clever short words and/or phrases to put on your coasters. This is a great idea for making things like unique wedding favours or just to create a fun accessory for your table. Other than the tiles, you don't need much. All you need are some super glue, scissors, and cork or an old game board. Check out the details at Style & Elegance.

Sarah

These game-board shelves are genius! What a cute way to add a bit of colour and pattern to a room, without a lot of DIY effort. These would be great on any kid's wall, or as part of a household games room or family room.

Got any great ideas for using leftover board game pieces? We want to hear about them! Share with us in the comments.

October Reuse-It Item: Crayons

The Reuse Centre accepts crayons of all shapes, sizes, and colours. We'll take them new, used, and even broken! This month, our blogger volunteers have come up with a list of great ways to use up those old crayon stubs and pieces, that might not be great for colouring anymore.

This box of nearly-new crayons was donated to the Reuse Centre!

Michelle

Do you love Play-Doh®? I love Play-Doh®!

Here is an easy tutorial you can follow to make Play-Doh®-style putty at home, in all the colours of the rainbow.

All you need are crayon pieces and a couple of common kitchen ingredients to make this simple recipe. It's perfect for playing!

Get the tutorial at sugaraunts.com.

Nichole

I loved to colour when I was a kid, but as soon as the crayons became too short for me to sharpen I would always just toss them away. This craft uses all of the crayon nubbins earmarked for the garbage bin, and makes unique ornaments that you could use on your Christmas tree, or as that pop of colour in your home decorating!

The instructions, from the blog Living, Loving, Laughing & Creating Everyday, seem pretty simple: take the top off of a clear ornament ball, place a few crayon pieces inside, put the top back on and heat gently with a hair dryer until the pieces melt, swirling so the wax spreads around. Be careful - it sounds like it could get a little hot, but the results are worth it!

Tamara

Crayons are lots of fun, but when they inevitably get broken and stubby, what can you do with them? A practical reuse idea for crayons is to make a candle out of the pieces.

Other than soy wax (unless you're already a candle maker extraordinaire), chances are you already have most of the items you need at home. Check out the full instructions here.

Who doesn't love candles? They're so colorful, too! Enjoy!

Siao

The days are getting shorter and the nights are getting longer, so let's brighten up the place with colour and illumination!  This is a simple idea, with great results. Use leftover crayons to scribble on white paper bags. To melt the crayon, set a piece of parchment paper on top of the bag and iron it. This blends and swirls the colours.  

Punch holes throughout the paper bag to allow more light to flow, and then place a small tea light candle inside a plastic cup or glass holder inside the paper bags. If you're concerned about fire safety, you could also use a battery powered faux candle.

Get the full set of instructions at Aunt Peaches.

RuthAnn

My good friend Patti received this lovely handmade picture, made with crayons, for her birthday.

Make your own gorgeous artwork by melting crayons!
Image provided by RuthAnn.

Here's how her friend, Tammi, made it!

Materials needed:
Canvas
Crayons (this project used the equivalent of two boxes)
GOOP® (or another industrial adhesive; glue does not work)
Hair dryer

Set the canvas up at the angle you want your colours to run. The process is messy, so be sure to put a drop cloth underneath your project.

Use the GOOP® to adhere the crayons to the top of the canvas. You can peel the labels off of the crayons if you want to, but it's not necessary. Use the hair dryer to melt the crayons. It takes a few minutes to get going, but once they start to drip, it goes quickly. Angle the hairdryer in the directions that you want the wax to run, to blend colours.

Choose the image you want for your silhouette. For this project, Tammi combined two images (Eeyore and an umbrella). Glue your image to black card stock, trace, and cut it out. Remember that your image will be reversed when completed, since you flip it over to use the black side. Before sticking it down, make sure it is facing the way you want the final product to appear. Use goop to adhere the image to the canvas, and voila!

September Reuse-It Item: Jars

Here at the Reuse Centre, we accept mason jars and baby food jars. They're great for canning, making preserves, storing food or small items, and home organization. This month, our blogger team has shared some other fun and useful ways to reuse old glass jars!

Michelle

Here is a tutorial I found a few months ago that teaches you how to turn your mason jar into a sippy cup.

For a special touch, you can also use chalkboard paint to make a label area. Nobody will get their cups mixed up at your next party!

Check it out at Instructables.

Siao

Old jars, new lids! Just top the old lids with figurines or plastic animals.  All you need are some solid paint and strong glue to create this refreshed look.  The jar maintains its function, but the new lid adds a pop of colour and personality.

These is great for party favours, kids' storage, and general modern décor.  Looking for some cute topper combinations? Try rabbits for Easter chocolate jars, a nutcracker for nuts, cats or dogs for pet treats, a bride and groom for wedding favours, and lego men for organizing building blocks.

See the instructions at Paris Bourke.

Emma

I love to make mini pin cushion and pin jars from baby food jars. They make a great little stocking stuffer for sewists and other crafty people, and they are so cute. There are many different methods to make these, but PrettyPrudent.com has a quick, easy to follow tutorial.

Tamara

One of my favourite foods is jam. Homemade jam is even better. Glass jars are perfect to store jam, and reuse over and over again, because who would ever get sick of jam? Glass jars are also great for storing a variety of items, or food that doesn't spoil (e.g. sugar and spices).

I've also used jars for decoration. When I first moved into my place, I didn't have any vases for flowers so I just used jars instead. I liked the look so much that I decorated with various assortments of jars and fake flowers. This blogger spray painted her glass jars and the outcome is awesome!

Lana

Autumn, while beautiful, makes me a bit sad because it reminds me of the winter that's coming.

Here's a way to save a little of the lush greenery of summer indoors, by making a glass jar terrarium!

Makezine  and Design Sponge give the basics on just what to do. I can't wait to customize my own!

August Reuse-it Item: Playing Cards

Ever went to play a card game, only to realize you're missing part of your deck? Here at the Reuse Centre, we take full and partial decks of playing cards, and even those singles you find under the couch.

What can you do with part of a deck of cards? Check out these great ideas.

Michelle

Here is a way to keep necklaces from tangling up in a box. Reuse playing cards by cutting 2 slits into the top of the cards, and slipping necklace chains into the slits. This would be a great way to display jewelry if you're a seller at a market. It is an easy way to show off your work without having to hang everything individually.

Check out this idea, and more great jewelry organization tips, at TheGloss.com

Emma

Sometimes reusing is less about cutting, sewing or changing the look of the item, and more about just finding a new place to use it.

This light fixture, part of Nick Sayers' "Spheres" exhibition, is easily identified as a recycled playing cards project. So simple, but really effective. I'd love to see if the light bounces off the cards to create shadows, or if the fixture gives off a glow.

Check out more of Nick Sayers' work with upcycled materials on his Flickr page!


Lana

Be an ace and declare someone the king of your heart! Re-purpose old playing cards into valentines like Thrifty Jinxy, by gluing the card to a colourful paper and adding a "punny" phrase.  Or go a bit more polished with Martha Stewart's project, which embellishes using printed glassine or parchment paper envelopes.  

At first I thought this project would be limited to the "hearts" cards, but both give ideas on how to use the full deck with phrases like "We are two of a kind".  Simply 2 sweet!

Sarah

Growing up, we always seemed to have a pack or two of cards in the junk drawer. We didn't actually play a lot of card games, but I do remember one summer where my brothers and I made approximately one billion card houses. (Okay, that's an exaggeration, but it was a lot!)

You don't need a full deck to build a card house. Your cards don't even need to match! And the best part is you can knock them down and rebuild them as many times as you like.


Do you have any other great ideas for reusing old playing cards? Share with us in the comments!

April Reuse-it Item: Books

Books aren't just for reading! In this month's Reuse-item blog post, our bloggers show a few interesting ways to reuse those old books that are cluttering up your house.

Nichole:
After my recent adventure at the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo, I still have comics on the brain. That's why I adore this craft for coasters found on the blog, Mod Podge Rocks, made from vintage comic book panels! Ignoring the fact that the blogger who shared the idea markets them as "crafts for men" (trust me, everyone will think they're cool!), this link explains very nicely how to do this super awesome craft. He uses metal outlet covers from the hardware store, but I'm sure repurposed cork board or ceramic would do just as nicely. Then all you need are an old book, comic or otherwise, and some Mod Podge, and you're set to Wham! Plomf! Kapow! your guests with your indisputably awesome taste. Holy stylin' coasters, Batman!

Michelle:

Need some privacy or a secret place to store some valuables? Want to hide some items your house guests don't need to know about? The Drifter and the Gypsy blog proposes making a book with a storage compartment instead of buying organizers or baskets. A couple of tips: make sure to get a thick book and one that you will remember. Also, decorate it with scrapbook paper so it stands out to you.

Mallory:

No one ever seems to know what to do with their old books. They sit on shelves, collecting dust year after year. But never fear, we've got a solution!
Here's yet another creative way from, Make the Best Things blog, to spruce up the lights in your home by using book pages to make an attractive chandelier. Not only will remind you of your favourite stories every time you look at it, it will also be a nice addition to your decor.

Lana:
Book pages are beautiful. At least I think so. When a story isn't so great and not worth passing along, the book pages are pretty and perfect for projects like Stephanie Lynn's rolled roses. She uses them for topping gifts and creating this beautiful rose "curled-wood" wreath. I plan on making some to trim my next hat!

Tamara:
Sometimes I like just making stacks of old books as decoration with a candle or a string of lights over it because it looks cool, the candles smell good, and I have a hard time parting with books. However I also saw a really cool idea on the blog, Todolwen, that I plan on trying. Cut out pages from old books and make them into leaves, and make a book tree! See the awesome photo. Cut out any random assortment, or personalize it by using lines of prose you find particularly beautiful or compelling.

 
- Reuse Centre Blogger Team