Hi everyone:wave:

I was thinking it would be fun and informative if we post any ideas in turning trash to treasure...I don't know many ideas but here is one that am planning to try soon[ this is not my idea by the way, I saw it on the net somewhere, I can't remember]

Turning toilet paper tubes, or paper towel into napkin rings

cut the tube into 3 rings [ the toilet paper tube ] or like you want and glue a ribbon on the inside of the tube...start wrapping the ribbon around till it reachs the thickness of your choice, cut the ribbon and glue again on the inside...you can use rafia to wrap it and you can add some touchs like beads, leafs...etc

Any more ideas? come on girls lets inspire each other:wink:

I tend to do big projects-this weekend I stripped down a free set of ironfurniture. Am was broken on one of the chairs so I had Dh cut all of the arms off. Today I spray painted the set and this weekend dh will cut wood to cover the less than perfect seats and I will cover the wood with cushion and a pretty cotton and it will go on my front porch. So far it looks great.:)

I made gift bags for last Christmas using cereal boxes and pop tart boxes. Just cut the top flaps off and paint the entire box with a solid color of acrylic craft paint. Then sponge paint with another color all over the box and allow to dry completely. Then sponge paint all over the box with another color (like silver, gold or bronze). Allow to dry completely and then punch a hole using a single hand-held hole puncher on each side at the top of the box. Insert a length of decorative cord/rope through one hole and tie in a knot inside the box. Tie off the other end of the cord/rope into a knot inside the box through the other hole - this will make a *handle* for your gift bag.



You can also use cereal boxes, etc. to make ornaments. Last year I cut them apart and traced cookie cutter shapes (bell, snowman, star, etc.) onto the cardboard. I cut the shapes out and let ds sponge paint a variety of colors all over both sides. When dry I punched a hole at the top and strung a piece of ribbon or yarn through (tied in a knot to form a *hanger* for the ornament).



You can salvage old colored glass ball ornaments that have chips or have faded by spreading a thin layer of glue over the ornament (do in a small section at a time) and then shake glitter over the glue. Allow to dry and keep working in sections until the whole ornament is covered in glitter.



You can also make glittery pinecones - they look great sitting out displayed in a wooden bowl or crystal bowl. Just put glue on the tips all over the pincone (work in sections) and sprinkle with glitter. Allow to dry and keep working in sections until all the tips have been covered with glitter.



You can use old wine glasses (that have a chip in the rim or that you find cheaply at garage sales and thrift stores) in a couple of ways........ 1.) Spread a thin layer of white craft glue all along the rim and dip into a plate full of glitter. Allow to dry completely and then fill the glass with a bit of water and add a floating candle. 2.) Turn the glass upside down and wind a length of decorative ribbon around the stem and finish off in a bow. Sit the candle down on a table (upside down) and place a small votive candle or small pillar candle on top.

Great ideas girls:cool: keep it coming....
Any ideas for empty cans...like coffee, tomatoe...etc
I saw once that they covered them with paint or fabric and used them as containers and they also made a set for the bathroom to hold tooth brushes, Q-tips....etc.

I once made a coffee can into a *gift bag* of sorts (at a mom's group I used to attend). You use a hammer and nail to punch two holes at the top of the can directly across from each other then spray paint the entire can a solid color. Let that dry completely and then sponge paint two or three colors all over the can. Let dry completely and cut a length of decorative rope to make the handle. Insert one end of the rope through one of the holes and tie in a knot inside the can and then do the same on the other side to form the handle.

Save the front halves of greeting cards and Christmas cards to use as postcards (just write on the back of them and add a stamp!). You can also use them to add decorative touches to packages or cut out the decorative sections from the card fronts and use as the gift tags on packages.

Save wrapping paper scraps and use to decoupage hat boxes.

You have the right idea about cans from tomatoes, beans, etc. Just spray paint them and decorate as desired (you can hot glue on just about anything - ribbon, sequins, seashells, etc.) and use to hold pencils, pens, etc.

Coffee cans can be used for candles outside. Punch a design through the can with nails, fill 1/2 way with sand or kitty litter then put a candle in-great for lining the garden or porch for night time entertaining.

Last week I had cases of paper delivered to the office. I kept the matching boxes they came in, covered them this weekend in a nice green and beige contact paper I found in the dollar store. One roll each and the boxes look really great-not embarrassed to have them filled with my craft supplies that have been taking over lately.

I found a bargain bed skirt of bugs bunny characters. Then I found bugs bunny material real cheap at Wal-mart. This gave me ideas!;)

I made simple curtains, a cover for a desk chair, a doily for the desk, covered a miracle whip jar by using hot glue with the material and it became a change jar, covered a cottage cheese container the same way for a pencil holder, my little boy thought he was in bunny heaven!

I couldn't find cheap lace curtains for my dining room. I paid .50c at the thrift store for white lace shower curtains with a valance and scalloped ends. I put them on simple round rods and they are georgous. Everyone complements me on them. "I just say thank you, I really like them.":D hehehe. I have a 72 in. rectangular dining room table with six chairs (paid $75.00 at thrist store) so I used one of the other white lace shower curtains, cut off the end with the shower hook holes, folded under and hemed. It's a perfect lace table cloth.

I recycle socks when they get holes in them by using them for cleaning, when I'm done they go in the wash with the other rags so I don't get them mixed up.

I take Klenex boxes and stuff those plastic bags from the grocery store in them. Then I store one in each of the bathroom cabinets for use in trash cans. Very handy.

I use coffee cans for lots of things. I always keep one handy by my stove to use for draining meat. I can close the lid, use it till it's full, then throw it out and never have to worry about where to pour the grease.

Ok, I know it's a little long for my first post but you said to keep them coming.

dolphin ..great ideas and sure you are not new to frugality... it seems;)

Jerseygirl ..your idea inspired me to do the same for a box that I have...thanks a bunch :)

kahana...it seems that you're a crafty girl...I love the cereal gift bags idea a lot:D

come on everybody...am sure there are more ideas...

:wink:

but please don't call me greedy:D lol

Ok I didn't do this but my grandfater did.He took old wood window frames(the ones that have like 9 squares)and finished them and then made a mirror out of them.They look great and so country.I want to make atleast 10 when we build our home

This is a fun thread.

I have oodles of costune jewelry. Some was mine, some mil, and some from grandmil. I can't seem to part with any of it yet. So I store it in 2 nut and screw plastic cabinets with drawers. The drawers are lined with inexpensive felt so the jewlry doesn't slide around. I also have some in cookie tins. In that tightwad book I believe they said to store earings in icecube trays and stack them up in your dresser drawer.

I found a set of dinosaur curtains in a cotton blend at a garage sale for $1.00 a few years back. I had two old blankets that looked pretty ratty but still would keep you warm. I cut the curtains into a pattern and my friend Cathy sewed them together (this was a very simple pattern--just enough material to fit two twin blankets with a lot of creativity!). Cathy had two old sheets she donated and we used these for the backs. We then tied them with some yarn I got from the thrift shop. It took us two six hour stints, but we got it done! I bought her lunch one day and she made us lunch the second. My total outlay? I used a coupon and bought use sandwiches, chips and pop for $6.00 plus the original buck for my curtains= $7.00!!

bump

Thank you all for the helpful tips !! These tips will come in handy for my family and I !! When I have some tips I will share them with you all!! :)

I was reading some old threads for inspiration and came across this great thread!!! I'm bumping it up so we can add more ideas. I'll be back with some this week. :)

Okay, the cereal box idea is great. I work at a school and what a great idea for the family Chriostmas gift we make (usually intended for Mom) Everyone eats cereal or poptarts or something in boxes, even Stove top! this will be great...

for gift bags this year i bought pillow cases at the thrift store(.26) and decorated the front tied up the open end and your done!

The tea cups are fun to work with, find tea cups with matching saucers at a thrift store mmake candles out of them so cute...