DIY: Pencil Holder Using an Upcycled Can

Hello Inspirations by D's blog has a great upcycle DIY for those metal cans you get your veggies or other groceries in.  We love this and think it'd make a great gift for someone that loves crafts (ex. YOU!). 

Hi everyone!  Today I'm sharing a tutorial on how to make your own pencil holder
with a recycled can.  Are you ready?  Here we go... First you will need these items:


* A recycled soup or bean can (cleaned)
*Scrapbook paper, wall paper or gift wrap paper
* Scissors or other cutting device
* Spray adhesive or mod podge
*Clear tape
This is what I did...

I purchased scrapbook paper which runs about 50 to 60 cents a sheet.

I grabbed a soup sized can from the recycling bin.

I Removed the wrap from the can.
I Cleaned the can with soap and water and set it to air dry.

I measured the original can wrap against the scrapbook paper with a ruler.
Made marks with a pencil and erased later.

Once I had my measurements, started cutting the paper.

I Wrapped the paper around the can, to keep it sturdy,
I took a small piece of tape and taped down one end of the sheet of a paper on the can,
then wrapped the sheet of paper around the can and sealed it with clear tape, you can use mod podge.

Hello new pencil holder and it holds magnets too!!

Be creative!!  You can add extra decor by using buttons, ribbons and other decorative items.

DIY: Hemp Ball Accents

We love these and think that they have an incredibly earthy feel to them, even when painted in fun and bright colors.  You could easily whip up a batch of these for every season!

Check out Make it and Love it's Blog for more!

Nice and tightly wound with hemp cording.

All snug in one place.

How I did it?

I found some thick hemp cording at Wal-Mart in the craft section……or maybe it was with the jewelry supplies. I also found 4 inch styrofoam balls there as well.

I started by smashing one end of the cord into the styrofoam ball, nice and flush with the surface of the ball………..so that I wouldn’t have a lump after I started winding.

Do you see from the side that it’s pretty flat against the ball?

Anyway, then I used a hot glue gun to start winding the cord around itself.

Then added more glue as I went, and winded more and more cord, flush against the ball. (Place your glue right on the styrofoam ball, up against the edge of the cording.)

I kept winding, only using a little glue at a time (maybe 4 or 5 inch narrow line of glue on the ball, right next to the cording), and then pressed the cord nice and tight to the ball. Sometimes I had to smash what I had, against the ball, just to keep a nice contoured spherical shape…..
(See, how the first end of the cord is almost completely hidden on the right but there is no bump above from it being there?)

I kept winding, and kept it pretty tight. And made sure to keep the rows nice a close together.

And then at the end, I wound up the last little bit without glue to see how much I would need, then snipped off the end.

But make sure to have enough to tuck the little end piece under.

And then glue and wind the last bit down. Smoosh it firmly in place to keep a nice symmetrical shape.

Then I used spray paint to customize the color of cording on some of them. This is a great way to match already existing decor.

And left one plain.

Then tossed them all into that wire basket up on my entertainment center. Now my eye isn’t always drawn to that empty basket.

Ahhhh…….

DIY: Upcycled Dollar Store Candles

Libby Dibby has a great upcycle tutorial for Dollar Store candles.  We love the idea of taking something that is already usable, but making it so that it fits our home and decor - or even fits a holiday, party or wedding theme!

Check out their blog for more DIY!  This one couldn't be more simple!  We like instructions that are so easy they take up less than a paragraph.

We took Dollar Store candles, the kind with saints on them... And used ModPodge to secure tiny fabric scraps to them... They look even better than I expected them.

DIY: Pencil Starburst Mirror - Dollar Store Crafts

We love both color variations of this wonderful dollar store craft - we would be hard pressed to pick just one to make...so maybe we'll make both??  This would be a great Christmas / holiday gift for a teacher!

Check out Tatertots and Jello's blog for more cheap and easy DIY!

Tutorial: Penciled Starburst Mirror

You’ll use about 54 pencils, depending on your spacing

Hot glue, stick ‘em on, repeat:)

(The ribbon part is optional)

If your silhouette is behaving, (mine wasn’t), you can use transfer paper to make the placement of the vinyl much easier

Personalize your gift with a cute lil tag…

DIY: Pen Pots

You know how we feel about up-cycled, recycled, or reused items in crafting projects...we LOVE them!

This pen pot tutorial from Torie Jayne is stunningly beautiful and Eco-friendly.  So...get to it!

Yesterday I showed you a sneak peak at how I am getting on with organizing my craft room. Today I am sharing with you the quick, easy, cheap simple idea that is...

Pretty pen pots
Tools and Materials

• Empty tin can
• Printed paper
• Double sided sticky tape
• Scissors

Pretty pen pots, How-to step by step

Wash and dry the empty tin can. Cut a piece of printed card the size of your tin can (you can use the old can label as a template). Cover the outside of the can in strips of double sided sticky tape. Remove backing from double sided tape and carefully wrap paper around can. Fill with paint brushes, pencils or pens!