Crafty Monday: Recycle Plastic Thread Spools

The Internet is full of functional and crafty reuses of vintage wooden thread spools. Let's admit, these things are cool. We certainly don't want to throw them away because they are vintage. And they don't make them anymore. Now we have plastic thread spools. But what do we do with them?

I hate throwing them away because they take up room in landfills and leave a horrible carbon footprint. To put it lightly, my 4x great grandchildren could come across a discarded thread spool in the remote future. Hopefully people are still sewing by then and they will know what it is. Or at least have some idea what it is. But it will be in near perfect condition without any signs of disintegration. Wow. Ok, now back to the post. 

So I need to put those things to good use NOW. I was on Pinterest the other day (surprise, surprise) and came across a post where someone was selling fabric covered vintage wooden spools. I thought, now why can't I make something like this with the plastic ones? And how would I do it? 

Answer: Decoupage. 

I really love decoupage. It's quick and always turns out great. Well, almost always. 

So here's what I did: 

Materials: 

scrap of fabric (hey! great way to use up scraps too!)

Mod Podge or something homemade

scissors

thread spool

foam brush or paint brush

Directions: 

1. Measure the inside distance of your spool. Mine was about 1 1/8 
   
2. Cut a piece of fabric the width of the spool
   
3. Wrap the fabric around the spool and trim so that it overlaps by about 1/2". You could also wrap a fabric tape around the middle making sure it overlaps and cut your fabric to that size. 
   
4. Using the foam brush, apply Mod Podge to the spool
   
5. Smooth your fabric over the top of the Mod Podge and pull it around. Apply a little more Mod Podge where the strip overlaps to secure it down. 
6. You can choose to let it dry or go ahead and cover the fabric with another layer of Mod Podge. I just did mine, because I'm not real patient. 
   
7. Let everything dry for a few hours. 
8. Go back, marvel at your new creation, and then use it as a decoration is your sewing room. Hang it from some jute cording or ribbon to make a banner. 
   
   
   

I only had the one to use, because sadly I have been throwing mine out. Now that I see their potential, I'm thinking of other uses for them. Like wrapping unused elastics around them and securing with a pin. Ribbon, binding, cording, piping, and so many other things that end up scattered around in piles or boxes could also be wrapped onto these. They make adorable decorations, too. As a quilter, I generally have many empty thread spools at the end of a quilt. You could also Krylon paint the spools to make them look more like wood or any color you want before adding the fabric. You could use scrapbook paper instead of fabric! The possibilities are unlimited. 

If you make something, would you please consider uploading it to our Flickr group? I'd love to see your creations, as I'm sure many others would too! 

Anyone have Keurig K-Cup Crafty Reuse Ideas?

Ok, so my hot ticket present - the only thing I wanted that I thought we could afford this year - was a Keurig coffee maker. For the last 5 or more years we have had a stove top camp-style coffee maker. It's an old one my dad used when we went camping. Made out of some type of gray hard metal with a basket strainer showing years of grease and fire build-up, I was having problems trying to deal with the grinds left in the coffee and the very obvious slick oil left behind in the cup. Plastic coffee makers we have purchased over the years seem to leave a heavy plastic taste in the coffee, so we quit using those. About 2 years ago my mom got a Keurig for Christmas and I fell in love. Not one to spend on myself very often, it sat in the back of my mind until this year.

Now, bear with me a moment while I tell you my morning routine. I get up generally around 5:30-5:45, wake up 4 children to get ready for school, walk the dogs and seek out my morning Java. Some mornings my husband, who is up by 2:30 am and out the door by 3:30, will have time to rinse the pot, pile in the coffee grounds into the basket (if he doesn't have to poke the holes out in it from built-up coffee grounds), fill the pot, put all the parts back together, and make some coffee that takes about 8 minutes to brew. I get up a few hours later, pour the already brewed coffee into my cup, nuke it for a minute, add the cream and sugar, and hope that it is drinkable. All together a single cup of coffee takes about 30 minutes and adds an unknown amount of oil calories to my day, plus time I just don't have. I know it seems superficial, but try this for a while and you'll be just as superficial as I am. :) The idea of putting in a k-cup, pushing the brew button, and having a hot, fresh cuppa in just a few seconds was almost euphoric for me.

My dear husband surprised me with one this year. I enjoyed 2 hot cups of steaming coffee from the variety pack, one last night, and then 2 again this morning. They are delicious! I'm off to get a reusable filter so that I can continue to use my ground coffee, but was wondering what I should do with the K-cups that were provided and those future ones I may use. I don't want to add to the plastic waste in our landfills, so I need something that will be good use and not thrown away later. I'm not interested in reusing the actual cup for coffee, just in creative reuse ideas for them. x I did a Google search and all I can find is ways to reuse the cups in the maker. Any and all ideas are welcome (just keep it clean, people!).

*As a side not I wanted to add that the Keurig is now a member of the family. It makes that little "hmmm, hummm, mmmm" sound when it's heating up the water, like a little monk. So it's now St. Java. :)

Spring Break

When you have five children on spring break, things get broken. Four of the five are pretty good about not breaking things, but accidents happen. Even today while we were grocery shopping we became the store menace. Nothing was actually broken, accept peace and tranquility, but there was a mess involved. Out of my goodwill and loving heart I bought each of the five a can of soda from the machine outside of the Kroger. They don't usually get soda - sugar, fats, addiction, cavities - all the good stuff. But today, even the baby got his own can of soda. (You're already seeing the disaster in this, aren't you?) So, we proceeded to go shopping. About 1/2 way through the store, baby tips over his coke and spills it from the pork to the chicken, getting it all over my boots and my dress. Then after that mess was reported to the proper authorities (meat guy with a mop), we made it about two more aisles (milk, cheese) before my youngest daughter proceeded to spill her coke. This time mom made them go to the restroom and get paper towels to clean the mess. We moved the wet floor sign over where the spillage was, kids were forced to finish or relinquish their cokes, and we finished our shopping trip.

Also, within the same period of time (one short week) my baby of 2 1/2 years has broken one television, many DVDs, a few toys that don't belong to him, and an armlet. So, to me, spring break means a time of great celebration and joy in the beginning of a fresh new season and hope. However, it also means we will eventually need to replace things. So with that thought in mind, here are some fantastic Etsy finds, in case something of yours get broken - or needs replacing - or you want something new, just in case.

Some Breakable Things...but good to have around

RedCrowArts

Stained Glass Mosaic Mirror

This mirror is not only beautiful to look at, but serves a double purpose. If positioned correctly, you can see what is going on behind you while you are not looking. The kids won't even know they're being watched. Besides, with your lovely face positioned in the center, the image of beauty will be complete!
















Warm Country Meadows

Moss Terrarium Inside of Libbey glass Apothecary Jar

This lovely little world may transport you to another place and time as you gaze longingly into it. The little polymer clay mushroom makes me think I'll see a fairy hiding beneath it or perhaps boldly sitting and tatting upon it. They could hide anywhere in that delicious jungle of greenery. There are times when the noise going on around me is obliterated by the beauty of something serene and natural.








awade1663

 Hand Painted Rose and Daisy Bottle with Free Flowing Spout

This lovely little bottle would have a variety of uses. I can see it used as a bottle for your favorite vinaigrette dressing to use on those crisp summer salads. However, the artist provides a variety of intriguing uses - making it very wise to invest in a few of these beautiful bottles. If you decorate your life with beauty around you, you feel beauty everywhere. I'd keep this one away from the kids, though!

AND some unbreakable things...

fashiongreentbags

Is It Hot In Here? t-bag

Not sure if this sentiment could apply to me, but I think the idea is on fire! No, this is not a t-shirt. Well, not anymore. It's a bag! This crafty crafter has transformed t-shirts into reusable tote bags that are practical enough to take grocery shopping! I buy A LOT of groceries, and sometimes the bags are so small and expensive that I MUST resort to additional plastic bags. This nearly kills me, so at only $7 and with a ton of room, these won't break the bank, they'll save the world!















Metmorphosi

Recycled plastic chandelier DARMALAMP

And who says your lamps and beautiful chandeliers have to be made out of glass? Artist Darma Chavarria says that they can be made of plastic. And better yet, plastic reclaimed from used plastic bottles! This light is so stunning, no one would ever know it is plastic or recycled. The details are magnificent.






bagsagain

Plarn Coil Basket

I've seen plarn used in a variety of ways, but this is new, useful, beautiful, and most appreciatively unbreakable! I love the colors, the nesting ability, and the variety of uses these plarn bowls could provide. Earth friendly, they make a statement that you are a steward of your environment - and have a ton of chic-ness.



The artisans showcased here today can all be found on Etsy. Just click the links and zoom off to their shops. Shopping and creating handmade are the best ways to save money, time, and the environment. You support small business, artisans that are alive, and reinforce a struggling economy. When you move away from big business that hires overseas and produces cheap goods through slave labor, you make a statement about your values and your commitments. Handmade releases creativity and gives insight into new ideas. You won't see any of these things in the big box stores. Especially any made with the love, devotion, time, creativity, talent, and hard work these artisans put into their crafts.

I give links to books on Amazon that I think you may like, because I think everyone should find their inner crafter. If something appeals to you, look into it. It doesn't hurt to try. You won't be an expert the first time, but you may find something you love to do. So get crafting, people! I need more stuff to showcase.