Step away from the pre-cut fun foam folks and expensive craft isles at your local store, there is hot new trend in crafting that involves using three R's...
reworked, recycled & reclaimed.
Projects made with these items have instant character, a bit of history helps add depth to any creation.
If you follow me on Pinterest you have seen that I've been diligently working on my Valentine's Day love.... board. 802 pins later and I'm still slighly obsessed with finding ideas or images I have yet to explore. My hubbie has never been one to make a big deal of the day but I ADORE celebrating with kiddos and Ryan's kindergarten year deserves a big effort. Kindie Valentine's Day preparations and parties are the sweetest. Last week we started with a small printmaking activity called Hearts on Heartstrings.
Next week I hope to go in for more art days as well. Today for Eco-Friday I wanted to share some easy ideas that reflect the three R's that we've either tried or will try this year.
Love these fun arrows...use up bits of scrap felt or even fleece from worn out clothing or felt an old or damaged sweater. Collecting sticks is a grand excuse to take a snowy forest walk too.
Pluck four juice bottles or any nice bottles out of your recycling bin and you have the makings of a pretty centerpiece. If you don't have burlap to stencil on you could use any fabric or paper scraps that appeal to you. At your local Italian grocers or coffee bar you can find little fruit nectars in the sweetest little bottles...the labels wash off easily and they are ideal for projects like this.
Old keyboards are plentiful at your local Sally Anne or thrift shop. Pluck off some keys and make your own message to give a loved one. I also have a frame where the who frame is covered with old keys and it's always a conversation piece. I bet you even have a frame kicking around you can use. Pop out the old image or cover with printed paper and you are ready to go.
We've made many version of these bottle caps over the years. You can get the sealer at any craft supply place, collect some caps, add images or little decorations and seal. They make cute pins to give our or glue tacks on the back for a bulletin board.
We have a big bag of fleece pieces left from the boys feltie making phase so I am going to make some of these little heart hand warmers for sure. Filled with rice they can keep hands warm in mittens for up to an hour.
Another thing I want to make is little snowglobes. My vision is quite a bit different than this version but the general instructions will be the same.
All of these projects and mounds more are pictured and explained on my Valentine's Day love... pin board. I promise there will be many a thing you can create with things you already have tucked away somewhere in your home. Missing something? Ask a friend, give a little Facebook shout out...someone is bound to have just what you need they would be happy to pass on.
Use your imagination, challenge your kiddos to do the same. Mother Earth will thank you and you will have treasures to admire year after year.
happy weekend friends,
oxo
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