What To Do with old Calendars { RECYCLE QUICK TIP #10 }

January 11, 2017January 11, 2017 - Tobia 7 Comments

Hello there,

I just realized it’s been ages since my last recycle quick tip.

Last year I was lucky to win one of Annette’s calendars. Well 2016 is over and I really thought the calendar was too cute to just hand it over to the trash bin. So: What to do with old calendars? I asked myself.

While I was writing down my goals – one being to write birthday cards to every person this year as I have been doing back in 2015 – an idea struck me.

Why not make postcards…

Well the how to is too easy but still here it is:

find an old postcard for measurements
get out a craft knife and cutting mat
Figure out what part of the calendar you want to use
cut away
draw the backside – remember to meet legal requirements, you don’t want your card to be returned to you.
Here you find German requirements.
write postcard and make someone happy

Well that’s what I did with my calendar. I also have a couple nice photo calendars which will be put into frames.

What your you doing with old calendars? Let me know in the comments.

Happy Wednesday,

Tobia

I’ll be adding this quick DIY to Herzblutprojekte and Wow me Wednesday. Go check them out to find more inspiration!

DIY fabric covered bracelets { Recycle Quick Tip #9 }

August 19, 2015August 19, 2015 - Tobia 2 Comments

I’ve to admit I am not that crazy about bracelets. While I love how they look I find them rather unpractical. But maybe just because I sit on the computer all day typing away.

But every once in a while I totally need bracelets. Like now! But then – of course – I don’t find any I like or they are too small.

So I came up with a fun idea on how to make me some. And of course I share!

What you need:

♥ Old Pringles package
♥ Fabric and leather scraps
♥ Textile glue
♥ Scissors & cutter

Getting them done is quite easy. First cut a ring off of the Pringles tube. Make sure it’s the same heights all throughout. I found this was the hardest part of the whole project.

Now cut yourself a piece of fabric with double the width and the length as according to the ring.

When done just glue the fabric on the outside of the tube. Make sure you place it in the middle of the ring.

When everything is dry fold in remaining fabric and glue tight. You might wanna make some cuts into the fabric s you can glue it without and folds and crinkles.

Depending on fabric you used and how neat you’ve been working you might want to cover up the seam with a ribbon or something fancy. I haven’t done so yet but might go ahead and do that later.

I found working with a woolknit was the easiest and gave the most professional look. Leather (my initial project) did not really knock me off my feet.

Now, let’s see your version!
And while you are crafting I hop over to the DIY Dreamer and check out the other DIYs.

Happy crafting

Tobia

Homemade candles for the summer BBQ

June 9, 2015November 20, 2015 - Tobia Leave a comment

So who has some Christmas candles left over?! Or who is gathering used, half burned candles in some weird place? Or who never finds the right color anyways?

I sure raised my hand for all and yelled yes.

Ever since my dad introduced me to candle making about 25 years ago (holy crap…) I keep collecting candle remains. The other day I came across my designated candle box, trying to fit in more and realized it’s time for candle cooking.

And with BBQs coming up and long nights on the balcony or one or two invites it’s good to stock up.

I usually have a very old pot I use. Unfortunately due to decluttering I brought it back to my dads workshop. But I had seen this idea of using a regular can and was intrigued.

How to make candles

Supplies:

Old candles and wax
Candlewick*
Old pot or can
Tetra packs or plant pots
Spit of wood / wooden kebab stick

1. Gather your stuff. Boil some water.

2. Break up your candle and wax pieces so they fit the can. As smaller the pieces the faster they melt.

3. Remember how color works! If you put all colors together most likely you end up with brown candles. Maybe not what you have in mind for summer candles. I started with plain white for the first ones so I could go darker. Other way around will leave you with a faint color.

4. Pour water in your pot and place can inside. Make sure it doesn’t tip over and water gets into the pan. (No I have not tried that…)

5. Wait till all wax is melted.

6. While you wait, cut up tetra packs. They should be a bit higher than your candlewick is long. Push your wooden sticks through your tetra pack. They will support the wick from moving/drowning once the wax is filled in.

7. Fill melted wax into your mold. Be sure not to drown wick. Some wicks will melt, the good ones won’t. You never know when buying.

Bonus: if you want to add some special effects do it now. I added some glitter before pouring wax and sprinkled some on top. You could add all materials that won’t rot like coffee beans, dried flowers, glitter, toys and what not. Just make sure they don’t start a fire.

Now have some fun!

Things I’ve learned:

Using a can in a water bath takes much longer, but you can throw it out
Using a can gives you the possibility of doing more colors
It still kinda makes a mess
I need to figure out how to avoid this hole at the wick when candles start to dry. Any ideas?
I found using tetra packs as molds are genius. They come off in a second.

Have you ever made candles yourself?! Will you going to?

Happy wax cooking,

Tobia

For more creative ideas visit creadienstag!

*affiliate link (more information here)

New Year :: New Purse

January 29, 2015May 1, 2015 - Tobia 2 Comments

This year started out quite enthusiastic with making my big list of 2015 resolutions and then breaking it up into my January tasks. But to be honest once that was done I kinda felt drained.

After my December marathon of blogging I feel I need to step back from blogging for a bit before it becomes a task.

It’s not that don’t do anything with my time – on the contrary. We finally got our new wall closet installed this weekend and I also spend tons of time writing eBay ads to get all the clutter out of the apartment.

And I also finally got around to sew a new purse.

This was planend to be my new fall purse – hence the colors. I came around this ribbon and it reminded me of the Alps, a nice late summer evening where it’s getting really cold.

However I didn’t really know what to do with it. But of course I bought it anyways. (I had a major shopping spree and bought a boatload of ribbons that day. Seriously it’s been a bit scary what money I spent that day.)

Anyway a bit later I was going through my pile of old clothes to good to throw out and discovered our old throw pillow cases in the pile. Jackpot! Don’t those colors match perfectly?!

I used the Penelope Tote pattern I had sewn before and what has proven to be a good size for me. I found it here – but I think it’s not on the blog anymore. However there are ton of other patterns worth browsing. The instructions with the pin tucks throw me off every time and I really don’t think I sew them the way they were supposed to but I don’t know any other way.

I am quite happy with the result. Do you have a favorite purse pattern? Or do you try new ones every time? Please share because a girl can’t have enough bags and purses, no?

I also added a few pockets – it’s all about decluttering, right?
And since I sew it for myself I will join todays linkup RUMS.

Happy day to you,

Tobia

Starry Night #18 * Star Decoration * DIY Advent Calendar

December 18, 2014November 7, 2015 - Tobia 1 Comment

Today I have a really quick DIY you can almost do on the go. And once again most of you should have at the items you need at home. Let do some Christmas Star Decoration with cork coasters!

All you need is

♥ cork coaster
♥ pins
♥ a stencil

I painted my star partner with tailor chalk on the chalkboard and then pinned away. It is not as easy as it looks to get a similarity. I figured I do the corners and then evenly spread pins in between.

Pretty easy, huh? Now go put it on a shelf and enjoy.