Upcycled Design Lab Blog

Upcycled Plastic Bottle Make Over (yep another one)

 

 

I have been enjoying my upcycled lotion bottle and the home made lotion that I posted about a couple of weeks ago.  But I also wanted to replace the soap bottle that I have been using.  My creation is nothing spectacular but it is an improvement don't you think?

 

 

 

 

I had this empty bottle and I liked the shape of it.

 

 

The labeling was printed on instead of a sticker that would easily pull off.  So I decided to see if I could scrub off the label.  Thanks to the magic of the Brillo pad I was able to get a nice clean bottle.

 

I used the same laundry detergent bottle as my last bottle project but I deided to use a tooth paste tube this time instead of the aluminum can. 

 

 

Then I used the same pin punch technique to make my design.  The toothpaste tube was much easier to work with than the aluminum can but you can see that the punch holes aren't quite as crisp.

 

 

But I am happy with my little bottle set.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

Happy Crafting

 

 

Upcycled T-shirt Dress

Today's Post will be short and sweet since it is already two days late. 

 

So here is the big news. 

 

I finished another t-shirt project from my 20 T-shirt Challenge.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Crafting

 

Come on in and see the lab (Aka: my hot mess of a craft room)

 

 

Have you seen this magazine?

 

 

 

 

 

Or this one?

 

 

 

 

If you haven't you should take a peek at them. 

 

Aren't they fun to look at?  I am always envious of these artist beautiful creative spaces.  They are so put together and organized.  I am pretty sure that they tidied up before their photo shoots but even so you can tell that these are serious, nicely finished spaces for their owners to create in.  I sometime dream of having a space like one of these.  A space that says something about me and my creations.  A place that is organized and oh so very tidy. 

 

 

But, I already have that space.  It is not ready for a photo shoot in either of the aforementioned magazines and it occurs to me now that it probably never will be.  It is not the perfect space that I dream of but it does say something about my style, which I can only describe as  

 

"Gypsy Dorm Room". 

 

I think I am ok with that.

 

So without further adieu......

 

Please come on in.

 

 

 

 

You will have to excuse my messes.

 

 

 

 

I dabble here sometimes.

 

 

 

 

These are the colors I would paint my room if I ever get around to it.

 

 

 

 

My little sewing corner and messy drawing table with two projects in process from my 20 T-shirt Challenge.

 

 

 

 

I cut a hole in my wall for this thread storage at least a year ago.  I guess it is functional but finished?  Not so much.  Just another reason I will not be featured in the next issue of Where Women Create.

 

 

 

 

My bigger crafting table with another t-shirt work-in-progress and wardrobe where I keep all the stuff I sell on EBay.  (Yes it's true I live a double life :-)

 

 

 

 

I bought this antique sewing machine at the flea market last summer because I just fell in love with it.  And well to be honest there was some beer involved.  But I still love it when I am stone cold sober. 

 

 

 

 

The belt is broken and the cabinet also needs some repair but that doesn't keep me from fantasizing about sitting and sewing at my pretty little machine.  I am on target to do that just as soon as I get the call from Studios Magazine.

 

 

Onward....

 

 

This is the current state of affairs for my beloved little treadle machine.  All tucked away and surrounded by junk.

 

 

 

 

Not even sure what that crap on the floor is.  But I must keep it for some reason.  This photo also gives you a nice shot of the lovely carpet and the fact that the door has no inside frame work.  Just one more unfinished project to obsess about.

 

 

Still with all of it's short commings it is a little slice of heaven to have a crafty space to make messes in.  Don't you agree?  I wish you all this same happiness.  Even if all you have is a little temporary crafting space stolen from your kitchen table it feels good to get out there and make some stuff.

 

 

Happy Crafting,

 

 

Upcycled Plastic Bottle Make Over

 

 

I have been wanting to try this moisturizer recipe from Potholes & Pantyhose but I needed a bottle.  And of course not just any bottle would do I wanted something that I could leave out on my bathroom counter.  It is fairly simple but I think it is finished enough.

 

 

I started with my empty bottle and part of an aluminum can and laundry detergent bottle.

 

 

The front and back labels peeled right off and made perfect templates.

I cut the green layer slightly larger than the silver layer.

 

Then I needed some simple art.   I finally decided to use one of my Upcycling Logos.

 

With two layers of corrugated cardboard tape together and the aluminium layer taped down with the art work on top.....

I used a push pin to punch my design into the aluminium.

 

Glue, secure and let dry.

 

Repeat

Now I am ready to refill my bottle with a home made moisturizer.

 

Happy Crafting,

 

 

Easy 4 Step Toilet Paper Cuff Bracelet - DIY Tutorial

 

 

This is a simple little project that would be a perfect craft for a girls birthday or slumber party and the decorating possibilities are endless.

 

 

 

Step 1 - Cut the toilet paper roll into three equal parts.

 

 

Step 2 - Glue pieces together.

 

 

Step 3 - Secure and allow glue to dry.

 

 

Step 4 - Decorate. 

 

As some of you may know I am working on a 20 T-shirt challenge so I used some of my T-shirt scraps and some extra buttons that I had on hand.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Crafting