More upcycling!

It is a cold snowy day here in Colorado.  I always try to reuse, use up, and recycle but January is a time when I try even harder.  Last year, I harvested some Christmas bulbs from some old light sets that we were replacing.  All colors, some working, some not.

I washed and dried the bulbs and sorted by color.  Then I drilled a hole in the gold end with my drill, all the way through.  I filed the rough edges off with my belt sander.

I used a large eyed needle and threaded organza ribbon through the holes.

 

I coated each bulb with Mod Podge.  I love this stuff and use it for so many things!  While still wet, I covered the bulbs with glitter.

 White glitter on clear bulbs.....

 Pinkish red on red bulbs......

Hang to dry.  These make great ornies, and I sold out of the ones that I made last year.  You can repurpose, and make a little money as well.  Or give as gifts or package tie-ons!

Also to brighten my day, my daughter, Heidi, sent me a "just because" bouquet.  It made a dreary day seem so much brighter.  Love her!

 

 

Happy Monday!

Good morning, my friends!  I had a pretty relaxing weekend, but I did do some upcycling yesterday.  A few months back, I paid $10 for an entire box of decorator sampler fabric at a garage sale.  The fabrics are beautiful, but in very tiny swatches.  I cut some of them up for rag garlands, used some for pillows, and then I saw that I had a bunch of green pieces.  (When I see green or red, of course I think Christmas)

I found this little aspen tree that hubby had run over and broke off, so I cut it into pieces, approximately 1".

 Then I laid out a swatch of fabric and folded it in half to get the pattern size.  I even laid the "trunk" out just to make sure it was the right size and scale...(see where I am going with this?)

Trace.....and sew. 

 If you have the fold on the bottom, you will have to cut a small hole to turn it.

Next I turned, stuffed and glued on the trunk.  I also glued some little rusty stars to the top.

 I took my "trees" outside and sprayed them with a sealer and while still wet, I dusted lightly with this cinnamon scented glitter.

Though I will probably display them in a basket, I did add some embroidery floss behind the stars so they can also be hung.  I think they are adorable!  Just another way to use up those scraps!