Crafts from Trash

Recycle Some Family Fun

By Donna Stone

With a little imagination and just a few supplies, items that would normally end up in the trash can be turned into treasures. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Does grandma like to sew? Here is a simple gift you and your child can make for her, turning a baby food jar into a pin cushion.

You will need:
Empty baby food jar
Small amount of polyfiberfill or cotton balls (enough to fill the jar and a little more so it makes a mound on top)
1 4-inch circle of fabric
Rubber band (large enough to fit around the neck of the jar)
12 inches of ribbon
Strip of wrapping paper, 3-1/2 inches by 8-inches
Clear tape

Place the wrapping paper strip inside the baby food jar, printed side facing out, and secure with tape. Fill the jar with stuffing. Center the fabric circle over the top of the jar and secure with the rubber band. Tie the ribbon around the jar, covering the rubber band. You may also use plain white paper instead of wrapping paper and draw your own designs on it.

It always seems a few pieces of a puzzle manage to get lost before you know it. What can you do with puzzles that have lost a few pieces? Here's one idea.

You will need:
Glue
Scissors
Cereal boxes
Construction paper
Puzzle pieces (you may paint them or leave them as is)
String for hanging or a magnet strip
Clear tape
Photo*

Cut off the side of the cereal box to get long rectangular pieces. Trim these pieces to be 11 inches long and 1 inch wide. Use the box front or back and cut two more pieces 7 inches long and 1 inch wide. Cut construction paper the same size as the frame pieces and glue onto the pieces. Allow to dry. Use the two longer pieces to form the sides of your frame. Put glue at each corner and add the two shorter pieces on the top and bottom to form a frame. Now glue puzzle pieces randomly around your frame. Other embellishments, such as glitter or yarn pieces, can be added. When your frame is completely dry, glue a hanging string or a magnet strip to the back if you are hanging your picture on the refrigerator. Fasten your picture into the frame with tape and hang.