Reduce, Reuse Recycle. We definitely try to live this in my family, although we’re not as hardcore as I’d like to be. In an attempt to make reusing and recycling more appealing to my kids, I’ve been trying to work on projects and point out items in our house that have been “upcycled” in some way.

The kids see us putting the recycling out at the curb on recycling day, but that’s a very abstract concept to them. I wanted to give them some concrete examples of what recycling and reusing looks like in our everyday life. 

I made this cute little shrug for Cheyenne from a boxy old t-shirt that was somewhat worn. It was a hand-me-down that she wasn’t particularly fond of in its original form. Now, as a sweater, she wears it all the time.

I love this lamp. My grandfather had both a passion for stained glass and a tight budget, so he and a friend of his took to making these bottle lamps in their retirement. The glass comes from various coloured beer and wine bottles he salvaged from friends and neighbors. This one used to hang on his three-season porch above the wrought iron nesting tables next to the couch. At night it gave off the prettiest coloured light patterns. He’s been gone for over 10 years now, but the lamps are still here, reminding me of summer evenings spent with my grandparents on their porch.

This is a skirt I made from a pillowcase. It is possibly the easiest garment I have ever sewn. Essentially all I did was cut the pillowcase to the right length and sew an elastic waistband at the top. I’ve made several of these now and the girls absolutely love them.

I used the scraps from the pillowcase skirts to make stuffed animal skirts. Don’t Marjorie and Mr. Fix-it (who is a girl in spite of her name) look ravishing?

Our next project is going to be recycled crayons. I found some huge bags of crayons at the thrift store for $.50 each and thought this would make a great project for my little artists.