Latest news with #crafters
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Breathing new life into old furniture
Ottawa Watch If you have a piece of furniture that is getting old, but you don't want to buy new, upcycling is the way to go.
BBC News
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Yarn bomb display celebrates beauty of Hertford's four rivers
A town's natural beauty is being celebrated with a display of 100 yarn bomb creations. The 140 members of the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters have knitted scenes that showcase the area's four rivers - the Rib, Lea, Mimram and Beane. Debs Bonfield from the group said: "We make beautiful things for the town to enjoy, and they embrace it."The Parliament Square display will raise money for food bank charity Hertford Pantry, and feature a narrow boat called Lady Joan, in memory of Joan Brandford, a member who passed away last year. Mrs Bonfield said the group had raised money for a number of local charities since it began in 2017. She hoped its latest display would raise more than £20,000 and take it to more than £200,000 in total. It created a number of displays, including a celebration for the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, King Charles III's Coronation and the Olympics. "It's a lovely craze that's taken off. We started with 12 members and now have 140, it's just grown from there," Mrs Bonfield said. The river theme was chosen because Hertford "is unique"."It has a chalk river bed, and there are only a few of those in the country. "As a small town, it has four rivers running through it, which is quite rare."We wanted to celebrate the natural beauty of Hertford." She said scenes including fish, ducks, coots, bees, butterflies and voles would "take over the whole of Parliament Square". It also includes a depiction of the annual Hertford Duck Race, complete with 200 knitted ducks, and the winner on a podium. "We're really proud of what we've achieved, we thoroughly enjoy it, we get together three times a week, we're all volunteers, we make beautiful things for the town to enjoy and the town embraces it", she added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
26-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Don't Throw Out Old Egg Cartons Without Trying These 12 Genius DIYs
We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Empty egg cartons might seem like trash, but they can be surprisingly useful. For instance, it's incredibly simple to start seeds in cardboard ones. The material can also be reused in multiple ways for eco-friendly decor projects. Styrofoam cartons can be an even greater burden to the environment because they're non-biodegradable and can stay in their original form for centuries. So, repurposing them in your house will save you money on craft supplies and storage solutions while reducing waste. They work great as paint palettes for art projects, and they even make good drawer organizers. Are you interested in learning more about the ways you can give your old egg cartons a new life? Here are some genius DIYs you should try before throwing them out. Just make sure you clean them thoroughly to remove any food residue before you get started. Read more: 18 Genius Ways To Repurpose Empty Tic Tac Containers Around Your Home And Garden DIY Papier Mâché Bowls Out Of Egg Carton Paper Clay Looking for a beautiful organizer to grace your entryway or side table? Transform an old egg carton into a stunning decorative bowl by turning it into paper clay. You just need to soak it in water for a day and blend the mixture. Use flour and salt or Mod Podge Glue and Finish to turn the sludge into dough, using a bowl to mold it into shape. You'll also need napkins for decoupage. Use patterns or solid colors to match the room's vibe. Or get festive designs, like Halloween or Christmas ones, to create your own low-cost holiday decor. Give Your Eggs A Fancy Basket To Rest In Are you into the new fridgescaping trend that has everyone sprucing up their fridge interiors? If so, save some cash and craft a fancy basket for your eggs instead of buying one. You'll need to cut a plastic container, such as a large shallow bowl or old takeout container, to form the base. Measure its diameter prior to trimming your egg carton for a perfect fit, and paint it in a shade matching your fridge's theme. Then, embellish its exterior with thick jute rope for a rustic look or use metallic ribbon for a more glam vibe. Start Seeds In An Old Egg Carton Thinking of starting seeds indoors? Cardboard egg cartons are an inexpensive way to begin. To reuse these empty food containers as DIY seed starters, trim the lid and create holes in the bottom of the cups for drainage. Sandwich your seeds between thin layers of potting soil and avoid pushing them in too deep, or they'll have trouble sprouting. After watering them generously, move the carton to a warm location that receives sunlight. When they're ready to be transplanted, tear off individual cups and place them directly in the ground. As the cardboard breaks down, it'll enrich the soil with carbon. Fashion A Drawer Organizer Out Of An Egg Carton No matter how well you organize your drawer's contents, they won't stay in place for long without dedicated organizers. But if you're reluctant to spend money on fancy ones, try out an egg carton storage hack for a more organized home. Cut your carton in half if you don't have a lot of items or squeeze in another to organize your overflowing junk drawer. Sort your leftover hardware, craft supplies, sewing threads, or tape rolls and group like items together. If you have deep drawers that the carton will slide around in, keep it in place with Art3D's Double-Sided Mounting Tape. Keep The Condiments In Your Refrigerator Organized With An Egg Carton Don't like how chaotic your condiment bottles look on your refrigerator's shelves? An old egg carton will change the way you organize your fridge. Just ensure it's completely dry before putting it in one of your side shelves to discourage bacterial growth. The small compartments are the perfect size to store upside-down bottles, so you can get to every last drop of your favorite sauce or salad dressing. It'll also minimize fridge cleanup if the bottles leak. Simply change out the carton for a clean one when needed. Styrofoam Egg Cartons Make For Excellent Painting Palettes Do you like creating your own art work? A Styrofoam (cardboard might absorb paint) egg carton can double as a painting palette. Just tear off the number of cups that you need to mix colors for your current project. Now, add your acrylic or water paints in the compartments. If you need to store different-sized brushes throughout your project, create tiny holes in the carton's center with a screwdriver to hold them. Create A Contemporary Vase Using An Egg Carton And An Old Glass Vase Dimensional vases are on-trend and can add tons of visual interest to your space. To make one for a fraction of the retail price, make a bubble vase-inspired container of your own out of cut-up egg cartons. Use an old glass vase as the base (the cheap ones from Dollar Tree work, too) and attach the cut-up carton cups. Try a baking soda painting technique for a textured look that emulates stone. Or, go for a shiny finish like Rust-Oleum Painter's Touch Metallic Aluminum Spray Paint for a glam metal-like look. Use Plastic Egg Cartons As A Mini Greenhouse Don't have the funds for a full-blown greenhouse to start seeds early in spring? Make your own using plastic egg cartons. Poke holes in the bottom of the cups for drainage, and add a few in the top to promote ventilation. After sowing your seeds, close the lids and place the carton in a warm and bright spot. Water them as directed on the seed packet to help them sprout. This DIY works because the trapped moisture and heat will offer the ideal environment for the seedlings to germinate and get ready for transplantation. Turn A Plastic Egg Carton Into A Self-Watering Seed Tray Although starting seeds indoors can speed up the germination timeline, watering the soil daily can soon feel like a chore. So, set up a self-watering seed tray to make things easier. You'll repurpose the cups of your plastic egg carton as a mini greenhouse, and use its flat lid as your watering tray. This way, your seeds will have ready access to water, and you won't have to set reminders for watering them. Egg Cartons Will Help You Organize Your Nail Polish Collection Keeping your nail polish collection organized can be challenging. Not knowing which colors you own can lead to buying doubles, while others might get lost in the back of a drawer and go bad over time. Luckily, an empty egg carton can help maintain order. Simply cut it in half and organize the bottles in the cups. The open format will make it easier for you to access and put back your nail polish. If you don't like the carton's drab appearance, paint it a fun shade. This is also a great way to sort your lip balms and lipstick tubes. Plastic Egg Cartons Are A Good Way To Propagate Plants Thinking of propagating plants using stem or leaf cuttings? Use plastic egg cartons when using water as a medium. Cut holes in the lid using a sharp pair of scissors or a tool like X-Acto's Precision Utility Knife. Set the carton in a location that receives indirect sunlight, fill it with room temperature water, and place your cuttings in the holes. Don't forget to replace the water every week or earlier if it gives off a bad smell to keep algae and bacteria at bay. Egg Cartons Can Double As Shelf Risers For Your Books Having trouble fitting all your books in their assigned spot? Use your cardboard egg cartons as shelf risers. This will give your shelves a more organized look, and the tiered appearance will enhance visual interest. Plus, the added height will let you see the books at the back, so you won't have to move a bunch trying to hunt them down. However, don't place too many hardcovers on the risers, or the hollow cartons might buckle under the pressure. Enjoyed this article? Get expert home tips, DIY guides, and design inspiration by signing up to the House Digest newsletter! Read the original article on House Digest.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
9 Environmentally-Friendly Ways To Repurpose Your Kid's Old Clothes
From outgrown onesies to beloved tiny t-shirts, your child's wardrobe holds a treasure trove of memories. Don't let those precious fabrics gather dust in a box! Instead, discover creative and heartwarming ways to give their old clothes a new lease on life. These are the 9 coolest (and most creative) ways to repurpose worn or outgrown kids' clothing. Turn Them Into Doll Clothes If you have kids, you have dolls that are likely in dire need of clothing. Make their accessories something extra special by repurposing your kiddo's old threads into exciting new duds for their favorite playtime pals. Only thing cuter than your babies in clothes small enough for dolls? Actual dolls. Sew Some Stuffed Animals It can be easy to just let those cherished memories sit in a closet, but it doesn't have to be that way. Transform your child's beloved outgrown clothing into a precious stuffed animal like a bear or kitty cat. That's a memory they can literally snuggle up with for years to come – and then some! Make A Quilt Thought about picking up a new hobby lately? Put your children's old clothing to the task and take up quilting! With quilting, you'll be able to piece and pair swatches of material and arrange them in a way that is meaningful to you and your child. Plus, doesn't a quilt just feel cozier when you know it's full of memories? Put Together Pillows Got leftover clothing after you've created the quilt of your dreams? That's perfect! You can also use those items of clothing to make decorative pillows. While a quilt might stay in a bedroom, these pillows can dot locations all over the home, from the living room to the guest suite. Share the love! Make Wall Art Can't quite bring yourself to bring the scissors towards those precious duds that once covered your little ones? That doesn't mean you can't still repurpose them into something splendid. Try taking your little one's old overalls and hanging them on a curtain rod, then mounting the rod on the wall for a visually interesting piece of with meaning. Host A Clothing Swap An oldie but a goodie: when in doubt, share the wealth! Organize a clothing swap in your neighborhood or check local forums to connect with new parents. One thing all new parents have in common is a need for all the tiny clothes they can get their hands on! Help them save their pennies and give those clothes a beautiful second life. Use Them As Gift Wrapping In Japan, the custom of furoshiki has long been popular – it's the method of tastefully or packages in easily transportable (and beautifully folded) fabric pouches. Elevate the next baby shower you go to by trying out this Japanese style of packaging with some of your formerly-little one's favorite floral prints. Turn Them Into Reusable Bags Love the idea of making your child's old clothes useful but dread the idea of actually giving them away as gift paper? Don't worry, there's another option. Use the fabric of those precious memories to craft reusable shopping bags. Go easy on the environment while carrying around a piece of memory lane everywhere you go. Make Them Into Holiday Ornaments Yes, you can turn your kids' old clothing into ornaments, and I don't mean just tossing a pair of socks on the tree and calling it a day. Boxes of plain circular ornaments are easily available at most large box stores. Cut up the old clothes in question into different shapes, arrange by color and using simple craft glue transform those plain globes into something truly one of a kind. Subscribe to for more sustainable DIY ideas! Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
04-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
‘A little bit of comfort': Manitoba grandmother knits dolls for child wildfire evacuees
Sixteen Manitoba children forced to flee their wildfire-threatened homes have been gifted some handmade treasures to make their time away a little bit more comforting. Kim Michalski dropped off a batch of Izzy Dolls at the evacuation centre at the Soccer Federation North facility in Winnipeg on Tuesday. 'These kids came from up north, and all they could bring was one bag each, so they obviously didn't bring a lot of toys or anything, and so I just dropped them off,' she told CTV News Winnipeg. 'It's just a little bit of comfort in a bad situation.' Izzy Dolls are a type of knitted or crocheted toy created by crafters around the world and donated to children facing times of uncertainty or crisis. They're part of a global initiative inspired by Master Cpl. Mark 'Izzy' Isfeld. While on a UN peacekeeping mission to Croatia, he noticed a child's doll lying on a pile of rubble. Master Cpl. Mark 'Izzy' Isfeld Master Cpl. Mark 'Izzy' Isfeld is pictured in Kuwait in 1991. (Veterans Affairs) He told his mother about the troubling sight, who in turn crocheted some small dolls Cpl. Isfeld could give out to children he encountered on his duties. When Isfeld died in a landmine explosion in 1994, his unit asked Isfeld's mother to make more of the dolls that they could distribute in his memory. The unit named the toy Izzy. Decades later, Izzy Dolls have become a global initiative, with volunteer knitters and crocheters making the dolls and delivering them to children around the world. To date, they've reached 130 crisis zones. Izzy Dolls Children receive "Izzy Dolls" as part of a project created by Master Cpl. Mark 'Izzy' Isfeld. Michalski began making them last year after seeing folks share their homemade Izzy Dolls in a Facebook group for crafters. She had previously knitted countless hats to donate to homeless shelters and thought this seemed like another use of her skills, burgeoning as they may be. 'I'm not a proficient knitter at all, but these things are so simple to make and they're so much fun.' She brought her first batch with her when she went on vacation to Hawaii, hiding them for children to find enclosed with a note. Ever since, Michalski has kept Izzy Dolls in her car to hand out on a whim to the kids she encounters, never taking any money for them. Making them for Manitoba children forced from their homes under the threat of wildfires just made sense, Michalski said. 'It's something that'll be small enough that they can take home. That's the whole thing, because when they go back, they don't know what's going to be left.' - With files from CTV's Annie Bergeron-Oliver
